LiveOn NY Holds 29th Annual Aging Advocacy Day

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: Wednesday, May 16th, 2024

CONTACT: emma@newdealstrategies.com

LIVEON NY JOINED NYC COUNCIL SPEAKER ADRIENNE ADAMS, NYC COUNCILMEMBERS AND OLDER NEW YORKERS TO DEMAND FUNDING FOR AGING SERVICES AND STOP OLDER ADULT CENTER CLOSURES

NEW YORK, NY — Today, LiveOn members, hundreds of older New Yorkers and advocates gathered outside NYC City Hall to demand that the city fund critical resources for aging populations, including essential maintenance of older adult centers, fully funded home delivered meals programs and improved case management services. These cuts unjustly target Older New Yorkers and will cut people off from resources from food to community engagement, in short it’s an ageist attack on our aging population. The aging services network has $82 million in existing needs to repair crumbling centers, fund meals-on-wheels, and end the social services wait list. 

With his recent city budget proposal, Mayor Eric Adams has cut $20 million from NYC aging, which has already faced divestment and is set to cut an additional $80 million. This will close as many as 60 centers as early as January 2025. The program’s lack of funding has created a deep social service need, crumbling infrastructure and burnt out staff. The immediate critical need for our system was estimated at $82 million dollars to keep older adult centers open, homebound older adults fed and critical service support available. 

See photo and video from the event here.

“Mayor Eric Adams’ deeply unpopular, austerity budget has cut essential services from nearly every community. Our city’s aging population is no exception. Programs that older adults rely on to live healthy and fulfilling lives will be cut, including meals-on-wheels programs, transportation and case management services. In addition to that, we’re looking at the closure of 30-60 older adult centers across our city. We have to do better,” said Allison Nickerson, Executive Director of LiveOn NY.   

“Every ounce of progress we enjoy today was earned because of older New Yorkers. You are the jewels of our communities. You ushered us into a brand new era of equity and justice and for that we owe you a debt of gratitude. We can start by securing a budget that invests in the health and wellbeing of older New Yorkers. That’s why we’re gathered here today. To ensure that you get what you rightfully deserve. That’s why we’re calling on the administration to increase funding to cover the cost of older adult meals, older adults case management and homecare services and older adult centers. ” said NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams. 

“We cannot accept indiscriminate budget cuts to the programs that keep our communities afloat; and this is certainly the case for NYC Aging,” said Council Member Crystal Hudson, Chair of the Council’s Committee on Aging.  “It would be irresponsible to underestimate the effects these cuts will have on our already-strained resources and cash-strapped service providers. Yet, this administration seems unconcerned that poverty and food insecurity are becoming more and more commonplace among older New Yorkers; that our older adult population has increased by more than 30% in the last decade and is expected to balloon 40% by 2040. This should be a moment of investment. We should be bolstering and expanding the resources NYC Aging and their contracted providers offer to millions of our neighbors today so that we may guarantee dignified aging for all New Yorkers tomorrow. I look forward to working with Speaker Adams to ensure we deliver the care our older neighbors deserve.”

"All older adults should be alarmed by the Mayor’s proposed cuts to aging services. NYC Aging receives less than 1 percent of the city budget, despite 20 percent of residents being 65 or older. Next year, NYC Aging’s budget will be $73 million less than in fiscal year 2025, even though the city’s Independent Budget Office projects an extra $2.2 billion in available funds. These cuts could close up to 60 older adult centers—vital community hubs providing essential services, like meals, for our rapidly aging population. New Yorkers 50-plus helped build our city but have been ignored for too long. We were proud to stand with LiveOn NY and hundreds of advocates at City Hall to oppose these ageist cuts to critical aging services,” said Beth Finkel, State Director of AARP New York.

“It is asinine that this administration would think to make cuts to our seniors and the services that are provided for you all. We will fight through and through for this budget to make sure that these cuts do not come into fruition because we know that you are the legacy and each and every one of our communities,” said NYC Councilmember Chi Osse. 

“Representation is important. We have to make sure that we vote for the people that support us. A report that came out yesterday from the Independent Budget Office that says the city has taken in more than 2 billion dollars in additional tax revenue, we need to make sure that we spend that on our seniors,” said NYC Councilmember Lynn Schulman. 

“I really want to express my support for all of you, for the work you do. It is unbelievable to think that so many people who did their time, who built our communities up, who raised children — children who weren’t their children, all the kids on the block — are not able to find a place that they can live in that's safe and dignified and healthy. I think that it is a shame that this is even on the chopping block. It shouldn’t even be a discussion point. We have to take care of the people who built this city and took care of us.” said NYC Councilmember Sandy Nurse.

