LiveOn NY Testifies at Joint Aging and Technology Hearing

We’re proud to testify to the New York City Council to ensure that the strengths, as well as the needs, of older adults are consistently heard and prioritized by New York’s elected officials. Below is testimony submitted by LiveOn NY to the New York City Council Committees on Aging and Technology.

To learn more about upcoming New York City Council hearings: click here. To register to testify: click here. To watch live and past hearings: view here!

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New York City Council
Committee on Aging
Chair, Council Member Chin
Committee on Technology
Chair, Council Member Holden
January 22, 2021
Oversight - Increasing Senior Access to Technology

Thank you for the opportunity to testify on increasing senior access to technology. 

LiveOn NY’s members include more than 100 community-based nonprofits that provide core services which allow all New Yorkers to thrive in our communities as we age, including senior centers, home-delivered meals, affordable senior housing, elder abuse prevention, caregiver supports, NORCs and case management. With our members, we work to make New York a better place to age.

Throughout the pandemic, LiveOn NY’s members and the entire aging services network have found new ways to provide critical services to older New Yorkers in the face of unprecedented demand and a public health crisis. Technology has been the core to making this work possible. Overnight Senior Center classes went virtual and phone calls became the main mode of communication with clients. This work is critical, as isolation is now understood to be a significant health risk and predictor of morbidity. The ability to remain connected virtually has undoubtedly saved lives. To showcase the breadth of virtual programming that is now available, LiveOn has created a webpage where older adults can find classes offered in their community or that focus on their interests.

Unfortunately, the FCC estimates that 21 million Americans do not have access to high-speed internet, while other studies believe that number is closer to 42 million people. Even in New York, there are areas where connectivity remains a challenge. Additionally, financial barriers hinder access to technology among older adults, particularly given that the majority of older adults rely on limited fixed incomes. Today, many seniors can’t afford to purchase technology such as tablets or computers, and even if the devices are given to them, it is difficult or impossible to afford monthly internet access. Further, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the digital divide, brought increased awareness to its existence, and highlighted the disastrous effects of not combatting its prevalence. 

Encouragingly, both the City and the State are beginning to address this issue. For example, the City’s tablet distribution program is a concrete step towards improving access to technology, and Governor Cuomo recently announced intent to “mandate $15 per month high-speed service for low-income families” guaranteeing “affordable internet for all low-income families.” LiveOn NY encourages the state to ensure program eligibility that is inclusive of low-income older New Yorkers.

Although efforts have been made to increase senior access to technology from the start of the pandemic until now, and while Mayor de Blasio initially promoted tech access through his “Internet Master Plan,” more must be done.  LiveOn NY and our members have seen the ways that lack of access to technology limits the ability for older adults to remain engaged and connected in our communities. For example, lack of access limits one’s ability to connect to virtual programming, thereby heightening the risk of isolation. Further, lack of access means missing out on real time information, such as best practices in regards to COVID, how to access food or the vaccine, online job opportunities, and even the ongoing political discourse that often happens through the web.

One of LiveOn NY’s members, PSS, surveyed more than 700 older adult participants, and found lowest tech use and comfort among their Senior Center program attendees, with many having no personal means to access the internet, whether it be through WiFi or cell service. Many clients reported having only a basic cell phone as their technology infrastructure. These findings underscore and support the urgency of the following recommendations, aimed at combating the digital divide:

City

Increase funding. Utilizing new technologies, Senior Centers have kept tens of thousands of seniors safe, connected, and healthy during the pandemic, despite operating on a shoestring budget. It is critical that Centers have a strong technology infrastructure to further enable Senior Centers and other DFTA programs to connect with older adults through virtual programming, during the pandemic and beyond.

• LiveOn NY recommends that the City increase its investment in the technology infrastructure of Senior Center and other DFTA providers. 

• Fulfill the commitment to allocate $10 million annually to Senior Centers, a promise that was neglected to be fulfilled in FY21, which would expand Senior Center funding to support the type of virtual programming made possible during this time.

• Fully fund the Indirect Cost Rates (ICR), which not only ensures the viability of the nonprofits providing these services, but often covers software and data systems that enable programs to perform in an increasingly virtual world.

