WITH 3.2 MILLION NEW YORKERS NOW OVER THE AGE OF 65 - THE EMPIRE STATE HAS THE FOURTH-LARGEST POPULATION OF OLDER ADULTS IN THE COUNTRY - AND WITH THIS DEMOGRAPHIC GROWING FASTER THAN ANY OTHER AGE GROUP IN THE STATE, NEW YORK IS ADOPTING A MASTER PLAN FOR AGING TO SHAPE FUTURE POLICY DECISIONS THAT AFFECT SENIORS.

ON THIS EPISODE OF CONNECT: NEW YORK, WE'LL CONSIDER WHAT THAT PLAN SHOULD LOOK LIKE.

DON'T GO ANYWHERE ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ WELCOME TO CONNECT-NEW YORK, I'M DAVID LOMBARDO - HOST OF WCNY'S THE CAPITOL PRESSROOM, A DAILY PUBLIC RADIO SHOW, BROADCASTING FROM THE STATE CAPITOL.

ON TODAY'S SHOW WE'RE GOING TO CONSIDER WHAT SHOULD BE IN THE STATE'S NEW MASTER PLAN FOR AGING, AN INITIATIVE CHAMPIONED BY GOV KATHY HOCHUL TO ENSURE THAT NEW AND EXISTING STATE GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND PROGRAMS ARE BEING CONSIDERED WITH AN EYE TOWARD HOW THEY AFFECT THE ABILITY OF OLDER NEW YORKERS TO LEAD FULFILLING LIVES, IN GOOD HEALTH AND WITH INDEPENDENCE, FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE.

TO THAT END, WE'RE JOINED IN THE STUDIO BY STATE SENATE AGING COMMITTEE CHAIR RACHEL MAY - A SYRACUSE DEMOCRAT - AND JOINING US REMOTELY IS BILL FERRIS - A STATE LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATIVE FOR AARP NEW YORK - AND WE ALSO HAVE BOB BLANCATO - STATEWIDE COORDINATOR FOR THE NEW YORK STATE MASTER PLAN FOR AGING COALITION AND TO KICK THINGS OFF, I WANT TO UNDERSTAND WHERE WE'RE AT - IN TERMS OF OFFERING POLICIES DESIGNED TO BENEFIT OLDER ADULTS SO, BILL, IS NEW YORK CURRENTLY A SENIOR-FRIENDLY STATE?

>> I WOULD SAY NEW YORK IS, AND IT IS GETTING BETTER.

WE WERE ONE OF THE FIRST STATES TO BE DESIGNATED AGE FRIENDLY IN THE COUNTRY AND NEW YORK IS FURTHER TRYING TO ACHIEVE THOSE GOALS WITH VARIOUS POLICIES.

I THINK ONE OF THE BIGGEST POLICIES WE'VE SEEN IN ONE OF THE AREAS OF AGE FRIENDLY NEW YORK IS THE BUILDING OF ROADS TO HAVE THEM MORE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL USERS.

THE BILL WAS PASSED A FEW YEARS AGO IN THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR UPDATING THAT LAW AND IT'S REALLY THE PHILOSOPHY OF IS THE ROAD BUILT JUST FOR CARS AND TRUCKS OR ARE WE GOING TO BUILD ROADS FOR ALL USERS?

I BO SAY THAT'S A POLICY WITH OTHER INITIATIVES GOING ON IS REALLY PUSHING NEW YORK TO BE MORE AGE FRIENDLY.

>> THAT'S THE COMPLETE STREETS LEGISLATION YOU WERE REFERRING TO?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

COMPLETE STREETS LEGISLATION.

>> THE IDEA OF THE PLAN IS SO THAT ALL POLICIES, NOT JUST THE ONES THAT ARE OVERTLY GEARED TOWARDS SENIORS ARE CONSIDERING THE NEEDS OF OLDER ADULTS, AS SOMEONE WHO CHAIRS A COMMITTEE ON AGING WHERE THINGS ARE SPECIFICALLY GEARED TOWARDS OLDER ADULTS, DO YOU FEEL LIKE LEGISLATIVELY ENOUGH THINGS ARE COMING THROUGH YOUR COMMITTEE RIGHT NOW THAT MIGHT BE, AT LEAST ANG GENTLY RELATED TO OLDER AJULTS?

>> WHEN BILL TALKS ABOUT AGE FRIENDLY, THAT DESIGNATION COMES WITH THE IDEA THAT YOU KNOW, TRANSPORTATION DECISIONS, HOUSING DECISIONS, ALL KINDS OF THINGS ARE ARE TAKING ARE TAKING AGING POPULATION INTO ACCOUNT.

ONE OF THE THINGS GO COMPLETE STREETS IS THAT IT'S GOOD FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE AGING AND IT'S GOOD FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE PUSHING A STROLLER OR IN A WHEELCHAIR.

THESE ARE POLICIES GOOD FOR PEOPLE AT ALL ENDS OF THE AGE SPECTRUM.

AGE FRIENDLY DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN YOU ARE JUST THINKING ABOUT IS IT GOOD FOR SENIORS OR NOT.

ON THE OTHER HAND, WE HAVE LEGISLATION COMING THROUGH.

MOST OF IT DOES NOT COME THROUGH MY COMMITTEE.

IF IT'S TRANSPORTATION LET RELATED, IT IS MORE LIKELY TO GO THROUGH TRANSPORTATION OR HOUSING.

BUT WE MUCH WORKING ON THINGS LIKE PREVENTING FRAUD AGAINST SENIORS.

WE'VE WORKED ON BETTER OVERSIGHT OF NURSING HOMES AND MORE SUPPORT FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS, THAT KIND OF THING.

SO THERE IS A WHOLE SPECTRUM.

>> BOB, AS A LEADER OF THE COALITION THAT CHAMPIONED THE ADOPTION OF A MASTER PLAN FOR AGING, CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHY NEW YORK NEEDS THIS?

COORDINATED APPROACH.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US ON THE PROGRAM AND LET'S JUST SAY THAT AS THE GOVERNOR SAID IN HER EXECUTIVE ORDER ISSUED ON NOVEMBER 4, IT'S ABOUT TAKING NOT ONLY NEW YORK BUT THE NEW YORK STATE PREVENTION AGENDA, HEALTH ACROSS ALL AGES POLICY, AGE FRIENDLY HEALTH SYSTEM INITIATIVE AND THE NEW YORK EXISTING STATE PLAN ON AGING AND COORDINATING THEM A LITTLE BIT BETTER WHILE ALSO GETTING THE BENEFIT OF STAKEHOLDER INPUT ON WHAT ISSUES ARE MISSING.

BECAUSE IT SHOULD NOT JUST BE A REHASH OR RECONFIGURATION OF EXISTING STATE POLICIES.

IT SHOULD BE A PROCESS THAT ALLOWS FOR INPUT FROM THE EXPERTS AROUND THE STATE OF NEW YORK WHO ARE INVOLVED IN THE FIELD OF AGING WHO CAN HELP.

BECAUSE THE MASTER PLAN IS SUPPOSED TO BE A COMPREHENSIVE ROAD MAP FOR SYSTEM WIDE CHANGES IN HOW SERVICES ARE COORDINATED DELIVERED AND FINANCED TO MEET THE BETTER NEEDS OF THE STATE'S OLDER ADULT POPULATION AND THEIR FAMILIES.

THE SENATOR IS RIGHT.

THIS IS NOT-- AGE FRIENDLY IS NOT JUST FOR OLDER ADULTS.

IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE AN INTERGENERATIONAL APPROACH AND THAT'S HOW WE ARE DOING IT IN OUR WORK.

>> TO THAT END, BOB, THE GOVERNOR IS PART OF THE PROCESS, HAS A STAKEHOLDER ADVISORY COMMITTEE THAT IS SUPPOSED TO INFORM THIS MASTER AGING COUNCIL.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PROCESS THAT'S BEEN LAID OUT HERE, WHICH THEORETICALLY COULD TAKE ABOUT TWO YEARS?

>> WELL, WE WERE BRIEFED JUST THIS PAST WEEK BY ADAM HERBST AND THE STATE OFFICE ON AGING INVOLVED IN IMPLEMENTING THE FIRST PASSAGE OF THE MASTER PLAN, AND WE ARE WERE LED TO BELIEVE THE STAKEHOLDER ADVISORY COUNCIL WILL BE MEETING AS EARLY AS JAB WITH THE MEMBERS BEING NAMED PRIOR TO THAT POINT.

WE ARE OBVIOUSLY WORKING TO ENSURE GOOD REPRESENTATION FROM OUR COALITION AND OTHER PLACES.

SO I THINK ON THE FRONT END, AND THEY'VE ALREADY HAD THEIR STATEWIDE GROUP MEETING EARLIER LAST WEEK.

SO AT LEAST ON THE FRONT END, IT SEEMS TO ME, LIKE SOMEONE THEY'RE SOMEWHAT ON SCHEDULE AND WHILE IT TAKES A WHILE FOR THESE THINGS TO HAPPEN, HOW YOU START ENDS UP BEING VERY IMPORTANT AND I THINK THEY'RE STARTING OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT.

