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NJAAW News and Resources
September 3, 2025
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NJAAW Housing Design Competition Portal is Open!
New Jersey faces a housing crisis. And we plan to find solutions.
Not only are we among the 10 most expensive states for housing, but most homes are 50+ years old, 2-stories in height, and both inaccessible and unaffordable for older residents. NJAAW’s 2024 Statewide Survey of Older Adults revealed that many older adults want to stay in their communities but face challenges with their current homes and lacked options to downsize.
To highlight the housing challenges facing older residents AND help identify solutions, NJAAW has received an AARP Community Challenge Grant to hold a design competition across 3 categories:
1 - Accessory Dwelling Units
2 - Detached single family
3 - Multi-family housing (2+ units).
The deadline for submissions is October 31, 2025
Please see - AND SHARE - our webpage with details, criteria, resources and links to the submission form here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/cu/TIz5cIH/Design
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Lifelong Strong New Jersey
New Jersey stands at a crossroads - by 2034, we will have more residents over the age of 60 than students sitting in our classrooms.
As the state’s population ages, the systems meant to support older adults are becoming increasingly strained and outdated. Affordability, healthcare, and housing are no longer siloed concerns, but are collectively affecting residents’ quality of life, and whether they will remain in the State in their later years.
Lifelong Strong New Jersey, a coalition of advocates, thought leaders and service providers, is calling for a state-led Multisector Plan for Aging (MPA) – a coordinated, data-driven roadmap that engages all state agencies, the private sector, and community organizations to set goals and alter/improve/create policies to better support aging in NJ.
Visit LifelongStrongNJ.org for news, updates, blogs and to sign up for the Lifelong Strong NJ newsletter.
To learn more about Multisector Plan for Aging, click here: State Multisector Plans for Aging Can Promote a More Coordinated "Ecosystem" for Older Adults
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Stockton University Hosts
2026 Mid-Atlantic Intergenerational Conference
Call for Proposals
The Stockton University Center on Successful Aging (SCOSA) is hosting the 2026 Mid-Atlantic Intergenerational Conference next June and has a call for proposals due September 18, 2025.
For details, see: STOCKTON
Download the flyer here: Flyer
| | | Age-Friendly Movement in NJ | |
Event to Explore the Age-Friendly Role of Public Libraries
Most local libraries have a children’s librarian, but what about a staff member who specializes in older adult services?
Most partner with local schools but how many think to actively collaborate with their local senior centers or over-55 living communities? The role of libraries has always been bigger than just lending books. The 440 libraries across New Jersey serve as centers of community life, with programs and amenities that reflect the needs – and the budgets – of the towns they serve.
As New Jersey’s population ages, libraries have become lifelines for many older adults, offering art classes, cultural exhibits, history seminars and a host of lifelong learning opportunities as well as the only access some seniors have to the internet or a computer. A 2024 Survey of Older Adults conducted by New Jersey Advocates for Aging Well (NJAAW) found that older adults are more likely to visit, trust, and engage with their library than with senior centers or other organizations.
The expanding and evolving reach of local libraries makes them essential partners in any community’s effort to plan for an age-friendly future.
Continue reading here: AFNJ Blog
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Libraries as Invaluable Resources for Older Adults
Wednesday, September 10th, 10:30am - 12:30pm
Leonia Public Library, 227 Fort Lee Rd, Leonia
The next in-person AFNJ Alliance event will focus on local public libraries as age-friendly partners.
Libraries are trusted, familiar spaces that offer invaluable resources—serving as gateways to lifelong learning, civic engagement & social connection. NJAAW's 2024 Survey of Older Adults reinforced this, finding that older adults are more likely to visit, trust, and engage with their library than with senior centers or other organizations. Leonia Public Library exemplifies this through robust programs for older adults.
Lunch and networking will follow official presentations.
Registration required - click here: RSVP
Save the date for our virtual meeting in October with the Alzheimer's Association Greater NJ Chapter on Thursday, October 23rd at 10am. Register here: AFNJ Virtual
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Age Friendly Health Systems –
The Age-Friendly Pharmacist Champions
Thursday, September 18, 3:00pm EST
New Jersey Advocates for Aging Well and the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) invite you to explore of one of the 4 pillars of Age Friendly Health Systems and the 4Ms - Medication
Details will include ASCP’s Age-Friendly Pharmacist initiative. To help older adults and those who care for them navigate the complexities of managing medications and how they affect what matters to them, their mentation and mobility, this certification incorporates the expertise of long-term care pharmacies and pharmacists who specialize in the care of older adults into the Age-Friendly Health Systems movement. Recognition as an Age-Friendly Pharmacist will increase knowledge, skills and approaches to caring for older adults as well as increasing visibility to others that practice Age-Friendly care.