Prepare for reopening. As Senior Center spaces remain closed, the Centers’ computer rooms which often are the sole point of access to technology for older adults are closed as well.

• The City must critically evaluate and share its timeline to reopen Senior Center spaces, as well as provide guidance on how to operate congregate spaces, such as computer labs, safely in the future.

Promote tech literacy among older adults. It’s important to keep in mind that of the older adults who have internet access, nearly half require assistance to use the internet or to set up their new device, and many are reliant on family for this support. This is why it is important to not only support tech expansion, but to support organizations that promote technology literacy among older adults. 

• The City should look to broaden and fund collaboration with Senior Centers, and organizations such as Senior Planet, which offers a hotline and courses to broaden tech access among older adults.

Make City resources accessible no matter a person’s tech literacy. As we have seen from the vaccine distribution, too often, an over-reliance on technologically rooted outreach and enrollment systems can lead to barriers in access for those who are not tech savvy. This can no longer be an afterthought. Just as the City should work to make all of its services available in multiple languages, so should it prioritize accessibility on the basis of technology literacy, or lack thereof. Non-tech options can no longer be second tier, meaning a phone option that is being utilized for seniors unable to register for the vaccine through the web, can not yield unreasonable hold times or other barriers. Whether it be sharing information around vaccine distribution, SCRIE eligibility or new senior units available on Housing Connect, removing barriers to access City resources will undoubtedly make New York a better place to age.

• At the outset of all initiatives, the City must consistently implement multi-pronged outreach efforts that utilize both technology and non-tech outreach and engagement methods. 

State 

LiveOn NY requests City Council utilize its platform to call on Governor Cuomo to sign the Comprehensive Broadband Connectivity Act (A.6679C Ryan/S.8805 Metzger). This legislation directs “the public service commission to review broadband and fiber optic services within the state and requires the expansion of broadband and fiber optic services.” By understanding and working to expand broadband and fiber optic services, New York will promote equity and equal access to information across the state for individuals of all ages. Enacting this legislation will support Governor Cuomo’s goal of increasing broadband access across the state.

Federal 

Expand distribution of tech resources. LiveOn NY is incredibly appreciative of the City’s investment in 10,000 tablets for older NYCHA residents, an initiative funded by utilizing federally allocated community-development block grants (CDBG), which are flexible in nature. This distribution program should be expanded to further meet the need that exists, and to share any data received on the impact of this initial investment to date.

Fully utilize federal resources. Within the most recent stimulus package, there has been new funding allocated for broadband infrastructure; notably, $7 billion for expanding access to high speed internet access.7 The City must evaluate this funding and ensure that it is prepared and well positioned to access these new resources.

Thank you for the opportunity to testify at today’s hearing.

A Goodbye to 2020: LiveOn NY’s End of Year Recap

2020 was a year like no other. The COVID-19 pandemic swept across communities, creating a rippling effect that exposed the current political, economic and social gaps that impact older New Yorkers including access to affordable senior housing, food insecurity, the rise of social isolation due to the pandemic and inadequate funding for vital senior services. Yet despite the challenges, organizations and providers have worked tirelessly to make New York a better place to age and ensure older adults have the support they need to truly thrive in New York.

Here, we look back at some of our top moments from LiveOn NY and our community in 2020.

Beyond Bricks: Affordable Senior Housing Symposium

Council Member Cornegy Jr, Council Member Salamanca Jr, Public Advocate Williams, & Scott Short on a panel at the Beyond Bricks: Affordable Senior Housing Symposium

LiveOn NY hosted the Beyond Bricks: Affordable Senior Housing Symposium on February 25, the largest event in New York City to focus on both aging and housing. This event brought together housing developers, management companies, elected officials, community-based nonprofits, and other representatives from public, private, and governmental organizations within the housing and aging services industries.

LiveOn NY also released a new report, Beyond Bricks: Affordable Senior Housing with Services, that highlights the various types of affordable senior housing models throughout the city as well as targeted recommendations to ensure older adults can age in place with accessible and affordable senior housing with services.  

