Formation and Survey
In March 2020, with the support of Wayne’s Mayor and Health Officer and in collaboration with the Alzheimer’s Association, Wayne Township’s Senior and Social Services Director applied for and received membership in the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities.
As new members of the network, our first responsibility was to survey the residents of Wayne Township. We used a survey tool developed by AARP, comprising 15 pages of questions. We needed a cross-section of Wayne residents aged 45 years and older to complete it.
To help us with this mission, “Age-Friendly Wayne,” the name we gave our newly appointed group, worked with William Paterson University (WPU) nursing professors and students to implement a township-wide campaign to promote our survey initiative. The campaign included partnering with the Wayne Public Library, Wayne Parks and Recreation, the Wayne Health Department, the Senior and Social Service Division, and the Alzheimer’s Association.
WPU nursing students helped the Senior and Social Services Director develop promotional flyers and bookmarks for residents and public service announcements to air on WPU’s radio station and Wayne Township’s Channel 77.
The Wayne Public Library was instrumental in helping us promote and distribute the surveys offered online and in hard copy. The Library showcased the Age-Friendly display, handed out our newly created age-friendly bookmarks, and shared giveaways with those who completed a survey and handed it in.
The Health Department handed them out at township COVID-19 vaccination clinics with the assistance of Wayne Township’s CERT volunteers. As a bonus, residents who completed a survey received a hot pretzel for their participation, donated by Philly Pretzel Factory in Wayne.
The Parks and Recreation department allowed us to table at their events and disseminate surveys at Wayne Day, Wayne’s Senior Picnic, and the Summer Concerts Series. We handed out surveys at every opportunity.
Wayne Township’s IT Department helped us get the word out by continuously posting information about the survey online and on Channel 77.
The Director of Programs and Services for the Alzheimer’s Association and the Executive Director of Home Care Options assisted with the effort by sharing their professional expertise. They also shared the survey with Wayne residents they encountered.
Nearly 600 residents 45 years and older completed the surveys. Collaboration with our trusted partners has been a critical factor in our success.
Approximately 300 of the surveys received were in paper form. To help us enter the data into the AARP’s computer system, we partnered with Women in Transition (WIT). WIT is a non-profit organization under the auspices of the Wayne Counseling Center. WIT offers free vocational skills to women in Passaic County and the surrounding area. Grant funds from the Wayne Public Library enabled us to pay WIT members for data entry services.
Community Outreach during the Pandemic
As part of our community outreach during the pandemic, we developed an Age-Friendly Health and Wellness Series that aired every Tuesday and Thursday at 2 p.m. on Wayne Township’s Channel 77. We partnered with William Paterson University Exercise Science Professor Toni LaSala for content and Wayne Township’s IT Department for audiovisual assistance. Professor LaSala provided six low-impact exercise programs that residents could follow at home. Age-Friendly Wayne also created an outdoor exercise program with Professor LaSala and William Paterson, Exercise Science students. The FREE, six-week, inter-generational program was held outdoors twice weekly and included walking, stretching, and balance exercises. It enabled senior residents to leave their houses – a big deal during the pandemic, meet new people, and engage in physical activity. The program was a success! Wayne For All Ages offered multiple sessions during the year.
Task Force
On April 16, 2021, Age-Friendly Wayne hosted its first public task force meeting. We were a small but committed group. We developed a solid foundation enabling us to adopt a more inclusive name, ‘Wayne For All Ages’, create a logo and mission statement, and establish our goals.
Currently, the Wayne For All Ages task force includes representatives from Wayne Township’s Health Department, Department of Parks and Recreation, IT Department, the Wayne Public Library, Chilton Medical Center, St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Christian Health – Siena Village, Wayne Counseling Center – Women In Transition, Inserra Supermarkets ShopRite of Wayne Hills Dietician, Toastmasters Club, William Paterson Nursing Department, and many dedicated Wayne volunteers.
We’re proud of all our accomplishments to date. Our latest offerings, the Wayne For All Ages Resource Directory and the Wayne For All Ages Resource Center will have the most impact on our community.
The Resource Directory
The Resource Directory is a comprehensive link to services in our area. It was created with input and collaboration from Wayne For All Ages task force members. We expect to update the website quarterly and welcome community feedback.