To register, click: here:
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Deep Dive Series:
Preparing for Aging
One of the most important strategies for aging well is to have a plan.
We are all familiar with financial planning, but life planning and organization are equally important to ensure that you, your family, and your loved ones know what you want and where all your important information is.
Join NJAAW for a virtual series, “Preparing for Aging” on September 18, 25 and October 3 at 1-2pm.
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September 18th: Speak for Yourself: Planning Ahead for the Care You Want, Katie Bisaha, NJ HCQI
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September 25: Organizing Your Life for Your Next of Kin, Diane Vitillo, MS, Home Heart Beats, LLC
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October 3: Understanding Solo Agers, Adrian Allotey, You Are Not Alone Elder Care, Shana Siegel, Norris McLaughlin, P.A and Carl Archer, Archer Law Office
Register for all 3 sessions Registration
Download and share the flyer here: Flyer
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Reauthorization of the Older Americans Act: What’s at Stake
Monday, September 22, 2-3 pm
Join this virtual, nonpartisan briefing sponsored by the John A. Hartford Foundation to explore the impact of the Older Americans Act (OAA) on the health and independence of adults 60+ and their family caregivers.
Since its inception in 1965, the Older Americans Act (OAA):
- Has been introduced for Congressional reauthorization and refunding
- Helps people aged 60 and older live independently rather than in more costly nursing homes, reducing financial strain on state Medicaid budgets and family caregivers
- Provides $2 billion in grants to trusted state and local organizations, which offer meals, transportation, caregiver support, employment training and other services to 1 in 6 older adults nationwide (40% live below the poverty line and 30% live in rural areas)
- Delivers nearly 2x the return on investment of every taxpayer dollar
and much, much more.
For details and to register, click: here
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Redesigning Work for Longevity: Supporting Older Workers and Working Caregivers
Note date change: Monday, October 7, 1 pm
As our population ages, the workplace needs to change and adapt. What can aging advocates, policymakers, and employers do to meet these new demands?
Katy Terveer, a Senior Advisor at Age Wave, a consulting firm focused on improving the lives of older adults, will share how we can convince companies of the opportunity in front of them to improve their talent strategy and retain their employees by redesigning the workplace for longevity. Based on two articles she co-authored for the Harvard Business Review, she’ll share research about what older workers and working caregivers want and need, policies for keeping both in the workforce, and highlight some best practices from around the globe.
We will also be joined by Emily Beach from the Age-Friendly Institute's Certified Age Friendly Employer program. NJAAW has received an AF Projects Grants from NJ DHS to foster and expand age-friendly employment practices in NJ.
This session will challenge traditional assumptions and showcase how longevity-smart workplaces aren’t just ethical—they’re strategic.
Register here
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NJ Association of Senior Centers
Lunch & Learn
October 9, 2025, 10am to 12pm - lunch to follow
Middletown Senior Center
Calling all senior center staff!
The first in-person meeting to revive the NJ Association of Senior Centers (NJASC) will be held on October 9. Learn more about NJASC, share your ideas & knowledge, get to know your fellow senior center leaders and (maybe) volunteer to help NJASC get up and running. Plus, hear from the Division of Aging Services about the services and programs they can offer you and your members.
Whether you have membership of 25 or 2500, we welcome you to join us and help plan for how an association can help all of NJ's senior centers - no matter how big or small.
RSVP here: RSVP
Download the flyer here: Flyer.
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Integrated Mental Health for Older Adults
Although mental health is a critical aspect of care, true wellness involves addressing the full spectrum of the older adults' needs. This includes physical, emotional, social, and financial factors. Clinicians may take a comprehensive approach, ensuring that clients receive services that go beyond traditional psychotherapy.
Join us with our guests, Lynda Hollander and Rachel Hayley from Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris as we discuss importance of a holistic, integrated approach to mental health services for older adults in the community.
Also available as a podcast: AI Podcast
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The Alliance for Health Policy Releases Final Report from
2025 Signature Series on Aging in America
September 3, 20205 - Washington, D.C. — The Alliance for Health Policy today released its final report from the 2025 Signature Series on Aging in America, offering a comprehensive overview of expert-led insights and stakeholder-informed outputs from its yearlong educational deep-dive into aging health policy.
The report synthesizes findings from a thought leader workshop, spotlight webinar, and public summit, which culminated in a Congressional briefing that took place yesterday on Capitol Hill. The briefing marked the close of the 2025 Series and brought together policymakers and issue-area experts to learn about Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS): what they include, how they’re financed, and why rising demand is raising new questions about how policies can support aging, independence, and caregiving in America.
