Intrinsic in any age-friendly community initiative is the goal of making older residents feel valued.
In the case of Orange Township, the name says it all.
“Orange Golden Gems Project” is the title of the action and evaluation plan submitted by city leaders in their application to join the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities. The name was selected by staff of the Department of Health and older adult stakeholders
“We believe the name is a meaningful fit for Orange’s older adults because gems are rare and valuable, while “golden” reflects the wisdom, experience, and value that older adults bring to our community,” said Shawna Carter, local health outreach coordinator for the Health Department
The introductory sentence of Orange’s age-friendly grant application asserts that this Essex County city “is committed to creating an inclusive, supportive, and accessible environment where older adults can age safely, remain socially connected, and maintain independence.”
Orange is one of the most densely populated towns in New Jersey, with 33,700 residents living within its 2.2 square miles situated between West Orange and Newark. The population is predominantly Black and Latino, and 43% of residents are foreign-born.
More than 1 in 5 residents are over age 60, many of them long-term residents who live independently, city leaders wrote in their grant application. About 15% of older adults in Orange are living below the poverty line, making access to affordable services and resources a critical issue.
Designated as an “Environmental Justice Community,” Orange is bisected by Interstate 280 and faces public health challenges as a result, including higher-than-state-averages rates of asthma, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and other chronic conditions.
The city’s age-friendly grant initiative has been led by the Orange Health Department and the city’s Older Adults division. Grant funds were used to hire a part-time nurse and community health worker who administered a survey of older adults as well as six focus groups and a transportation seminar for seniors. About 400 seniors responded to the survey.
“The findings revealed that there is limited awareness of available services, communication barriers, and transportation challenges, which has significantly impacted the ability for older adults to remain active, connected, and independent,” the report said.
In response, the city developed an action plan outlining 6 goals:
Improve Transportation Access and Mobility, through such steps as creating a multilingual guide of local transportation options, holding transportation information workshops in different community locations and exploring development of a local shuttle service or partnerships with EZ Ride, county providers and NJ Transit.
Improve Communication and Community Outreach, by developing culturally responsive educational materials in multiple languages, launching citywide outreach campaigns using multiple digital and print platforms and partnering with faith-based organizations, senior housing buildings, healthcare providers, and community organizations to distribute information.
Create a Community Ambassador Program, recruit and train local residents, including older adults to assist older adults with service enrollment and resource navigation.
Increase Social Participation and Reduce Isolation, through such steps as expanding senior-centered recreational, educational and culturally inclusive programming and promoting volunteer opportunities that encourage civic engagement among older adults.
Promote Health, Wellness and Independent Living, by hosting education programs focusing on chronic disease prevention, nutrition, exercise, and mental health and increase access to preventive health screenings through community health fairs.
Develop Sustainable Age-friendly Action, through such steps as pursuing additional funding opportunities, strengthening partnerships with healthcare providers, nonprofits, and transportation agencies and Integrating age-friendly planning into future municipal planning initiatives.
“This action plan provides a practical roadmap for building a community where older residents are informed, engaged, and connected to the services and opportunities they need to thrive,” the report concluded. “Through continued collaboration with community partners, residents, and stakeholders, the City of Orange will advance its vision of becoming a truly age-friendly community that supports healthy aging and enhances quality of life for all older adults.”