Bernards Township Looks To Create A More Age-Friendly Community

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Bernards Township is looking to make its community more age-friendly for seniors.

Mayor Ana Duarte McCarthy said at the Feb. 24 Committee meeting that the Township and the Somerset Hills YMCA were awarded a $70,000 grant from the New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Aging Services.

This funding will support a comprehensive needs assessment aimed at making the community more age-friendly.

"As part of this initiative, we will be assessing and surveying seniors of 65 years of age and older in Berners Township to understand their experiences, needs, and priorities," said McCarthy.

A senior advisory committee is being established to help guide the needs assessment process. This committee will meet virtually once per month for around one hour over a four to five-month period. Members of the committee will contribute their perspectives and insights throughout the assessment.

Following the data collection, the committee and leadership from Bernards Township will review the survey results. They will discuss the findings and provide recommendations based on the gathered information. This collaboration will help shape a potential roadmap for the community's engagement with older adults.

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