On this installment of Promoting an Informed Public, we bring together healthcare professionals and experts on urban aging to explore what services exist for seniors residing in our cities and what is still lacking. The panel discusses the range of community and state services that are available to seniors. Further, it examines health and mental health factors impacting our urban seniors.
Cities present great challenges and potential advantages to older persons. High levels of congestion, pollution and crime rates, socio-economic inequalities and the high cost of housing may undermine quality of life for older people. Yet, cities offer greater access to urban amenities: public transportation, centers of medical excellence, pharmacies, stores, museums, parks, concert halls, colleges and universities, libraries, theaters and other venues for entertainment. They also provide opportunities to avoid social isolation. We need to improve understanding of the ways in which neighborhood characteristics influence the health and well-being of residents because as people age, they become increasingly tied to their neighborhoods – sometimes an area as small as ten blocks. Older people make crucial contributions to the communities in which they reside. To sustain these increasingly important contributions. To maintain and preserve the viability of their communities, significant attention and resources must be devoted to addressing the health and social care needs of this population.
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Patricia Polansky
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Dr. Thomas Cavalieri
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Dr. Steve Margeotes |
Jaklyn DeVore
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Guests:
Patricia Polansky – Assistant Commissioner for the Division of Aging and Community Services, of the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services.
“I think it is probably the most critical time for seniors and caregivers to learn how to access care. Caucus: New Jersey provided a forum for us to wet the viewers’ palette.”
Dr. Thomas Cavalieri – Dean at UMDNJ’s School of Osteopathic Medicine and Founding Director of the New Jersey Institute for Successful Aging.
“This show on urban aging is critically important to the cities of New Jersey, because it will provide them with information to age successfully anf give seniors the tips they need to age well and stay healthy.”
Dr. Steve Margeotes – Founder and Executive Director of Main Street Counseling Center, located in West Orange, New Jersey.
Jaklyn DeVore – Executive Director of the Essex County Division of Senior Services.
“Caucus: New Jersey was great. The show went pretty quickly and needs to be spoken about. Everybody will experience aging. People need to know that there are services out there for the 85+ population.”
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