>> BILL, NEW YORK IS NOT THE FIRST STATE IN THE COUNTRY TO COME UP WITH THE IDEA OF CRAFTING A MASTER PLAN FOR AGING.

I KNOW CALIFORNIA TOOK THE LEAD ON THIS A FEW YEARS AGO.

OUR NEIGHBORS IN MASSACHUSETTS ARE WORKING ON THIS INITIATIVE.

WHAT, IF ANYTHING, CAN WE LEARN FROM WHAT OTHER STATES HAVE DONE AND HOW SHOULD WE MAYBE APPROACH THIS DIFFERENTLY?

>> I THINK WE CAN LEARN A LOT FROM THE OTHER STATES, BUT I THINK WHAT IS IMPORTANT IN NEW YORK IS THAT WE ARE SEEING THE GOVERNOR REALLY TAKE THE REINS OF BRINGING IN HER AGENCIES AND BRINGING IN THE COMMUNITY, BRINGING IN LEGISLATORS TO TRY TO CRAFT THIS PLAN.

AS YOU KNOW, FROM COVERING GOVERNMENT, AND THE SENATOR KNOWS, THAT SOMETIMES STATE GOVERNMENT WORKS IN SILOS.

THE AGENCIES JUST WORK WITHIN THEMSELVES.

THEY DON'T REALLY COORDINATE AND TALK TO EACH OTHER AND I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE BIG BENEFITS THAT WE HAVE SEEN IN OTHER STATES IS YOU HAVE THE EXECUTIVE BRING EVERYBODY LITERALLY IN THE SAME ROOM AND FIGURE OUT HOW YOU CAN PUT TOGETHER A PLAN AND I AGREE.

ALL THIS IS JUST NOT ABOUT OLDER PERSONS.

IT'S REALLY ABOUT SOCIETY AND HOW PEOPLE MOVE THROUGH SOCIETY AND AGE AND IN AARP'S OPINION, WE HOPE THE MASTER PLAN IN THE END IS REALLY ALLOWING PEOPLE TO AGE WITH INDEPENDENCE AND DIGNITY IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, MORE THAN THEY ARE NOW.

SO I THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT THING OF THIS MASTER PLAN IS BRINGING EVERYBODY TOGETHER, AS BOB SAID, AND PUTTING TOGETHER A PLAN THAT BENEFITS EVERYONE.

AND NOT WORK IN SILOS.

>> LET ME JUST JUMP IN THERE AND SAY I HAD A REAL CONCERN WHEN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS WAS FIRST BEING ROLLED OUT BECAUSE PUTTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IN CHARGE OF THIS WAS MY WORRY WAS THAT THE FOCUS WAS GOING TO BE JUST ON HEALTHCARE ISSUES.

AND PARTLY BECAUSE OF MY ADVOCACY, I THINK THEY'VE MADE THE OFFICE FOR AGING KIND OF THE CO-LEADERSHIP AND THE OFFICE OF AGING IS LOOKING AT MUCH BROADER SET OF ISSUES THAN JUST HEALTH-- NOT THAT HEALTH ISN'T IMPORTANT, BUT WE DON'T WANT TO JUST BE THINKING ABOUT AGING AS PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, SLOWLY DECLINING IN HEALTH.

WE REALLY WANT TO BE DOING WHAT AARP DOES SO WELL WHICH IS FOCUS HOW DO WE ENABLE PEOPLE TO AGE WITH BIGGER VIGOR AND GRACE AND, YOU KNOW, BE HAPPY IN THOSE YEARS OF THEIR LIVES.

SO I DO THINK WE ARE-- I'M ENCOURAGED BY THE DIRECTION THIS IS TAKING AND THE WORK THAT BOB IS DOING, I THINK IS IMPORTANT THERE, TOO.

>> WHAT DID YOU THINK ABOUT WHAT BILL SAID ABOUT THE STATE AGENCIES AND OFFICES SOMETIMES GETTING CAUGHT IN THEIR OWN SILOS?

IN YOUR TIME IN THE LEGISLATURE AND LAST FOUR YEARS, HAVE YOU WITNESSED EXAMPLES OF THAT, WHERE ONE HAND DOESN'T KNOW WHAT THE OTHER IS DOING?

>> OH YEAH, ALL THE TIME.

I MEAN IT'S A CONSTANT BATTLE IN STATE GOVERNMENT, YOU KNOW, EVEN WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, WHEN THE MEDICAID SIDE OF THINGS AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH SIDE OF THINGS DON'T ALWAYS TALK TO EACH OTHER VERY WELL.

SO YOU KNOW, TO HAVE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS TALKING TO EACH OTHER IS HARD.

BUT THAT, I THINK, IS PART OF THE POINT HERE, AND SEEMS LIKE THEY'RE OFF TO A GOOD START THAT WAY.

>> BILL, DO YOU THINK THAT DYNAMIC IS A PRODUCT OF AGENCY HEADS WANTING TO PROTECT THEIR FIEFDOMS?

, IS IT WHERE YOU HAVE BUREAUCRATS WHO JUST PUT THEIR HEADS DOWN AND KNOW HOW TO DO THINGS A CERTAIN WAY?

AND DO YOU THINK AN OVERT EFFORT TO OVERCOME THOSE SILOS IS POSSIBLE?

>> I WOULD SAY, DAVE, ALL THE ABOVE.

EVERYTHING YOU SAID IS ACCURATE WITH STATE AGENCIES.

I DON'T WANT TO BE NEGATIVE.

AARP NEGATIVE ON STATE AGENCIES BUT THAT'S JUST THE NATURE OF THE GAME IN ALBANY AND STATE GOVERNMENT.

BUT ONE THING THAT CUTS THROUGH ALL THE BUREAUCRACY AND ALL THE SILOS IS LEADERSHIP.

AND WE HAVE SEEN LEADERSHIP FROM THE HOABLG YOU WILL ADMINISTRATION ON THIS POINT OF A MASTER PLAN.

AS THE SENATOR SAID, A MASTER PLAN SHOULD NOT BE ALL ABOUT HEALTH.

IT'S REALLY ABOUT NON-MEDICAID HOME AND COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES, HELPING SOMEONE TAKE OUT THEIR GARBAGE, HELPING SOMEONE DO THEIR LAUNDRY.

IT'S A TO Z ON THAT FRONT OF THE MASTER PLAN.

BUT TO YOUR ORIGINAL QUESTION, YES, THERE ARE SILOS.

IT'S BUREAUCRATS, IT'S ONE PART OF THE AGENCY NOT TALKING TO THE OTHER PART OF THE AGENCY BUT HOPEFULLY WITH THIS DYNAMIC, WITH THIS MASTER PLAN FOR AGING, THAT WILL BE OVERCOME.

AND THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE IS REALLY GOING TO HAVE TO PLAY A BIG PART IN THIS.

WE DO HAVE THE COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH.

WE HAVE THE STATE OFFICE FOR AGING DIRECTOR.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, AS YOU KNOW, ALL ROADS LEAD TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

AND THEY ARE REALLY GOING TO HAVE TO STEP UP AND REALLY SHEPHERD THIS THING THROUGH WITH THE COUNCIL.

>> BOB-- >> I WANT TO AGREE WITH BILL ON THAT POINT BECAUSE BY VIRTUE OF ISSUING THE EXECUTIVE ORDER, THAT'S LIKE OWNERSHIP OF THE MASTER PLAN.

AND SO THAT'S WHERE THE LEADERSHIP HAS TO COME, YOU KNOW, YOU BREAK DOWN THE SILOS, YOU PUT THE COORDINATION TOGETHER, YOU GET THE STAKEHOLDERS INVOLVED, AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU PRODUCE SOMETHING THAT'S UNIQUE TO NEW YORK AND PIVOTAL TO ITS FUTURE.

>> SENATOR, AS BOB JUST MENTIONED, THE GOVERNOR DIDN'T ENACT THIS THROUGH LEGISLATION-- ALTHOUGH THERE IS MONEY FOR IT IN THE CURRENT YEAR BUDGET.

IT'S BEING IMPLEMENTED THROUGH AN EXECUTIVE ORTD.

ORDER.

ARE YOU CONCERNED AT ALL ABOUT THE LEGISLATURE NOT BEING A PARTNER IN THIS PROCESS?

>> NOT REALLY.

WE WERE ASKED FOR INPUT WHO WOULD BE ON THE ADVISORY BOARD.

I PASSED A REIMAGINING LONG-TERM CARE BILL AND I'M SURE WHAT THEY COME UP WITH, THEY WILL BE SHARING INFORMATION AND THAT SORT OF THING.

SO IT'S HELPFUL, HONESTLY, WHEN THE GOVERNOR TAKES THE LEAD ON SOMETHING BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR CAN BRING THE RIGHT PEOPLE TO THE TABLE AND WE ARE JUST TRYING TO MAKE SURE WE ARE KEEPING AN EYE ON HOW THAT IS HAPPENING AND MAKING SURE THAT THE DISCUSSION IS ROBUST AND DOESN'T GET SILOED THE WAY YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT.

