New York State is working to implement its Master Plan for Aging, a series of budgetary and legislative proposals aiming to improve seniors’ quality of life.
It includes a proposal to fully fund home and community services like transportation, light housekeeping and other daily living assistance.
Kristen McManus, director of government affairs and advocacy for AARP New York, noted increased requests for the programs cannot be met at current funding levels. She pointed to another proposal, which would set up a one-stop shop for seniors to apply for benefits and programs.
“For a long time, we’ve been saying if you’re eligible for one program or benefit, you’re likely eligible for more,” McManus explained. “But you may not know how to access them, how to apply for them, or that they’re even available.”
More than 100 proposals make up the Master Plan for Aging, so the few being introduced this year are just the beginning. McManus believes fully funding aging services is a core issue because it allows older adults to remain safe at home. Without the services, McManus added, older adults might get hurt or be forced to go into a nursing home.
It was a lengthy process to get the Master Plan for Aging developed and it will be a challenge to find approval for its many provisions. Despite their popularity, McManus worries about the political will and attention of lawmakers. She stressed some of the work done to develop the plan will make it easier to enact.
“The Master Plan on Aging also had a stakeholder committee that reviewed all of the recommendations and ranked them by which ones would be the most urgent and the ones that would be the easiest to implement,” McManus underscored.
McManus is eager to see other proposals added to this year’s budget, like funding for unpaid family caregivers. Reports show many unpaid family caregivers are unable to save money or take on more debt to care for a loved one.
Edwin is a reporter and producer in North Tonawanda, New York. He’s previously reported for the Niagara Gazette and the Ithaca Times. Edwin got an early start in radio interning for WBFO-88.7FM, NPR’s Buffalo affiliate. In 2018, he graduated from SUNY Buffalo State College with a B.A. in Journalism, and in 2022, graduated from Syracuse University with an M.S. in Communications.