US: New York State has released its Master Plan for Aging (MPA), a 10-year framework designed to better support older adults.
Led by governor Kathy Hochul, the final MPA is a collaborative effort between the New York State Department of Health, the New York State Office for the Aging, and the New York State Department of State.
The report features more than 100 proposals that address the built environment and infrastructure, transportation and transit, financing of care and services, recruitment and retention of the long-term-care workforce, licensing and training, innovations in care and service delivery, public-private partnerships, and more.
Some of the proposals include:
• Addressing housing supply
• Incorporate age-friendly principles into community design
• Supporting community housing models
• Increase funding for the age-friendly, accessible, and ADA-compliant downtown and community revitalisation
• Funding infrastructure upgrades and investing in municipalities
• Expand co-located housing types for older adults
“Every New Yorker should be able to age with dignity and independence,” Hochul said. “The master plan for aging builds on our ongoing efforts to empower older adults and advance New York’s status as an age-friendly state. I thank the hundreds of stakeholders, state agency staff and partners who worked to develop these proposals, and look forward to reviewing the report.”
According to the report, New York has the fourth-largest population of older adults in the US with 3.2 million individuals (16 per cent) aged over age 65. The state’s population of those over the age of 60 is projected to grow to 5.3 million by 2030, with those over 80 years of age exceeding 1.2 million. By 2030, older adults will make up 25 to 30 per cent of the population in most New York counties.
Greg Olsen, director of the New York State Office for the Aging, said: “The final Master Plan for Aging is a true triumph of collective problem-solving. The MPA has brought together hundreds of the brightest and most accomplished minds from diverse fields and sectors – all contributing their talent to create this historic roadmap for an age-friendly New York.
“The Master Plan for Aging outlines over 100 proposals, each holding the promise to make a real difference in the lives of individuals as they age. Just as importantly, this document assesses the potential challenges, opportunities and pathways for action on each proposal, making it both visionary and practical,” he added.
Walter T. Mosley, New York secretary of state, said: The way we plan and develop our communities has a tremendous impact on the health, safety and quality of life of older New Yorkers. We stand ready to support the next phase of plan implementation through our planning and development programs, like the Downtown Revitalisation Initiative, NY Forward and Smart Growth, which create liveable communities for people of all ages and abilities.”
The Master Plan for Aging final report can be read here.
Highlights:
• New York State has revealed its 10-year Master Plan for Aging (MPA) to support older adults and build age-friendly communities.
• The MPA includes more than 100 proposals spanning housing, healthcare, transportation, and workforce development.
• Key initiatives include addressing housing supply, supporting co-located housing, bringing age-friendly principles into community design, and more.
