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NJAAW News and Resources
November 6, 2024
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Medicare Open Enrollment
Medicare’s Open Enrollment runs from October 15 - December 7, 2024. During this time, Medicare recipients can review and compare their current coverage to all other options and select the plan that best fits their needs and budget. Any changes in coverage will begin January 1, 2024. As people explore their Medicare options for 2025, it is important to ensure they have accurate and unbiased information. The barrage of mailers, TV and radio ads make every option sound like the right choice, but individuals' needs, providers and financial situation vary greatly. Please share resources with your residents, clients and networks that can help people make the best choice for themselves. Here are a few:
The official source of Medicare information:
Medicare.gov or 800-Medicare (800-633-4273)
NJ State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) website: SHIP or 1-800-792-8820
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Please share this flyer with your contacts.
Click here for printable flyer
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One of the most common questions during the Medicare Open enrollment period is whether you can switch from your plan. The answer is yes, but it's important to carefully assess your needs and compare plans before making a decision.
Read the Age Friendly Insititute's article "Can I Switch My Plan During Medicare Advantage & Prescription Drug Plan Annual Enrollment Period?" for details on plan switching, what types of changes you can make, how to evaluate if a switch is necessary, and what to consider before making a change. Click here: article
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New Law Expands Options for Access Link Riders
New Jersey seniors and residents with disabilities will have more transportation options under a new law that expands Access Link options. The law expands the NJ Transit’s Riders’ Choice Pilot Program, which allows taxicabs, limousines, and ride-share services to replace New Jersey Transit’s Access Link vans.
The Riders’ Choice Pilot Program was launched last year. It allows Access Link customers in most counties who do not require wheelchair lifts to choose rides through ride share companies like Uber, Lyft or participating taxi companies. Access Link riders must opt in to receive their rides through the ride share companies and can opt out at any time. Riders who need more assistance like wheelchair or scooter lifts will continue to use Access Link’s accessible vehicles.
For a full description, click here: Riders Choice Guide
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Apply for Generations United's Intergenerational Program Certification
Generations United is accepting applications to recognize outstanding intergenerational programs that connect younger and older people in the United States. The Program of Distinction and Program of Merit designations are based on the criteria that underpin the effectiveness of any intergenerational program and are intended to recognize the rich diversity among programs that involve older and younger generations. Learn more and apply by clicking here.
Applications are due November 7, 2024
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Age-Friendly Movement in NJ | |
Building Age-Friendly Community Ties
One Repair at A Time
On a recent Saturday afternoon, dozens of residents filed into a community center in South Orange with lamps, bicycles, stereos, jewelry, guitars, clothing, small furniture and assorted household bric-a-brac, all in various states of disrepair.
Tables lined the gymnasium. Behind each was a handyman, a hobbyist, seamstress or a gadget expert – all volunteers, all with a skill to share and a shared interest in helping a neighbor or a stranger restore a well-worn but still-valued object.
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“The Repair Café,” as this Oct. 26 event is named, has been a bi-annual tradition co-sponsored by SOMA, Two Towns for All Ages since 2017....
Read the full article here: AFNJ blog
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Age Friendly Teaneck Project receives SHA's
"Project of the Year Award"
1425 Teaneck Senior Housing (TSH) exemplifies what is possible when a municipality enthusiastically supports the creation of supportive housing. The municipality owned property was converted to a 40-unit state of the art building, including 5 supportive apartments, combining affordability and accessibility for older adults. All of the apartments will enable residents to live comfortably with the assurance that their home is safe and affordable.
Congratulations Age-Friendly Teaneck and partners!
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Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
Winter 2025 Classes
Enrollment for OLLI-RU’s winter classes begins
Tuesday, November 15.
This term offers class both in-person and virtual starting
January 6, 2025.
Visit their website here: OLLI-RU
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Conversations on Aging
Monday, November 18
11 -noon via Zoom
In early 2024, NJAAW conducted a Statewide Survey of Older Adults. With over 1400 responses, we learned first-hand about the priorities, needs and concerns of NJ residents age 60+.
Join us to review the survey's key findings, lessons to learn and an open discussion on the benefits, challenges and everything in between for aging in the Garden State.