“Let me say this to our older adults: We are obligated to fight and protect you. Thank you to our speaker, Adrienne Adams who's been leading the fight, CM Hudson, and all the electeds who have been making sure we protect our seniors. You paved the way for us, you made it possible. We are going to fight for you, day in and day out. We are not going to give up.” said NYC Councilmember Chris Banks. 

“We refuse these cuts. They are cruel, counterproductive and absolutely egregious. What the Mayor is signaling is that he does not care about you. We demand dignity, we demand justice and we demand a city that says that our older adult communities deserve joy and compassion,” said NYC Councilmember Shahana Hanif. 

“You have made our neighborhoods great. You have made our communities strong. We need to invest in each and every one of you. We’re never going to let this Mayor take funding away from our senior centers or let him cut funds for the home meals that we deliver to our seniors. He’s already cut library services down to 6 days a week. He wants to reduce it further. Our seniors depend on our libraries. The mayor has cut affordable housing in the budget this year. Our seniors need affordable senior housing. We’re going to invest in each and every one of you,” said NYC Councilmember Lincoln Restler. 

“You have all worked for decades and decades. You invested your time, your energy and your soul to make your family and for our city. It’s because of all of you and your investments that we are where we are today. So we’re asking the city budget to take care of you who have built this city. Senior centers support your mental health, they are your support system. During COVID, who was it that took care of our seniors? It was our senior centers, it was groups like LiveOn NY,” said NYC Councilmember Eric Dinowitz.

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LiveOn NY and BloomAgainBklyn Host Financial Education Event for Older Adults

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: Wednesday, May 8th

CONTACT: Emma Hernando, emma@newdealstrategies.com

LIVEON NY AND BLOOMAGAINBKLYN HOST "FLOWERS AND FINANCE" EVENT TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL EDUCATION FOR OLDER ADULTS

NEW YORK, NY — Today, LiveOn NY and BloomAgainBklyn hosted "Flowers and Finance," a financial education workshop at RiseBoro's Diana H. Jones Innovative Older Adult Center. Representatives from Citi provided older adults with information and resources to support their financial well-being, while distributing flowers from BloomAgainBklyn, a community-based nonprofit which repurposes unsold and once-used flowers for populations at-risk. The session offered best practices for managing finances and ways to protect oneself from potential scams, identity theft and financial abuse.

“Now more than ever, it is essential that older adults have the information and resources they need to make informed decisions about their finances. We’re excited to partner with Citi and BloomAgainBklyn to support this initiative at Diana H. Jones Center and at older adult centers across the city to support and empower older adults,” said Allison Nickerson, Executive Director of LiveOn NY.

"Financial education is important at every age, which is why Citi volunteers leverage our time and knowledge to help individuals of all generations as they seek to build healthy financial futures," said Shimonah Israel, Vice President, Northeast Community Relations, Community Investing and Development at Citi. "Flowers and Finance is a tremendous example of how much we appreciate our local seniors and offer advice to assist them in their financial journeys."

“These workshops serve a dual purpose in helping underserved older adults sharpen both their financial and floral skills in a supportive environment,” said Kate Selengia, Executive Director of BloomAgainBklyn. “We are so pleased to partner with Citi and LiveOn NY in this series of educational workshops for older adults throughout the borough.”

“We’re so happy to have organizations coming in and contributing to the aging populations and senior citizens. Today, we had BloomAgain floral designers and volunteers come in to show us how to arrange flowers while educating us about financial literacy. We’re so thankful for them,” said Stephanie Jones, member of Diana H. Jones Senior Center.

This event is part of Citi's participation in "Safe Banking for Seniors", a financial education campaign led by the American Bankers Association Foundation. In addition, Citi volunteers across the U.S. help deliver meaningful financial education year-round in the areas of financial literacy, small business, homebuyer education and workforce development.

