Bill Text: NJ AR246 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges New Jersey counties and municipalities to commit to becoming age-friendly communities.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-0)
Status: (Passed) 2019-06-20 - Filed with Secretary of State [AR246 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2018-AR246-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman WAYNE P. DEANGELO
District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)
Assemblyman HERB CONAWAY, JR.
District 7 (Burlington)
SYNOPSIS
Urges New Jersey counties and municipalities to commit to becoming age-friendly communities.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution urging New Jersey counties and municipalities to commit to becoming age-friendly communities.
Whereas, The United Nations projects that, by the year 2050, the number of people worldwide who are aged 60 years or over will more than double to 2.1 billion individuals; and
Whereas, Older individuals have an increased likelihood of experiencing social isolation as a result of financial and accessibility issues, and may face discrimination due to their age; and
Whereas, To address the world's aging population, the World Health Organization (WHO) has launched the Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities to help cities in 39 countries assess the needs of their older residents and develop more age-friendly policies and programs; and
Whereas, Age-friendly communities establish public policies, services, public transportation, public spaces, and infrastructure designed to enable older adults to participate fully in society, enjoy good health, and live safely; and
Whereas, The WHO has identified eight Domains of Livability that affect the quality of life of older individuals, which are: Outdoor Spaces and Buildings, Transportation, Housing, Social Participation, Respect and Social Inclusion, Civic Participation and Employment, Communication and Information, and Community and Health Services; and
Whereas, These features of an age-friendly community can be utilized by residents of all ages; and
Whereas, Since 2012, AARP (formerly the American Association of Retired Persons) has affiliated with the WHO to operate the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities (AARP Network), which supports states, counties, and municipalities as they prepare for the rapid aging of the United States' population by paying increased attention to the environmental, economic, and social factors that influence the health and well-being of older adults; and
Whereas, The U.S. Census Bureau projects that, by 2030, one in every five U.S. residents will be 65 years or older and that, by 2035, people age 65 and older will outnumber the under-18 population; and
Whereas, Older adults are valuable members of American society, making major contributions to our nation's economy, workforce, culture, and family life; and
Whereas, Nationwide, over 318 communities and three states have been accepted for membership in the AARP Network, including the New Jersey municipalities of Elizabeth, Englewood, Garfield, Maplewood, Montclair, Princeton, South Orange, and Teaneck; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House respectfully urges New Jersey counties and municipalities to commit to taking the steps necessary for acceptance into the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities, as defined by the World Health Organization.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the President of the Senate, the New Jersey Association of Counties, and the New Jersey League of Municipalities.
STATEMENT
This resolution urges New Jersey counties and municipalities to commit to becoming age-friendly communities, as defined by the World Health Organization and AARP. In the U.S., AARP partners with the WHO to operate the Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities, which consists of municipalities and states that are committed to supporting the inclusion of older residents in the social, cultural, economic, and political life of the community. To be accepted into the AARP Network of States and Communities, elected officials are required to submit an application on behalf of the state or municipality, which serves as a commitment to conduct a baseline assessment of the community's age-friendliness, develop a community action plan based on the assessment's findings, identify measurable outcomes to gauge the action plan's effectiveness, and involve older residents in all facets of plan development and implementation.
