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NJAAW News and Resources
July 3, 2024
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Happy Retirement to Maria DiMaggio
We want to thank Maria for her long-term partnership in the Semi-Independent Living Program. Her work helped 11,000 NJ residents but we know she touched so many more of us working in the field of aging with her compassion, dedication and sense of humor.
Maria - you will be missed! Retire well.
Maria with Melanie Walter, ED of NJHMFA
and Kate McDonald, Department of Community Affairs
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NJ Budget funds Property Tax Relief and Prescription Assistance for Older Adults
Unfortunately, there is not a lot of funding in New Jersey's 2025 budget directly targeting NJ's older residents. But key items are:
- Property-tax relief, with enough funding to maintain Anchor property-tax relief benefits at their current levels, for both homeowners and renters and an expansion of the Senior Freeze relief program. In addition, it sets aside $220 million for the Stay NJ property tax program that is on course to debut in early 2026.
- It also expanded funding for both the PAAD and Senior Gold programs, offering assistance for prescriptions.
- Separate from the 2025 budget, we are waiting to hear details for the $5.5 million in grants for Age Friendly work throughout the State - stay tuned.
To see the full press release on the 2025 budget, click here: 2025 Budget
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Aging in the United States: A Strategic Framework for a National Plan on Aging
In May, the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Healthy Aging and Age Friendly Communities (ICC), chaired by the Administration for Community Living, published a report to Congress called "Aging in the United States: A Strategic Framework for a National Plan on Aging." According to report:
"Our vision is an America that values older adults, embraces aging, and recognizes that all people have the right to live with dignity, make their own choices, and participate fully in society. We want to be a nation that prioritizes independence, inclusion, well-being, and health across the lifespan".
We encourage you to read the report: Strategic Framework
Share Your Thoughts on the Strategic Framework!
The ICC is seeking input on the Strategic Framework . After reading the report, share your thoughts by clicking this link https://westhealth.org/nationalplanonagingsurvey/
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Task Force on LTC Report Released | |
The New Jersey Task Force on Long-Term Care Quality and Safety (Task Force) released its final report. Established in 2020 in response to concerns related to the loss of life and quality and safety at long-term care (LTC) centers during the COVID-19 pandemic, Task Force members were asked to use collective experiences, outcomes, and lessons learned from COVID to formulate recommendations. The appointed members represented a broad-based group of stakeholders .
Read the full report here:
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Age-Friendly Movement in NJ | |
Coalition of Advocates Seeks Solutions to Caregiver Workforce Shortage
“Jobs that Care.”.....“Make a Difference.”
Those are the headlines emblazoned on social media posts, radio ads and the sides of New Jersey buses, as part of a new marketing campaign highlighting the emotional rewards of working in what’s known as the “direct-care workforce”.
The ads were launched in recent weeks by the NJ Department of Human Services – along with a website titled Jobs that Care New Jersey – to promote training and job opportunities for home health aides, personal care aides, nurse aides, and other direct-support professionals.
Top read the full blog, click EJEC Blog
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Bergen County Establishes Age-Friendly Task Force | |
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Bergen County Executive James J. Tedesco and the Board of County Commissioners recently announced the formation of the Bergen County’s Age-Friendly Task Force, the first countywide task force of this nature in NJ. Congratulations to the members of the Task Force including Age-Friendly leaders Lisa Bontemps (Westwood for All Ages) ad Elizabeth Davis (Age-Friendly Teaneck) Both Bontemps and Davis led their towns from the exploratory steps of adopting an age-friendly initiative to strong and sustainable programs.
Bergen has several towns that joined the AARP Age-Friendly Communities Network. The first 5, Teaneck, Englewood, Westwood, Garfield and Ridgewood started in 2016 with funding from the Henry & Marilyn Taub Foundation, Several more haver recently joined the movement or begun the process. funded the. In 2022, Bergen became the second NJ County to be designated as an AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities.
According to the county, “Senior citizens make up more than 20% of Bergen County’s population. This task force will advise county government on ways to enhance our communities and maintain that our seniors have access to the services and resources necessary to age in place with confidence, such as housing education, access to recreational and cultural activities, opportunities to participate in social and civic engagement, the promotion of employment and volunteerism, and access to comprehensive health care.”
“Senior Citizens” make up 20% of Bergen’s population, higher than the state average of 17.4%. The Task Force will advise local officials on ways to enhance communities and make sure older adults have the services and resources necessary to age in place.
In addition to Bontemps and Davis, other task force members include
- Helen Archontou, CEO of YWCA of Northern New Jersey
- Dr. Hansel Asmar, Department of Health Bergen County
- Dominick Azzolini, Director of Community Transportation
- Melissa DeBartolo, Ddirector of Human Services
- Michele DiIorgi, Deputy director of the Housing Authority of Bergen County
- Patrick Fallon, Office of Food Security
- Dr. Eric Friedman, President of Bergen Community College
- Lorraine Joewono, Director of Senior Services
- Deborah Visconi, President and CEO of Bergen New Bridge Medical Center
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Age Friendly North Jersey Alliance
The Age Friendly North Jersey Alliance met last month at the beautifully renovated Baird Center in South Orange. Thanks to our speakers, South Orange's unstoppable mayor, Sheena Collum, Director of Essex County's Senior Serices, Maurice Brown, West Orange's Senior Services Program Director, Laura Van Dyke and the inspiring President of Freewalkers, Risa Olinsky. Renie Carniol from the Grotta Fund and Julia Stoumbus from the Henry & Marilyn Taub Foundation have supported this growing group since the beginning. We also welcomed new communities into our circle, whether they are officially pursuing an age-friendly designation, collaborating with neighboring towns or expanding their knowledge - we are all aging together!