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LiveOn NY's Response to the Mayor's FY25 Executive Budget Proposal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: Wednesday, May 1st, 2024

CONTACT: emma@newdealstrategies.com

“CUTS TO AGING NEW YORKERS WILL LEAVE THEM STRANDED, HUNGRY AND ABANDONED” 

LIVEON NY CALLS ON GOVERNOR HOCHUL, MAYOR ERIC ADAMS TO END AUSTERITY BUDGETS FOR NEW YORKERS YOUNG AND AGING

NEW YORK, NY — In response to Mayor Eric Adams’ Executive Budget Proposal for Fiscal Year 2025, LiveOn NY released the following statement:

“This year, we have overwhelmingly seen New York’s city and state budgets cut funding from older adults, leading to long waitlists, crumbling infrastructure, underfunded meals-on-wheels programs for homebound individuals and leaving senior centers understaffed and under-resourced. Our older adult centers are already in crisis, worse yet, under these austerity measures, they are set to face an $80 million fiscal cliff in 2025, which will result in the closure of upwards of 50 centers and cuts to critical programs such as meals on wheels and case management among others.

“Not only are we calling on the Governor and the Mayor to stop cutting support for aging New Yorkers that would leave them stranded, hungry and abandoned, we are demanding an infusion of new funds to simply keep pace with inflation, demographic shifts, and physical infrastructure and basic services needs. NYC Aging’s budget must be significantly more than half of one percent of the City’s budget. 

“More than any specific budget amounts, the most egregious part of these budgets is the disconnect from reality — real people are struggling, older adults and caregivers throughout this State are desperately trying to access services and age in New York. To build a more just society where everyone can access health and well-being, we need to refocus our efforts to address the needs of all groups — including older adults.” 

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LiveOn NY Response to New York State Budget

Date: April 19, 2024 

LIVEON NY, COALITION OF 100+ AGING SERVICES ORGANIZATIONS, CALLS NEW YORK STATE BUDGET “SHAMEFUL” IN STATEMENT 

NEW YORK, NY —  In response to the release of the New York State budget, which includes only $700K additional funds to address a $40M deficit facing waitlists for aging services, LiveOn NY issued the following statement:

“Despite the cries of older adults, aging services providers, and our allies in the State Legislature, Governor Hochul has neglected older New Yorkers in the latest budget. 

“With over $230 billion to spend, the Governor found a mere $700K additional funds to address years-long waitlists that have kept older adults from receiving hot meals, transportation to doctors, and other essential services. In reality, we need an additional $40M to address these waitlists—this money barely scratches the surface of what needs to be done.

“This budget is shameful and disrespectful to the over 4 million older adults who call New York home. Not to mention, a budget like this is going to seriously jeopardize the future of this state. By underinvesting in our older adult population, we’re preventing people from aging in place. 

Governor Hochul has effectively decided that as we age, we don’t actually deserve to remain in New York or to access the services the state has promised. This budget is a step backward for our communities and we will do everything in our power to push back.” 

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LiveOn NY is a coalition of 120 community-based nonprofits that provide core services such as older adult centers, home-delivered meals, affordable senior housing, elder abuse prevention, etc. 

NY State Assembly & State Senate Include Funding in the One-House for Critical Aging Services

The State Legislature outlined their unwavering commitment to aging services in the One House budget they released last week. Their proposal includes $42 million to end the statewide waitlist for home and community based services. They have also proposed millions to expand NORC programs, increase oversight on long term care facilities, restore funding for nursing services, and more. The full list of funding and policy items is below: 

Senate: 

• $15 million for EISEP and CSE

• $5 million for Aging Legislative Grants

• $11.3 million for Long Term Care Ombudsman Program, to bring the funding to $15 million

• $1 million for NORCs/N NORC Programs, providing a total of $9.1 million

• $1 million to support the modification of Article VII HMH Part W, supporting the Interagency Council of Elder Justice. Article VII Proposals (S.8307-B) 

• The Senate modifies the Executive proposal regarding LTC facilities by removing the residency requirement and providing additional vouchers for the Special Needs Assisted Living Residence (SNALR) voucher program

• The Senate modifies the Executive proposal to create an interagency elder justice coordinating council by replacing it with a task force that expands stakeholder participation and requires legislative representation

• The Senate advances language to raise the Personal Needs Allowance for certain individuals who reside in a nursing home, residential health care, or intermediate care facility (S.7786) 

Assembly: 

• $42 million to alleviate SOFA waitlists for services

• $1 million to restore funding for nursing services

• $2.5 million for the expansion of NORCs/N NORC Programs in various areas of the State

• $1.3 million to restore funding for the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program

• $4.8 million to restore various legislative adds

This is a huge investment, but our fight is not over. We must continue to call for this funding to be maintained in the final budget which should be passed by the end of this month. Call your state legislators to thank them for fighting for this funding and to let them know how critical it is to expand aging services in New York State!