Age-Friendly Englewood is a project that
is working to make it as easy as possible for
residents of Englewood, New Jersey, to
age in place with dignity and independence.
Age-Friendly Englewood aims to help people
throughout the community -- whether they live
in an apartment, condo, single-family home,
multi-family home or assisted-living facility
-- live their lives as fully as possible, with
access to a broad range of affordable
services and amenities as they age.
Building off of the City’s Master Plan, which
wasadopted in 2014, the project started
in 2016with the formation of a coalition of
organizations that provide services to Engle-
wood residents, including nonprofit organiza-
tions, houses of worship, civic organizations,
the Mayor, City Council and offices of
City government.
The coalition’s first task was to assess where
Englewood is at the present time, determine
where there are needs and/or gaps in service,
and develop a plan to meet those
needs over the months and years ahead.
The most essential element of the planning
process was input from residents throughout
Englewood who are age 60 or older. This was accomplished through surveys, administered both online and on paper to nearly 400 older adult residents, as well as through focus groups, brainstorming sessions and interviews with key stakeholders in Englewood. Interviews were also held with the directors of City governmental offices to learn how their offices serve older adult residents.
The results were presented at a Community Forum at Englewood Hospital in August 2016. (Click here to view the presentation.) Following this presentation, the Age-Friendly Coalition formed work groups in the areas of Housing, Transportation, Social Inclusion and Communications and began developing work plans to meet the identified needs.
Information provided by the World Health Organization and AARP (the Association of Retired Persons) is helping to guide development of the Englewood project.
WHO's Checklist of Age-Friendly Cities provides a framework for Age-Friendly Englewood's Plan of Work for 2017.
Now Available!
Click to download a comprehensive directory of services, or pick up a booklet at the Library, City Hall, or other locations in Englewood!
Coalition Leadership
Community Chest of Englewood is the fiscal agent and sponsor of the project.
Janet Sharma, who served for 22 years as CEO of the Volunteer Center of Bergen County, is the coordinator of the Age-Friendly Englewood project.
Joyce Dudley, president of Dudley Hamilton Associates, Inc.,in Engle-wood, is planning consultant.
JoEllen Knie is our Assistant Coordinator. She has many years of experience in the corporate world as well as in hospice management.
How is the project funded?
Age-Friendly Englewood is funded by the The Henry and Marilyn Taub Foundation, which has awarded grants to fund the project.
Other Bergen County communities receiving grants to develop and promote "age-friendly communities" include Garfield, Ridgewood, Teaneck and Westwood.