New York State is currently developing a Master Plan for Aging, which will serve as a framework to help older adults age in place while maintaining a high quality of life.

The project stems from a 2022 executive order signed by Governor Kathy Hochul after years of discussions with state partners and community stakeholders.

Beth Finkel, AARP New York state director, said the plan takes a multi-pronged approach to meeting the needs of older adults as they age.

“This can range from affordable housing to accessible transportation to remedies for isolation and depression,” Finkel explained. “And mental health, to make sure there are jobs for people who want to work and there is no age discrimination.”

Although the plan is still being drafted after numerous meetings with stakeholders, Finkel stressed that it is critical to consider the needs of unpaid family caregivers. More than 2 million unpaid family caregivers provided more than 2 billion hours of care in New York in 2021, spending $8,000 out of pocket to provide care in the home. A final draft of the plan is expected to be released early next year.

Feedback and comments on the plan have been mostly positive. Although it is a collaboration between state agencies, Finkel felt that state lawmakers can now tackle other tasks. Some of the issues to be addressed include traffic safety and inclusive design for housing and public spaces. She emphasized that they could start by addressing issues related to long-term care workforce.

“You can try to increase the number of long-term care workers,” Finkel urged. “It’s very difficult to maintain the number of caregivers in home care and nursing homes because their salaries just can’t keep up with other salaries.”

Finkel supports increasing funding for the state’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman program, which conducts check-ups at nursing homes, assisted living facilities and adult care facilities. The pandemic has increased service needs at local senior living agencies, but now federal stimulus money is lacking to support the programs. The program has reportedly been unable to fulfill its missions due to a lack of funding.

Edwin is a reporter and producer in North Tonawanda, New York. He previously reported for the Niagara Gazette and the Ithaca Times. Edwin got his start early as a radio intern at WBFO-88.7FM, NPR’s Buffalo affiliate. He graduated from SUNY Buffalo State College with a BA in Journalism in 2018 and graduated from Syracuse University with an MS in Communications in 2022.