Social Services at Risk for Older People in New York - AARP Bulletin
Social Services at Risk for Older New Yorkers
With a $9 billion deficit a lot is riding on Nov 2 election outcome
Protecting social services, making roadways safe for pedestrians and reforming the state's electricity marketplace are among the issues facing New York's older residents next year. The fate of those issues may depend on the outcome of the Nov. 2 elections. The , all 150 state and 62 state seats are at stake. Currently Democrats — who outnumber registered Republicans statewide by about 2 to 1 — have a similar margin in the Assembly, and a two-seat margin in the Senate. Democrats also control the governor's office. "A lot is at stake for seniors" in the election, said Michael Burgess, director of the . "We've done all we can do here in terms of cutting things back." Judy Sloane knows something about those cutbacks. About two years ago, Sloane started getting calls that her mother, then 90, was wandering from their Manhattan apartment. She found a day care program nearby for older adults who are frail or have dementia. In July, funding for the program was eliminated, which meant Sloane, who left her job in January in part to care for her mother, had to pick up the $85 daily fee. The 66-year-old retired administrative assistant doesn't know how long she'll be able to manage. "You have to be destitute for Medicaid, and she's not there yet," Sloane said of her mother. "We're squeezed in the middle." With , social service agencies are also feeling the squeeze, even though programs to keep older people living at home have been shown to save money in the long run because they are cheaper than nursing homes. One of top legislative priorities next year is to increase spending on , which includes services like adult day care, meal deliveries, transportation and assistance for family caregivers. "We don't think the state sufficiently funds programs that assist caregivers," said AARP New York legislative representative Bill Ferris. AARP New York also wants to maintain current spending for , which pays for drugs doesn't cover. And it's supporting a drive to link eligible state residents to community food programs and federal food assistance. An estimated one in four older New Yorkers living at home is at risk for hunger. Other priorities include: Adopt a law that would require including the needs of bicyclists and pedestrians in planning any publicly funded transportation project. Require new publicly financed housing of three or fewer units to incorporate , including barrier-free features and a first-floor bathroom to accommodate older people or people with disabilities. Reform the state's electricity marketplace, which has the second-highest rates in the continental United States. These ambitious goals come at a time when voters are expressing with Albany. Polls show about half of registered voters think even their own state senator and assembly member should be booted out of office. Democratic spokesman Eric Blankenbaker said the party has more money on hand than in 2008 and is poised to expand its majority in the state Senate. GOP spokesman Scott Reif said this year's anti-incumbent mood means "the energy is on the Republican side." For more information about the election, see the . Ann Levin is a freelance writer living in New York City. Fight Hunger
n Approximately one out of four New Yorkers age 60+ living at home is considered nutritionally at risk. AARP's Create the Good is launching a campaign this month to combat hunger by and organizing food drives. Go to AARP's website to find out more about food programs or how to volunteer. Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures
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