LiveOn NY, Brooklyn Borough President, Electeds, and Advocacy Groups Call for Bold Investments in NYC's Older Adults

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: Tuesday, February 25th

CONTACT: press@liveon-ny.org

LIVEON NY, BROOKLYN BOROUGH PRESIDENT, ELECTEDS, & ADVOCACY GROUPS CALL FOR BOLD INVESTMENTS IN NYC’S OLDER ADULTS

NEW YORK, NY — On Tuesday, LiveOn NY, an advocacy organization for New York’s 4 million older adults, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso hosted a “Brooklyn Advocacy Day” press conference calling for investment into resources and infrastructure for older adults. The press conference is part of the Age Strong NYC campaign urging Mayor Adams to invest $2.3 billion in nutrition, housing, and community services to support older New Yorkers.

LiveOn NY and the Brooklyn Borough President were joined by Council Member Crystal Hudson, Chair of the Committee on Aging, advocacy partners, aging service programs, and older New Yorkers themselves.

SEE ALL PHOTO AND VIDEO HERE

The Age Strong NYC campaign, led by LiveOn NY, includes 60+ community and advocacy organizations and comes on the heels of NYCAging facing a 102 million dollar budget cut that threatens to close up to 60 older adult centers throughout the city. These failures have catastrophic consequences for the 1 in 5 people in New York who are over the age of 65 and their families.  

“Right now, thousands of older New Yorkers are making the daily decision between food, healthcare, and rent. Funding has not kept pace with the growing needs of aging communities — we must change course. Older Adults in Brooklyn and across New York City deserve to age in dignity — and that starts with Mayor Adams making bold investments in nutrition, housing, and community services,” said Kevin Kiprovski, LiveOn NY Director of Public Policy.

“Older generations made New York the city that we know and love today, and they deserve the  infrastructure and investments that allow them to continue enjoying their neighborhoods as they age,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso.

“We want to thank LiveOn for organizing this event. While Congresswoman Velazquez is fighting in Washington, we need to fight on the local level. We need to make sure that any kind of housing that's developed in New York City needs to also meet the needs of our aging community. These are the golden years of many of our seniors, who have worked and dedicated their life and blood to New York City. We stand with LiveOn in this fight to fund services for our seniors,” said Evelyn Cruz, District Director for Congresswoman Nydia Velasquez.

“I urge the Mayor and City Council to increase their support for our senior community. The systemic issues I strive to address—affordable housing shortages, limited public programing, and underfunded social services—disproportionately affect the most vulnerable among us. As a proud advocate for our seniors and retirees, I will continue to push for greater city investment in those who have contributed to our City and communities for so long,” said Assembly member Michael Novakhov (AD45).

“It’s unfortunate that our older adults have a hard time finding a permanent place to age in, that you are asked to shuffle around until one place might meet your needs. That is just absolutely unjust,” said Council member Shanana Hanif. “As a daughter of Bangladeshi immigrants, I also recognize that our immigrant older adults are experiencing the brunt of aging in NYC, because New York City is not language-accessible, and continues to provide challenges for older adults living in the city.”

“We know that we have continuously been fighting against the Mayor’s budget cuts for the Department of Aging; we have been continuously fighting for a budget that takes into account the increase in the older adult population that we know we’re seeing. We need to make sure we have 2.3 billion dollars — and we still know it’s not enough. But it’s a starting point that we will hopefully achieve in this fiscal year. We need to make sure the Mayor is advocating for these investments, making these investments, and understands the true value of the older adult community in this city,” said Council member Crystal Hudson.

“When talking to my clients, I often hear, ‘I worked so hard my entire life but I can’t get much support now that my body is aching and I need help.’ These are the grandmas and grandpas in our community who devoted their prime years not only to support their families but to better our society. New York City would not be the same without their dedication. We must protect and invest more in our aging community. It is our turn to give back and take care of our grandmas and grandpas,” said Yulin Liu, Heights and Hills

“These programs are absolutely crucial to our physical, mental, and emotional well-being, but they are at risk. Sadly, under the budget, we are being ignored again. We are invisible. Without proper funding, activities and programs will be cut, and we cannot let that happen. That’s why I’m here today, standing with the AgeStrong NYC Campaign — I’m urgently calling on City Hall to fully fund these essential services. We need to make sure that every older adult in this city has access to support, dignity, and the quality of life they deserve,” said Tony Lam, member of Age Strong NYC.

