A recent AARP New York poll found that three in ten voters age 40 and older who live in New York City care for an elderly family member, most likely a mother, or have done so in the past, and The vast majority (75%) say they are stressed because they also have to attend to their jobs and other responsibilities.
Reflecting the concerns raised by voters over 40 statewide, 83% in New York City want the state government to increase funding for respite care. But almost all (80%) don’t believe or are unsure that the state government does enough for family caregivers, who are the backbone of the state’s long-term care system.
“We know that older adults represent the fastest growing segment of New York’s population. “We also know that it is family members who provide the majority of support for these older adults, who mostly prefer to remain in their homes as they age and experience challenges to their medical and cognitive health,” said Beth Finkel, AARP State Director. NY. “Adult caregivers are doing their part. But what people in New York City, like others across the state, are telling us is that they don’t trust the state to be doing its part.
“We ask Governor Hochul and the state legislature to listen to New York City voters and allocate the necessary funds for the services their loved ones need, rather than reducing them, as the governor proposes in her Executive Budget. 2024-25,” Finkel added.
The report, ‘Voters Age 40 and Older in New York State: Their Attitudes and Opinions on Caregiving and Long-Term Care,’ was based on a telephone survey AARP New York conducted last fall among 1,345 registered voters 40 years old statewide. Unpaid family caregivers consistently spoke of the increasing daily responsibilities they face in caring for an aging spouse, parent, or other loved one.
Nearly 70% of working New York City caregivers say they have difficulty balancing their tasks. Nearly all working caregivers cut their hours or made other adjustments, and 18% stopped working altogether.
More than 70% say they feel emotionally stressed and 30% feel financially stressed. Almost all (94%) reported incurring some expenses in performing their caregiving duties, including transportation, prescription medications, and hiring home health aides. Most say they would like the state to increase funding for home care services, which fall far short of demand.
Key findings from the New York City Caregiving Report:
67% of caregivers are women; most take care of a mother over 80 years old
94% offer social activities and companionship, topping the list of medical and non-medical tasks
87% of voters want caregivers to have work flexibility; 81% ask for financial assistance, and 83% ask for paid time off
91% worry about the quality of care they would receive in a nursing home
91% Want More Funding for NYS Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
One in three caregivers cares for or cared for someone with mental deterioration
Recommendations AARP New York is advocating for in the final 2024-25 state budget include:
Eliminate waiting lists: Awarding $51 million will eliminate the waiting list on which too many New York seniors languish as they and their family caregivers wait for basic services like transportation, housekeeping and personal care.
Greater transparency: Require the State Office on Aging to develop and publish detailed reports of where there are waiting lists, by county and service requested, and to provide this information to the Governor and Legislature annually, as well as an accounting of the prior year’s expenditures, by county and service, and how to address the waiting list.
Nursing home supervision: Provide an additional $15 million in funding for the New York State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program to ensure that all nursing homes and other adult care facilities are visited regularly.
2024-03-17 10:16:00
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