Opioid safety has become one of the most urgent health issues facing older adults—and New Jersey is taking action. On Friday, September 26, PDFNJ’s “NJ Healthy Aging Summit: Opioid Safety & Alternatives” will bring together experts, caregivers, and community members at the Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event is free for New Jersey residents aged 55 and older.

The summit will explore the risks opioids pose to seniors and the healthier strategies available for pain management. Adults between 55 and 64 now represent the largest group of suspected overdose deaths in New Jersey this year, underscoring the need for awareness, education, and alternatives.

Dr. Holly Geyer, physician lead of the Opioid Stewardship Program and consultant in the Division of Hospital Internal Medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona, will deliver the keynote address. Shebah Carfagna, founder of Miami-based Panache Fitness and Healing Companies and an AARP-sponsored athlete, will share inspiring insights on functional aging and holistic health.

Sessions throughout the day will cover guidelines for the safe use, storage, and disposal of medications; the benefits of good nutrition and regular exercise; addressing mental health issues in older adults; and how to access critical resources and services.

A free breakfast and lunch are included. Breakfast is provided courtesy of Vertex Pharmaceuticals. For older adults, caregivers, and professionals, the summit offers knowledge, tools, and strategies that can make a real difference in navigating aging safely and confidently.

Register now for this free event at NJHealthyAging.org. If your community or organization is interested in organizing a group of 20 or more attendees, we have limited free transportation available. Contact event Matt Birchenough at matt@drugfreenj.org