The Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey (PDFNJ) is set to bring together experts, community leaders, and residents for the “NJ Healthy Aging Summit: Opioid Safety & Alternatives,” taking place Friday, September 26, 2025, at the Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City. The one-day event will focus on how the opioid crisis is affecting older adults in New Jersey while highlighting practical prevention strategies, safe medication practices, and healthier approaches to pain management.
The summit runs from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and is free to attend for New Jersey residents aged 55 and older. In addition to gaining access to educational sessions and wellness demonstrations, attendees will also be provided complimentary breakfast and lunch. Registration has already reached capacity, though those interested can join a waitlist through NJHealthyAging.org.
This annual gathering is designed to serve a wide audience, including older adults, caregivers, healthcare providers, and professionals working in senior services. With opioid misuse and dependency impacting more seniors across the Garden State, the summit aims to equip participants with knowledge and resources they can use in their own lives or share within their communities.
A robust lineup of speakers and sessions is planned. Dr. Holly Geyer of the Mayo Clinic’s Opioid Stewardship Program will deliver the keynote, offering insights into prescribing trends, dependency risks, and safer approaches to medication. The day will be hosted by health broadcaster Robin Stoloff, known for her program Living Well with Robin Stoloff, ensuring the conversation remains both accessible and informative. Fitness and wellness will also play a key role, with AARP-sponsored athlete Shebah Carfagna showcasing holistic alternatives through her Panache Fitness and Healing Companies.
Presentations and panels will dive into topics critical for older adults, such as the safe storage and disposal of prescription drugs, reducing dependency risks, identifying alternative therapies for managing chronic pain, and learning how to connect with support services. The focus is not only on educating individuals but also on empowering families, caregivers, and medical professionals with the latest strategies to protect vulnerable populations.
The summit comes at a time when the opioid epidemic is taking a growing toll on seniors in New Jersey and across the nation. Earlier this year, the state recorded its highest number of suspected overdose deaths among adults aged 55 to 64, underscoring the urgent need for prevention initiatives. Nationally, overdose deaths among adults 65 and older have been steadily climbing, with sharp increases between 2022 and 2023. These trends reflect a troubling reality: older adults, often prescribed opioids for legitimate medical reasons, are facing escalating risks of dependency and accidental overdose.
By creating a dedicated forum for education and collaboration, the NJ Healthy Aging Summit aims to change that trajectory. For New Jersey residents, it provides a rare opportunity to learn directly from experts while discovering alternative approaches to living healthier, safer lives. For professionals in healthcare and senior services, it offers practical tools and connections to strengthen their work in combating the crisis.
For those seeking resources on healthy living and wellness across the state, additional guidance can be found through Explore New Jersey’s Health & Wellness, which highlights programs, events, and services designed to support healthier communities.
