Recognizing the increasing number of residents over 60 years of age and the desire to keep long-term residents in our communities, South Orange is taking a proactive approach to enable residents to age in place.  

South Orange joined the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities in June of 2018 and, since 2017, has been engaged in a joint initiative with Maplewood called SOMA Two Towns for All Ages. This age-friendly initiative engages stakeholders to build a community that serves the needs of residents of all ages. To ensure programs and services in our two towns meet these important goals we commit to:

• Being responsive to the needs of older residents.
• Combine the resources and interests of both towns to build a synergistic relationship that promotes and supports healthy, engaged and vibrant aging.
• Recognize the role older adults play in our communities and their contributions to the fabric of our diverse community.
• Realize that improvements that benefit the older population also benefit the rest of our community.
• Encourage older adults to engage in the conversation and be responsive to their concerns.