NJAAW News and Resources
Dec. 1, 2021
Aging Insights TV Episode 123:
NJAAW Holiday Special -- Gift Ideas for the Older Adults in Your Life

Host Cathy Rowe asked older NJ residents and experts on aging what holiday gifts they would love/recommend. See why gift cards, experiences, help with a special project or transportation, easy-to-use gadgets for the kitchen and to video chat with family, tech tools for low vision, gentle fitness gear, fun items for grandparents and grandchildren to enjoy together, audiobooks and more, were top picks!
Aging Insights TV Episode 122: Medicare Open Enrollment: Facts & Scams

Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Project Director Charles Clarkson, Esq., joins host Cathy Rowe, DrPH, to caution viewers about the importance of reviewing Medicare options during Medicare Open Enrollment, period, which ends Dec. 7. He also warns about scams. Clarkson is a volunteer counselor for NJ's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). SHIP provides free help to New Jersey Medicare beneficiaries who have problems with or questions about their health insurance.
An NJAAW feature: #agewellNJ

NJAAW wants to know: What are you doing to ensure you are aging well?

Meet NJAAW Board member Josh Raymond.
“I began doing open-water swimming at age 18,” says Josh Raymond, MD, MPH, FAAFP, an Associate Professor at Rutgers RWJ Medical School, and Geriatric Fellowship Program Director at Rutgers RWJ Medical School CentraState. “I’m now 56, and plan on doing this until I die!”

This photo, from the 4th Annual Mystic (CT) Sharkfest Swim, shows Dr. Raymond with the third-place medal he earned in his age group.
 
For background on open-water swimming, the Mystic Sharkfest is a 1500-meter swim from the dock at Mystic Seaport, down the Mystic River, under the Bascule drawbridge, to the north end of Seaport Marine. The course takes swimmers past the restored Charles Morgan whaling ship, around the Mystic Harbor lighthouse and down the river through the village.

Congratulations, Dr. Raymond, and keep on swimming!

Is there something you are doing now or are planning to do for your physical health, financial security or recreational enjoyment? Click here and tell us your strategies/plans for aging well so we can share your inspiration with others.
NJAAW events
While we missed having in-person conferences and meetings, we are pleased that we were able to offer multiple webinars and education sessions this year.

If you were unable to participate in these events when they were "live," you can view the recordings at any time on our website or YouTube channel.
RESOURCE SPOTLIGHT: Medicare’s "What’s Covered" App

With only a few days left for Medicare Open Enrollment (until Dec. 7), ads and marketing calls can be overwhelming for people making decisions about their coverage for 2022. Please share these official Medicare information sources to help your members and constituents make decisions based on accurate information: 
 
Medicare’s official website, including the plan comparison tool, is www.Medicare.gov.
 
Download the Medicare “What's covered” app (logo pictured) to look up whether services are covered, applicable co-pays and other information. “What’s covered” is available for free on both the App Store and Google Play. Search for “What’s covered” or “Medicare” and download the app to your mobile device. Once “What’s covered” is installed, use it to get reliable Medicare information even when you’re offline.
POLICY UPDATE:
Supporting Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Initial Report to Congress Now Available
(from the Administration for Community Living)

On Nov 16, the Advisory Council to Support Grandparents Raising Grandchildren released its initial report to Congress, which outlines the joys, challenges, gaps and unmet needs faced by kin and grandparent caregivers.

It also describes federal programs currently available to assist them and provides 22 recommendations for better supporting kinship families and grand families.

The recommendations will inform the development of the National Family Caregiving Strategy, which will include action steps to increase recognition and support for kin and grandparent caregivers. Learn more and download the report here. 
LeadingAge New Jersey & Delaware
Call for Proposals Due Jan. 5, 2022

LeadingAge NJ & DE is planning their Annual Meeting + EXPO for May 31 to June 2, offering presenters a forum to showcase a variety of forward-thinking ideas and innovations in senior care and services. Interested in presenting? Click here for details and instructions for submitting a proposal.
Follow us on social media!