>> HOW MUCH OF THIS CONVERSATION AT THE END OF THE DAY JUST BOILS DOWN TO THE MONEY THAT THE STATE IS WILLING TO INVEST IN ISSUES THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO SENIORS?

FOR EXAMPLE, LONG-TERM CARE COSTS MONEY, SUPPORTIVE HOUSING COSTS MONEY.

IS IT GREAT TO HAVE A PLAN BUT UNLESS YOU ARE WILLING TO SPEND THE MONEY, THAT PLAN MIGHT NOT BE SO HELPFUL?

>> GOOD POINT, GAVE-- DAVE.

I THINK THE ISSUE HAS TO BE PITCHED A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENTLY.

THINK IN TERMS OF NOT EXPENDITURES BUT INVESTMENT.

IF YOU ARE INVESTING IN LONG-TERM CARE, YOU KNOW, YOU ARE GOING TO BE SAVING MONEY IN FEDERAL PROGRAMS LIKE MEDICAID PROGRAM.

IF YOU ARE INVESTING IN INFRASTRUCTURE, OKAY, THEN YOU ARE GOING TO BUILD SAFE STREETS AND HAVE A BETTER COMMUNITIES TO LIVE IN.

SO IT'S A MATTER OF TWO THINGS.

ONE IS WHAT EMERGES AS THE PRIORITY ISSUES FROM THE MASTER PLAN THAT WOULD REQUIRE SOME RESOURCES?

AND THEN IT NEEDS TO BE PITCHED IN A WAY THAT SAYS, YOU KNOW, WE ARE MAKING THIS AS AN INVESTMENT IN NEW YORK'S FUTURE TO BE A WONDERFUL PLACE TO GROW OLD AND TO HAVE FAMILIES SERVICES AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

SO SOME OF IT IS ABOUT HOW YOU PORTRAY IT, YOU KNOW.

I OPERATE IN WASHINGTON CONCERNED OF THE TIME AND WE HAVE THIS DISCUSSION ALL THE TIME ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EXPENDITURES AND INVESTMENT.

IT'S ALL ABOUT PUTTING VALUE.

WHAT IS THE VALUE ASSOCIATED WITH PAYING FOR A SERVICE OR PAYING FOR A PROGRAM?

AND MANY OF THE THINGS TALKED ABOUT IN THIS MASTER PLAN WOULD BE WONDERFUL INVESTMENTS FOR NEW YORK'S FUTURE.

>> CAN I JUMP IN THERE?

ALSO, IF YOU CAN GET THESE CONVERSATIONS GOING BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT AGENCIES OF GOVERNMENT, THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SAVINGS THAT WE DON'T NORMALLY REALIZE WHEN WE DO THE BUDGET, YOU KNOW, THE BUCKETS THAT ARE IN THE BUDGET, SO IF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION IS THINKING IN TERMS OF MAKING STREETS THAT ARE SAFE FOR PEOPLE, THAT THEN HAS KNOCK ON BENEFITS OR IF WE ARE TALKING ABOUT PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE OR MAKING IT EASIER FOR SENIORS TO AVOID BACK INJURIES OR SOMETHING IN THE WAY WE ARE DESIGNING THE ENVIRONMENTS THEY'RE IN, THEN THAT CAN SAVE MONEY IN THE MEDICAL-- ON THE MEDICAL SIDE.

SO IF WE CAN DO THIS RIGHT AND GET PEOPLE THINKING ACROSS THE DIFFERENT SILOS, THEN WE START OPENING OPPORTUNITIES FOR MORE EFFICIENT USE OF GOVERNMENT FUNDS.

>> COULD THOSE EFFICIENCIES THOUGH, RACK UP TO THE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS?

BECAUSE SOME PROGRAMS LIKE EXPANDING ACCESS TO HOME CARE, FOR EXAMPLE, THE UPFRONT COST IS GOING TO BE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS, EVEN IF THERE IS LONG-TERM SAVINGS.

AND I THINK YOU HAVE SEEN IN YOUR FOUR YEARS HERE THAT THE STATE DOESN'T NECESSARILY HAVE A GREAT REPUTATION OR PAST HISTORY OF BEING, YOU KNOW, NOT BEING PENNY WISE AND POUND FOOL ISSUE.

>> IT'S-- FOOLISH.

>> IT'S A DAILY FRUSTRATION FOR ME, BUT THIS KIND OF EFFORT DOES SEEM LIKE ONE OF THE WAYS THAT YOU GET MAST PAST THAT.

>> I JUST WANTED TO MAKE A QUICK POINT ON YOUR QUESTION.

FROM AARP'S PERSPECTIVE AND I'M SURE THE SENATOR HAS SEEN IN ALBANY, YOU CAN PASS ALL THE BILLS YOU WANT, HAVE THE POLICIES AND MASTER PLAN FOR AGING BUT IF THERE ISN'T, AS BOB WOULD SAY, AN INVESTMENT IN THOSE POLICIES OF TAXPAYERS MONEY, THOSE POLICIES IN MANY WAYS, COULD FALL ON THEIR FACE.

I MEAN REALLY WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, INVESTMENTS MAKE THESE POLICIES BREATHE, SO TO SPEAK.

BECAUSE IF THEY SIT ON A DESK SOMEWHERE IN ALBANY AND THERE ISN'T THE INVESTMENT BEHIND IT WITH AN EXECUTIVE BUDGET PROPOSAL OR THE SENATOR AND HER COLLEAGUES IN THE LEGISLATURE PUTTING MONEY BEHIND IT, A LOT OF TIMES IN ALBANY, THE POLICIES DON'T REALLY TAKE OFF.

SO ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS OF THE MASTER PLAN IS THEY'RE GOING TO DO IT, WE ARE ALL GOING TO DO IT.

BUT THE BACKSIDE OF THAT IS IT WON'T REALLY BE WORTH A LOT UNLESS THERE IS AN INVESTMENT MADE.

AND I THINK THAT'S THE CHALLENGE AFTER THE PLAN IS DONE.

SO THAT'S AARP'S HOPE THAT GREAT PLAN, LET'S MAKE AN INVESTMENT IN IT.

>> LET'S TALK MORE ABOUT SOME OF THE AREAS THAT MIGHT BE RIPE FOR INVESTMENT, AND ONE OF THE THINGS WE DANCED AROUND IS THE IDEA OF HOUSING.

SO BILL, WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF PROGRAMS OR INVESTMENTS IN HOUSING THAT BENEFIT OLDER NEW YORKERS?

>> I'LL GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE.

ACCESS TO HOMES ADMINISTERED BY THE OFFICE OF TEMPORARY DISABILITY.

ACCESS TO HOME IS A PROGRAM THAT YOU CAN REHAB YOUR HOUSE SO YOU CAN STAY IN YOUR HOUSE LONGER.

WHETHER IT BE A RAMP TO PROVIDE ENTRY AND EXIT OF THE HOUSE.

IT CAN BE GRAB BARS IN THE BATHROOM.

IT COULD BE WIDENING THE DOOR IN YOUR BATHROOM, MAKING YOUR BATHROOM ACCESSIBLE FOR SOMEONE IN A WHEELCHAIR.

THESE ARE VERY SIMPLE INVESTMENTS THAT THE STATE CAN MAKE.

THAT PROGRAM THAT I'M REFERRING TO RIGHT NOW THAT COULD KEEP SOMEONE IN THEIR HOME LONGER IS ONLY FUNDED AT $4 MILLION.

AND IF YOU LOOK AT UPSTATE NEW YORK, WE HAVE A VERY OLD HOUSING STOCK IN UPSTATE NEW YORK AND A LOT OF THESE HOMES WERE BUILT IN THE 30S, 40S AND 50s AND PEOPLE WANT TO STAY IN THEIR HOMES AS LONG AS POSSIBLE.

HOW DO WE DO THAT?

VERY SIMPLE PROGRAM IN NEW YORK.

YOU REHAB THE HOUSE TO MAKE IT MORE LIVABLE FOR THAT INDIVIDUAL.

THAT'S AN EXAMPLE THAT SHOULD BE PART OF THE DISCUSSION OF NON-MEDICAID WAYS TO DEEP PEOPLE IN THEIR HOME.

THE SENATOR SAID, THE MASTER PLAN IS NOT ALL ABOUT HEALTH.

IT'S ABOUT ACCESS TO HOME, ABOUT THE SERVICE THE STATE OFFICE FOR AGING PROVIDES THAT ARE IN AARP'S OPINION, VERY UNDER FUNDED IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

THERE IS A TREMENDOUS FOCUS IN THE STATE ON MEDICAID, WHICH IS GOOD.

WE HAVE NURSING HOMES, HOME CARE, BUT THERE NEEDS TO BE A SHIFT IN THE THINKING OF LET'S START WAS WE KNOW EVERYBODY WANTS AND THAT IS TO STAY IN YOUR HOME AS LONG AS POSSIBLE.

IN AARP'S OPINION, THE LAST ADMINISTRATION AND THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION IS NOT MAKING THAT INVESTMENT IN NON-MEDICAID SERVICES TO KEEP PEOPLE IN THEIR HOMES.

