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Month: January 2010

The 2010 Census is Coming!

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The 2010 Census is Coming

What you need to know and Why you should care

 The 2010 Census questionnaires, a 10 question form, will be mailed to all households in the United States in March. By constitutional mandate, the Census is done every 10 years and has been done that way since 1790. The questionnaires are meant to capture data on all persons living in the United States, regardless of citizenship or documentation. The Census Bureau does not share the data collected with law enforcement, immigration, or other agency. Your privacy is important. By law they cannot make the data public for 72 years and they will never ask for your social security number. All census employees take an oath of nondisclosure and are sworn to protect your confidentiality. Violating this oath means a $250,000 fine or 5 years in prison, or both.

To preview the forms visit http://2010.census.gov/2010census/how/interactive-form.php

It is crucial that everyone is counted. Municipalities want to know who is living in their community, how many seniors, and how many children? It is important for several reasons; the census data serves as a basis for congressional districting and the distribution of federal money to the state, county and local governments. It is estimated that this data is responsible for approximately $400 Billion in Federal Aid annually. Congressional districting affects the number of seats NJ will have in the House of Representatives. Federal funding in New Jersey would benefit programs such as, hospitals, senior centers, job training, road, transportation and schools.

The Census Bureau wants to ensure participation by as many people as possible. The questionnaires will be mailed to all households beginning in March. However, it is estimated that as much as 38% of people will not fill them out. In an effort to increase participation, the Census Bureau is looking to hire 1.5 million people at $17.75 an hour, to go those residences that have not responded. These temporary employees called, Enumerators, will try to ensure that forms are being completed. April 1, 2010 is the target date that the Bureau will be looking to receive responses. If you’ve not sent yours in, you can expect to see a census worker at your door starting April 1st through July 2010.

If you want to know more about the 2010 Census visit www.census.gov

If you are interested in one of the temporary, part time positions available visit http://2010.census.gov/2010censusjobs/

NJFA’s Community Grant Program, Announcing 2 New Grantees!

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New Jersey Foundation for Aging Announces Two Grantees to increase services to NJ Elderly 

Trenton- The New Jersey Foundation for Aging (NJFA) is pleased to announce that grants have been awarded to two exceptional organizations in New Jersey, Greater Mercer TMA’s Travel Training Program and Camden City Garden Club.

The program at Greater Mercer TMA will provide training to seniors that will allow them to access public transportation. Transportation is a vital resource for older adults living in the community. Without access to transportation, seniors are unable to make medical appointments or maintain contact with the community, leading to poor health and isolation. In addition to getting to medical appointments, seniors often also need access to transportation for grocery shopping and social interaction. Through Travel Training, which will instruct seniors how to use public transportation, NJFA and Greater Mercer TMA hope to make a difference for seniors who find themselves without transportation. NJFA is proud to support a program that will be so beneficial to the senior population of Mercer County.

NJFA grant award to the Camden City Garden Club will help raise awareness about food insecurity among the aging population in New Jersey. Many residents in urban areas have little or no access to affordable, healthy food options. These urban areas also often have many vacant lots. NJFA hopes that by supporting the outreach efforts of the Camden City Garden Club some of these issues can be alleviated. The Camden City Garden Club will help seniors in the community to create gardens throughout the city of Camden, as well as educate them about growing and preparing healthy foods. Access to affordable and healthy food is key to aging well.

NJFA believes strongly in working toward making New Jersey a great place to age well and believes these two programs will help older adults do that. The Foundation is pleased to continue its Community Grant Program, through which $340,000 has been awarded over the past nine years, serving more than 25,000 NJ residents. NJFA congratulates this year’s grantees and wishes them much success with their programs.

NJFA releases an RFP once a year, we will be releasing the RFP again in June 2010. For more information please visit: http://www.njfoundationforaging.org/funding.html 

or contact us at 609-421-0206!

Are you prepared? What is an Advanced Directive?

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Are you prepared?

What is an Advance Directive? Why would you need one? Where do you get a form? These are all important questions for anyone, but especially for older adults. You know your rights as a patient and that you can make your own decision about medical treatments, you discuss them with your physician. But what if you were not able to discuss them with your doctor? What if you became incapacitated and were incapable of conversation or comprehension?

That’s where an Advance Directive can help you. They have many other names and come in various types. Some people refer to them as Living Wills, or Instruction Directive, this type of Advance Directive allows for you to make a statement about your treatment preferences. Another type, Proxy Directive or Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare, allows you to name a proxy, someone you trust to make decisions for you if you are not able. There is also a Combined Directive, in which you may give instructions as to your care if you are incapacitated but also name a proxy to care out those wishes and make decisions based on your treatment preferences.

An Advance Directive can be as simple or specific as you wish. In New Jersey there is no specific form that must be followed for an Advanced Directive and you do not need a lawyer to prepare one. It is suggested that if you have questions you could consult a lawyer or medical professional. There are many models available for Advance Directives and there will be links at the end of this blog. An Advance Directive can simply be a letter stating your health care wishes or it can be a detailed list of treatments that you would or would not want. It is important to remember that an Advance Directive can be used to request treatment not just withhold or withdraw treatment. It is a legally recognized document that can make your wishes know to your family in the event that you are unable to speak for yourself. It only requires your signature and two adults to witness your signature. You can have it notarized or signed by a legal authority but this is not necessary to make it a legal document.

You should share copies of your Advance Directive with your doctor, with family members and if you name a proxy or healthcare representative, you should share a copy with that person as well. Under New Jersey Law, medical staff must honor any written Advance Directive, they are only in effect when you are not capable of making your own decision. It is recommended that you review your Advance Directive every 5 years, you should initial it and have a witness if you make any changes.

The time to think about an Advance Directive is when you are healthy and able to make clear decisions. This way you can make your own decisions and/or appoint someone you trust to make those decisions.

Some resources:

Advance Directive Forms from Legal Services NJ

 

Brochure from New Jersey Ombudsman for the Institutionalized Elderly for more information call 1-877-582-6995 or 609-943-4023

New Jersey Hospital Association

Medical Society of NJ