With New York’s older adult population projected to hit 5.3 million by 2030, strategic planning is vital. This panel will discuss state and city initiatives like the NY State Master Plan for Aging and Age-Friendly NYC, focusing on healthcare access, fixed income challenges, and support programs like NY Connects and HIICAP. It will also highlight efforts promoting healthy aging through nutrition, preventive care, physical activity, and social connection, all integrated with housing, transportation, and community planning.

The New York State Long-Term Care Planning Project (LTCPP), a collaboration between the Department of Health and NYSOFA, aims to improve services for the state’s growing aging population. This panel will explore the full range of residential care options—nursing homes, assisted living, and other long-term care settings—highlighting key differences in services, eligibility, costs, and oversight. Panelists will discuss how these systems operate, how families can make informed choices, and where opportunities for improvement exist.

As New York’s population ages, older adults face workforce barriers like age discrimination and limited reentry paths, even as industries such as healthcare struggle with staffing shortages. Solutions like age-friendly hiring, retraining, and flexible jobs are vital to tap into this underutilized talent pool.  Meanwhile, the senior housing crisis is growing—East Clarke Place Senior Residence received 26,000 applications for only 84 units—and nearly half of adults over 70 lack retirement income. This panel will examine senior housing options, in-home services, and workforce strategies, highlighting how public and private sectors can collaborate to support older adults.

As New York’s older adult population grows, nearly one in three lives alone, heightening the risk of isolation and mental health challenges—issues intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic.  This panel will discuss how collaboration among advocacy groups, healthcare providers, businesses, and local governments can enhance mental health services, expand tech access, and build stronger community networks. Topics will also include caregiver support, intergenerational programs, and initiatives that foster connection and resilience for older New Yorkers.