AND WE ARE GOING TO PUSH VERY HARD FOR THAT IN THIS MASTER PLAN FOR AGING.

>> BOB, AUTO SIDE FROM HOUSING, WHAT-- ASIDE FROM HOUSING, WHAT OTHER ISSUES MIGHT SENIORS NOT THINK OF THAT SHOULD BE PART OF THE MASTER PLAN'S CONSIDERING?

>> FIRST OF ALL, HOUSING IS VERY IMPORTANT AND I THINK MAYBE MORE INVESTMENT IN ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS COULD BE LOOKED AT AS A FUTURE POLICY.

TRANSPORTATION IS VERY IMPORTANT.

BROADBAND IS VERY IMPORTANT, COMMUNITY SAFETY AND POLICING IS VERY IMPORTANT.

AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, IT'S A MATTER OF CONNECTING THE DIFFERENT DOTSS INTO ONE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN THAT YOU CAN GO INTO EVERY COMMUNITY AND SAY THIS IS WHAT WE ARE COMMITTED TO DOING TO MAKE NEW YORKERS AGE MORE SUCCESSFULLY.

AND THE PROBLEM IS SOME OF THE ISSUES LIKE HOUSING AND TRANSPORTATION HAVE BEEN SIDE ISSUES.

BUT THEY'RE REALLY CENTRAL ISSUES.

I MEAN, YOU KNOW, IF YOU CAN HAVE ADEQUATE TRANSPORTATION TO GET PEOPLE TO SERVICES, TO GET PEOPLE TO MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS, YOU ARE MAKING THEIR LIVES BETTER.

BUT WE NEED TO TURN THIS AROUND AND SAY LET'S PUT THE MONEY WHEN ARE IT'S NEEDED AND THEN WE CAN SEE THE RESULTS FAIRLY QUICKLY.

>> SENATOR,.

>> THE PROGRAM BOB MENTIONED, ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS, APARTMENTS THAT COULD BE CARVED OUT OF EXISTING SPACE ARE CONTROVERSIAL IN CERTAIN SUBURBS.

IS THAT SOMETHING WHERE YOU THINK THERE IS THE POLITICAL WILL IN ALBANY TO SAY OVERRULE SOME LOCAL REGULATIONS TO CARVE OUT A PATH FOR MORE OF THESE HOUSES?

>> I CERTAINLY HOPE SO.

I'M GOING TO BE WORKING ON THAT.

I KNOW THE GOVERNOR IS MAKING AFFORDABLE HOUSING A TOP PRIORITY THIS YEAR.

>> ALTHOUGH LAST YEAR WHEN THINGS GOT HOT, SHE LEFT THE KITCHEN WHEN IT CAME TO THE ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS.

>> HONESTLY, YOU KNOW, THE ISSUES THAT BILL AND BOB ARE TALKING ABOUT, IF WE CAN HAVE TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT, MORE DENSITY, MORE APARTMENTS OR HOUSING THAT IS CLOSE TO SHOPS AND TRANSPORTATION AND WALKABLE COMMUNITIES, THAT IS AGE FRIENDLY AS WELL AS BEING FRIENDLY FOR, YOU KNOW, FAMILIES WITH KIDS AND WHATEVER: BUT ONE OF THE THINGS WE DIDN'T MENTION THAT I THINK WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT HERE IN SYRACUSE, WE ARE WORKING ON BUS RAPID TRANSIT WHICH YOU HAVE IN ALBANY, PART OF THE IDEA IS THAT THE BUSES PULL UP AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO CLIMB UP TO GET IN THE BUS.

THE STOPS ARE SET UP SO THAT YOU JUST STEP RIGHT ON.

THAT IS SUPER AGE FRIENDLY IF YOU CAN SET IT UP THAT WAY.

SO SHIFTING SOME OF OUR TRANSPORTATION PRIORITIES, YOU KNOW, BUS RAPID TRANSIT, THE POINT OF IT WOULD BE MORE TO GET PEOPLE TO WORK FASTER AND THAT SORT OF THING BUT IT WOULD ALSO BE AN AGE FRIENDLY INNOVATION.

SO, YOU KNOW, I THINK THINKING HOLISTICALLY IS PART OF THE POINT HERE.

>> THAT'S A REALLY GOOD EXAMPLE OF AN AREA THAT TRAN SENDS MULTIPLE SECTORS-- TRANSCENDS MULT PAL SECTORS BECAUSE THERE ARE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT ELECTRIC BUSES, THE ABILITY TO ACCOMMODATE SENIORS WHO MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE THE STEPS.

SO IS THAT WHAT LISTENERS SHOULD BE THINKING ABOUT WHEN WE THINK ABOUT BRINGING EVERYTHING TOGETHER FOR THE MASTER PLAN?

IT'S THAT LEVEL OF THINKING WITH ALL OF OUR DECISIONS?

>> AN AGE FRIENDLY STATE IS A HUMAN FRIENDLY STATE.

AND, YOU KNOW, WE JUST-- WE SHOULD BE THINKING ABOUT ALL OF THESE THINGS ALL THE TIME, I THINK, MAKING EVERYTHING MORE ACCESSIBLE, MORE WALKABLE.

YOUNG PEOPLE, YOUNG PROFESSIONALS WANT WALKABLE COMMUNITIES, YOU KNOW.

>> I'M 35 AND I WOULD LIKE A WALKABLE COMMUNITY.

I KNOW A BIG THING FOR YOU HAS BEEN THIS IDEA OF BUILDING UP AND SUPPORTING A WORKFORCE THAT IS SUPPORTIVE OF SENIORS, NOT NECESSARILY SAY IN INSTITUTIONAL SETTINGS WHICH WE WANT, BUT ALLOWING THEM TO STAY IN THEIR HOMES, FOR EXAMPLE AND THAT'S ONE OF THE BIG THINGS FOR THE BIG PUSH FOR HOME CARE.

IS THERE MOVEMENT THAT WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO SEE ON THAT PRIOR TO THE ADOPTION OF A PLAN?

ARE THIS THINGS THE LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR COULD DO THE NEXT TWO YEARS BEFORE THE PLAN IS FINALIZED?

THINGS THAT WOULD MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE?

>> WELL, WE MADE THE BIGGEST INVESTMENT ANY STATE HAS MADE IN THE HOME CARE WORKFORCE JUST THIS PAST BUDGET.

SO WE RAISED THE MINIMUM WAGE FOR HOME CARE WORKERS BY $2 AN HOUR IN OCTOBER AND ANOTHER DOLLAR NEXT YEAR.

THE POINT OF THAT IS TO ENCOURAGE MORE PEOPLE TO COME INTO THE HOME CARE FIELD AND TO DO BETTER RETENTION OF PEOPLE WHO ARE ALREADY IN THE HOME CARE FIELD.

FRANKLY THE ROLLOUT OF THAT MONEY HAS NOT BEEN IDEAL AND WE HAVE BEEN WORKING VERY HARD TO TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT THE MONEY GOES WHERE IT NEEDS TO GO IN ORDER TO ENCOURAGE MORE HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND HOME CARE WORKERS.

BUT THAT WAS PART OF THE POINT OF THAT, BECAUSE SO MANY PEOPLE WANT TO STAY IN THEIR HOMES AND THEY JUST CAN'T GET THE SUPPORT THAT THEY NEED.

AND ALSO, AT THE SAME TIME, A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE QUITTING THEIR JOBS IN ORDER TO CARE FOR THEIR MOTHER OR GRANDMOTHER OR YOU KNOW, SOMEONE IN THE FAMILY WHO NEEDS THE CARE.

AND WE NEED THOSE PEOPLE IN THE WORKFORCE.

AND SO MAKING SURE THAT THE SUPPORT SYSTEMS ARE AVAILABLE IS CRITICAL.

>> SO ANOTHER MAJOR ISSUE THAT THE MASTER PLAN FOR AGING WILL NEED TO ADDRESS IS THIS IDEA OF SOCIAL ISOLATION.

AND WE ARE GOING TO HIGHLIGHT THAT PROBLEM THROUGH A VISIT OUR PRODUCE SUSAN BITTER TOOK TO A NON-PROFIT IN SYRACUSE.

HERE'S THAT STORY.

>> INTERFAITH WORKS IS A NON-PROFIT IN NEW YORK, SENIOR SERVICES ACES Dr.S SOCIAL ISOLATION FOR OLDER ADULTS AND HELPS THEM STAY CONNECTED TO THEIR COMMUNITY, HELPS THEM STAY INDEPENDENT FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE.

THE SENIOR COMPANION PROGRAM AT INTERFAITH WORKS IS A VOLUNTEER-BASED PROGRAM.

SO THESE WONDERFUL COMPASSIONATE VOLUNTEERS THAT WE RECRUIT, OLDER ADULTS THEMSELVES, ARE MATCHED WITH SENIORS IN THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITY WHO ARE STILL LIVING AT HOME BUT THEY NEED SOME SUPPORT.

>> HI, I'M ETHEL AND THIS IS MY CLIENT, BOB.

