NY announces $149 million for older adult assistance efforts

PLATTSBURGH | The North Country is expected to see a sizable chunk of $149 million in federal funding recently announced to help offer direct community support to aging New Yorkers. Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the federal aid Oct. 5 to help older adults meet basic needs, remain in their homes, slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus and get vaccinated. Hochul said the support funding exemplifies New York's distinction as the first age-friendly state in the nation, as designated by the World Health Organization and AARP. "Our older community is in desperate need of support, and using federal stimulus funds will strengthen our aging services network, and extend support for those who need it," Gov. Hochul said in announcing the funds. "Many essential services will continue operating—food and medication delivery, transportation, combating social isolation, and stopping elder abuse and financial exploitation, all while supporting the family members who care for older adults so they can return to work. These needs will continue to persist and grow well beyond the pandemic, but my administration will work tirelessly to provide for our aging population." The stimulus funds to support the aging service network will be awarded on the county level by Regional Economic Development Councils with the North Country expected to see $4,259,349 divided between Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties. As New York leads a $2.7 billion national effort to modernize the Older Americans Act, which is the federal structure of funding and regulations governing state and local aging services programs, the state's aging services programs are primarily funded by state and county dollars that account for 85 percent of program costs, compared to a federal contribution of 15 percent. While this federal share has increased significantly under the American Rescue Plan, Gov. Hochul is now calling for sustained funding to meet the network's growing responsibilities as the population of older adults increases. The New York State Office for the Aging works in partnership with a network of 59 Area Agencies on Aging that provide vital support services in every county, including home-delivered or congregate meals, nutrition counseling and education, respite, legal services, personal care, case management, transportation, health insurance counseling, advocacy resources for residents of long-term care facilities and more. The network includes 1,176 contractors, 777 senior centers, 819 congregate meal sites, 315 central kitchens and 2,057 home-delivered meal routes. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer said, "While the pandemic has altered every facet of life in New York, it has had a particularly profound effect on the lives of older New Yorkers, taking too many from us and leaving many unable to meet basic needs, in fear that they may lose their homes and isolated from their communities." "When I led the American Rescue Plan to passage in the Senate, I specifically fought for flexibility in state-allocated provisions so New York could address issues that have been amplified as a result of the COVID pandemic, especially for our most vulnerable residents like seniors. We must continue to support our older New Yorkers as we recover from the pandemic, and I'm pleased to work with Gov. Hochul to deliver assistance for our residents who need it most."

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NY announces $149 million for older adult assistance efforts

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