LiveOn NY’s report, Beyond Bricks: Affordable Senior Housing with Services

LiveOn NY Hit the Frontlines Working to Provide Home Delivered Meals, Personal Care Kits and Other Key Benefits to Older New Yorkers in Need

LiveOn NY’s Benefits Outreach team, along with our member organizations were among the frontlines during the pandemic, providing critical support to older adults. The need for benefits and outreach skyrocketed with LiveOn NY’s team assisting over 2,300 adults with screening and enrollment assistance for key benefits including SNAP, the Rent Freeze Program, HEAP and other benefits as well as outreach to over 200,000 older New Yorkers to spread awareness about these supports.

When the city shut down went into effect, many older adults were unable to leave their homes or travel to grocery stores. Food security was on the rise in communities as more older adults were homebound. To meet the growing need for food, LiveOn NY, in partnership with the Project Isaiah and the World Central Kitchen, coordinated the delivery of 279,599 meals to older New Yorkers. In addition, our team organized and coordinated with community partners to provide 32,000 cold packs of food and 10,000 personal care kits to older adults in communities hit the hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic thanks to the generous support from the NYC COVID-19 Response & Impact Fund of the New York Community Trust.

Picture courtesy of our member and partner in the distribution of meals, Chinese-American Planning Council.

Shifting to a Virtual Space

Across New York, organizations and providers have shifted to virtual programming due to the pandemic, offering critical services through online platforms for older adults and caregivers. LiveOn NY launched the Senior Center Workshop Initiative, a series of virtual workshops on innovative approaches for aging services and senior center operation to identify the barriers organizations face and meet the growing needs of aging services.

We also launched our Boots on the Ground Workgroup, a bi-weekly Zoom meeting for all aging service professionals to hear from leading experts on relevant topics, share resources and ideas, practice self-care, and other activities.

LiveOn NY’s 25th Annual Virtual Aging Advocacy Day

Each year, hundreds of older adults and aging services professionals have taken to the steps of City Hall to demand their fair share of the budget. While we weren’t able to gather in-person for the 25th Annual Aging Advocacy Day, over 200 people including elected officials, aging services professionals, advocates, and older adults gathered virtually for a TeleRally to discuss the needs of the aging services network as well as highlight the work of providers and organizations that continue to serve older New Yorkers during these challenging times.

LiveOn NY hosted a virtual Aging Advocacy Day with a TeleRally on Zoom

 Historic Advocacy Win: Bills Passed to Fight Age-Discrimination

Ageism, the discrimination against an individual based on their age, is a reality that impacts older New Yorkers every day, especially in the workplace. The New York City Council passed a historic package of bills, sponsored by Council Members Margaret Chin and Diana Ayala, to fight age discrimination in the workplace. LiveOn NY was proud to advocate in support of this legislation and work towards its enactment alongside partners at AARP New York, the Hunter Brookdale Center for Healthy Aging, and the New York State Alliance for Retired Americans.

Restoration of $466 million in Affordable Housing Funding

On October 23, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the city will restore $466 million in the 2021 fiscal year’s capital cut to advance New York City’s Housing Plan. This advocacy win was made possible through the #NoCapitalCuts Campaign led the New York Housing Conference. LiveOn NY and other stakeholders and member organizations also joined the campaign and signed on to the letter to ensure New Yorkers have access to affordable housing.

Looking Ahead

As we close a chapter in 2020, we want to take a moment to express our gratitude and appreciation for our LiveOn NY community and beyond, who continue to show up every day to support older adults through vital services and programs. As we look ahead into the new year, LiveOn NY will continue to support our members and older New Yorkers to create a better future to age. 

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook @LiveOnNY

158 Organizations Urge Governor Cuomo to Address Statewide Waiting Lists for Services for Older New Yorkers

Media Contacts:
Erik Kriss (AARP), ekriss@aarp.org  518-360-9213
Katelyn Andrews (LiveOn NY), kandrews@liveon-ny.org (609) 458-6294
Becky Preve (Assoc. on Aging NY) becky@agingny.org (518) 570-6023
Ann Marie Cook (Lifespan), amcook@lifespan-roch.org, (585) 244-8400

158 Organizations Urge Governor Cuomo to Address Statewide Waiting Lists for Services for Older NYers 

Pandemic Increases Need for More Vital Services Such as Home-Delivered Meals and Home Care

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:   

ALBANY, N.Y. - 158 organizations that provide services to older New Yorkers and their caregivers are calling on Governor Andrew Cuomo to address in his next state budget proposal a growing waiting list of more than 11,000 older New Yorkers who qualify for but are not receiving vital services such as home-delivered meals, home care, and case management.

