Cherry Hill Seeks Input for Senior Needs Assessment

CHERRY HILL, NJ — Cherry Hill Township has launched the next phase of its Thrive After 55 Senior Needs Assessment, conducting a survey designed to understand the needs, priorities, and experiences of older adults in the community.

The assessment also seeks input from those who care for or support older adults, including family members and spouses. Mayor Dave Fleisher said the assessment is an impactful way to hear directly from residents.

"Cherry Hill has always valued thoughtful planning and community engagement," Fleisher said in a statement. "We hope to cast a wide net and hear from as many people as possible."

This grant-funded initiative will help township officials understand the needs of the senior population. The information gathered will guide policy and infrastructure decisions. Longterm, the results aim to help Cherry Hill become an “age-friendly” community, allowing older adults to remain in their homes as they age.

An “age-friendly” community is part of a global movement to make places more welcoming and livable for people of all ages. The New Jersey Department of Human Services created Age-Friendly Community Grants to provide resources for towns. These grants encourage advance planning and needs assessments to foster age-friendly environments.

The survey seeks feedback in several areas, including:

• housing and aging in place
• transportation and mobility
• health and wellness
• social connection and community engagement
• access to information and services

18 Stones Strategy, an independent research and consulting firm, is conducting the Thrive After 55 Senior Needs Assessment. The survey is open through March 31. Participation is voluntary, and data will be reported aggregately to the township, preserving confidentiality, officials said.

The survey is available online, by phone, and in hard-copy formats. It seeks feedback on areas including housing and aging in place, transportation and mobility, health and wellness, social connection, and access to information and services.

Here's a link to the survey.