Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
AGENCY TESTIMONY
Introduction and background on kinship caregiving in NYC
0:04:56
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3 min
Commissioner Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez introduces herself and provides context on the importance of kinship caregiving in New York City. She emphasizes the vital role kinship caregivers play in supporting families and enriching communities, while also acknowledging the challenges they face.
- Highlights the growing proportion of older New Yorkers in the population
- Mentions the collaboration with the Administration for Children's Services (ACS) for additional support
- Stresses the importance of connecting kinship caregivers to necessary resources and services
Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez
0:04:56
So good afternoon.
0:04:57
I'm not sure if I like afternoon hearings or morning hearings more.
0:05:02
Well, do I like hearings?
0:05:04
But anyway.
0:05:07
Good afternoon, chair Hudson and members of the city council committee on aging.
0:05:13
As you know, I'm Lorenco Tevazquez, commissioner of New York City Department for the Aging, as we now call it NYC Aging.
0:05:20
I appreciate, totally appreciate the opportunity to testify before you today regarding resources for older adults, kinship caregivers, and the New York City Department for the Aging's caregiving program overall.
0:05:35
It is something that is very dear and very personal to me.
0:05:39
Kinship caregivers play a vital role in supporting New York City families and like older adults across the five boroughs.
0:05:47
And it's something that you said, madam chair, they are it is vitalizing and and really enriching experience, although it is a financial drain, I'll get to that later on.
0:06:01
Like older adults across the five cities I mean, five boroughs, they pour into the communities where they live by growing with young people into vital members of society.
0:06:13
And this is to be expected as the share of older New Yorkers continues to grow as a proportion of the population.
0:06:20
Because of the direct connection this form of caregiving has with New Yorkers under the age of 18, I am pleased to be joined today by my colleagues from the administration for children's services, think it's called New York City children now, think, who is also available to share information about the support that ACS provides to caregivers, including kinship caregivers.
0:06:44
As I have said time and again, caregiving is a vital component of NYC's aging care plan and is fundamental to shaping and building an age inclusive city.
0:06:54
Our city is home to over 1,000,000 unpaid caregivers who serve a range of New Yorkers from fellow older adults to those with disability and of course New Yorkers under the age of 18.
0:07:06
I know this experience firsthand, as I know you know this experience firsthand madam chair, and have therefore said before, not only am I the commissioner, I'm also a client.
0:07:16
As I've watched my mother's aging experience in my role as commissioner, I've learned the challenges in navigating the systems even as the executive head of the largest area agency on aging.
0:07:30
That can only be maximized when experienced by a person who is not familiar with aging resources.
0:07:37
Families and caregivers ask where do I begin?
0:07:41
And they are frequently unaware of how to find help through city services.
0:07:46
It is incumbent on New York City aging to ensure that they have the resources they need and the information they need to address their loved one's situation.
0:07:55
I look to the city's city council's partnership as we address the expanding number of older adults in New York City navigate disjointed services which our caregiver program works to make clear for caregivers.
0:08:11
This also applies to the kinship caregiver who are providing care to younger members of their family, including their grandchildren or their godchildren.
0:08:19
And we are committed to connecting these older adults to the best possible services and resources and supports that they need.