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Bernards Township Age-Friendly Community Survey
Bernards Township and the Somerset Hills YMCA, a branch of Greater Somerset County YMCA, are excited to launch an
Age-Friendly Initiative
to support the well-being, independence, and quality of life for older adults (55+) in our community. We invite you to take this brief
15-minute survey
for older adults that will gather feedback on important aspects of livability, including
housing options, transportation, walkability, social activities, outdoor spaces, health and community services, employment,
and
volunteering
. Your input will help identify strengths, highlight areas for improvement, and directly shape the community’s age-friendly strategy, ensuring that all residents can age with grace. Your response to this survey is confidential. Responses will be compiled and analyzed as a group.
Your Home and Community
1.
Are you a resident of Bernards Township?
Yes
No
Not sure
2.
What section of town do you live in?
Basking Ridge
Liberty Corner
Lyons
Madisonville
The Hills
Fellowship Village
Ridge Oak Senior Housing
Arbor Terrace
The Residence at Basking Ridge
Sunrise of Basking Ridge
Other (please specify)
3.
Are you a member of the Greater Somerset County YMCA?
Yes
No
Another health facility (please specify)
4.
How would you rate Bernards Township as a place for people to live as they age?
Very Good
Good
Fair
Poor
5.
Please indicate how much you agree with the following statements about where you prefer to live.
Strongly Agree
Agree
Unsure
Strongly Disagree
My current home will meet my needs as I age
Strongly Agree
Agree
Unsure
Strongly Disagree
Staying in Bernards as I age is important to me
Strongly Agree
Agree
Unsure
Strongly Disagree
6.
As people age, some may find that they need or want to move out of their home. If you were to consider moving out of your current home due to factors related to aging, how much would each of the following considerations factor into your decision to move?
Major factor
Minor factor
Not a factor
Not sure
Wanting to move to an area that has better health care facilities
Major factor
Minor factor
Not a factor
Not sure
Wanting to be closer to family
Major factor
Minor factor
Not a factor
Not sure
Needing more access to public transportation
Major factor
Minor factor
Not a factor
Not sure
Wanting to live in an area that has a lower cost of living
Major factor
Minor factor
Not a factor
Not sure
Easier home/yard maintenance
Major factor
Minor factor
Not a factor
Not sure
Wanting to downsize
Major factor
Minor factor
Not a factor
Not sure
Wanting to move to a 55+ community
Major factor
Minor factor
Not a factor
Not sure
7.
Please check which cost assistance programs you have received/applied for.
Applied/received assistance
Applied/did not qualify
Did not apply
Do not know about
ANCHOR
Applied/received assistance
Applied/did not qualify
Did not apply
Do not know about
Senior Freeze/PTR
Applied/received assistance
Applied/did not qualify
Did not apply
Do not know about
NJSave
Applied/received assistance
Applied/did not qualify
Did not apply
Do not know about
StayNJ
Applied/received assistance
Applied/did not qualify
Did not apply
Do not know about
8.
How long have you lived in your current residence?
Less than 5 years
5 years but less than 14 years
15 years but less than 24 years
25 years but less than 34 years
35 years but less than 44 years
45 years or more
9.
Which of the following types of homes best describe where you currently live?
Single-family home
Two-family house that has two separate living units
Townhouse or condo
Apartment
Senior/55+ Housing
Assisted living/Continuing care facility
Some other types of housing unit
Public Buildings and Spaces
10.
How would you rate the following street characteristics?
Very good
Good
Fair
Poor
Not sure
Sidewalks that are in good condition, safe for pedestrians
Very good
Good
Fair
Poor
Not sure
Sidewalks that are accessible for wheelchairs or other assistive mobility devices
Very good
Good
Fair
Poor
Not sure
Safe streets and intersections
Very good
Good
Fair
Poor
Not sure
Separate pathways for bicyclists
Very good
Good
Fair
Poor
Not sure
Well-maintained streets
Very good
Good
Fair
Poor
Not sure
Easy-to-read traffic signs
Very good
Good
Fair
Poor
Not sure
Enforced speed limits
Very good
Good
Fair
Poor
Not sure
11.
