Older Americans Month
Older Americans Month was established in 1963. That was still two years before the launch of Medicare, at a time when only 17 million living Americans had reached their 65th birthday, a third of older Americans lived in poverty and there were few programs to meet their needs. In April 1963, President John F. Kennedy and the National Council of Senior Citizens designated May as “Senior Citizens Month,” the prelude to “Older Americans Month.”
Every President since Kennedy has issued a formal proclamation recognizing May as a time to pay tribute in some way to older persons in their communities. This year, the tradition continues in the words of Joe Biden, a president who is also an older adult.
The Presidential Proclamation on Older Americans Month, 2022
“During Older Americans Month, we honor our Nation’s seniors and the tremendous impact they have made in helping build a more perfect Union. Older Americans contribute their time and wisdom to make our communities stronger, more informed, and better connected. They are our loved ones, friends, mentors, essential workers, volunteers and neighbors. We celebrate their achievements and recommit to providing our elders with the support and services they need to thrive and age with dignity...”
For the full 2022 proclamation, click here.
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24th Annual Conference Update
"Building an Age-Friendly Ecosystem - Bringing the 4Ms and 8 Domains to NJ"
June 13, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
With less than a month to go, we are putting the finishing touches on our first in-person annual conference in two years.
If you have registered and have not yet submitted you proof of vaccination, click here or email a proof to crowe@jaaw.org.
Please note: To comply with HIPAA guidelines, all records of vaccination status will be destroyed after the conference.
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Final Call for NJAAW'S
"Aging Great in the Garden State" Photo Contest
NJAAW is inviting NJ’s amateur and professional photographers to celebrate aging well in the Garden State with the “Aging Great in the Garden State” photo contest.
All entries must be received by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, May 20.
For details and instructions on how to submit, click here.
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You're Invited
NJAAW conference Keynote sponsor Parker Health Care, Inc. invites all attendees to a post-conference reception at the new Parker at Somerset – just a few minutes from the Hyatt Regency. See their new building and enjoy refreshments. For information and to register, click here.
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The 2022 Essential Jobs, Essential Care™ New Jersey
First Annual Convening (all-virtual format)
Monday and Tuesday, May 23 and 24, 9 a.m. to noon
NJAAW and PHI have partnered to build on the progress many NJ organizations have made in supporting the direct care workforce. As the COVID-19 pandemic has made clear, direct care workers provide critical support to older adults and people with disabilities across the state.
The Essential Jobs, Essential Care initiative brings stakeholders together to transform direct care jobs in order to improve services and supports for older adults and people with disabilities in New Jersey.
Throughout this two-day convening, participants will gain an enhanced understanding of this initiative, identify opportunities for engagement, and participate in structured conversations to determine policy and advocacy priorities to improve direct care jobs across the state.
If you provide services that rely on direct workers or are impacted by current shortages, please click here to learn more and register for this meeting.
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Aging Insights TV Celebrates Older Americans Month
with Episode 128 – “Meet the FreeWalkers”
May is Older Americans Month and this year’s theme is “Age My Way.” Thousands of older (and younger) New Jersey residents are opting to do that by walking, but with a twist: going the distance.
On “Meet the FreeWalkers,” the 128th Episode of Aging Insights TV, host Cathy Rowe, DrPH, gains insights on endurance walking from members of one NJ group whose mission is “To advance the health and well-being of the public by educating, motivating and challenging people to participate in long-distance walking events.”
Founded a dozen years ago by Paul Kiczek of Morristown, and now under the direction of Risa Olinsky of Maplewood, FreeWalkers (freewalkers.org) hosts upwards of 50 events each year that range from a few to over 60+ miles, inside and outside of the Garden State.
Joining Olinsky to discuss their reasons for starting and continuing endurance walking, favorite walks, and more, are Louise Karger, MD, and John Codd of Morristown; Diane Glace of Allentown; Edward Purcell from Summit, and Adriane Berg, host of the weekly podcast, Generation Bold, The Fountain of Truth About Aging, formerly of Lebanon (NJ). All guests are over age 60.
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Aging Insights: Now Also a Podcast
Check out our new podcasts, Aging Insights NJ, featuring our television/YouTube show in an on-the-go audio format.
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NJAAW is pleased to report that Assembly Bill 1802/Caregivers Assistance Act has moved forward from the Assembly Committee on Aging and Senior Services. Executive Director Cathy Rowe, DrPH, testified in support of this bill. Her testimony can be read here.
Also moving forward from the committee are Bill NJ A590, which increases Medicaid per diem rates for certain assisted living and senior residential residences, and Bill A1498, which prohibits late penalties from being made against senior citizen tenants in certain senior citizen rental housing in certain circumstances.
To keep up to date on legislation related to aging, see njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search. You can look up bills under review by various committees and subscribe to updates for items you are interested in following.
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Generations United's Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network (Network) is accepting individual technical assistance (TA) requests from professionals who work in systems or organizations that serve kinship families.
The Network is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $9,950,000. To learn more, click here.
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Peer Leader Training
The NJ Division of Aging Services is hosting a free, 4-Day Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) Peer Leader Training on June 13 to 16 in Mercer County (location TBD). For more information, see the flyer here. Seats are limited. To register, contact Andrew Biederman.
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Live Webinar for NJ LGBTQI+, HIV+ Long-term Care Bill of Rights
"Designate- In Person" Certification
The training, taking place on Monday, June 6, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., will prepare attendees to lead facilities and support staff in serving the growing LGBTQ+ marketplace and maintain compliance with NJ S2545. Continuing Education Credits available for Nursing, Social Work (pending) and Activities Professionals. For more information and to register, click here.
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