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Want to join the AFNJ Alliance email list? Send your name, email and organization to info@agefriendlynj.org | |
PPL’s New Jersey Self-Direction Summit
When: Thursday, July 11, 2024
Time: 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM ET
Where: Virtual
PPL’s New Jersey Self-Direction Summit will be a day of inspiration and information. This event is perfect for self-directed participants, loved ones, advocates, and anyone looking to deepen their understanding of self-directed services. Highlights Include:
- Personal Success Stories: Explore the transformative impact of self-direction on individuals’ lives
- Practical Strategies: Learn to leverage self-directed services effectively
- Legislative Insights: Get up-to-date on how recent legislation affects self-direction
For more information and to register, click here
Please share with your networks!
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Age Friendly Public Health Systems Training:
Housing America's Older Adults
Zoom
July 18, 2024, 3:00 pm, Zoom
Join Trust for America's Health for a presentation by Dr. Samara Scheckler, Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. Highlights from the Center's recent report, Housing America's Older Adults will be discussed along with recent research on housing factors that impact the ability to age with both independence and safety, using a housing lens to consider the social determinants of health for older adults.
Register here
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No Wrong Door - Helping Older Adults Connect with Services
Tuesday, July 30, 2pm
the NJAAW Statewide Survey of Older Adults found that the majority of redients are not aware of the programs and services designed to support them as they age.
Join us for this interactive discussion with Anahita Feltz, Business Administrator, Old Bridge NJ as she explains the "No Wrong Door Approach" to connecting residents with the help they need. Followed by an update from teh Division of Aging Services on the eligibility expansions in the NJSave programs and how to use the online application.
Register here
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Mature Driver Resource Center
Train-the-Trainer Event
Tuesday, July 23, 2pm
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Please join the New Jersey Mature Driver Resource Center for an online Train the Trainer presentation of material that can be used by community members who are in a position to inform and instruct mature drivers about driving safer longer, driving limitations, driving retirement, and transportation alternatives.
The audience for this training includes representatives of municipal departments of aging, departments of health, police departments, libraries, faith-based organizations, and other non-profit community organizations.
Please register here: Train the trainer
If you have any questions about the Train the Trainer session or any of our other resources, please visit https://maturedriversnj.org/ or email maturedriversnj@ejb.rutgers.edu
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COYL Partner Meeting
Thursday, August 22, noon
The Conversation of Your Life (COYL) equips communities with educational materials on advance care planning (ACP).
During this session, the NJ Health Care Quality Institute will provide updates about COYL, welcome new partners, share goals for the upcoming quarter, and introduce new resources. This will be followed by breakout sessions for focused discussions and programming per region (North, Central and South Jersey) and sharing insights, coordinate responsibilities, and engage in an open discussion to address any additional topics.
Recently, in honor of National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD), COYL hosted 11 events throughout the state that:
- Reached 361 NJ residents
- Distributed over 500 COYL materials including 5 Wishes and COYL Bookmarks
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Reached over 2,400 people on social media using our Community Messaging Toolkit
Learn more about COYL and how to bring it to your community with our toolkit.
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ICYMI: The Age Friendly Blueprint
Last month, the NJ Department of Human Services released the Age-Friendly Blueprint which, based on the input of the Age-Friendly State Advisory Council provides recommendations for housing, health care, transportation, socialization, employment, communication, and outreach that can be implemented to make communities more accessible for residents of all ages, and facilitate access to services and supports that allow residents to remain in their homes and connected to their loved ones as they age.
Watch the summary video of this important milestone by clicking the box to the right.
To download the full Blueprint, click here
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Profile of Older Americans - 2023
The Administration for Community Living has released the 2023 Profile of Older Americans, which provides statistics on the U.S. older adult population using data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the National Center for Health Statistics, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The Profile illustrates the shifting demographics of Americans 65+ including key topic areas such as future population growth, marital status, living arrangements, income, employment, and health.
View the report 2023 Profile of Older Americans
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The Insititute for Health Care Improvement presents "My Health Checklist."
As part of their Age Friendly Health Systems work, this tool is designed to help older adults get the most out of their health care appointments. Using the 4Ms (Mentation, Mobility, Medication and what Matters) to guide people through questions and discussions with their providers, it helps patient prioritize and focus on their needs and choices.
To learn more and download the checklist, go to
My Health Checklist
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Spread the Word About GetSetUp! | |
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NJ Department of Human Services’ Division of Aging Services and GetSetUp have collaborated to provide hundreds of live, interactive and FREE online classes for older adults. Whether you're looking to pick up a new hobby, enhance your technological skills, or participate in fitness classes, there's something for everyone. This initiative ensures that every older adult in New Jersey has the opportunity to learn in a supportive, peer-to-peer environment at no cost.
To join these classes, visit the GetSetUp NJ!
For a printable flyer, click here
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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.. | | | | |