Would you rate Bernards as very good, good, fair, or poor on having the following?
Very good
Good
Fair
Poor
Not sure
Senior housing options, such as older active adult communities, assisted living, and communities with shared facilities and outdoor spaces
Very good
Good
Fair
Poor
Not sure
Homes with accessibility considerations, like a no-step entrance, wider doorways, and first-floor bedrooms and bathrooms
Very good
Good
Fair
Poor
Not sure
Well-maintained and safe parks
Very good
Good
Fair
Poor
Not sure
Adequate benches for resting in public areas like parks, along sidewalks, and around public buildings
Very good
Good
Fair
Poor
Not sure
Transportation
12.
How would you describe your driving habits?
I drive frequently
I have scaled back my driving in recent years
I only drive during the day
I do not drive myself anymore
I never drove
13.
What forms of transportation do you typically use for things like shopping, visiting the doctor, running errands, or other things?
[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]
Walk
Drive yourself
Have others drive you
Use a ride source company, such as Uber or Lyft
Somerset County Van
Ride a bike
I am homebound and do not leave my home
Health and Wellness
14.
How would you rate the following health and wellness services in Bernards?
Very good
Good
Fair
Poor
Not sure
Not applicable
Health and wellness programs and classes in areas such as nutrition, smoking cessation, and weight control
Very good
Good
Fair
Poor
Not sure
Not applicable
Fitness activities specifically geared towards older adults
Very good
Good
Fair
Poor
Not sure
Not applicable
Variety of health and wellness activities
Very good
Good
Fair
Poor
Not sure
Not applicable
Assistance with technology (e.g. iPhone, iPad, email, downloading files, scanning and sending information)
Very good
Good
Fair
Poor
Not sure
Not applicable
Assistance with and information on social services (e.g. online applications) for Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security Benefits, etc.
Very good
Good
Fair
Poor
Not sure
Not applicable
Health and wellness programs offered through the Bernards Library
Very good
Good
Fair
Poor
Not sure
Not applicable
Health and wellness programs offered through the Bernards Heath Department
Very good
Good
Fair
Poor
Not sure
Not applicable
Health and wellness programs offered through Bernards Parks and Recreation
Very good
Good
Fair
Poor
Not sure
Not applicable
Access to virtual (online) health and wellness activities, such as chair yoga, webinars, etc.
Very good
Good
Fair
Poor
Not sure
Not applicable
The YMCA facility
Very good
Good
Fair
Poor
Not sure
Not applicable
The YMCA programs
Very good
Good
Fair
Poor
Not sure
Not applicable
Somerset County "Meals on Wheels" program
Very good
Good
Fair
Poor
Not sure
Not applicable
Somerset County Veterans Services
Very good
Good
Fair
Poor
Not sure
Not applicable
Somerset County Senior Center (Mount Airy Road)
Very good
Good
Fair
Poor
Not sure
Not applicable
15.
Please check any of the following that apply to you
I live with one or more chronic conditions
Over the last month, my physical well-being has prevented me from participating in my usual activities at least once
Over the past 12 months, I have struggled with balance or mobility
I have had an emergency room visit within the past year
I have had at least one hospital stay in the last year
I have had a fall within the last 6 months that required medical attention
Socialization and Education Opportunities
16.
How often do you have contact with family, friends, or neighbors who do not live with you?
Everyday
Several times a week, but not every day
Once a week
Once every 2 or 3 weeks
Once a month
Less than monthly
Never
17.
If you were in trouble, do you have friends or family who can help you at any time of day or night?
Yes
Daytime only
Nighttime only
No
18.
How would you rate the following social opportunities in Bernards?