“As the population of older adults grows and diversifies, the need for informed, nonpartisan aging policy education is timelier than ever,” said Claire Sheahan, M.Sc., President and CEO of the Alliance for Health Policy. “This final report represents the voices of caregivers, researchers, health system leaders, and older adults themselves. It lays the groundwork for what policymakers need to know to understand and anticipate the needs of older Americans in the years ahead.”
Read the full press release with links to the report here: Press release
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Seniors and people with disabilities can save on essential expenses like prescription costs and Medicare premiums with NJSave! The application screens for eligibility in over a dozen programs, including PAAD, Senior Gold, and more.
How to apply:
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Expanding Digital Literacy Grant Program
Applications are now being accepted for the New Jersey State Library’s Expanding Digital Literacy grant program. Public libraries can apply for up to $25,000 to develop and implement digital skills programs in their communities.
The deadline to apply is September 12, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. To see the guidelines and application instructions, click here
An informational webinar will be held on August 7, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. To register, click here
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NJ Property Tax Relief Programs
Filing Deadline October 31
The portal for applying for the ANCHOR, Senior Freeze and NJ STAY property tax relief programs is open and accepting applications.
What's new this year?
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Eligible seniors and disabled residents only need to fill out one application, the PAS-1, to apply for all 3 programs.
- Calculations and eligibility, or the "look back" are based on the 2024 tax year
- You do not need to calculate reimbursement amounts - the system will compute that for you from your base year
The new income standards are
- ANCHOR - Homeowners making up to $250,000 annually, tenants making up to $150,000 annually
- Senior Freeze - Homeowners aged 65 + and disabled homeowners making up to $168,268 last year and $163,050 in 2023, who have owned and lived in their home since Dec. 31, 2020 or earlier, and who still owned and lived in that home on Dec. 31, 2024
- Stay NJ - Homeowners aged 65+ who have owned and lived in their home for the full 12 months of 2024 and have an annual income below $500,000. The Stay NJ program will reimburse applicants for 50% of their 2024 property tax bills, maximum benefit of $6,500, and is slated to begin payments in early 2026
Community and local governments will be hosting free events to help residents participate in these Property Tax Relief programs. Event dates, locations, and additional details will be posted here as they become Property Tax Relief Events
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Getting Older in New Jersey (GO-NJ) ECHO
September 11, 2025 - February 19, 2026
Select Thursdays
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Join a multidisciplinary discussion led by New Jersey Adult Protective Services (APS), healthcare professionals, and advocates who are dedicated to ensuring the safety of vulnerable and older adults.
New Jersey’s older population faces increasing risks of abuse, neglect, and exploitation, particularly as individuals experience diminished capacity for self-care and increased psychosocial needs. Adult Protective Services (APS), which falls under the NJ Department of Human Services, plays a critical role in safeguarding these individuals.
Gaps in knowledge about APS processes, mandatory reporting requirements, and collaboration with healthcare providers often hinder the ability to protect at-risk adults effectively. Providers and caregivers are often unprepared to address complexities related to aging, such as stigma, ageism, trauma-related behaviors, and cultural barriers. These challenges contribute to hesitation in reporting abuse, navigating ethical dilemmas like self-neglect, and providing inclusive, affirming care that respects older adults’ self-determination and dignity. The goal of this series is to address these gaps in knowledge and address challenges for providers related to aging and navigating ethical dilemmas.
For details and to register, click here: ECHO Download the flyer here: ECHO Flyer
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Thursday Murders Club
It is impossible to say when Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley or Celia Imrie had the peak of their acting careers, because each excels in the new Netflix movie, "Thursday Murder Club."
Based on the 2020 book of the same name by Richard Osman, the movie follows the "club" of residents at a retirement community as they solve cold cases. Using skills from their previous occupations, they bring wit, wisdom and humor to a real case. While both leaning into stereotypes to get what they need, and delicately handling sensitive challenges that might come with age, the show (and book) is an entertaining story of amazing characters who are truly ageless.
Favorite line: When someone disparages Helen Mirren's character for her old phone, she simply says "It still works" and moves on. Age of the character, actress and phone are assets in solving the mystery.
| | Is our information useful to you? Then please consider a financial contribution today. As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, New Jersey Advocates for Aging Well relies on foundation grants and other donations to fund our work. We welcome your support, your suggestions and your input for advocating for NJ's oldest residents as we celebrate our 25th anniversary and strategize for the next 25 years. | | | | |
