Bergen County Designated Age Friendly County
Hackensack, N.J. – on May 5th, 2022, Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco and the Board of Commissioners announced that the County of Bergen has been officially designated an Age-Friendly community by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities.
“One of the best measures of a community is how it treats its residents especially our Seniors,” said County Executive Tedesco. “We have a lot to be proud of and a lot to look forward to in Bergen County with our Age-Friendly initiative to continue to promote opportunities for Older Adults. With over 3,000 counties and nearly 20,000 towns in the United States, we are extremely excited to be one of only 380 members that have become officially certified by AARP and part of the growing Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities.
“In Bergen County we value our seniors, and we have worked very hard to ensure our residents can age in place surrounded by friends and loved ones,” said Commissioner Chairwoman Tracy Zur. “We’re proud of this designation, but we’re not done yet. We’ll continue to look for ways to make Bergen County more age friendly with every program and initiative we undertake.”
In New Jersey, Bergen County has the largest population of people aged 60 and over and account for over 20 percent of the County’s overall population. In 1966, Bergen County took the first steps in creating an “age-friendly” community by establishing the Division of Senior Services under Federal Legislation of the Older Americans Act to service county residents aged 60 and over, and the Division is the primary planning, coordinating and funding agency for senior programs and services, promoting the well-being, health, and independence of Bergen County’s over 200,000 adults aged 60 and over. These critical programs provide our Seniors with essential services in order to remain in their homes and communities as they age. However, it is not only access to quality health care and long-term care services that are essential to our residents but access to libraries, houses of worship, transportation, healthy activities, and community centers that are also vital to their well-being.
Age-Friendly Cities and Communities Programs encourage and promote public and private policies to increase the number of cities and communities that support healthy aging and better quality of life for people as they age; this philosophy has been one of the fundamental principles for our decisions at the County. This holistic approach is aligned with the pillars of AARP’s Age Friendly initiatives and is a wonderful model of excellence. The County of Bergen is proud to continue to find ways to maximize the use of our parks and buildings, to continue to develop and improve transportation, work with community partners to increase access to affordable housing, bolster respect and social inclusion and participation, enhance communication and information to ensure that we implement policies and provide programs that encourage these core pillars benefit people of all ages.
“We’re honored to have Bergen County join the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities,” said Stephanie Hunsinger, AARP New Jersey State Director. “The common thread among enrolled communities is the belief that we can better support people of all ages. As the second county in New Jersey to join the Age-Friendly Network, Bergen County has demonstrated this belief and we commend the county’s leaders for their vision and commitment to improve the quality of life for the very young, the very old and everyone in between.” Bergen County supports initiatives and opportunities of the AARP’s Network of Age-Friendly Communities and WHO’s Age-Friendly Cities and Communities Program and recognizes that a well-designed, livable community promotes health and sustains economic growth, and makes for happier, healthier residents of all ages. To learn more about Age-Friendly Communities in NJ visit Home - Age Friendly Nj or AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities
Information on COVID-19 Vaccines and Boosters
County of Bergen Vaccine Help Desk For questions regarding vaccination appointments or to make a homebound vaccination request, please call 201-336-2707 or email HealthPromotion@co.bergen.nj.us
Bergen New Bridge Medical Center – Paramus Schedule a vaccine appointment at www.bergencovidvaccine.com
Bergen County Community Transportation Bergen County Community Transportation offers free rides to vaccination appointments. Call 201-368-5955 to schedule your ride.
Bergen County Division of Senior Services
For the seventh year in a row, the Bergen County Division of Senior Services has achieved a Platinum level credential from SAGE CARE
For the seventh year in a row, the Bergen County Division of Senior Services has achieved a Platinum level credential from SAGE, the oldest and largest LGBTQ+ aging care provider in the country. The credential indicates that our staff and leadership are trained in LGBTQ+ cultural competency and that we are aware of and sensitive to the needs and concerns of LGBTQ+ older adults. DSS is proudly committed to serving and celebrating the diverse and vibrant community of seniors in Bergen County. For LGBTQ+ resource guide, call Division of Senior Service HelpLine 201-336-7400 or click here for online directory
Do you have questions about Medicare? SHIP can help! Our certified SHIP Counselors are Medicare experts who can help you navigate your healthcare options. No sales, no pressure - just free, confidential Medicare information and counseling from a trusted source. Call your Bergen County SHIP to speak to a Medicare Counselor at 201-336-7413.
