AARP: Lawmakers’ Proposals to Fund More In-Home Services for Elderly Good Start to Help Middle Class

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ALBANY, N.Y. – AARP New York State Director Beth Finkel issued the following statement in response to the addition of about $7 million for non-Medicaid in-home services for the elderly in the New York State Senate and Assembly one-house 2017-18 state budget proposals:

“State legislators are moving in the right direction. These cost-effective services help middle class New Yorkers age safely at home and provide badly needed respite and support for their family caregivers.

AARP appreciates the Senate’s and Assembly’s proposal – particularly the leadership of its Aging Committee Chairs, Senator Sue Serino and Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo. This increase moves the state in the right direction to address a waiting list of 17,000 middle class New Yorkers who qualify for these services.

This state needs to wake up to the fact that its population is aging and its citizens want and need everyday services such as transportation to doctor’s appointments, home delivered meals and assistance with basic activities of daily living.

Strong majorities of New York’s Generation Xers and Baby Boomers say those kinds of services would help them care for loved ones at home, according to an AARPNY/Siena College survey – which also showed 87 percent want themselves and their loved ones to receive care at home. The alternative is much costlier and mostly taxpayer-financed nursing homes and institutional care settings.

AARP will continue pushing for a $25 million funding increase in the final budget to eliminate waiting lists and help all qualifying middle class New Yorkers get the help they need.”

Contact: Erik Kriss, ekriss@aarp.org

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AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of nearly 38 million that helps people turn their goals and dreams into 'Real Possibilities' by changing the way America defines aging. With staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP works to strengthen communities and promote the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare security, financial security and personal fulfillment. AARP also advocates for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name.  As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the world’s largest circulation magazine, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and our CEO @JoAnn_Jenkins on Twitter.

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