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LiveOn NY Launches Campaign Asking Gov. Hochul for $122.3M in Aging Services Funding

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: Tuesday, February 11th

CONTACT: press@liveon-ny.org 

LIVEON NY, SEN. CLEARE, ELECTEDS, AND 35+ ORGANIZATIONS HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE URGING GOV. HOCHUL TO INVEST $123.3 MILLION IN NY’S OLDER ADULTS

ALBANY, NY — Today, at a press conference and rally held at the New York State Capitol, LiveOn NY, State Senator Cordell Cleare, State Senator Robert Jackson, Assemblymember Yudelka Tapia, Assemblymember Rebecca Seawright, and a broad coalition of 35+ advocacy organizations launched the Age Strong NYS campaign. Age Strong NYS is calling on Governor Hochul and State leaders to invest $123.3 million to address the immediate needs of services with a focus on housing, food, and community support, for New York’s older adults. 

New York’s older adult population continues to grow, but our systems and policies have not kept pace with the needs for care, affordable housing, consistent food and nutrition, and community infrastructure. Too many older New Yorkers face unmet needs, with waitlists for services and decades of underfunding for non-Medicaid care forcing many into poverty so they can access long-term care.

SEE ALL PHOTOS AND VIDEOS HERE

“Older New Yorkers deserve to have access to services and support to age in the communities they helped to build. Right now, our policies and systems are failing to keep up with basic services like housing, nutrition, and community infrastructure. We must change course,” said Allison Nickerson, Executive Director of LiveOn NY. “New York’s older adult communities deserve better. That’s why LiveOn is proud to lead the Age Strong New York State campaign, fighting for bold solutions that are popular, necessary, and good for the economy.”

“I’m an older adult, I’m 74 years young. The issue and concerns that impact you impact me and my wife,” said State Senator Robert Jackson. “We demand budget equity, we want to save lives and end waiting lists for aging services. We’re here to Age Strong NY, and I’m strong with you.” 

“The best way to characterize the executive budget this year in regards to how it treats our older New Yorkers is to call it a downpayment, a modest downpayment, one that needs to be followed by many, many, many more payments. The State Master Plan on Aging was created 830 days ago — we don’t want to wait until it’s old enough to join AARP for it to be implemented and funded. We have the opportunity this year to do better by our seniors,” said State Senator Cordell Cleare.

“Seniors are the backbone of our communities,” said Assembly Member Yudelka Tapia. “They are our parents, our grandparents, our neighbors, and today, we stand here to say: ‘They will not be forgotten.’”

“I’m proud to join the Age Strong NY campaign’s call for increased funding to secure a stronger future for older adults,” said Assembly Member Rebecca A. Seawright, chair of the Aging Committee and sponsor of the Independent and Senior Housing Resident Freedom of Choice Act and other legislation to improve older adults’ quality of life. “Aging New Yorkers not only deserve an affordable and equitable city and state — they have earned it.”

“Thousands of aging, middle-income New Yorkers across the state continue to languish on waiting lists for in-home services – a situation that has persisted for far too long. The Governor and Legislature must prioritize their older constituents in the next state budget by investing in the programs that support family caregivers and enable aging New Yorkers to remain in their own homes, where they prefer to be. This approach honors the wishes of older New Yorkers to age with dignity in their own homes, while also saving the state hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars in future Medicaid expenditures,” said Beth Finkel, AARP New York State Director. “ At the same time, a financial security crisis is looming for older adults across New York state. According to a report released yesterday by the Center for an Urban Future, a staggering 423,000 New Yorkers aged 65 and older lived below the poverty line in 2022 – a nearly 50% increase over the past decade. This report should be required reading for every policymaker whose decisions impact the quality of life for older New Yorkers.”

