Governor Kathy Hochul recently released the final report for New York State’s Master Plan for Aging. This first plan of its kind aims to help the growing older adult population to age with dignity, independence and the support they need and deserve to thrive.
Those over age 65 accounted for 17% of the state’s population in 2020. By 2030, older adults will make up 25 to 30 percent of the population in most New York counties.
In all, 126 proposals are included in the plan, designed to help the state better serve the aging population and ensure individuals can age at home.
These proposals are laid out in nine pillars of core support areas: Affordability of Basic Necessities; Informal Caregiver and Workforce Support and Modernization of Community-Based Aging Network Service; Modernization and Financial Sustainability of Healthcare; Residential Facilities and Community-Based Aging Network Service Providers; Prevention, Wellness Promotion and Access; Housing Access and Community Development; Access to Services in and Engagement with Historically Underserved Communities; Social Engagement of Older Adults; Combatting Elder Abuse, Ageism, Ableism and Stigma; and Technology Access and Development.
Led by the New York State Department of Health, the New York State Office for the Aging and the New York State Department of State, the collaborative effort to create the plan included community stakeholders. Common Ground Co-CEO Wade Norwood served on the Master Plan’s Stakeholder Advisory Committee.
“We applaud the Governor for creating and issuing the state’s first-ever Master Plan on Aging,” said Melissa Wendland, Common Ground’s Director of Strategic Initiatives. “The plan lays out a blueprint for helping older adults now and into the future. We must take action to fund and implement the proposals in the plan; we cannot let this comprehensive plan sit on a shelf.”
Melissa Wendland was recently interviewed on Capital Tonight. View the interview.