The Resource Center
The Wayne For All Ages Resource Center is a giant leap of faith for our task force. The center will allow us to offer our community various meaningful programs and services. We will include the calendar of events on our website and distribute it within the community via social media, flyers, and press releases. Residents can call 973-694-1800 ext. 3281 to reserve a spot in the programs. We will start a waiting list as the programs fill up.
Past Programs and Services
The following is a listing of the different programs and services Wayne For All Ages has been able to provide to our residents over the last couple of years:
Wayne Moves Together: An Intergenerational Exercise Series – in collaboration with William Paterson University Department of Kinesiology and Wayne’s Senior and Social Services Department
Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body: Tips from the Latest Research – in collaboration with the Alzheimer’s Association, William Paterson University Nursing students, the Wayne Public Library, and Wayne’s Senior and Social Services Department
Alzheimer’s Community Forum for Faith-Based Leaders: What Are the Needs of Your Congregants – in collaboration with Wayne’s faith-based leaders, Women In Transition/Wayne Counseling Center, the Alzheimer’s Association, Home Care Options Christian Health, and Wayne’s Senior and Social Services Department.
Transportation Forum: Access and Availability – in collaboration with AAA Northeast, Alzheimer’s Association, EZ Ride, NJ Transit, Rutgers NJTIP Program, St. Joseph’s Driver Rehabilitation Department, Passaic County Sheriff’s Department, Passaic County Paratransit, Wayne Parks and Recreation Senior Bus Service, and Wayne’s Alliance, and Senior and Social Services Department
Community Forum for Caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s and other Dementias – in collaboration with the Alzheimer’s Association, Christian Health Home Care Options, Passaic County Senior Services ADRC, Passaic County Sheriff’s Office, and Wayne’s Senior and Social Services Department
Wellness Event: Healthy Eating and Exercise – in collaboration with William Paterson Nursing Department, and Wayne’s Senior and Social Services Department
Aging Safely in the Home – in collaboration with Christian Health Home Care Options, Alzheimer’s Association, Caldwell University Nursing Department, and Wayne’s Senior and Social Services Department
Healthy Brain, Healthy Life: It’s a No Brainer – for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities – in collaboration with Caldwell University Nursing Department, Christian Health Home Care Options, and Wayne’s Senior and Social Services Department
Pre-Diabetes Education Six-Week Series – in collaboration with the Wayne Health Department, Christian Health Home Care Options, Chilton Medical Center, St. Joseph’s Medical Center, and Wayne’s Senior and Social Service Department
The Four Legal Documents Everyone Should Have – Information Session for Seniors – in collaboration with Northeast Legal Services, Christian Health Home Care Options, and Wayne’s Senior and Social Service Department
Free Legal Services — Wayne For All Ages has teamed up with Northeast Legal Services to offer monthly legal service appointments. Legal services include the preparation of Wills, Powers of Attorney, Financial and Medical Powers of Attorney, and Living Will Declarations. This service is available to Wayne residents 60+ who meet financial eligibility requirements.
Memory Screenings – in collaboration with Christian Health Home Care Options, Caldwell University Nursing Department, and Wayne’s Senior and Social Services Department
Alzheimer’s Community Forum: Wayne Township – in collaboration with the Alzheimer’s Association, Christian Health Home Care Options, and Wayne’s Senior and Social Service Department
Development of a Dementia Care Map – William Paterson University Nursing Department, and Wayne’s Senior and Social Service Department with input from Alzheimer’s New Jersey
Alzheimer’s New Jersey’s Walk to Fight Alzheimer’s – The Wayne For All Ages Team participated in their first walk with Alzheimer’s New Jersey at South Mountain Reservation. We’re proud to report that the Wayne For All Ages Team was one of the top earners at the event. The money raised for this event goes toward research and a breakthrough in the fight against Alzheimer’s and all other dementia.
Regularly scheduled low-cost exercise programs are also offered – including:
QiGong Fusion Program – This transformative program, accompanied by soft meditative music, promotes peacefulness, vital energy, and focus. It supports wellness and natural healing of the body. Classes are low-cost and held regularly
Exciting new collaborative programs and services are on their way. Check back for frequent updates.