Congratulations to Governor-elect, Mikie Sherrill

We look forward to a productive relationship in making New Jersey more affordable for all residents, especially older adults, and call for the new administration to commit to adopting a

Multisector Plan for Aging for our state.

Medicare Open Enrollment

The annual Medicare Open Enrollment period started October 15 and will go through December 7.

There are a number of ways a beneficiary can make changes:

• Call 1-800-MEDICARE to make changes by phone.
• Visit Medicare.gov, click on "Find Health and Drug Plans" to compare options, and enroll in plans online.
• Call the SHIP program for assistance at 1-800-792-8820
• Contact your local office - see here: Local SHIP Offices

To help make the best decision for yourself, see the SMP newsletter here: SMP

FDU Study

Farleigh Dickinson University is seeking participants age 50+ for a study examining the relationship between mood and aging.

Download the flyer here: FDU flyer

Lifelong Strong New Jersey

Published in NJ Spotlight News, October 15:

The next governor has 1.6 million reasons to prioritize aging

New Jersey is at a turning point. Nearly 1.6 million of our residents are aged 65 and older, making us home to one of the oldest populations in the country. In less than 10 years, there will be more residents over the age of 60 than there will be students sitting in our state’s classrooms. Yet, despite this demographic reality, aging has too often been treated as a side issue, or a concern for social services or health care providers.

Now that New Jersey has selected its next governor, it is the time to reframe the way we think about aging...Read the full op-ed here: Op-ed

Montclair leads Accessory Dwelling Unit Construction in New Jersey

Montclair is moving faster than many expected on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). The town now has 15 ADUs approved, surpassing other towns which have also adopted ADU ordinances.

Details on how the ADUs will be used are encouraging:

• 1 senior is moving from a large home into an ADU built on their own property

• 2 ADUs will house aging parents, keeping families close while maintaining independence

• 2 ADUs are being built to generate rental income for homeowners

• 2 ADUs will serve as guest houses, providing flexible space for family or visitors

To learn more about Montclair's progress on ADUs, see this report from Montclair Gateway to Aging in Place: MGAP

NJAAW's Primer for Building Age-Friendly Towns and Communities

We are pleased to share the Primer for Building Age-Friendly Towns and Communities. This document shares the experiences, successes and resources from active age-friendly communities.

Download the document here: Primer

For additional ideas and resources for fostering age-friendly efforts, we recommend Age-Friendly Ridgewood's "Municipal Toolkit" which can be viewed here: AF Ridgewood Toolkit

Medicaid Fraud Control Unit:

Recognizing and Responding to Elder Abuse

November 20, 3-4pm, via Zoom

Elder abuse can take many forms, physical, emotional, financial, or neglect and often goes unnoticed until it’s too late. In this presentation, Detective Michael Rosati will go through the key warning signs and red flags that may indicate an older adult is being mistreated, as well as common scams currently affecting older adults. You will learn how to recognize patterns of abuse, document concerns, and know where to report these concerns. Together, we’ll strengthen our collective ability to ensure safety for older adults. 

Please register: here

Megatrends Shaping the Future of Work:

When and Why Will We Be Working as We Age? 

November 20, 1pm ET



Join AARP as they look ahead to the future of work for the 50-plus in a three-part series bringing together thought leaders and experts to explore megatrends that are shaping the future of work and pointing us toward how we might ensure all workers can thrive. This series will explore:

• Who will be working and in what ways does it matter?
• Where and how will we be working as we age?
• When and why will we be working as we age?

Register: here

Redesigning Work for Longevity

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, Senior Advisor at Age Wave joined us in a virtual presentation on how companies can improve their talent strategy and retain their employees by redesigning the workplace for longevity, and highlight some best practices from around the globe.

In addition, Emily Beach from the Age Friendly Institute’s Certified Age Friendly Employer program (CAFÉ) discussed how NJ employers can become certified under NJAAW’s recent grant from the Department of Human Services.

Share Your Housing Story 

From the Great Homes and Neighborhoods for All story bank:

A new statewide poll found that nearly 90% of New Jerseyans say housing costs are a major problem—and 87% believe lawmakers must act to address the state’s housing shortage and affordability crisis. 

But numbers only go so far. Lawmakers need to hear the real-life stories behind the statistics. That’s why Great Homes and Neighborhoods for All has created a story bank where NJ residents can share the ways in which our state’s housing supply shortage and rising costs have impacted their lives. 

Have you had difficulty finding an affordable home to rent or buy? Are you unable to downsize due to costs and/or the lack of smaller types of homes? Do you live in an accessory dwelling unit (ADU), or have you had difficulty building or converting space within your existing home into an ADU? Have you had to move farther away from your job? 

Whatever your housing story may be, NJ’s elected leaders need to hear real stories from real people. 



Share your story today and help us make the case for change! Click here: Share

New Jersey's Care Workforce Needs Assessment Survey

The NJ Department of Labor & Workforce Development is inviting direct care providers, people who support the care workforce, or people who strive to improve care worker working conditions to take a new survey on the care workforce. The goal is to gather information to help the DOL create a Care Workforce Report and Implementation Plan in early 2026.

For more information, you can watch the introductory webinar. 

Take the survey by clicking here: survey 



Please share with your partners, employees, and anyone else invested in NJ’s care workforce.

Consumer Voice report: 

Where Does All The Money Go?

The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care, a nursing home residents’ rights organization, recently published "Where Does All the Money Go? Exploring How NJ Nursing Homes Use Public Money." The report examines the financial reports of three for-profit nursing home chains and reviews data on care quality.

The report can be viewed theconsumervoice.org

Advance Care Planning

Certificate Program

The Goals of Care NJ Coalition has launched of an accredited educational initiative — the Advance Care Planning (ACP) Certificate Program.

Designed for healthcare professionals — including physicians, physician assistants, nurses, social workers, pharmacists, case managers, and more — this program is relevant to anyone looking to grow their skills in advance care planning.

Through concise, engaging video modules, participants will learn how to:

• Prepare for and facilitate advance care planning conversations
• Communicate prognosis with clarity and empathy
• Align care with patient goals and values
• Determine when and how to discuss palliative and hospice care
• Recognize how personal experiences and values influence care decisions
• Distinguish between advance directives and POLST forms

Learners can complete the course at their own pace, earn CE or CME credits, and access practical tools and patient resources to support ongoing care planning conversations.

Download flyer here: ACP

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