WELCOME TO
AGE-FRIENDLY LEONIA

Leonia is a member of the World Health Organization’s Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities. Administered in the U.S. by AARP, it is a grant-funded initiative supporting towns, counties and states that have made a commitment to being more livable for people of all ages.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, by 2034, the nation will have more people 65 or older than under 18. Currently in Leonia, 37 percent of adults are 55 or older, a ratio that is increasing.

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What’s New

Ask Anything Text Messaging Service Answers Your Questions in More Than 100 Languages

How do I sign up for the Senior Bus? Where can I find counseling on Medicare? What mental health services are close by? These and thousands of other questions can be answered instantaneously by texting your question to Age-Friendly Leonia’s help line at 201.540.9364. Try it and see for yourself!

Leonia Together: Connecting Generations, Strengthening Community

Leonia teen volunteers will do fall leaf cleanup, snow removal and spring yard cleanup for eligible Leonia residents. If you are 70 or older and/or living with a physical or economic challenge – with no nearby relatives or friends to assist – you are eligible for this free service.

Age-Friendly Leonia will schedule two fall and two spring yard cleanup dates. And we will arrange for volunteers to shovel snow as needed throughout the winter months.

If you would like to register for any of these services, text or call 201.540.9364 or email agefriendlyleonia@leonianj.gov.

Check back for dates for fall leaf cleanup.

AFL To Host Four-Part Emergency Preparedness Workshops This Fall

Participants will take home a “go-bag” of essentials

Thanks to an AARP Community Challenge Microgrant, Age-Friendly Leonia is developing a series of four emergency preparedness workshops to be presented this fall. They will offer tips and insights on preparing for health, weather, fire and police-involved emergencies, respectively:

Health: Wednesday, September 30th

Fire: Tuesday, October 20th

Weather: Tuesday, November 10th

Police: Tuesday, November 17th

These free workshops will be hosted with the assistance of Leonia’s Police and Fire Departments, Board of Health, Office of Emergency Management, and DPW, among other experts.They will be designed with the needs of older residents in mind and will be open to all.

Each participant will go home with a complimentary “go-bag” of essentials that they can take with them should they need to vacate their residence in case of an emergency.

TO REGISTER: Text or call 201.540.9364 or email agefriendlyleonia@leonianj.gov.

Community Needs Assessment Survey Reveals Calls For Action

  • Housing

    Provide Assistance With Outdoor Maintenance

  • Outdoor Spaces

    Add Benches Around Town

  • Transportation

    Find Ways to Enhance Pedestrian Safety

  • Civic Participation & Employment

    Encourage Older Residents to Take Part in Borough Activities

  • Communication & information

    Connect Residents With Needed Resources

  • Respect & Social Inclusion

    Foster Intergenerational and Multicultural Activities

  • Social Participation

    Seek Ways to Engage Homebound Residents

  • Health Services & Community Supports

    Offer Easier Access to Information With Special Focus on Mental Health Resources

  • At A Glance: Community Needs assessment Survey results

    As of 2024, more than 3,000 residents — 37% of the population — are aged 55 and older. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the proportion of adults ages 55 and older in Leonia has grown by 50% from 2010 to 2024.

  • Leonia's Distinction Is its diversity

    Leonia residents aged 55 and older are most frequently White (52%), followed by Hispanic (26%) and Asian (23%). In addition, 48% of Leonia residents aged 65 and older are foreign-born citizens. Among Leonia residents aged 65 and older, 37% speak a language other than English. Spanish (18%) and Asian or Pacific Island languages (11%) are most frequently spoken among this group.

  • Independent Living Is A Challenge

    Survey results show that 27% of individuals aged 65 and older have a disability. Difficulty living independently (75%) and moving around (i.e., ambulatory, 71%) are the most frequently reported disabilities among Leonia residents aged 65 and older.

  • Outdoor Spaces Rank High Among Residents

    In the survey, 93% of respondents rated safe and well-maintained parks as “good” or better. More than 80% rated positively the presence of safe and enjoyable places to be active (86%), the condition of streets (85%), and public buildings and spaces (82%). A desire for more benches around town was expressed.

  • Transportation Safety Is An Ongoing Concern

    Most survey respondents reported getting around locally by driving themselves (85%) and walking (68%). Leonia’s transportation and mobility environment is viewed positively overall, with respondents rating accessible transit options (87%), traffic signage (86%), walkability or biking (85%), and general safety (82%) as “good” or better. There are concerns about vehicles driving above speed limits and George Washington Bridge traffic.

  • Residents Want To Age In Place With Assistance

    Remaining in Leonia is important to the majority of survey respondents (93%). Lawn and garden care (53%) and household chores (52%) are areas in which respondents noted needing help in the future to remain at home.

  • Older Adults Are Valued In Leonia

    Respondents frequently rated positively the sense that older adults are welcomed and valued in the community (79%), and as a place to get involved in local government and advocacy (79%).

  • Residents Make Communications Recommendations

    More than 80% of respondents rated positively free public access to computers/internet (84%) and community information in multiple languages (83%). And 77% positively rated the availability of information in multiple formats. They are dissatisfied with information currently available in large-print materials and community information for individuals with disabilities(67% for both).

  • The Need for more mental health information

    In the survey, 74% rated fitness activities for older adults positively while 67% rated health and wellness classes positively. Respondents were less frequently satisfied with Leonia’s availability of mental health services (50%) and access to centralized health information (51%).

  • Community Needs Assessment Complete Report

    Scroll down and click on the Action and Results section of this website where you will also find the full report.

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