The organizations recognize Governor Cuomo’s leadership over the last two years through significant State investments in services for older New Yorkers; these can help forestall the need for mostly unwanted moves to costlier and mainly taxpayer-funded nursing homes and other institutional care settings.

COVID-19 has dramatically changed the landscape, and the need for aging services has skyrocketed since the pandemic began, the broad array of groups said in a letter to the Governor (see full letter below) in which they called these serviced a “morally-urgent and strategically cost-effective investment.”

The number of seniors waiting for case management services in New York City skyrocketed by 265% between February and August, according to LiveOn NY. In addition, the need is particularly acute among older New Yorkers of color, with new research finding 39% of Black families and 37% of Hispanic families struggling with food insecurity, compared to 25% of the population at-large.

The groups are specifically asking for increased funding for the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA), which administers many in-home services for the elderly. These investments are needed to address the skyrocketing demand for nutrition and community-based services among older New Yorkers, and will help to enable older New Yorkers to remain safely in their homes and communities – as the vast majority want.

Just a 1% increase in meal service would lead to $11,427,143 in taxpayer-funded Medicaid savings, the groups note.

More than 11,000 older New Yorkers are languishing on waiting lists for life-sustaining services in counties across the State, according to the Association on Aging in New York. Given that older adults are most at-risk from the coronavirus, and that NYSOFA projects adults 60 and older will account for 25% of the State’s population by 2030, this funding would address both a significant existing and future need among New York’s senior population.

“This pandemic has hit older people hardest,” said AARP New York State Director Beth Finkel. “Most of us want to remain in our homes and communities, and a bit of help goes a long way. Without it, many wind up in nursing homes – at a much higher cost, most of which is borne by taxpayers. Investing in services for the aging is both compassionate and cost-effective.”

“We are now faced with a new reality with over 11,000 older adults across New York waiting for critical services such as home-delivered meals, home care and case management,” said Allison Nickerson, Executive Director of LiveOn NY. “The waiting list for senior services has heightened to an unimaginable demand, straining providers, who are working to meet the growing need, despite insufficient funds. Investing in senior services will not only ensure older adults have the support they need today but create a better future for the years to come.”

“In response to the COVID-19 crisis, settlement houses immediately pivoted their feeding services to meet the rising need of older adults in their communities,” said Susan Stamler, Executive Director of United Neighborhood Houses. “Today, they continue to provide emergency food through home delivered meal programs, food pantries, and their own community efforts. State funding has long supported these services, but with need exponentially on the rise, we are at a crisis point. United Neighborhood Houses and more than 150 groups statewide urge New York State to prioritize the health and safety of older adults by making new and significant investments in these programs. We look forward to working with NYSOFA to ensure community-based organizations have all the resources they need to continue serving on the frontlines of this pandemic.”

“Together, we must protect the safety net for seniors, most at-risk for COVID-19,” said Beth Shapiro, Executive Director for Citymeals on Wheels, an organization that has delivered meals to the homebound elderly in New York City for nearly 40 years. “We’ve added nearly 2,000 recipients to our delivery routes and provided emergency food to 50,000 vulnerable older New Yorkers struggling to secure food during this crisis. Programs like ours are a cost-effective way of helping older New Yorkers age safely in their own homes and avoid institutionalization, where COVID-19 has had a devastating impact. We are ready to work with any and all partners to accelerate service, eliminate wait lists and get more food onto the tables of those most in need.”

“Every single day we hear from older adults who are struggling with basic needs,” said Ann Marie Cook, President/CEO of Lifespan of Greater Rochester. “People who need food. People who are at risk of eviction. People who need access to health care. We are hearing heartbreaking stories from grandparents trying to feed and assist their grandchildren. We are hearing from family caregivers desperate for some relief. We are hearing from older adults who are depressed and get NO interaction from anyone. The COVID-19 crisis has stretched an already overextended system for aging services. We implore leaders to support the aging services network so we can help older New Yorkers to remain safe and thrive in the community.”

