Staying well in New Jersey: falls, checkups, hearing and more

Staying well after 60 comes down to a handful of habits. Keep your balance. Use the checkups you already pay for. Fix your hearing before it isolates you. Plan for the hottest and coldest days. Know who to call when your mood dips.

New Jersey has free or low-cost help for each of these. Most of it runs through your county Office on Aging, which you can reach through the Aging and Disability Resource Connection at 1-877-222-3737.

Why should falls be my first priority?

Falls are the leading cause of injury for adults 65 and older, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). About 1 in 4 older adults report falling each year. That is more than 14 million people nationwide. The CDC also reports that the fall death rate among older adults rose 21% between 2018 and 2024.

Many falls are preventable. The biggest risk factors are weak legs, poor balance, some medications, poor vision and hazards at home. Fear of falling is a risk factor too. People who are afraid move less, get weaker and then fall more.

Three steps make a real difference:

• Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review your medicines. Sleep aids, some blood pressure drugs and medicines that cause dizziness raise your risk.
• Get your eyes checked and update your glasses.
• Make your home safer. Add grab bars, railings on both sides of stairs, night lights and nonslip mats. Remove throw rugs. Our aging in place guide has a room-by-room checklist.

Where can I take a free or low-cost balance class?

New Jersey's Division of Aging Services supports several health promotion programs through county agencies, senior centers, libraries and senior housing.

A Matter of Balance

This program, developed at Boston University, helps people who worry about falling. It meets for eight two-hour sessions in groups of 10 to 12. You learn to see falls as preventable, set realistic goals, make your home safer and do gentle exercises for strength and balance. It is designed for adults 60 and older who can walk on their own. It runs only in selected counties. Call 609-438-4797 for help finding a class, or check the state's contact list on the A Matter of Balance page.

Tai Chi for Arthritis

Tai chi uses slow, flowing movements that build leg strength and balance. Tai Chi for Arthritis, from the Tai Chi for Health Institute, is offered by some county aging offices and senior centers. For example, the Warren County Office of Aging and Disabilities lists classes at 908-475-6591. Availability changes by season, so ask your county Office on Aging or search NJ 211.

Other state-supported programs

• Move Today: a 30 to 45 minute non-aerobic class for flexibility, balance and stamina.
• Otago Exercise Program: a fall prevention exercise and walking program led by a physical therapist.
• Project Healthy Bones: exercise and education for people with or at risk of osteoporosis.
• Take Control of Your Health: peer-led workshops for people living with chronic conditions, and their caregivers.

Which checkups does Medicare cover for free?

Many people on Medicare never use the preventive visits they are entitled to.

• Welcome to Medicare preventive visit. Once, within your first 12 months of Part B. It reviews your history, checks your blood pressure, BMI and vision, screens for depression and gives you a checklist of screenings and shots.
• Yearly Wellness visit. Once every 12 months after that. It includes a health risk questionnaire, a review of your medicines, a cognitive check for signs of dementia and a written prevention plan. You pay nothing if your provider accepts assignment.

How to get the most from your Wellness visit

• Bring every pill bottle, including vitamins and over-the-counter remedies, or an up-to-date list.
• Write down any falls or near-falls in the past year, even ones that did not cause an injury.
• Mention changes in memory, sleep, mood, hearing or vision. Small changes are easier to address early.
• Ask which screenings and vaccines you are due for, and get the written checklist.
• Bring a copy of your advance directive, or ask how to start one.

Vaccines

Part B covers flu, pneumococcal and COVID-19 shots, plus hepatitis B for people at medium or high risk. Part D covers recommended adult vaccines such as shingles (Shingrix), RSV for eligible adults and Tdap, with no cost sharing. Many New Jersey pharmacies give these shots. Bring your Medicare card and your Part D or Advantage card.

What about hearing and vision?

Hearing

Untreated hearing loss makes conversation tiring and can pull people away from friends and family. Since October 17, 2022, adults 18 and older with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss can buy over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids in stores or online. No exam or prescription is required. If your loss seems severe, or one ear is much worse than the other, see an audiologist or ear, nose and throat doctor first.

Before you buy an OTC device, check the return window and the warranty. Look for a model you can adjust through an app or buttons. Give yourself a few weeks to get used to it, since the brain takes time to adapt to sounds it has been missing. If it still does not help, return it and get a professional hearing test.

Original Medicare does not pay for hearing aids. Some Medicare Advantage plans include a hearing aid benefit. New Jersey's Hearing Aid Assistance for the Aged and Disabled (HAAAD) program reimburses up to $500 for one hearing aid or $1,000 for two in a calendar year. You must be enrolled in PAAD or Lifeline. The 2026 income limits are $54,943 for a single person and $62,390 for a married couple. Questions go to 1-800-792-9745. See our PAAD guide to apply.

Vision

Medicare does not cover routine eye exams for glasses or contact lenses. It does cover certain medical eye care, such as eye exams for people with diabetes, glaucoma tests for people at high risk and cataract surgery. Many Advantage plans include a yearly eye exam and an eyewear allowance. Check your plan's details during open enrollment.

How do I stay safe in heat and cold?

Older bodies handle heat less well, and a long New Jersey heat wave can be dangerous. Some medicines, including certain heart, blood pressure and mental health drugs, make it harder to stay cool.

• Stay in air conditioning during the hottest part of the day. If you do not have it, go to a library, mall or senior center.
• Find a cooling center through your town or at nj211.org. You can also dial 2-1-1.
• Drink water before you feel thirsty. Keep taking your medicines, and ask your doctor whether any raise your heat risk.
• Call 911 for confusion, a very high body temperature, fainting or hot, dry skin. These can signal heat stroke.

In winter, New Jersey law requires a Code Blue alert when temperatures drop to 32 degrees or lower, or when wind chill stays below zero for more than two hours. Participating towns open warming centers. If your heat is off or you cannot afford fuel, the state's energy assistance application opened October 1, 2026. See our food and utility help guide.

Have your furnace checked each fall and keep working carbon monoxide and smoke alarms on every level of your home.

Where can I turn for mental health support?

Depression is not a normal part of aging, and it is treatable. Loss, illness, caregiving and loneliness can all weigh on mood. Medicare covers depression screening and outpatient mental health care, including therapy with many licensed counselors.

• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Call or text 988, any time, for yourself or someone you are worried about.
• NJ MentalHealthCares. Run by the Mental Health Association in New Jersey, this free and confidential helpline offers information and referrals. Call 1-866-202-4357, daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• NJ 211. Dial 2-1-1 or 1-800-510-3102 for local counseling, support groups and services.

Staying connected protects mental health too. A weekly class, a volunteer shift or a standing coffee date can do a lot. Our staying connected guide and learning guide have ideas near you.

Common questions

Are fall prevention classes free in New Jersey?

Many are free or low cost through county Offices on Aging, senior centers and libraries. Cost varies by location. Call the ADRC at 1-877-222-3737 or, for A Matter of Balance, 609-438-4797.

Is the Medicare yearly Wellness visit really free?

Yes, if your provider accepts assignment. You may owe a copay if the doctor also treats a problem or orders tests that are not part of the preventive benefit.

Can I buy hearing aids without seeing a doctor?

Yes. Since October 17, 2022, adults 18 and older with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss can buy OTC hearing aids without a prescription. See a professional if your loss seems severe or sudden.

Who can I call if I am feeling depressed or overwhelmed?

In a crisis, call or text 988. For information and referrals, call NJ MentalHealthCares at 1-866-202-4357, daily 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

This guide is for general information. Program rules and income limits change, so confirm with the official source before you apply.