>> I WAS LOOKING FOR SOME KIND OF MORE SUPPORT BECAUSE I LIVE ALONE AND WAS TRYING TO FIND WAYS TO GET MORE INVOLVED WITH PEOPLE, CHECKED IT OUT AND THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED IT WAS GOOD.

>> A LOT OF BEAUTIFUL CONNECTIONS THAT ARE MADE IN OUR PROGRAM.

BOB AND ETHEL ARE ONE EXAMPLE.

THEY DON'T SHARE THE SAME NETWORKS.

THEY DON'T LIVE IN THE SAME NEIGHBORHOOD.

BUT THEY JUST CLICKED WHEN WE CONNECTED THEM.

>> THIS PROGRAM MEANS A LOT TO ME BECAUSE I LOVE BEING WITH THEM BECAUSE WHEN WE BOTH STARTED OUT, WE WERE SHY, WEREN'T SAYING TOO MUCH TO EACH OTHER BUT NOW WE ARE OPEN.

WE DO THINGS TOGETHER AND IT'S A REAL GOOD THING.

OUR DAY ENDS UP REAL GOOD.

>> DURING THE SUMMER, WE WALKED THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

SHE WAS WILLING TO DO IT AND I THINK SHE LIKED IT, TOO.

>> UH-HUH.

>> BUT NOW THAT WINTER HAS COME, WE KIND OF SOUGHT OUT THE LIBRARY TO START WITH AND I INTRODUCED HER TO THE WORDLE AND SPELLING GAMES.

THAT'S WAS WE HAVE BEEN DOING TODAY.

>> WHEN THE SNOW COMES, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE COFFEE, COCOA.

I'M TRYING TO GET HIM TO GO TO THE THRIFT STORE WITH ME SO WE CAN JUST WALK AROUND THERE AND EXPLORE.

>> THE MAJORITY OF OUR FUNDING COMES FROM AMERICORPS, FEDERALLY FUNDED PROGRAM BUT WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE TO RECEIVE SOME LOCAL FUNDING FROM THE NEW YORK STATE OFFICE FOR AGING, FROM OUR LOCAL UNITED WAY, AND NEW YORK STATE'S LIFESPAN RESPITE AND CAREGIVER COALITION.

AND ALSO THE GORMAN FOUNDATION IN MADISON COUNTY.

>> THERE IS A WHOLE NEED OUT THERE OF PEOPLE THAT NEED MORE SUPPORT AND PEOPLE THAT DON'T HAVE FAMILIES THAT THEY LIVE WITH OR SOMEONE ELSE THAT THEY LIVE WITH, THAT CAN BE VERY-- IT CAN GET, WHERE YOU GROY INTO YOURSELF.

AND I KNOW DURING THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS THERE, WERE DAYS WHERE I DIDN'T TALK TO ANYONE AND THAT CAN BE DISCOURAGING AND I KNOW I'M JUST ONE OF THEM.

>> SENIOR ISOLATION, YOU KNOW, I DON'T THINK THERE IS ONE THING THAT CAUSES PEOPLE TO BE ISOLATED.

BUT OFTEN TIMES IT STARTS SOMEWHERE.

A SENIOR FALLING AND NOT BEING ABLE TO GET OUT OF THEIR HOME ANYMORE, OR, YOU KNOW, LOSING ACCESS TO TRANSPORTATION, LOSING THEIR NETWORKS, THEIR CHILDREN MOVING AWAY OR EVEN OUTLIVING THEIR NETWORKS.

AND IN THERE THERE IS A CYCLE OF ISOLATION, BEING ISOLATED IS NOT JUST NOT HAVING SOMEONE.

IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.

IT AFFECTS EVERYONE'S WELL-BEING, MENTAL HEALTH.

THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT WE HAVE TO TAKE SERIOUS AS A COMMUNITY.

>> THIS IS A GOOD PROGRAM.

AND WE HOPE TO CONTINUE IT ON AS BOB AS MY CLIENT.

IN LONG-TERM, YEARS.

>> I THINK IT'S A GOOD PROGRAM.

I THINK WE NEED MORE OF THIS TYPE OF THING FOR PEOPLE TO GET INVOLVED IN BECAUSE IT IS A GROWING, GROWING NEED.

>> SO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, I THINK, CREATING PROGRAMS LIKE THE SENIOR COMPRANNION-- COMPANION PROGRAM AND CONTINUING TO FUND PROGRAMS LIKES OURS IS IMPORTANT.

BUT EVEN BEYOND THAT, WE NEED TO CHANGE THE NARRATIVE.

WE NEED TO CHANGE HOW WE TALK ABOUT OLDER ADULTS.

WE NEED TO CHANGE WHAT THAT MEANS.

BLA DOES THAT MEAN FOR POLICY?

AND I THINK ALSO, AS A SOCIETY, AS A COUNTRY, WE HAVE TO START TREASURING OLDER ADULTS.

WE HAVE TO START SEEING THEM AS GEMS OF OUR COMMUNITY AND LIFTING THEM UP.

THEY'RE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE WHO HAVE A LOT TO CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIETY.

>> SO, BILL, THAT STORY IS OBVIOUSLY ONE THAT I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE CAN EMBRACE AND WHEN YOU HEAR IT, YOU SAY I HOPE THIS IS GOING ON IN COMMUNITIES ALL OVER THE STATE.

AND WE DO HAVE LOCAL OUTREACH, A LOT OF IT DONE BY COUNTY, OFFICES OF THE AGING BUT HOW PREVALENT ARE THESE TYPES OF INITIATIVE AND SHOULD WE, AS A STATE, BE INVESTING MORE IN THEM?

>> I KNOW THAT THE STATE OFFICE FOR AGING AS WE SAW IN THE VIDEO DOES INVEST IN PROGRAMS, BUT FROM AARP'S PERSPECTIVE, MORE INVESTMENT IN REALLY HOME AND COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS LIKE THAT SHOULD BE MADE.

THAT'S JUST ONE EXAMPLE.

IN NEW YORK THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER EXAMPLES OUT THERE.

BUT SOCIAL ISOLATION, ESPECIALLY DURING COVID WAS TERRIBLE.

AND EVERYONE SUFFERED FROM IT.

WE HAVE HEARD FROM OUR MEMBERS THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE HAD A LOT OF PROBLEMS NOT BEING ABLE TO GET OUT OF THEIR HOUSE.

SO ONE THING THAT WE DID, SPEAKING OF INVESTMENTS AND PROGRAMS LIKE THIS, WAS TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE HAD ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE BROADBAND.

I KNOW THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR PUT A LOT OF MONEY INTO BROADBAND, A LOT OF RURAL AREAS OF THE STATE, A LOT OF RURAL AREAS IN UPSTATE NEW YORK DIDN'T HAVE ACCESS TO BROADBAND AND SO AARP PUSHED VERY HARD ON THAT ISSUE FOR THE BASIC REASON THAT, IF SOMEONE HAS ACCESS TO EMAIL, SOMEONE CAN COMMUNICATE THROUGH VIDEO, IT WILL HELP BRING DOWN SOME OF THE LONELINESS THAT, YOU KNOW, CONTACT YOUR GRANDCHILDREN, YOUR CHILDREN SO THAT'S ONE ISSUE.

THAT PIECE IS EXCELLENT.

IT'S AN EXAMPLE OF A LOCAL PROGRAM THAT CAN DO A LOT OF GOOD IN THEIR COMMUNITY AND TO YOUR ORIGINAL QUESTION, YES, WE SHOULD MILWAUKEE MORE INVESTMENTS IN THOSE PROGRAMS.

>> BOB, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON WAYS TO COMBAT SOCIAL ISOLATION WITH TECHNOLOGY OR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES OR JUST ENGAGING VOLUNTEERS TO CONTACT SENIORS?

>> I THINK ALL OF THE ABOVE AND I THINK THAT WAS A VERY POWERFUL VIDEO AND I THINK THERE IS A WONDERFUL PROGRAM THAT IS CELEBRATING ITS 50th ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR, THE OLDER AMERICANS ACT NUTRITION PROGRAM WHICH THE STATE OFFICE ON AGING HAS OPERATED VERY SUCCESSFULLY OVER THE YEARS.

IT'S A PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES OLDER ADULTS WITH MEALS, IN A CONGREGATE SETTING OR AT HOME.

AND WHEN YOU CANVAS THE OLDER ADULTS THAT GO TO THE SITE, YOU ASK THEM WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT THINGS AND THEY SAY SOCIALIZATION.

THE ABILITY TO BE WITH OTHER PEOPLE.

THE PANDEMIC CHANGED THAT PROGRAM AROUND.

IT IS STARTING TO COME BACK.

WE NEED TO PUT, CONTINUE TO PUT INVESTMENTS IN THOSE KINDS OF PROGRAMS THAT ALLOW SENIORS TO COME TOGETHER.

THE SENIOR COMPANION PROGRAM THAT YOU REFERENCED HAS BEEN AROUND FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS BUT THE REASON THESE PROGRAMS SUCCEED IS BECAUSE THEY'RE LOCALLY RUN AT THE END OF THE DAY.

THERE MAY BE FEDERAL MONEY INVOLVED BUT THEY REALLY ARE RUN THROUGH WHAT THE STATE DETERMINES TO BE THE PRIORITY OF A GIVEN STATE.

