NJ State Policy Lab Report:

Economic Challenges for Older New Jersey Residents

NJAAW is excited to announce the publication of our report, "Economic Challenges for Older New Jersey Residents" under a grant from the NJ State Policy lab.

Working with Anita Franzione, PhD, Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, and student interns Audrey Meng and Meryem Yaglidere, we took a deeper dive into the findings of our 2024 Sstatewide Survey of Older Adults. That survey showed that the cost of living, including taxes, housing costs, and overall expenses, is a top concern among residents.

This report explores potential solutions to the affordability crisis facing New Jersey’s older residents, with particular focus on neighboring states that are implementing Multisector Plans for Aging (MPAs). Several potential solutions for increasing economic security for residents over 60 are explored, including the use of a sliding scale approach for aging services.

Read the full report here: Economic Challenges Report

Take the Senior Center Survey

New Jersey is home to a growing population of older adults, many of whom rely on senior centers for social interaction, physical activities, educational programs, and essential services.

The newly formed New Jersey Association of Senior Centers (NJASC) aims to create a unified state association to address challenges at the local and state levels, provide professional development, share resources and foster collaboration among Senior Center professionals.

Help us learn more about New Jersey's wide range of senior centers by taking our survey or by sharing it with the senior centers in your community by February 13.

Click here: NJASC Survey

Findings will be presented at our conference on May 8.

Lifelong Strong New Jersey Asks Governor Sherrill to Adopt an MPA

On January 16, the Lifelong Strong NJ campaign sent a letter to Mikie Sherrill as she prepared to take office as New Jersey's 57th Governor.

The letter highlighted that we are at a pivotal moment when, like most of the country, our population is rapidly aging and we need to modernize the systems that support all of us as we grow older.

The letter, signed by over 125 supporters, calls for New Jersey to adopt a Multisector Plan for Aging (MPA).

Across the country, states are adopting MPAs - state-led, cross-sector, multi-year blueprints designed with input from public agencies, private partners, community leaders, and residents.

New Jersey has already laid the groundwork with the Age-Friendly Blueprint and Age-Friendly Grant Program to build local awareness and planning in municipalities and counties across the state. In addition, the New Jersey Division of Aging Services participated in a learning collaborative with the Center for Health Care Strategies to receive technical assistance on building a multisector plan. The next step is clear: a comprehensive, statewide plan driven by the Governor’s office.

To read the letter, click here: Letter to Gov. Sherrill

Goodbye and Thanks to a

Pioneering Age-Friendly Advocate

One of the founders of the Age-Friendly NJ alliance – Renie Rich Carniol – retired from her longtime post as director of the Grotta Fund for Older Adults last month, leaving behind a legacy of progress on aging issues at the local and state levels.

Carniol was instrumental in the birth of New Jersey’s age-friendly movement, joining with Julia Stoumbos, her counterpart at The Henry & Marilyn Taub Foundation, to organize a regional conference in 2015 that served as launching pad for many northern New Jersey towns to form age-friendly community initiatives.

The Grotta Fund, under Carniol’s stewardship, funded individual community initiatives in its catchment area of Essex, Union, Morris, Sussex and Somerset counties while also partnering with Taub to underwrite conferences, meetings, training opportunities, research studies and other educational efforts aimed at persuading New Jersey’s leaders of the value of implementing age-friendly principles and practices.

“Grotta’s role in the initial funding of age-friendly communities came from a thoughtful decision by its Advisory Council members, following a review of research on the demographic changes occurring, opportunities to advance the work of AARP’s Age-Friendly movement, and advice from the Partners for Health Foundation,” Carniol said. “We saw funding age-friendly work as an opportunity to leverage the movement’s model at an opportune time to use Grotta’s philanthropic dollars to promote and advance this work.”

Stepping into Carniol’s former role is Rebecca Weisberg, who has more than three decades of experience in the nonprofit sector, much of it concentrated in resource development and organizational strategy. 

Continue reading: here

How States Are Implementing the National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers

February 5, 2pm-3pm

The National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers, a roadmap released in 2022, has hundreds of action steps that public and private organizations at the local, state, and national level can take to better support caregivers.

In this webinar, attendees will learn about new and ongoing activity to support the National Strategy at the federal and state levels from the Administration for Community Living, The John A. Hartford Foundation, and state administrators from the four states that received the first ACL state caregiving implementation grants. 

To learn more and to register, click here: Webinar

Bergen County Adult Children of Aging Parents – Free Healthcare Resource Fair

February 9, 5:50pm - 7:30 pm

Did you notice any changes in mom or dad over the holidays? Are you concerned for their safety to continue to live independently? If you think your loved ones need help with activities of daily living, companionship or even transitioning into a senior living community, the Adult Children of Aging Parents is holding an event to learn all about the local healthcare resources available that can help your parents age successfully in Bergen county!

