Governor Hochul and NYS Legislature: Fund Aging Services!
- GPNYC Board
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
With the New York State budget within weeks of its deadline on April 1st, there is a lot of jostling with budget priorities.
But among the priorities Gray Panthers wants to see get over the finish line this budget season is increased funding for aging services.
A Master Plan for Aging–launched by Governor Hochul herself, it must be said–had a final report that laid out a bunch of proposals. And one of those proposals was to fund aging services. (1)
And rightfully so. Systems supporting our older adults are chronically underfunded and overwhelmed, leaving many older New Yorkers in a vulnerable position, waiting for services they need.
And, without adequate funding, an already bad problem is about to get much worse. By 2030, New York State is expected to grow to 5.3 million people aged 65 and older. By 2040, a quarter of our population in New York is expected to be 65 or older.
And, New York State’s budget needs to not only reflect that growth, but also reflect the fact that aging services were underfunded even before said growth. To do anything less would be irresponsible, only resulting in ever-lengthening waiting lists for essential care, even further strain on family caregivers, and ultimately, seniors being all the worse for an ever-weakening infrastructure. But, to address this need in the state budget would cut waitlists, expand home care, and expand eligibility for caregiver support services, among other things.
New York leaders say they want to be a place that is welcoming to and inclusive of all. Part of that “all” must include older New Yorkers. To not include older New Yorkers by not funding aging services would be a failing on the State’s part, both the Legislature and the Governor alike.
