This ongoing project has provided many insights regarding the most pressing issues facing older residents in New Jersey. The first output from the project, an op-ed by Audrey Meng entitled Cost of Living for Older Adults in New Jersey, was presented along with the results of the NJ Statewide Survey of Older Adults at the New Jersey Advocates for Aging Well (NJAAW) conference on May 16, 2025. The op-ed noted that New Jersey residents are living longer, but not necessarily better. While New Jersey has expanded eligibility for programs designed to help older residents, people of every income level continue to report facing economic challenges to meet their needs. The NJ Statewide Survey can be found here, and the op-ed can be found on the NJAAW website blog here.
The final report, Affording New Jersey for Older Adults, will be released in the next few months. It will explain the in-depth analyses of the survey data, as well as providing examples and initiatives from three key states, Pennsylvania, New York, and North Carolina. These states were chosen for their proximity to New Jersey, their attractiveness to older New Jersey residents, and their progress in implementing their respective Multisector Plan for Aging.