Register Conversations on Aging
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A discussion on NJ's new Affordable Housing Calculations and Fair Housing and Housing Discrimination
Friday, December 6 - 10:00-11:30 AM
Breakfast available at 9:45 AM
Hackensack Meridian Fitness & Wellness, Maywood
Learn from experts about critical topics concerning housing and their impact on older adults -- and others. These are of critical concern to every municipality in New Jersey and, of course, to providers of services to older adults. Find out what they mean and how they impact you and those you serve.
Please consider passing this information along to -- and/or bringing with you -- municipal officials who will benefit from this information.
Top register, click here: Register For flyer, click here: Flyer
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Present:
Providing Care for Those with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities at High-Risk and Living with Dementia
December 9th 3:00-4:00 p.m.
Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) face lifelong battles of inclusion and access to services. Throughout the aging process, even more significant needs for support present as they experience Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementias at a staggering rate. They also face struggles of providers and caregivers unsure of next steps.
Hear from ARC of Jacksonville about how their Specialized Aging Support program launched the next phase of services, developing an interactive day center for those living with and at high-risk of dementia, caregiver support and education, and trainings focused on IDD and dementia.
For more information about this webinar and to registration, click: here
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Reframing Aging
Monday, December 16
11am - noon, via Zoom
Across the country, organizations and advocates at the local, state, and national level are using the tools of the National Center to Reframe Aging to change the way they communicate about aging.
Join this presentation by National Reframing Aging Facilitator Katie Squires, PhD, Associate State Director, Advocacy for AARPNJ to learn how to embrace these tools and strategies to spread awareness of implicit bias toward older people, and influence policies and programs that benefit all of us as we age.
Download the flyer by clicking: here
Register: here
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Its Property Tax Relief Season | |
Deadline for applying for ANCHOR: November 3, 2024 | |
Help Your Residents with Property Tax Relief Programs
The deadline for the ANCHOR property tax relief program is November 30. Many of your residents should already be enrolled, and if they received ANCHOR last year, they should automatically receive it this year.
For those who are not already enrolled, or are not sure, please see and share this easy to follow guide from the Food and Health Equity Coalition of Essex with links and resources for enrolling.
ANCHOR Guide
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Governor Murphy Signs Bill
Advancing "Stay NJ"
Gov. Murphy signed into law additional groundwork for the "Stay NJ" senior property-tax relief program. The new law, (A4706/S3693) further advances recommendations by the Stay NJ Task Force to streamline applications and income standards for other state-funded property-tax relief programs, like Anchor and Senior Freeze, starting early next year. The Governor also stressed fiscal discipline to implement and maintain the program in his signing statement.
Read the Governor's full statement here:
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Medical Debt Relief Increased for NJ Residents
Governor Phil Murphy recently announced a second round medical debt elimination that will impact 77,000 residents with a total of $120 million in medical debt. This follows the first round of debt abolishment through a partnership with Undue Medical Debt. Using $900,000 from the American Rescue Plan and independently raising and additional $1.1 million, Undue collaborated with the Atlantic Health System to identify and purchase unpayable medical debts. This initiative is part of the Governor’s mission to make healthcare more affordable. So far, $220 million in medical debt has been eliminated for 127,000 New Jersey residents.
Read the full press release here: Medical debt
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SHA NJ Releases
"Aging in Supportive Housing Guide"
The Supportive Housing Association of New Jersey (SHA) released its latest publication, Aging in Supportive Housing Guide. The guide provides considerations of what new supportive housing developments might look like and how they might fill affordable housing requirements.
Supportive housing opportunities allow people with disabilities and barriers, including individuals who are aging, to live as independently as possible. These housing opportunities can serve a larger diversity of residents than traditional senior communities by combining the availability of affordable, accessible homes with supportive services tailored to residents’ needs.
SHA would be happy to share the content of the guide through a presentation to municipalities and organizations. Email Kate Kelly, kate.kelly@shanj.org, to discuss setting up a presentation.
To read the guide, click here
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Garden State Outreach
Garden State Community Outreach is a newly created website that connects New Jersey residents with information on cost-saving programs in one place. By entering basic information, including age, zip code, income and whether you have children, own or rent your home, the program finder will identify which programs you may be eligible for. provides descriptions, links and a quick sharing link.
Check out the website and share it with your residents and clients:. https://gardenstateoutreach.us/
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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.. | | | | |
