NJFA News and Resources

Sep. 28, 2020

Since 2008, NJFA has been focused on the economic security of older adults in our state. With the publishing of the first NJ Elder Index in 2009, we were at the forefront of talking about the the financial realities of retiring in NJ.

Those conversations (and related advocacy) continue today, with both our partners at the NJ Division of Aging Services who continue to update and produce the report and the Gerontology Institute at the University of Massachusetts at Boston, who continue to produce national data and promote a national dialogue on the issue of economic security in later life. You can read about some of their current work on the Institute Blog, including the fact that the data shows the inequities that exist in retirement and that older adults of color have a more difficult time with saving for retirement.

And you can hear more about this important work on Oct. 15th for NJFA's third and final webinar in the Policy Series where we will be joined by Jan Mutchler of the Gerontology Institute, see below for details.

Using the Elder Index in New Jersey to Measure Economic Insecurity

Jan E. Mutchler, PhD

What is the true cost of growing older in America?

This webinar will share information about the Elder Index, a tool that measures the income older people need to meet necessary expenses for housing, health care, food, transportation, and other essentials, while staying independent in their own homes. The presenter will share an overview of the Elder Index for New Jersey and how it can be used to measure economic insecurity among older adults. She will review data describing the risk of economic insecurity in New Jersey, and differences in that risk across demographic groups and by county. The presenter will offer initial thoughts about the financial impacts of the pandemic for older adults. We will close with a discussion of how the Elder Index can be used by organizations to promote awareness and advocate for older adults who are struggling to get by.

Click below to register.

Aging Insights

NJ’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) Director Mary McGeary and Senior Medicare Patrol NJ Project Director Charles Clarkson team up for “Expert Guidance for Medicare Open Enrollment in 2020,” September’s episode of Aging Insights.

Noting that Medicare is “complex,” McGeary and Clarkson stressed the importance of reviewing your current Medicare health and drug coverage, adding that not every plan offers every benefit. They also noted that the public will be seeing lots of ads during this period, but warned that plans are not supposed to call you. “Take the mail and throw it away,” said Clarkson. “Call SHIP or go to medicare.gov to find a plan.”

SHIP provides free help to NJ Medicare beneficiaries who have problems with, or questions about, their health insurance. A statewide program with offices in every county, SHIP is administered by the NJ Department of Human Services with financial assistance through a grant from the U.S. Administration for Community Living. SHIP counselors can be reached at 1-800-792-8820. Visit state.nj.us/humanservices/doas/services/ship/.

Senior Medicare Patrols (SMPs) empower and assist Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers to prevent, detect, and report health care fraud, errors, and abuse through outreach, counseling, and education. SMP of NJ at JFS is part of the national SMP network, funded by the US Administration for Community Living. SMP of NJ can be reached at 1-877-SMP (767)-4359. Visit seniormedicarepatrolnj.org/.

Up Next

On the next two episodes of Aging Insights we interview several experts to ask the questions- "what now?" We've been covering the response to COVID-19, but what about the continued risk and long-term impact? We will be talking about just that over the course of two episodes with medical professionals, scholars, and program staff across NJ.

Visit Old School- an online clearing house of anti-ageism resources, created by author of This Chair Rocks, Ashton Applewhite. (click the image above to visit the site).