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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