“New York State's 65 and over population are experiencing a fiscal crisis.  As this cohort grows, more senior citizens are sliding into poverty as their income sources are not keeping pace with the cost of living.  A significant investment must be made to ensure that there is an infrastructure that will efficiently address the unmet needs of what is now twenty percent of the population so that they can live in the community with dignity,” said Maria Alvarez, Executive Director of NY StateWide Senior Action Council.

“Older New Yorkers are the backbone of the state and local economies yet are continually marginalized and forgotten. Today, the Association on Aging in New York partnered with advocacy organizations and older residents to ensure that Governor Hochul's equity and affordability agenda applies to older New Yorkers and their caregivers. Aging services have been underfunded for decades, and it is time for New York State to support those who pay over 72 Billion per year in state and local taxes and who deserve to age with dignity, autonomy, and respect,” said Becky Preve, Executive Director of Association on Aging in New York.

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Meet LiveOn NY's 2025 Hero Award Winners

LIVEON NY PRESENTS ‘HERO AWARD’ TO SIX FRONT-LINE WORKERS MAKING A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OLDER NEW YORKERS

At LiveOn NY’s 35th Annual Conference on Aging, six front-line workers who make a positive difference in the lives of New Yorkers every day were presented with Hero Award. The awardees — from caregivers to home delivered meals drivers — are the people who show up each and every day to build a city where our older adults can thrive and age with dignity.

“LiveOn is honored to recognize six incredible individuals with the Hero Award for their dedication to improving the lives of older adults across New York City. Our advocacy work would not be possible without those who are dedicated to providing daily, frontline support and services so that older New Yorkers can age and thrive in their own communities. Just like the award says — they are all heroes,” said Allison Nickerson, LiveOn NY Executive Director. 

Our Honorees:

Beth Stern, Older Adult Center Director, Community Agency For Senior Citizens, Inc. (CASC)

Ms. Stern, with over two decades of leadership in aging services, has significantly impacted CASC since 2017, directing Older Adult Centers and leading the Office of Victim Services to support seniors affected by crime and elder abuse. As Program Director of the Cassidy Coles Older Adult Center, her leadership resulted in a 45% increase in active clients and a 23% rise in meal servings, demonstrating her commitment to advocacy, cultural inclusivity, and the well-being of older adults.

Breanna Williams, Case Manager, Heights and Hills

Ms. Williams, a case manager at Heights and Hills, has profoundly impacted older adults' lives through her compassionate advocacy, connecting clients to essential resources and improving their quality of life. Her work this year, including helping a client facing eviction and severe hoarding and supporting a stroke survivor in regaining control over his finances, showcases her dedication to empowering vulnerable older adults and exemplifies LiveOn NY’s mission.

Freddy Garcia, Home Delivered Meals Driver, JASA

Mr. Garcia is a compassionate and dedicated driver for the Home Delivered Meals program, known for his quick thinking and life-saving actions, such as alerting authorities when a client fell and lost consciousness. He goes above and beyond his duties by fostering personal connections, delivering handwritten cards, and serving as a trusted advocate and mentor, earning the admiration of both clients and colleagues.

Guisela Lara, Case Manager, Sunnyside Community Services

For 23 years, Ms. Guisela Lara has been a dedicated case manager at Sunnyside Community Services, advocating for over 1,300 homebound elderly clients in Western Queens with empathy, creativity, and tireless commitment. Known for her problem-solving and mentorship, she has recently focused on supporting undocumented older adults, earning admiration from both clients and colleagues for her unwavering dedication to improving the lives of seniors.

Helen Chen, Older Adult Center Director, Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC)

Ms. Helen Ling Chen has dedicated nearly 15 years to leading CPC Brooklyn’s Older Adult Center, growing its membership from 50 to over 370 active members and providing culturally sensitive services to the diverse Sunset Park community. Her advocacy, health education initiatives, and efforts to address anti-Asian hate, along with empowering older adults to advocate for themselves, make her a standout leader in the field and a deserving recipient of the Woman of Distinction award.