AND THE OTHER THING I WANT TO MENTION, SHE MADE A VERY GOOD POINT, AND ONE OF OUR PRINCIPLES OF OUR COALITION THAT WE SHARED WITH THE GOVERNOR IS THAT INEQUITY FOCUSED IN THIS MASTER PLAN IS ESSENTIAL.

WHO RECEIVES SERVICES, WHO CAN'T DUE TO BARRIERS?

AND WE HAVE TO GLOBALLY ADDRESS HOW SYSTEMIC AGEISM HAS AN IMPACT ON THE LIVES AND HEALTH OF OLDER ADULTS.

WE HAVE TO CONFRONT THIS ISSUE AND THIS MASTER PLAN MUST BE STRONG AND VIGILANT ABOUT COMBATING AGES AND WHERE IT EXISTS IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

>> YOU HAVE BEEN NODDING YOUR HEAD FOR A FEW MINUTES NOW.

>> I HAVE MANAGED TO GET A BUNCH OF FUNDING IN THE BUDGET FOR THE SENIOR COMPANION PROGRAM HERE LOCALLY BUT THERE IS A STATEWIDE PO.

FOR THAT.

-- A STATEWIDE MOVEMENT THAT WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO FUND VERY WELL.

ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS ABOUT IT IS IT ADDRESSES ISOLATION FOR THE CLIENTS, BUT ALSO THE VOLUNTEERS ARE-- THEIR ISOLATION IS REDUCED AS WELL, WHICH IS A PRETTY COOL THING.

I FOUGHT VERY HARD TO GET PEOPLE IN NURSING HOMES TO BE ABLE TO HAVE VISITORS BECAUSE PEOPLE WERE LITERALLY DYING OF ISOLATION IN NURSING HOMES IN THE FIRST YEAR OF THE PANDEMIC.

AND EVEN AT THAT TIME WAS HARD.

ONE OF THE THINGS I LEARNED, WHEN IT WAS A BIG SUCCESS WHEN WE WERE ALLOWED TO HAVE THAT HAPPEN, I HEARD 40 TO 50% OF PEOPLE IN NURSING HOMES DON'T EVER GET ANY VISITORS ANYWAY.

SO THAT ISOLATION OF PEOPLE IN NURSING HOMES IS ALSO AN ISSUE.

BUT I WANTED TO MENTION ONE OTHER THING THAT WE HAVEN'T TALKED ABOUT, WHICH IS THE INSTITUTION IN OUR SOCIETY THAT IS REALLY THE LAST PUBLIC SPACE IN A LOT OF COMMUNITIES ARE THE LIBRARIES.

AND LIBRARIES ARE A PLACE WHERE, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE KNITTING CIRCLES AND BOOK GROUPS AND ALL KINDS OF THINGS THAT ARE ADDRESSING ISOLATION, NOT JUST FOR OLDER NEW YORKERS, BUT FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES, BUT THOSE ARE REALLY IMPORTANT AND I THINK WE NEED TO BE THINKING-- AND I HOPE THAT THE MASTER PLAN WILL BE FOCUSING ON LIBRARIES AND ANY OTHER KIND OF PUBLIC SPACES THAT ARE OUT THERE WHERE PEOPLE CAN CONGREGATE BECAUSE THIS IS SO IMPORTANT.

>> SOCIAL ISOLATION SEEMS TO BE ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT DOES AFFECT WHOLE WIDE SWATH OF SENIORS BUT SENIORS AS A WHOLE ARE NOT A MONOLITH.

THEY HAVE DIFFERENT NEEDS, OLDER MEN AND OLDER WOMEN MIGHT HAVE DIFFERENT NEEDS, AGING WIET SENIORS MIGHT HAVE DIFFERENT NEEDS THAN AGING SENIORS OF COLOR.

DO YOU THINK WE AS A STATE DO ENOUGH TO FACTOR IN THOSE DIFFERENT DIVERGENT NEEDS?

>> SO, WE DEFINITELY KNOW THAT THERE ARE DISPARITIES IN TERMS OF HEALTHCARE FOR, AS PEOPLE ARE GETTING OLDER, RACIAL DISPARITIES, CULTURAL BARRIERS, WHETHER IT'S ABOUT THE LANGUAGE YOU SPEAK OR LGBTQ SENIORS HAVE PARTICULAR ISSUES AS THEY AGE BECAUSE OFTEN PEOPLE WILL GO BACK IN THE CLOSET BECAUSE THEY CAN'T GET THE SERVICES THEY NEED IF THEY ARE OPENLY OUT, YOU KNOW.

SO THERE ARE A LOT OF ISSUES LIKE THAT AND THERE ARE GROUPS AROUND THE STATE THAT ARE WORKING ON THAT.

I THINK A LOT OF THEM ARE GOING TO BE AT THE ABLE ON THE ADVISORY BOARD FOR THE MASTER PLAN REALLY MAKING SURE THAT THEY'RE THINKING BROAD I WILL WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT DISPARITIES OUT THERE.

>> WELL, BILL, TO THAT END, IS IT POSSIBLE THAT IN CRAFTING A MASTER PLAN FOR AGING THAT CERTAIN COMMUNITIES WILL HAVE INTERESTS THAT ARE AT ODDS WITH EACH OTHER?

IF NOT WITHIN SENIORS THEMES, MAYBE SENIOR AND GEN-Z PEOPLE HAVE DIFFERENT NEEDS AND TO BENEFIT ONE COMMUNITY YOU ARE GOING TO DETRACT FROM ANOTHER.

IS THAT POSSIBLE?

WILL THERE HAVE TO BE WEIGHING OF INTERESTS?

>> YES, WHEN YOU BRING, ESPECIALLY IN OUR STATE, WE HAVE, AS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A VERY DIVERSE STATE A LOT OF DIFFERENT CULTURES IN OUR STATE.

BUT HOPEFULLY, WHEN EVERYONE COMES TO THE TABLE, AS WE DISCUSSED WITH THE LEADERSHIP OF THE GOVERNOR AND HER STAFF TO REALLY NEGOTIATE AT THE PARTIES, AND EVERYBODY SHOULD BE HEARD AT THE TABLE.

THAT'S WHAT WE DO IN ALBANY.

THAT'S WHAT THE LEGISLATURE DOES, ENGAGES EACH OTHER AND ENGAGES THE GOVERNOR.

WE HOPE THAT DISCUSSION HAPPENS.

EVERYONE COMES TO THE TABLE WITH THEIR AGENDA AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, HOPEFULLY THERE WILL BE A SOLID AYOS THE BOARD WITH THE PARTIES AND WILL BE HAPPY WITH WHAT WAS DISCUSSED AND PUT INTO THE PLAN, BUT, YEAH, I MEAN IT COULD GO REALLY WELL IN THE BEGINNING OR IT COULD GO REALLY POORLY IN THE BEGINNING.

WE REALLY DON'T KNOW.

BUT THE ONE POINT I WANTED TO MAKE IS THAT YOU HIT ON IT DAVE, AND THE SENATOR, WE NEED THE CHANGE THE DISCUSSION IN NEW YORK.

FROM AARP'S BELIEF THAT IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN A MEDICAL FOCUS OF LONG-TERM CARE.

IT'S ALWAYS BEEN A MEDICAL FOCUS OF HOW DO WE CARE FOR OLDER PERSONS.

AND THAT PROGRAM, THAT SEGMENT THAT YOU JUST HAD, SHOWS THAT IT'S NOT ALWAYS A MEDICAL NEED OR MEDICAL SOLUTION TO PROBLEMS.

THAT WAS SIMPLY TWO PEOPLE, AS THE SENATOR SAID IN A PUBLIC SPACE, IN A LIBRARY, WORKING WITH EACH OTHER AND HAVING COMPANIONSHIP.

AND WE KNOW FROM ALL THE STUDIES THAT IF, YOU KNOW, LONELINESS IS REALLY A HEALTH PROBLEM, SO IF WE ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM HEAD ON WITH COMPANIONSHIP AND COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING SERVICE, WE WILL HEAD OFF THAT MEDICAL MODEL SO TO SPEAK, YOU KNOW, LATER ON DOWN THE ROAD.

AND IT'S JUST MAKES COMMON SENSE.

YOU HAVE TO MAKE INVESTMENTS ON THE FRONT END OF LONG-TERM CARE AND NOT ALWAYS ON THE BACK END IN INSTITUTIONAL CARE.

AND I DON'T THINK WE HAVE HAD THAT FULL DISCUSSION OF THAT.

I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE IT NEXT SESSION WHEN THE GOVERNOR PUTS OUT HER BUDGET.

I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE IT DURING THE MASTER PLAN AGING DELIBERATIONS, BUT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT AARP IS GOING TO ADVANCE IN THOSE DISCUSSIONS.

>> BOB, BILL MENTIONED THE BUDGET, WHICH IS GOING TO BE COMING OUT VERY SHORTLY.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO BE LOOKING FOR IN THE EXECUTIVE PROPOSAL THAT GETS ROLLED OUT FROM GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL?

