|
|||||
|
|
|||||
|
2002-2003 Funding to Support New York's Seniors Joint Advocacy Statement & Funding Priorities of: New
York State Coalition for the Aging, Inc. (NYSCA) Our joint vision is to ensure that all older New Yorkers, present and future, have an independent, productive, healthy and secure life. As our population ages, older New Yorkers will require a mix of services to maintain independence and dignity, depending on their condition and assistance provided by family and friends. Consumers should have the opportunity to make informed decisions based on unbiased information about the range of alternatives available to meet their needs. Experience has demonstrated that well-informed consumers will make more appropriate and often less costly decisions about the types of care they need. The overwhelming preference of older people is to avert nursing home placement and remain living in their own homes. In light of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Olmstead vs. L.C., New York State will need to actively shift the emphasis away from institutional care to community care for seniors and persons with disabilities. Additional funds for community-based services will provide state funds to support and expand the options available for our older residents to age gracefully at home and in their communities. Our priorities for State Fiscal Year 2002 - 2003: - $1 million - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) - Funding is needed for meals, route expansion and for equipment and operating expenses. There are waiting lists for home-delivered meals and a large unmet need as reported in a Department of Health and State Office for the Aging joint study - 70% of those in immediate need of home-delivered meals are not receiving them due to inadequate funding. -
$1
million - Capital Grant Program - Renovation of Senior Centers:
RESTORATION. - $2 million - Social Adult Day Care Services (SADC) - RESTORATION - The Legislature established a new $1 million funding stream in the FY 2000-2001Budget for SADC. The Governor eliminated this funding stream in his proposed FY 2001-2002 budget and it was not included in the supplemental budget passed in the Fall of 2001. Funding is needed for this community-based service that provides a congregate setting for older adults with physical disabilities and cognitive impairments such as Alzheimer's disease. Adult day services help the elderly person remain in their community and provide critical respite and piece of mind to their caregivers. -
$4
million - Community Services for the Elderly Program (CSE) - A flexible
funding stream to fill locally determined gaps in services. CSE
allows Area Agencies on Aging to fund programs based directly on
the needs of seniors in their geographic area, making the best and
wisest use of taxpayer dollars. Services funded by CSE may include:
transportation, home delivered meals, adult day services, case management,
home care (including personal care, housekeeping and other chores),
home repair, and a variety of other outreach and assistance programs.
|
|||||