Zamani Berry-Amin, Program Coordinator, Breaking Ground

Ms. Berry-Amin has demonstrated unwavering dedication to enhancing the lives of older adults in Breaking Ground’s Brooklyn housing facilities, providing personalized support and advocacy to help clients access essential resources and age in place with dignity and independence. Her interventions during medical crises, such as advocating for in-home care, and her efforts to engage seniors in community events, empower clients to live autonomously and improve their well-being.

LiveOn NY Testifies at NYC Council Community Care Plan Hearing

New York City Council

Committee on Aging

Chair Hudson

September 19th 2024

Oversight Community Care Plan

My name is Kevin Kiprovski and I am the Director of Public Policy at LiveOn NY. Thank you for the opportunity to testify.

LiveOn NY’s members include more than 110 community-based nonprofits that provide core services under the NYCAging portfolio and many other home and community based services in our city. 

Background

The Community Care Plan rightfully recognized that the demographics of NYC were changing and that bold new investments would be needed to increase capacity of the OAC network, bolster case management, serve more food, and build a system that would meet the needs of our population as we age. The reality of investments from the administration have not met the needs outlined in the document, or the greater needs that exist in our city today. We need bold new investment NOW to ensure that we can meet the needs of both the existing population of older New Yorkers and to keep up with the growth in our aging population in the coming decade. If we do not make those investments, especially in light of documents like the Community Care Plan that clearly outline the unmet needs of our communities, we are deciding that it is okay to exclude New Yorkers from our communities as we age. We cannot allow ageism to justify the current plan to divest from aging services and ignore the needs that have already been acknowledged by our city’s leadership. 

Recommendations

• Don’t cut the already low budgets for any service program.  Many programs are already on their last strings, further cuts jeopardize the fiscal solvency of the service network and undermine the goals of the contracts that the city already pays for. 

• Create a dedicated city pot of capital funds to keep centers in good repair. Most centers don’t have the resources to launch campaigns to get local elected capital money and the city has refused to consider their needs in the budget for over a decade. 

• Reform capital funding rules to match the reality of the spaces that services are being provided in. Many can’t access funds due to a lack of “site control” which leaves them without any resources from the city. Other arcane requirements can leave centers with no real options to repair necessary infrastructure and they are left to crumble. 

• Study the real needs of case management clients. Case managers in the field are seeing a stark increase in need among their clients and higher levels of physical and mental illness and the most recent RFP cut resources from programs. Caseloads must be reduced overall from 1:72 or more and a new program should be developed to deal with the highest need clients that allows for lower caseloads closer to 1:20. Funding must also be restored for administrative support positions to allow case managers to focus on their work. 

• Reform nutritional programs to match the reality of those using them.  Homebound New Yorkers only get 5 meals a week from city funds and often are unable to get additional nutrition. Many centers also see that there is a need for more than just one meal a day in their congregate meals programs. 

• Work with HPD to understand the housing crisis among older New Yorkers. Older adult homelessness is at an all time high and growing at a rate three times faster than younger demographics. Any community care plan must recognize this reality and explore further investment and new housing programs to meet this moment. 

 Thank you for the opportunity to testify.

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For questions, please email Kevin Kiprovski, Director of Public Policy at LiveOn NY, kkiprovski@liveon-ny.org

LiveOn NY’s members provide the core, community-based services that allow older adults to thrive in their communities. With a base of more than 100 community-based organizations serving at least 300,000 older New Yorkers annually. Our members provide services ranging from senior centers, congregate and home-delivered meals, affordable senior housing with services, elder abuse prevention services, caregiver supports, case management, transportation, and NORCs. LiveOn NY advocates for increased funding for these vital services to improve both the solvency of the system and the overall capacity of community-based service providers.

LiveOn NY also administers a citywide outreach program and staffs a hotline that educates, screens and helps with benefit enrollment including SNAP, SCRIE and others, and also administers the Rights and Information for Senior Empowerment (RISE) program to bring critical information directly to seniors on important topics to help them age well in their communities.