>> WELL, LET ME GO BACK TO ONE OTHER POINT ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THERE IS DIVISION BETWEEN FOLKS IN THE SETTING.

I THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO DO, WHEN YOU CONVENE A STAKEHOLDER GROUP IS LOOK WHERE IS THE COMMON GROUND TO START WITH?

WHERE DO WE START WITH COMMON GROUND?

FAMILY IS A COMMON GROUND, COMOWNT COMMUNITY IS A COMMON GROUND, HOUSING IS A COMMON GROUND.

BUILD YOUR STRENGTHS FROM WHERE YOU CAN COME TOGETHER.

THERE WILL BE DIVERGENT VIEWS WITHIN THAT BUT IF YOU START ON THE PREMISE THAT THESE ARE THINGS THAT AFFECT ALL PEOPLE IN NEW YORK, LET'S BUILD AROUND THAT, I HOPE THAT'S THE DIRECTION WE CAN GO IN.

AS IT RELATES TO THE BUDGET, MY HOPE IS THAT WHATEVER IS INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET AS IT WAS FUNDING FOR THE MASTER PLAN, WILL BE CONTINUED IN THE NEXT BUDGET.

I THINK THE FUTURE BUDGETS ARE GOING TO BE THE ONES THAT ARE GOING TO BE INDICATIVE OF FULFILLING THE MASTER PLAN BECAUSE ONCE IT'S ACHIEVED, IT WILL HAVE TO GET IMPLEMENTED, AND WILL INVOLVE THE LEGISLATURE AS WELL AS THE GOVERNOR.

I THINK IT IS THE OUTYEAR BUDGETS THAT ARE GOING TO BE THE MORE SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE MASTER LAN.

>> AND ASSUMING THERE ARE THOSE OUTYEAR INVESTMENTS IN THE MASTER PLAN, HOW FAST SHOULD NEW YORK EXPECT TO SEE BENEFITS FROM THESE INVESTMENTS?

ARE THESE THE KIND OF EXPENDITURES WHERE YOU SEE A BENEFIT THE NEXT DAY OR IS THIS LIKE TURNING AROUND A BIG SHIP WHERE IT'S GOING TO TAKE SOME TIME?

>> THAT QUESTION GIVEN TO ME, I WOULD SAY COMBINATION OF THE TWO, BUT AGAIN, I HOPE THAT IN THE COURSE OF DEVELOPING THE MASTER PLAN, WE CAN PRIORITIZE THE THINGS THAT NEED TO BE DONE THE MOST QUICKLY, THINGS THAT PEOPLE CAN ACTUALLY SEE.

SOME THINGS TAKE LONGER, BUT YOU CAN TAKE INFRASTRUCTURE, FOR EXAMPLE, YOU'VE GOT A PENDING FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE BILL THAT'S BEEN OUT IN THE STATES FOR SOMETIME.

THOSE ARE PROJECTS THAT ARE GOING TO LEAD IN IMPROVEMENTS IN ROADS, BRIDGES, BROADBAND, WE SHOULD CONNECT THAT TO THE MASTER PLAN TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO RIGHT AWAY WITH THIS MONEY THAT'S AVAILABLE IN ALL THESE COMMUNITIES ACROSS NEW YORK STATE AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

SO I THINK, YOU KNOW, WE JUST HAVE TO LOOK AT THIS FROM THE STANDPOINT WHAT CAN BE DONE THE MOST QUICKLY, FOCUS THAT AND RECOGNIZE THAT SOME THINGS WILL TAKE LONGER BUT THERE HAS TO BE SOME RESULT THAT PEOPLE SEE QUICKLY OR IT WON'T REGISTER WELL WITH PEOPLE.

>> IF YOU INVEST IN THE THINGS THAT ARE ALREADY WORKING, LIKE THE HOME DELIVERED MEALS, CONGREGATE MEALS, SOMETHING LIKE THE SENIOR COMPANION PROGRAM.

IF YOU RAMP THAT UP, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN SEE IMMEDIATE BENEFITS.

AND THEN AT THE SAME TIME YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT THE BIGGER INFRASTRUCTURE CHANGES THAT THOSE ARE GOING TO TAKE A LONG TIME, BUT I THINK PEOPLE OF ALL WALKS OF LIFE WILL SEE BENEFITS FROM THEM.

I DID WANT TO SAY, WE HAVEN'T TALKED ABOUT THIS, BUT I THINK THAT THE RURAL POPULATION IS AWJING AGING FASTER IN A WAY THAN THE URBAN POPULATIONS AND ADDRESSING SOME OF THE NEEDS OF OLDER NEW YORKERS AND RURAL AREAS IN HARDER THAN IN URBAN AREAS IN SOME WAYS BECAUSE THE ISOLATION IS GREATER.

THE TRANSPARENCY IS TOUGHER, YOU KNOW.

THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS.

SO I HOPE THEY'RE GOING TO BE THINKING ON THOSE TERMS, TOO.

>> WHEN YOU SAY TOUGHER, DOES THAT MEAN THE PROBLEM SOLVING IS MORE EXPENSIVE FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES?

>> NOBODY HAS FIGURED OUT PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES IN ANY WAY THAT IS COST EFFECTIVE, YOU KNOW, SO, YEAH, IT IS HARDER.

>> SO, BILL, WE HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS CONVERSATION PRIMARILY THROUGH THE LENS OF NEW YORK STATE WITH REFERENCES TO SAY FEDERAL FUNDS BUT BRINGING IT BACK TO THE VERY FISHES ISSUE WE TALKED ABOUT WITH REGARDS TO COMPLETE STREETS, THAT'S PRIMARILY AN ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN THOUGHT ABOUT THROUGH THE STATE ROADS WITH NOT NECESSARILY A TON OF INVOLVEMENT OR MANDATES ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.

SO KIND OF THINKING ABOUT THAT THOUGHT MORE BROADLY, WHAT KIND OF BUY-IN DO WE WANT TO SEE FROM MUNICIPALITIES WITH EFFORTS TO PROMOTE ALL THESE INTERESTS OF SENIORS?

IS THERE A ROLE FOR TOWNS, CITIES, VILLAGES AND COUNTIES?

>> I THINK THE ROLE THAT THE COUNTIES AND THE CITIES AND VILLAGES PLAY IN COMPLETE STREETS IN A LOT OF LIVABLE COMMUNITY-TYPE POLICIES, THEY'RE KEY TO THE EQUATION.

AND THEY NEED TO COME TO THE TABLE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, WHICH THEY HAVE BEEN, AND TO BUILD THESE ROADS MORE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL USERS.

THERE IS A LOT OF MONEY THAT FLOWS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO THE STATE TO MUNICIPALITIES.

WHEN THAT MONEY FLOWS FROM THE STATE TO THE MUNICIPALITIES, THERE SHOULD BE INCENTIVES AND REQUIREMENTS TO HAVE THE LOCALITIES ACTUALLY DO MORE OF COMPLETE STREETS AND BUILT-IN INCENTIVES.

I KNOW THE LEGISLATURE IS CONTINUING TO DO THAT.

SO THAT IS ONE THING.

IT IS A FUNDAMENTAL THING THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED IN THE MASTER PLAN FOR AGING IS HOW DO WE INCREASE MORE ACCESSIBLE ROADS IN NEW YORK TO MAKE IT MORE LIVABLE; AS THE SENATOR SAID, FOR EVERYONE, NOT JUST FOR A FAMILY TO WALK BUT WALKING DOWNTOWN.

I ALSO WANT TO GO BACK TO THE POINT, DAVE, ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF THE MASTER PLAN FOR AGING?

I THINK THERE SHOULD BE RESULTS OF THAT AFTER THE PLAN HAS BEEN OUT.

BUT WE DON'T NEED TO WAIT, IN AARP'S OPINION, WE DON'T NEED TO BAIT FOR THE MASTER PLAN TO BE COMPLETED IN TWO AND A HALF YEARS.

THERE ARE INVESTMENTS THAT THE GOVERNOR CAN MAKE RIGHT NOW.

AS YOU KNOW, THEY'RE PUTTING TOGETHER I THINK IT'S 212 BILLION-DOLLAR BUDGET IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND THEY'RE WORKING ON THAT AS WE SPEAK.

THEY CAN TAKE THE FIRST STEP, THE HOCHUL ADMINISTRATION, CAN TAKE THE VERY FIRST STEP BEFORE THIS PLAN IS EVEN PRINTED, TO MAKE THOSE INVESTMENTS OF THE PROGRAM THAT THE SENATOR HAS BEEN TRYING TO DO.

AND WE SAW THE VIDEO CLIP, PUT MORE MONEY INTO COMPLETE STREETS, CREATE MORE INCENTIVES FOR MUNICIPALITIES TO DO THAT, HAVE MORE NURSING HOME OVERSIGHT, AND, SENATOR, THAT STATISTIC OF 50% OF PEOPLE IN NURSING HOMES NOT BEING VISITED, I MEAN JUST ON ITS FACE SHOULD NOT BE ACCEPTABLE TO ANYBODY IN THIS STATE.

THOSE INVESTMENTS CAN BE MADE NOW.

