The Year of the Senior continues apace in Maplewood and South Orange.
In addition to new programs and services being provided in South Orange, a joint grant to explore senior services that is shared by the two towns, and a renewed focus on attracting and retaining senior citizens in the two towns, local realtors are getting in on the act — or maybe they started it.
“We had a really good turnout and response to our first Seniors Advisory Council presentation,” said realtor Mark Slade, who along with realtor Allison Ziefert organized six presentations for the Maplewood Township group at the DeHart Community Center that included senior in-home care, elder care legal advice, financial planning geared to seniors, reverse mortgages, decluttering and real estate.
“What I gathered from the seniors I spoke with was that they like that [the real estate professionals] all work together to help them see different choices/options in regards to their homes,” said Michelle Wesley, Program Director at the DeHart Center. Wesley said that the audience of about 25 senior citizens also appreciated the speakers ‘hanging around afterwards to answer their questions,” and found the presenters “genuine, dedicated and willing to help.”
Slade and Ziefert of Keller Williams Mid-Town Direct are hosting a similar free seminar titled “Making Your Golden Years More Golden” tonight, February 4 at their office at 161 Maplewood Avenue (7-9 p.m., RSVP to miak@seniorsinplace.com or 973-376-1600.) The event includes health care professionals, organization specialists, mortgage brokers, financial planners and more, to discuss everything from “aging in place” to reverse mortgages to downsizing to preserving assets.