“Older New Yorkers have been the most significantly impacted segment of the population due to COVID-19 and the poor health outcomes associated with contracting the virus later in life,” said Becky Preve, Executive Director of the Association on Aging in New York. “Basic human needs, such as nutrition, personal care, prescription delivery, and transportation have skyrocketed, and impacted an already overwhelmed Aging Services infrastructure. The 59 Area Agencies on Aging, and their partner agencies, have identified over 11, 000 individuals whom cannot access services due to financial constraints. These services are necessary for individuals to remain safe, in their homes and communities, and without them, many are faced with necessitating a higher level of care. Older New Yorkers deserve the dignity, respect, and autonomy to have access to these services and supports. We implore the Federal and State Government to ensure our older residents are not left to languish on waiting lists, or lose their current services due to a lack of investment into the aging services network.”

Text of Letter to Governor Cuomo:

December 9, 2020
The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo
Governor of New York State
NYS State Capitol Building
Albany, NY 12224

Honorable Governor Cuomo,

On behalf of our organizations, thank you for your continued efforts to combat the COVID-19 crisis, which has challenged our State unlike ever before.

We first would like to alert you to the existence of waiting lists totaling more than 11,000 older New Yorkers that are currently unable to receive vital services such as home-delivered meals, home care, and case management, as should be funded through the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA).

Therefore we, the undersigned groups, respectfully write to request a significant investment to address such waiting lists for services, such as home-delivered meals and home care, that enable older New Yorkers to age in their homes, as well as to sustain food banks and other nutrition programs in the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 budget. These investments are critical to addressing the skyrocketing demand for nutrition and community-based services among older New Yorkers, and will help to enable older New Yorkers to age safely in their homes, in communities, as is preferred by the majority of older adults.

Further, given the exorbitant strain COVID-19 has placed on the older adult population, we also request the NYSOFA budget, as well as the budgets for all critical human services entities, be held to the same indexes as Health and Education. While we recognize the significant budgetary constraints currently faced by New York State, we implore you to prioritize making this morally-urgent and strategically cost-effective investment to support older New Yorkers and all those in need. 

These investments are integral given the more than 11,000 older New Yorkers currently languishing on waiting lists for life-sustaining services in counties across New York. Given the nature of the COVID-19 crisis placing older adults as most at-risk to the virus, and the fact that the older adult population in New York is expected to reach 5.3 million older New Yorkers by 2030—equating to 25% of the state’s population—we are confident that this funding will address both a significant existing and future need among New York’s senior population.

We recognize and applaud the significant investment made just two years ago to address the unmet need at that point in time; however, our new reality indicates that the new need for such services has skyrocketed since this time. This increase has been exponential, as of August, 2,936 seniors were waiting for Case Management services in New York City, up 265% since just this February. Further, while the growth has been significant across populations, it has been especially acute among older New Yorkers of color, with new research finding 39% of Black families and 37% of Hispanic families struggling with food insecurity, compared to 25% of the population at-large.

The good news is that by investing in these supports, New York will not only be ensuring an improved quality of life to those in need, but will inevitably help balance the State’s budget by reducing Medicaid expenditures. Notably, findings indicate that for every 1% increase in home-delivered meal service to the older adult population, there is a significant savings to Medicaid through the reduction of higher cost care. More specifically, findings indicate that in New York, savings from just a 1% increase in meal service would lead to $11,427,143 Medicaid savings—proving that waiting lists for such services actually cost more than the cost of the meal service itself.

Thank you for considering this funding proposal in advance of the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Executive Budget proposal. We are hopeful that these concerns will be addressed in the budget and we remain available to offer additional information that might be needed to clarify the case for this critical need.

Best,

LiveOn NY

AARP New York

Association on Aging in New York 

United Neighborhood Houses

UJA-Federation of New York

New York Caring Majority

Lifespan of Greater Rochester

New York StateWide Senior Action Council

A&A Staffing Health Care Services

ABSW Neighborhood Senior Center

Albany County Department for Aging

Allegany County Office for the Aging

Allegany Senior Foundation

Allen Community Senior Citizens Center

Alpha Phi Alpha Senior Citizens Center, Inc.

