AARP Eye Center
ALBANY, N.Y. – AARP New York State Director Beth Finkel issued the following statement today on Governor Hochul’s state budget proposal for fiscal year 2025-26:
“The Governor’s spending plan contains good news for older New Yorkers and their family caregivers as she recognizes the urgent need for better fiscal support of the services that enhance the lives of the state’s rapidly aging population.
“By proposing to increase funding by $45 million for non-medical in-home services provided through the State Office for the Aging (SOFA), the Governor is making a commitment to older adults who deserve the assistance they require to age safely and with dignity in their own homes, where they prefer to be.
“SOFA’s funding for in-home services for eligible older New Yorkers has been woefully insufficient for too long, resulting in long waiting lists for such essential services as delivered meals and transportation to doctors’ appointments. The additional funding will go a long way toward eliminating those lists while at the same time offering some relief – physical, emotional and financial – to the more than 2 million New Yorkers statewide who are caring for aging loved ones.
“It will be up to the leaders of the state Senate and Assembly to join the Governor in coming to an agreement on a final budget that includes the increased funding so desperately needed by many of their constituents.
“We’re pleased to see the Governor is aiming to protect the financial security of older adults by allowing banks and financial institutions to place a hold on a suspicious transaction if they suspect financial exploitation. Older adults are uniquely vulnerable to financial exploitation and these measures will ensure older New Yorkers are able to safeguard their hard-earned assets.
“The governor kept funding for the state’s Long Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP) at its previous level, $6.1 million. More than twice that amount is needed to fully professionalize the program that serves as another set of eyes and ears for nursing home residents and their families. Doing so would ensure each nursing home and adult care facility in the state receives at least one visit per week by an ombudsman, which is the program’s stated goal.”
Connect with AARP New York on X: @AARPNY, Facebook: AARP New York and LinkedIn: AARP New York
About AARP
AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation's largest circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/about-aarp/, www.aarp.org/español or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspañol and @AARPadvocates on social media.
###