SHIP: State Health Insurance Assistance Program
Division of Senior Services
Mission: Bergen County Division of Senior Services (DSS) was established in 1966 under Federal Legislation of the Older Americans Act. It is the primary planning, coordinating, and funding agency for senior programs and services, promoting the well-being, health, and independence of Bergen County’s 220,000 older adults. The Division targets especially those vulnerable and in greatest social and economic need and prepares for the rapid growth of the senior population and the continued increase in longevity and diversity. As the lead agency for the Bergen County’s Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC), and designated Area Agency on Aging (AAA), the Division helps older adults, individuals with disabilities over the age of 18, and caregivers access the complex, long-term care, community-based, health and human services.
Get Help: If you need help and you are:
- an adult 60 years of age or older
- an adult with a disability 18 years of age or older
- a family member - a caregiver - human services or healthcare professional
1. Call 201-336-7400 or 1-877-222-3737
2. If you would like a call from one of our Information and Assistance Specialists, please send an email to our Aging Specialists at seniors@co.bergen.nj.us
- or -
Click here to join our mailing list
Division of Senior Services Units and Programs
Service Directory for Seniors and Caregivers
Documents
How to Prepare for an Emergency
Wellness Check Program
At approximate pre-specified hours, you will receive a free daily phone call from the Bergen County Wellness Check Program to check on your well-being. The call will begin with the following prerecorded message: “This is the Bergen County Wellness Check Program. If you are OK please press '1'.”
When you become a participant in the program, you will be asked to identify friends or family who may assist you in an emergency. When the system cannot make contact with you, it will call the relative or friend you have designated.
If your telephone line is busy or there is no answer, the system will call back one more time after four (4) minutes. If there is no answer or the line stays busy, your contact will automatically be notified to check on you.
The system will only respond to touchtone telephones or through a TTY, a device for the deaf and hard of hearing.
Registration
If you would like to enroll in this program, please complete the application and forward it to the address specified on the form. You will receive a phone call prior to your first call to let you know your application has been processed.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call the Division of Senior Services at (201) 336-7400.
Division of Senior Services Advisory Council
The Advisory Council advises the Bergen County Division of Senior Services on all matters of planning for older adults. The primary purpose of the Council is to carry out the objectives and intent of the Older Americans Act, assuring full participation by older adults and by the community in developing a program of services for Bergen County residents aged sixty and over.
The Advisory Council reviews Area Plan Contract programs, recommends new services, participates in planning, participates in public hearings, recommends public information techniques, and acts as an advocate for older adults in the community.
Advisory Council membership represents a cross section of the population of Bergen County, with older adults making up most of the council. Members include representatives of aging services organizations, individuals from the private or corporate sector, and advocates for services for older adults and caregivers.
For information on membership in the Advisory Council, please contact the Division of Senior Services at 201-336-7416 or email: seniors@co.bergen.nj.us
Bergen County Division of Senior Services supports and promotes diverse and inclusive communities, and does not discriminate based on age, color, creed, gender, gender identity, mental or physical disability, national origin, political affiliation, race, or sexual orientation in its provision of services or employment practices.
Bergen County Division of Senior Services maintains policies including the following: Non-Discrimination Policy, Termination Policy, Wait List Policy, Grievance Policy and Procedures, Donation Policy, and Privacy Policy. Copies of the policies are available by calling 201-336-7400 or by email at seniors@co.bergen.nj.us.
Services funded under the Bergen County Division of Senior Services Area Plan Contract (APC) are provided free of charge, but donations are accepted. Services will not be denied if a donation is not provided. Donations are used to expand services, programming, and outreach throughout Bergen County.
Contact us
Bergen County Department of Human Services
One Bergen County Plaza • 2nd Floor • Hackensack, NJ 07601-7076
Phone: 201-336-7474 • Fax: 201-336-7450
Hours: 8:30 am - 8:30 pm (varies by division)