Arc of Genesee Orleans

Bay Ridge Center

Bedford Park Multi Service Center for Senior Citizens Inc

Bronx House

Brooklyn Neighborhood Services

Brooklyn-wide Interagency Council on Aging

Broome County Office for Aging

Community Agency for Senior Citizens, Inc. (CASC)

Community Outreach Center

Cortland County Area Agency on Aging

Catholic Charities of Onondaga County

Catholic Family Center

Cattaraugus County Department of the Aging

Center for Elder Law & Justice

Centro de Amigos, Social Adult Day Care

Chautauqua Adult Day Services

Chautauqua County Office for Aging Services 

Chemung County Department of Aging and Long Term Care

Chenango County Area Agency on Aging

Chinese-American Planning Council

City of Yonkers, Office for the Aging 

Citymeals on Wheels

Clinton County Office for the Aging

Columbia County Office for the Aging

Commonpoint Queens

DOROT

Dutchess County Office for the Aging

East Side House Settlement

Educational Alliance

Emerald Isle Immigration Center 

Encore Community Services

Enterprise Community Partners, Inc.

Essex County Government Center

Equity Advocates

Erie County - Senior Services

Evergreen Place

Family & Children's Association

Family Service Society of Yonkers

Feeding Westchester 

FeedMore WNY

Florence E. Smith Senior Services

Fordham Bedford Community Services

Fulton County Office for Aging & Youth

Genesee County Office for the Aging

Goddard Riverside

Good Neighbors of Park Slope

Greene County Department of Human Services

Greenwich House

Hamilton-Madison House

HANAC, Inc.

Heights & Hills

Henry Street Settlement

Herkimer County Office for the Aging

Home Instead

Huntington Family Centers

India Home Inc.

Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement

JASA

Jefferson County Office for the Aging

Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island

Jewish Family Services of Ulster County

Jewish Home of CNY

Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York, Inc.

Lenox Hill Neighborhood House 

Livingston County Office for the Aging

Lord of Life Adult & Child Services, Inc

Madison Co Office for the Aging, Inc

Meals On Wheels Of Syracuse, New York Inc

Meals on Wheels Programs & Services or Rockland, Inc.

Moms Meals

Montgomery County Office for Aging, Inc.

Morningside Retirement and Health Services, Inc. (MRHS)

Mount Kisco Senior Nutrion Program

Mount Vernon Recreation Department  

Mt. Pleasant Office of Elder Americans

New York Memory Center

New York State Alliance for Retired Americans

New York Vision Rehabilitation Association NYVRA

NMIC

Northern Services Group

Northeast Bronx Senior Citizens, Inc.

Ocean Bay Community Development Corp.

Oneida County Family and Community Services-OFA 

Ontario County Office for the Aging

Orange County Office for the Aging

Orleans County Office for the Aging

Oswego County Office for the Aging 

Otsego County Office for the Aging

Polish and Slavic Center

Project FIND

Project Guardianship

PSS (Presbyterian Senior Services)

Putnam County Office for Senior Resources

R.A.I.N. Inc. 

RiseBoro Community Partnership

Riverdale YM-YWHA

Riverstone Senior Life Services

Rochdale Senior Center

Rockland County Office for the Aging

RSS Riverdale Senior Services 

SAGE

Schenectady County Department of Senior and Long Term Care Services

Schoharie County Office for the Aging

Schuyler County Office for the Aging

Search and Care

Selfhelp Community Services

Seneca County Office for the Aging

Senior Citizens League Of Flatbush/Midwood

Shorefront Jewish Community Council

Sisters of Charity Housing Development Corporation

Services Now for Adult Persons, Inc. 

Spanish Speaking Elderly Council - RAICES 

SPOP (Service Program for Older People)

St. Lawrence County Office for the Aging

Stanley Isaacs Neighborhood Center

Steuben County Office for the Aging

Stonewall Community Development Corporation

Suffolk County Office for the Aging

Sullivan County Office For The Aging

Syracuse Northeast Community Center

Tioga Opportunities, Inc.

