For the third year, South Brunswick will host its “Aging in Place Forum” from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Nov. 20 at the South Brunswick Senior Center.
Aging in Place is part of a national movement to alert and inform both senior citizens and their caregivers to a variety of services available to seniors as they age.
According to its website, www.ageinplace. org, the main principle of the National Aging in Place Council is that “an overwhelming majority of older Americans want to remain in their homes for as long as possible, but lack awareness of home- and community-based services that make independent living possible.”
In South Brunswick, this has taken the form of an annual forum featuring businesses, vendors and a variety of activities for the community.
“Older people don’t want to leave their home, but don’t know about services that can help them,” South Brunswick Aging in Place event planner Jacque Rubel said.
At the forum, many groups and businesses that provide a service for seniors will be on hand to answer questions.
In total, there will five business partners and 10 community partners, including the library and the YMCA, which will not only showcase their available services but also provide information on other activities, such as local book clubs or bridge clubs.
A variety of vendors have also been invited, and some will have special discounts for seniors.
“A lot of people don’t realize the services that are available to them, or they turn away,” Rubel said. “They say, ‘Oh, that’s not me.’ ”
It is important to know about the services, Rubel said. The services are not just for larger activities such as snow shoveling or grocery shopping, but everyday, mundane activities like changing a light bulb or rotating a mattress.
The theme of this year’s forum is “Exploring Options: A Day of Discovery” and will focus on the quality-of-life priority.
Last year the forum focused on housing and home maintenance, and the inaugural year’s theme was health and wellness.
These themes come from the findings of a survey done three years ago to determine the most important priorities of seniors living in South Brunswick, Rubel said.
Two other priorities were identified —accessibility and transportation — and will be addressed in subsequent years, Rubel said.
While each forum has a theme, the assorted vendors and speakers present will cover all topics.
Aside from businesses, there will also be a number of other activities at the forum. Panel discussions will allow residents to speak with experts on any number of items that they may need clarified.
Panel discussions will be followed by roundtable discussions to allow further dialogue between residents and experts.
There will also be a variety of entertainment. In particular, residents are encouraged to participate in the “Diversi-tree,” a community painted mural that will showcase the diversity of the township. When completed, the mural will be able to be seen in various places around town.
Seeing the forum grow year after year, Rubel is once again excited to be onboard to help plan the event.
“It is exciting to be a part [of the forum], because my background is not in any related field, my background is in the arts,” she said.
The township is as excited as the event coordinators for the forum.
“Our senior residents are key stakeholders here in South Brunswick,” municipal spokesman Ron Schmalz said. “We want [seniors] to be able to stay in South Brunswick and not leave the township.”
The event is free to residents. For more information, interested parties can call 732-305-7079.