Aging is Everyone's Business: Policies for Building a New York for All Ages

 As we age, we build momentum.

New Yorkers across the five boroughs are tapping into the momentum that comes with aging to power local economies, and contribute to communities. From civic engagement to caregiving, older New Yorkers both in and out of the workforce continue to find ways to improve our society.

Unfortunately, New York City is missing the opportunity to harness the knowledge, energy, and skills of older adults. Our city is falling short in taking care of New Yorkers throughout our lives to give everyone a better chance to age well.

LiveOn NY and Hunter College’s Brookdale Center for Healthy Aging is proud to release a policy agenda that declares Aging is Everyone’s Business.

This agenda envisions a future where older New Yorkers not only have access to their basic needs as they age, but are respected and engaged in society for the knowledge, experience, and social connections they bring. Growing older should build momentum in our lives, rather than slow us down. Such a future depends on every New Yorker knowing that the resources for living well will be there for them as we grow older.

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Guiding Principles for making new York a better place to age

  • No New Yorker should have to worry about how they will get their basic needs met as they grow older.

  • Every policy decision made on behalf of older New Yorkers should consider first and foremost its effect on the most marginalized older adults, including those who are lower-income, Black and Brown people, LGBTQIA, gender non-conforming, immigrants, and those who are living with disabilities. New York City must affirmatively promote equity and dismantle racism, sexism, ableism, ageism, and other biases.

  • Policies and investments for older adults must recognize that not every person ages in the same way and support them wherever they are. Some will need almost no assistance throughout the course of their lives; some will need community-based services to meet certain needs, and about a quarter to a third will need more intensive services like home care or nursing homes.

  • Older New Yorkers should be especially protected from disaster brought by the effects of climate change, future pandemics, and other calamities.

These principles should be used to promote age justice in the following key areas:

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  1. Leverage the work of all City agencies

  2. Food insecurity

  3. Housing

  4. Technology

  5. Financial Security

  6. Social Engagement

  7. Human Services

  8. Healthcare

  9. Age-friendly design

How to get involved

  1. Share the policy agenda with your network, organization and constituents

  2. Reach out to local press to encourage their coverage of the policy agenda

  3. Share via social media, by creating your own post, or utilizing a sample post below:

    • Aging is everyone's business yet NYC is missing the opportunity to harness the knowledge, energy, and skills of older NYers. Read @LiveOnNY & @BrookdaleAging new aging agenda that provides policy solutions to make NY a better, more equitable place to age. https://bit.ly/3yQmmZS

    • In the wake of the pandemic and a historic election, @LiveOnNY and @BrookdaleAging presents fresh ideas in a new policy agenda to help the City’s future leadership seize the opportunity to ensure that New Yorkers of all backgrounds can thrive as we age. https://bit.ly/3yQmmZS

    • With NYers living longer and healthier lives, our city is presented with the opportunity to foster a better future as we all age. @LiveOnNY & @BrookdaleAging new policy agenda declares Aging is Everyone's Business that envisions a better NYC for all ages. https://bit.ly/3yQmmZS

    • As we age, we build momentum. Today, @LiveOnNY and @BrookdaleAging declares Aging is Everyone’s Business in a new policy agenda that provides actionable policy solutions to make New York a better, more equitable place to age. https://bit.ly/3yQmmZS

4. Schedule a meeting with your in-district council member to discuss policy priorities for your district and organization

To learn more information or have questions about the policy agenda, please contact Director of Public Policy, Katelyn Andrews, at kandrews@liveon-ny.org.

 
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