Very good
Good
Fair
Poor
Not sure
Conveniently located entertainment venues
Very good
Good
Fair
Poor
Not sure
Activities geared specifically towards older adults
Very good
Good
Fair
Poor
Not sure
Activities that are affordable to older adults
Very good
Good
Fair
Poor
Not sure
A variety of diverse cultural activities
Very good
Good
Fair
Poor
Not sure
Continuing education classes or social clubs to pursue new interests, hobbies, or passions
Very good
Good
Fair
Poor
Not sure
Job Opportunities and Volunteering
19.
How would you rate the following job and volunteering opportunities in Bernards?
Very good
Good
Fair
Poor
Not sure
A range of volunteer activities to choose from
Very good
Good
Fair
Poor
Not sure
Opportunities for older adults to participate in decision-making bodies such as municipal councils or committees
Very good
Good
Fair
Poor
Not sure
Easy to find information on available local volunteer opportunities
Very good
Good
Fair
Poor
Not sure
Transportation to and from volunteer activities for those who need it
Very good
Good
Fair
Poor
Not sure
A range of flexible job opportunities for older adults
Very good
Good
Fair
Poor
Not sure
Job training opportunities for older adults who want to learn new job skills within their job or get training in a different field of work
Very good
Good
Fair
Poor
Not sure
20.
Which of the following best describes your current employment status?
Self-employed, part-time
Self-employed, full-time
Employed, part-time
Employed, full-time
Unemployed, but looking for work
Retired, not working at all
Not in the labor force for other reasons
21.
If you are currently employed or looking for work, how likely is it that you will continue to work as long as possible, rather than choosing to retire and no longer work for pay?
Very likely
Somewhat likely
Not very likely
Not at all likely
Not sure
I am not currently employed
Community Information
22.
How did you hear about this survey?
[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]
In person at Township event or meeting
Township website
Word-of-mouth
Social Media (Facebook or Instagram)
Flyers/Banners
Community Organization/Non-Profit
Healthcare Provider/Home Health Staff
Local news outlets, such as The Bernardsville News, TapInto, or The Patch
Other (please specify)
23.
OPTIONAL:
Please let us know if you are interested in further participating in Bernards's Age-Friendly Communities initiative by attending meetings, volunteering, receiving additional information, or participating in a focus group or interview. (If yes, please provide your contact information on the next page.)
[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]
I am interested in attending meetings, volunteering my time and skills, or receiving additional information. Please contact me.
I am interested in participating in a focus group or interview. Please contact me.
I am not interested.
24.
OPTIONAL:
If you would would like to be contacted, please enter your name and contact information.
25.
OPTIONAL
Do you have any additional comments about the livability of Bernards Township for older adults (such as activities, resources, etc.) that were not already addressed in this survey?
Demographics
The following questions are for classification purposes only and will be kept entirely confidential.
26.
OPTIONAL
What is your gender?
Male
Female
Other
27.
OPTIONAL
What is your age?
55-59
60-64
65-69
70-74
75-79
80-84
85+
28.
OPTIONAL
What is your race?
[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]
American Indian or Alaska Native
Asian or Asian American
Black or African American
Hispanic or Latino
Middle Eastern or North African
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
White
Other (please specify)
29.
OPTIONAL
What is your current marital status?
Married
Not married, living with partner
Separated
Divorced
Widowed
Never married
30.
OPTIONAL
Besides you, do any of the following people live in your household?
[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]
Spouse/partner
Child/children under 18
Child/children 18 or older
Child/children away at college
Parents
Other adult relative or friend 18 or older
31.
OPTIONAL
Does any disability, handicap, or chronic disease keep you or your spouse or partner from participating fully in work, recreation, housework, or other activities?
Yes, myself
Yes, my spouse/partner
Yes, both me and my spouse/partner
No
32.
OPTIONAL
What was your annual household income before taxes in 2025?
Under $15,000
Between $15,000 and $29,999
Between $30,000 and $49,999
Between $50,000 and $74,999
Between $75,000 and $99,999
Between $100,000 and $150,000
Over $150,000
Thank you very much for completing this survey.
Your assistance in providing this information will help shape Bernards's Age-Friendly Initiative.
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