Tompkins County Office for the Aging

Town of Greenburgh

Ulster County Office For the Aging

Union Settlement

United Jewish Council of the East Side, Inc.

University Settlement

Vision Urbana, Inc.

Visiting Neighbors, Inc.

Volunteer New York!

Volunteer Transportation Center, Inc.

Warren/Hamilton Counties Office for the Aging

Washington County Office for the Aging and Disabilities Resource Center 

Washington Heights Community Services, INC

Wayne County Department of Aging and Youth

Wayside Outreach Development inc

Weill Cornell Medicine's NYC Elder Abuse Center

Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services

West Side Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing (WSFSSH)

Westcott Community Center

Wyoming County Office for the Aging

YM & YWHA of Washington Heights and Inwood

YMCA of Greater New York

Cc: 

Robert Mujica, Director of the New York State Division of the Budget

Greg Olsen, Acting Director of the New York State Office for the Aging

Kerri Neifeld, Assistant Secretary for Human Services & Mental Hygiene, Office of the Governor

Jesse Olczak, Chief Budget Examiner, Division of the Budget

Donna Frescatore, Medicaid Director, Department of Health

Rachel Baker, Excelsior Service Fellow

Senator Rachel May, Chair of the Senate Committee on Aging

Assembly Member Bronson, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Aging

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LiveOn NY Hosts Listening Session for Older New Yorkers

Older Adults Voice Their Concerns and Priorities Ahead of Upcoming 2021 NYC Election

LiveOn NY hears from older New Yorkers at a virtual listening session

Press Contact: Katelyn Andrews, Director of Public Policy (kandrews@liveon-ny.org  | 212-398-6565 x.244)

For Immediate Release

New York, NY – December 9, 2020 – While the presidential elections may have ended, New York City is quickly approaching a pivotal 2021 election to fill NYC’s top elected offices. In preparation, senior advocacy organization LiveOn NY hosted two virtual listening sessions for older New Yorkers to hear the most pressing age related issues, incoming elected officials need to address. Over 1.8 million older adults live throughout the five boroughs, contributing to our economy, political system and communities, yet older adults are often overlooked in City priorities, as evidenced by the fact that the Department for the Aging budget still comprises less than half of 1% of the overall City budget, despite older adults making up roughly 20% of the City’s population. 

More than 80 older adults joined the listening sessions held by LiveOn NY. The following concerns received the greatest attention during the in-event polling, and open dialogue throughout the session, as well as in the pre-event survey question, which was answered by more than 100 individuals:

• Housing Stability:  Over 44% of participants from an in-event polling noted housing stability as a top priority that elected officials need to address. Access to affordable senior housing with services is a growing need in the aging communities with an estimated 65% of single older New Yorkers spending more than half of their income on rent.

• Food Insecurity: Among the millions of New Yorkers who are at risk of food insecurity, older adults are among the most vulnerable populations; one respondent wrote in a direct plea for incoming elected officials to take this issue seriously, stating simply, “continue feeding us please.”

• Reopening Senior Centers and Programs: Despite periods of relatively low COVID incidence during the Summer, Senior Centers and programs have remained closed for in-person programming since March. In response, participant M. Rodriguez emphasized the importance of a planful reopening of in-person services, when appropriate, as “for some seniors, the centers are their lifeline.”

• Funding Senior Services: Senior centers and programs provide critical services—nutrition, socialization, recreation, and education— yet are underfunded and under-resourced. Older adults clearly articulated the need for change in this respect. With various participants sharing that incoming elected officials must prioritize “funding of senior programs” and “high quality senior centers in all neighborhoods.”

With a majority of the city government seats open including Mayor, 4 Borough Presidencies and City Comptroller, the transition will impact major budget and policy implications for years to come. It is vital candidates hear about the importance of making seniors services a priority and ensuring all older adults have the support they need.

These concerns must further be taken seriously, as 94% of the older adult participants at the listening session shared their commitment to voting in the upcoming election — a meaningful number given the fact that many elections will likely be determined by just a small handful of votes.

Older adults are not a monolith but a diverse community of individuals, who all have unique experiences, needs and insights that hold value for incoming elected officials. In addition to the aforementioned, seniors noted a variety of other issues of interest, including: COVID vaccine distribution, technology access, intergenerational activities, NORC funding, combating ageism, and more.

