REMARKS
Council Member Hudson's opening remarks on the Community Care Plan and aging services
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4 min
Council Member Crystal Hudson provides an overview of the Community Care Plan for older adults in New York City, discussing its goals, funding challenges, and the importance of services for seniors. She emphasizes the need for long-term planning and increased funding to support the growing older adult population.
- Highlights the Community Care Plan's focus on leveraging technology, increasing outreach, enhancing transportation, and supporting COVID recovery.
- Discusses budget concerns, including the reliance on temporary federal stimulus funds and the need for additional funding to expand services.
- Shares anecdotes from service providers demonstrating the positive impact of Older Adult Centers (OACs) and Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs) on seniors' well-being.
(This starts at the beginning of video, which starts late into Council Member Hudson's remarks.)
Crystal Hudson
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Resources.
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Leveraging technology by utilizing virtual programming and other technologies to reach isolated older adults and enhance service delivery.
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Increasing outreach and marketing to improve awareness and uptake of community care services especially among those most in need.
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Enhancing transportation options to provide better transportation to connect older adults in service or transportation deserts to essential services and supporting COVID recovery through the use of community care services to help older adults recover from the impacts of the COVID pandemic and avoid the negative effects of isolation.
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NYC aging budgeted $179,200,000 to support the community care air plan across FY22 through FY20 5, which is largely financed using temporary COVID 19 pandemic related federal stimulus funds that must be used by the end of calendar year 2024.
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In yet, the department has not seen any major funding increases since the plan's announcement to finance its specific specific needs.
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In the FY 25 adopted plan, $4,800,000 in baseline funding was added to increased reimbursement rates home delivered meals and $12,200,000 in funding was added in FY 25 to replace expiring federal funding for older adult centers and restore funding that had been previously cut with no additional funding added to expand services identified under the plan.
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In its FY 25 preliminary budget response, the council called for a $78,200,000 additional funding for home care.
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Case management to increase reimbursement rates for home with delivered meals to invest in capital improvements at older adult centers and to restore funding previously cut for older adult centers.
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These investments along with long term community based planning are essential to the health and well-being of older New Yorkers.
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To make that point, I'd like to read something we received from educational alliance staff about a Newark in Manhattan.
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Through its boots on the groundwork, including home visits and community nursing, Coop Village Newark staff are able to reach older adults who become isolated from their community.
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In a recent client satisfaction survey, one member shared that the Coop Village NORQ case manager and nurse, quote, saved my life by reaching out to me when I was in a deep, dark, prolonged depression.
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And quote.
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This person has once again become an active member, post pandemic, reconnecting with friends and enjoying exercise and education workshops.
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While I don't wanna take up too much time with my opener, we received quite a few anecdotes assembled by service providers years testifying to the importance of this work.
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They all highlight the significant and positive impact that OACs and norks have on older adults.
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They appreciate the variety of activities including art, ceramics, dance, exercise, and educational work jobs, which help them stay physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy.
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Many also express gratitude for supportive and friendly staff, the sense of community, and the opportunities for socialization and learning.
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Virtual classes are particularly valued by those with mobility issues.
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Overall, these programs provide structure, improve well-being, and combat isolation.
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Ensuring the longevity and growth of these programs is essential to ensuring the quality of life of older New Yorkers now and to come.
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My legislation is concerned with the city's long term plan for the growing older adult population.
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It is imperative that we are prepared to serve those New Yorkers who have given so much to our communities, and I look forward to the administration's feedback on our vision for older New Yorkers.
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At this hearing, the committee is also interested in addressing the unique needs of older adults to ensure they can age in place with dignity.
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This includes an overview of how these needs are being met, how planned funding has been used, and how NYC Aging is planning for continued growth of the city's older adult population.
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Additionally, the committee seeks an overview of virtual programming and the use of technology to reach as many older adults as possible and reduce the impacts of social isolation.
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Thank you to the members of the aging committee who have joined us today.
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We've also been joined by council member, Salam.
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Also like to thank my staff, Casey Addison and Andrew Wright, an aging committee staff, Christopher Pepe, Chloe Rivera, Julia Hernandez, and Samuel Hamed.
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I will turn it over to the committee counsel now to administer the oath.