For details and to register, click here: ACAP

Meet the Great Homes and Neighborhoods for All (GHNA) Initiative

February 18th , 2-3pm

What makes a community friendly for older New Jerseyans is what makes a community friendly for all.

The Great Homes and Neighborhoods for All (GHNA) initiative is a statewide, pro-housing initiative tackling New Jersey’s housing and neighborhood challenges. 

Organized around the concept that everyone in New Jersey deserves an affordable place to live - in a safe, vibrant community, GHNA includes advocates for smart growth, fair housing, and housing justice; for-profit and nonprofit developers, and community development leaders; academics, local pro-housing campaign representatives, and land use planners.

Join us to hear about the priorities of GHNA from NJ Future's Director of Research, Tim Evans and Policy Manager, Helen Kioukis, and learn more about the zoning and land use barriers standing in the way of progress.

Register here: Meet GHNA

Winter Virtual Programs from Parker

Parker's Virtual Programming provides older adults with free access to a rich array of arts, culture, entertainment, and wellness activities. The diverse programs are free of charge and offer opportunities for older adults to engage in lectures, virtual field trips, interactive arts, wellness sessions, live performances, and more, all from the comfort of home.

Live virtual programs take place on Zoom and are accessible from any device – desktop computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone.

See the full calendar here: Calendar

To register or for more information, go to www.parkerlife.org/events or email: virtualprogramming@parkerlife.org.

Enabling Technology for Independence and Peace of Mind

“Technology” conjures many different reactions and ageist stereotypes. But enabling technology, which empowers people to leave more independent, connected and fulfilling lives, focuses on education and learning what a person needs and wants to maintain their independence.

Join us to hear from Susan Nasberg-Abrams, Director of Life|Home|Tech at JSDD as she discusses enabling technology and highlights the home tech apartment in South Orange, which showcases many aids older adults and their caregivers can use to maintain independence and increase safety.

Watch this episode here: Life Home Tech

Launching a Village to promote aging in community: human, social, and

financial capital

By Emily Greenfield, PhD, Rutgers Hub for Aging Collaboration

Villages are an innovative, community-based approach to help people thrive as they age. Operating primarily as community-based membership organizations rather than actual “brick and mortar” locations, Villages commonly facilitate services through neighbors-helping-neighbors volunteer programs, offer social events and programs, and serve as a trusted source of information for local resources. Since the first Village launched in 2002, the model has expanded to hundreds of communities, yet the start-up of Villages remains limited in many regions. This paper explores the development period (2022–2025) for one of very few Villages in New Jersey (U.S.).

Read the full essay here: here

State of New Jersey Releases Direct Care Workforce Strategic Plan 

New Jersey Department Human Services, in partnership with seven state agencies, announced the release of the New Jersey Direct Care Workforce Strategic Plan, a comprehensive roadmap to support, grow, and stabilize the workforce that provides essential care to older adults, individuals with disabilities, and residents with behavioral health needs.



The plan outlines more than 40 data-driven strategies to improve recruitment, strengthen training and career pathways, and support the long-term retention of direct care workers including direct support professionals (DSPs), certified home health aides (CHHAs), personal care assistants, certified nursing assistants (CNAs), peer recovery specialists, youth support professionals, and self-directed employees.

Read the full plan here: DCW Strategic Plan

For information on the need for and challenges of the direct care workforce, see the Essential Jobs Essential Care Coalition of NJ's website: essentialjobsnj.org

American Society on Aging's

Virtual Student Summit

Fridays in March:

March 6, 13, 20 and 27

1–2:30 PM ET

Students: Free

ASA is bringing students from across the country together for an exciting new Virtual Student Summit designed to spark careers in aging. Across 4 weeks, students will explore diverse career paths, build practical job search skills, and connect with peers and professionals who share their passion for making a difference.

Week 1: Exploring Careers in Aging

Week 2: Career Development and Job Search Skills

Week 3: Networking and Mentorship

Week 4: Student Showcase and Reflection

The Virtual Student Summit is FREE for students. All participants also will receive a certificate of completion to recognize their engagement and learning.

Learn more here: SUMMIT

Getting Older in New Jersey (GO-NJ) ECHO

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

"I’ve started using a cane"

 by Ashton Applewhite

I have been a fan of Ashton Applewhite since I read This Chair Rocks several years ago. I was thrilled when she was the keynote speaker at our 2024 conference, "Dare to Envision." One of the clearest voices of the emerging movement to raise awareness of ageism and to dismantle it, Ashton's talent for asking tough questions and finding poignant, truthful and humorous answers is inspiring. Read her January blog on a recent change in her life:

"I've started using a caner.

Does that change how you see me? It’s changed the way I see me. And, to my surprise, I like this me better. " Read on by clicking HERE

To learn more about Ashton Applewhite and hear her Ted Talks, visit This Chairs Rocks