Older adults are ready to be heard, with one participant noting, “there is just one word: listen. Listen to us. Be attentive to us.” And another stating, “older adults represent a 40+ year span of experience and skills. We have the ability to participate in each and every priority of our city. Treat us as assets, not as needy.”

“With scores of candidates running to fill various city government seats, we have the opportunity to change the way we think about aging in New York,” said Allison Nickerson, Executive Director of LiveOn NY. “Time and time again, older adults aren’t prioritized by the city government from the lack of funding for quality aging services to the rise of social isolation among older adults as senior centers remain closed for in-person programming. It’s time our City makes the aging community a true priority and not only listen to the needs of older adults but also take the necessary action to ensure older New Yorkers can truly thrive in our communities.”

For more information on LiveOn NY, please visit http://www.liveon-ny.org. 

About LiveOn NY

LiveOn NY’s members include more than 100 community-based nonprofits that provide core services which allow all New Yorkers to thrive in our communities as we age, including senior centers, home‐delivered meals, affordable senior housing, elder abuse prevention, caregiver supports, NORCs and case management. With our members, we work to make New York a better place to age.

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LiveOn NY Testifies on Indirects, Technology & More

We’re proud to testify to the New York City Council to ensure that the strengths, as well as the needs, of older adults are consistently heard and prioritized by New York’s elected officials. Below are highlights from three recent hearings that LiveOn NY provided testimony at, as well as testified to virtually.

To learn more about upcoming New York City Council hearings: click here. To register to testify: click here. To watch live and past hearings: view here!

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Today, November 25, 2020, LiveOn NY will be testifying to the New York City Council Committee on Contracts on “City's Indirect Cost Rate Funding Initiative During the COVID-19 Pandemic.”

Here’s an excerpt from our testimony:

There’s no other way to put it, than that New York City’s human services providers are tired; tired of operating as a partner in good faith with the City, only to receive funding below what is needed to execute each contract for critical services and that is less than these providers truly deserve.

Further, providers are tired of being promised funding, like through the ICR initiative, that never comes to fruition. For aging service providers, this is the third unfulfilled promise from this Administration: Senior Centers were also promised $10 million through the City’s Model Budget process for much needed raises for staff, that was inevitably reneged without a word, and were promised $5 million for Senior Center kitchen staff, that also went unfulfilled.

These promises, starting with the Indirect Cost Rate initiative, must be redressed in full.

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On October 30, 2020, LiveOn NY testified to the New York City Council Committee on Aging on “the future of senior Home-Delivered Meals.”

Here’s an excerpt from our testimony:

Beyond the funding needs for new contracts, it’s important to note the significant uptick in demand for meals that has been experienced during COVID-19. Programs initially reported increases of 20-30% since the start of March for [home-delivered meals] clients, and those numbers continued to grow as more older adults expressed need for food and social support, with some programs experiencing increases of approximately 50%.

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On October 13, 2020, LiveOn NY testified to the New York City Council Committee on Technology on “broadband and the digital divide.”

Here’s an excerpt from our testimony:

Today, many seniors can’t afford to purchase technology such as tablets or computers, and even if the devices are given to them, it is difficult or impossible to afford monthly internet access.  

LiveOn NY and our members have seen the ways that the digital divide and lack of access to technology limits the ability for older adults to remain engaged and connected in our communities. For example, lack of technology access limits one’s ability to connect to virtual programming and the classes offered by New York’s community-based organizations. Further, inability to afford internet access means missing out on real time information, such as best practices in regards to COVID, how to access food during this time, online job opportunities, and even the ongoing political discourse that now often happens through the web.

It is clear that the COVID-19 pandemic has both exacerbated the digital divide and brought increased awareness to its existence. Moreover, the pandemic has highlighted the disastrous effects of not combatting its prevalence. Therefore, LiveOn NY is proud to offer recommendations on how, whether directly through the City or by advocating on the state and federal levels, we can combat the digital divide.

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For questions regarding any of the above testimony, or press inquiries, please contact LiveOn NY’s Director of Public Policy, Katelyn Andrews, at kandrews@liveon-ny.org