NJAAW's 27th Annual Conference will take place on Friday, May 16 at the Hyatt Regency in New Brunswick.

This year's theme, "The Faces of Aging," celebrates and explores the diversity of New Jersey's older residents and the broad range of challenges, strengths, and possibilities we face as we follow trends towards an older population.

Our Call for Speaker Proposals is open until February 15th. We are interested in and encourage a range of presentation styles and topics, and welcome first-time speakers. For details on the conference and how to submit a proposal, click here: Call for Proposals

MPA Brings Mental Health and Aging to the Forefront

New Jersey has done a tremendous job raising awareness about mental health and developing programs for residents at different stages of life....except older adults!

Multisector Plans for Aging (MPAs) can reshape how we look at aging and how we comprehensively provide and prepare for an aging NJ. Oklahoma was able to elevate mental health for older adults as a key issue being addressed in their MPA, called

Aging Our Way Oklahoma,

To read more, click here

In West Orange, Coordination is Key to Age-Friendly Successes

The cornerstone of age-friendly community work is coordination – getting the government, civic, business, health and social service agencies that impact older residents’ lives to function in harmony with one another. 

The leaders of Aging Well West Orange had their coordination skills tested not long after the age-friendly community initiative in this township of 48,000 people was launched.

“We were still in the early months of getting our initiative up and running when the pandemic happened,” said Laura Van Dyke, director of West Orange’s Department of Senior Services. “That became the primary focus for the next 14 months.” 

Rather than stalling or slowing West Orange’s age-friendly organizing efforts, Van Dyke believes the crisis helped solidify them. Read the full article here: Coordination

Invitation to Join the Action Community

February 18, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

IHI is launching the next Action Community in March, 2025, for health professional teams interested in accelerating the adoption of evidence-based age-friendly care in their setting. Over seven months, a team will test the 4Ms at their site of care (e.g., a hospital unit, primary care practice, nursing home) with the goal of achieving recognition as an Age-Friendly Health System. 

For hospitals, learn how you can prepare for the new CMS Age-Friendly Hospital Measure. This is also the first opportunity for home health care organizations to join the AFHS movement!

New and previously engaged health systems are welcome! For details and to join, click here

Virtual Seminar

The Silver Lining: The Prosocial Potential of an Aging Population

Wednesday, February 26, 2025, 12:00 pm-1:00 pm

Speaker: Enna Chen, Stanford University 

As global life expectancy rises and fertility rates fall, the population aged 65 and older is projected to double by 2050. While these demographic shifts pose potential challenges, they may also present opportunities for families, workplaces, and communities, particularly if older adults remain healthy and socially engaged. Research on age-related changes in prosocial tendencies—behaviors that benefit others, such as helping and charitable giving—points to encouraging possibilities of an aging population. Join this talk hosted by The Robert N. Butler Columbia Aging Center, review recent findings on the association between age and prosociality, including helping behaviors, volunteering, and charitable giving.

To learn more and to register, click: here

EngAGEd Research on Aging in New Jersey: A Multi-Chancellor-Unit Virtual Symposium

Feb 28, 2025, 9:30 am

This virtual symposium will feature three presentations about cutting-edge NJ-based research projects on aging, spanning multiple Chancellor Units at Rutgers. Speakers will highlight how partnerships outside of academia advance their work, and ways in which their efforts aspire to achieve both scientific and social impact. The symposium will include large-group discussion and networking time with the speakers.

Register here: register

Senior Checks Money Management Program

with EJ Vizzi and Alexandra Kritikos

Aging Insights has a new, more nimble format.

Join us to hear from experts and leaders in the field of aging, starting with the Senior Check Money Management Program. EJ Vizzi and Alexandra Kritikos from Age-Friendly Teaneck and The Bright Side Family share the details of this program, and how they can help residents navigate their overwhelming paperwork and build social connections at the same time. This volunteer program has helped hundreds of older residents handle their bills mail and finances, allowing them independence and security. Learn how volunteers help residents manage their affairs, and how you can bring this service to your community.

Because Learning is Lifelong...

James Evans, a 71-year-old Africana Studies major at Rutgers University-Newark, marvels at how his life has come full circle and shows that learning is indeed a lifelong practice.

Read the full article here: article

Applications Accepted through April 15

The Health and Aging Policy Fellows Program is currently accepting applications for its next cohort. The one-year Fellowship runs from October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2026 and has full-time and part-time tracks. It is conducted as a hybrid program of mentoring, networking, learning and practicum experiences. Health and Aging Policy Fellows work across diverse fields of aging and develop lifelong partnerships and networks. Individually and collectively, they are improving the lives of older adults around the country. Note - this year's program includes a track for behavioral health.

• Submission deadline: Tuesday, April 15, 2025
• Fellowship begins October 1, 2025

For more information, click: here

Study Shows Volunteering May Reduce Depression in Older Adults

Volunteerism has long been discussed as a way for older adults to be engaged, connected and healthy.

Researcher at Columbia University's School of Public Health recently published the results of a study that examined the frequency of depression in community-dwelling older adults in the U.S. The study found that those engaged in volunteering activities had a significantly lower prevalence of depression.

According to said Yitao Xi, MPH, a recent graduate in Epidemiology from Columbia Mailman School and first author of the study: “Our findings help strengthen the existing research on the epidemiology and prevention of depression in older adults...Specifically, it provides empirical data on the prevalence of depression among community-dwelling older adults in the U.S. and the potential role of volunteering in mitigating the risk of depression among older adults.”

Read the article here: article

NJ State Development & Redevelopment Plan Update

The New Jersey State Development and Redevelopment Plan (State Plan) is in the process of being updated. This process is overseen by the Office of Planning Advocacy (OPA) staff and the State Planning Commission (SPC). Over the past year, thousands of New Jersey residents weighed in with comments, concerns and suggestions.

The Preliminary State Plan is now available for review and can be accessed here:  Preliminary plan

For full details on the plan and to share comments and input, click here

NJAAW appreciates the recognition and attention the Preliminary Plan gives to New Jersey’s aging population, with suggestions on how to prepare for our changing state in terms of housing, equity and a special section titled "PLANNING FOR THE CHALLENGES OF AN AGING NEW JERSEY."