Summary of the New York State Master Plan for Aging: Building Age-Friendly Communities
By Barbara Hughes, 1-Year Member
New York State is undertaking a comprehensive evaluation and revamping of
services and supports for older adults. The outcome of this process will affect the quality of life of all New Yorkers for many years to come. Women’s Connection members have opportunities to participate in this important undertaking and impact the future of our communities.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” (
https://www.who.int/) To support this concept of health in older adults, in 2017 New York became the first state to enroll in the WHO Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Network of Age-Friendly States.
New York State’s goal in this effort is “to ensure that older adults and individuals of all ages can live healthy, fulfilling lives while aging with dignity and independence.”
(
https://www.ny.gov/programs/new-york-states-master-plan-aging)
To help reach this goal, a Master Plan for Aging (MPA) is being developed through a collaboration of government and private service providers and other stakeholders, coordinated by the New York State Department of Health and Department for the Aging.
The MPA group has been gathering data including community input and is drafting a final report with recommendations for implementation. An interim report is due soon and the final report is expected to be released in 2025. Successful implementation will address gaps in services and devise more efficient service-delivery systems through partnerships and elimination of redundancies and obstacles to access.
The preliminary MPA report (August 2023) organized the initiative under ten “Pillars of Support”:
- Housing Access and Community Development
- Informal Caregiver and Workforce Support
- Affordability of Basic Necessities
- Access to Services in and Engagement with Historically Disadvantaged Communities.
- Modernization and Financial Stability of Healthcare, Residential Facilities and Community-Based Aging Network Service Providers.
- Social Engagement of Older Adults.
- Promoting Health and Access to Services and Supports in Rural Communities.
- Combating Elder Abuse, Ageism and Ableism.
- Technology Access and Development.
- Prevention, Wellness Promotion and Access.