NOT TO TAKE AWAY FROM THE PLAN, BUT WE NEED TO HAVE THOSE DISCUSSIONS NOW, MAKE INVESTMENTS NOW AND THEN FURTHER THOSE DISCUSSIONS WHEN WE DO DEVELOP A MASTER PLAN FOR AGING.

>> SENATOR, I WANT TO COME BACK TO THAT INITIAL SORT OF QUESTION THAT I POSED TO BILL, AND MOVING BEYOND JUST THE IDEA OF HOW WE DESIEB-- DESIGN STREETS.

DO YOU FEEL LIKE MUNICIPALITIES ARE ACTIVELY ENGAGING IN THOUGHTFUL DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRAMS THAT BENEFIT SENIORS AND TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE NEEDS OF OLDER ADULTS?

>> WELL, SURE, THE AREA AGENCIES ON AGING OR COUNTY AGENCIES, THEY GET SOME FUNDING FROM THE OFFICE FOR AGING AT THE STATE LEVEL, BUT THEY ALSO GET FUNDING FROM THE COUNTIES AS THEY'RE THE ONES THAT ADMINISTER PROGRAMS TO HELP PEOPLE GET RIDES TO THE DOCTOR, YOU KNOW, THEY GET VOLUNTEERS TO DO RIDES.

>> FOOD DELIVERIES.

>> PICNICS IN THE SUMMER THAT IS SO POPULAR.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THEY DO A LOT OF ACTIVITIES AND SUPPORT FOR THE AGING POPULATION IN THEIR COUNTIES.

AND SO THEY ARE CRITICAL.

AND OFTEN VERY CREATIVE ABOUT WHAT THEY DO WITH THE FUNDING THAT THEY HAVE.

SO, YOU KNOW, THEY KNOW WHAT THEIR LOCAL POPULATION NEEDS.

AND AS YOU MENTIONED BEFORE, THERE ARE CULTURAL DIFFERENCES, THERE ARE REGIONAL DIFFERENCES IN WHAT PEOPLE WANT AND NEED.

AND SO, YEAH, THEY PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE.

>> BEYOND THOSE LOCAL OFFICES, THOUGH, DO YOU FEEL LIKE COUNTIES, MAYBE JUST HERE IN CENTRAL NEW YORK-- NOT JUST COUNTIES BUT OTHER SORT OF LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES THAT MIGHT HAVE SAY CONTROL OVER ZONING OR TAKING INTO CONSIDERATIONS THE NEEDS OF SENIORS WHEN IT COMES TO HOUSING OR OTHER REGULATIONS OR THE POLICE APPROACH?

DO YOU THINK THEY'RE CONSIDERING IT?

AND IF NOT, SHOULD THERE BE A MASTER PLAN BROUGHT DOWN ON THE LOWER LEVELS, SOME SORT OF MANDATE TO THE MUNICIPALITIES TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THESE NEEDS WHEN MAKING YOUR DECISIONS AS WELL?

>> RIGHT, WELL, A ANTICIPATE THE MASTER PLAN PROCESS IS GOING TO RESULT IN RECOMMENDATIONS, SOME OF WHICH WILL TUSH INTO LEGISLATION THAT THEN WILL GUIDE THE WAY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS DO THEIR WORK.

AND SOME OF IT WILL BE RECOMMENDATIONS SPECIFICALLY TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO CHANGE THEIR RULE MAKING AS WELL.

SO, YOU KNOW, THAT SHOULD BE HOW THE PROCESS WORKS.

>> BOB, IS ONE OF THE POTENTIAL OUTCOMES FROM THIS PROCESS THAT OLDER NEW YORKERS MIGHT STAY IN NEW YORK AND MAYBE NOT FLEE FOR, SAY, WARMER CLIMATES WITH MORE FRIENDLY TAX CODES?

>> WARMER CLIMATES HAVE THEIR OWN CLIMATE ISSUES WHICH MAKE IT LESS ATTRACTIVE FOR PEOPLE TO LEAVE.

SO THAT SHOULD BE A FUNDAMENTAL GOAL OF A MASTER PLAN ON AGING AND I THINK THE WAY YOU DO THAT-- AND I'M GLAD YOU BROUGHT UP THE RURAL PERSON, SENATOR, BECAUSE WE ARE ADVOCATING STRONGLY FOR STRONG RURAL REPRESENTATION ON THE STEAK HOLDER ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

THEY'RE THE ONES THAT CAN ENSURE THAT THE DISCUSSION ON RURAL ISSUES IS LEGITIMATE BASED ON THEIR OWN EXPERIENCES.

BUT I THINK THE MORE YOU PROVIDE INCENTIVES TO HAVE A COMFORTABLE LIFE, WHERE YOU ARE ABLE TO FULFILL YOUR DREAMS, IF YOU WILL, HAVE INDEPENDENCE, HAVE DIGNITY, ANY STATE THAT'S PROMOTING THAT WILL KEEP THEIR OLDER ADULTS AND I THINK THAT'S CLEARLY WHAT HAD THIS MASTER PLAN IS INTENDING TO DO.

IT IS ALL ABOUT MAINTAINING NEW YORK AS A PREMIER PLACE TO AGE.

AND I THINK THAT'S HOW WE ARE ALL GOING INTO IT AND WE HAVE SINCE WE STARTED OUR COALITION, FRANKLY.

>> BOB, ONE OF THE BIG BURDENS FOR OLDER NEW YORKERS THAT MIGHT PROMPT THEM TO LEAVE NEW YORK IS THE PROPERTY TAX BURDEN.

AND WHILE WE HAVE PROGRAMS THAT ARE DESIGNED TO ALLEVIATE SOME OF THAT BURDEN-- ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO SCHOOL TAXES-- SHOULD ADDRESSING THAT TAX BURDEN BE SOMETHING THAT IS PART OF THE MASTER PLAN CONSIDERATIONS?

>> THAT'S AN INTERESTING QUESTION SPEAKING TO SOMEONE WHO GREW NEWSPAPER NEW YORK YEARS AGO BUT NOW LIVES IN WASHINGTON BUT I THINK ANY TIME YOU CAN DISCUSS LOWERING TAXES, YOU KNOW, I THINK IT MAKES SENSE AND IN PARTICULARLY WHEN IT'S THE KIND OF TAXES THAT ARE REGRESSIVE IN NATURE THAT HIT CERTAIN PEOPLE MORE DISPROPORTIONATELY THAN OTHERS.

I THINK WHAT HAVE YOU TO DO IS FIGURE OUT ARE THERE OTHER SOURCES OF TAX REVENUES THAT WE HAVE NOT FOLLOWED AND LOOKED AT IN NEW YORK.

CAN MORE TAXES BE APPLIED SOMEWHERE ELSE TO PROVIDE RELIEF ON THE PROPERTY TAX SIDE.

I EXPECT THAT WILL COME UP BUT I'M NOT GOING TO TRY TO PREDICT HOW IT WILL END UP.

>> STICKING WITH TAXES, BILL, WHAT ABOUT SOME SORT OF CREDITS SO THAT FAMILY MEMBERS WHO WANT TO TAKE CARE OF OLDER NEW YORKERS IN THEIR LIVES, HAVE A FINANCIAL INCENTIVE TO DO SO?

WHAT DOES THAT LANDSCAPE LOOK LIKE NOW AND IS THERE MORE THAT CAN BE DONE?

>> WELL, AARP HAS ALWAYS SUPPORTED A CAREGIVER TAX CREDIT.

I KNOW THE SENATOR ACTUALLY CARRIES A BILL TO DO THAT.

AND TO AARP, THE REASON WHY WE THINK THIS IS A GOOD IDEA IS BECAUSE THE CAREGIVER KEEPS THEIR LOVED ONE IN THEIR HOME AND WHEN THEY DO KEEP THEIR LOVED ONE IN THEIR HOME AS LONG AS THEY CAN, THEY ARE DELAYING INSTITUTIONAL CARE FOR THAT INDIVIDUAL.

SO-- AND WE KNOW THAT CAREGIVERS ARE STRESSED, CAREGIVERS SPEND A LOT OF THEIR OWN MONEY.

WHY DON'T WE GIVE THEM A TAX CREDIT, AS YOU SAID, DAVE, AND THEN SO THAT IT CAN HELP THEM KEEP THE OLDER PERSON IN THEIR HOME?

THAT ISSUE CLEARLY SHOULD BE PART OF THE MASTER PLAN DISCUSSION.

AND AS I SAID BEFORE, THAT ISSUE SHOULD BE PART OF THE DISCUSSION WHEN THE EXECUTIVE BUDGET COMES OUT IN JANUARY, YOU KNOW, IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT WE CAN HAVE THOSE DISCUSSIONS NOW AND IF THEY GET RESOLVED IN THE LEGISLATURE NEXT YEAR, GREAT.

IF THEY DON'T, PUT THEM ON THE MASTER PLAN TABLE AND SEE WHAT GOES ON WITH THE DISCUSSION THERE AND THEN BRING IT BACK TO THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE.

BUT A TAX CREDIT FOR CAREGIVERS?

DEFINITELY.

>> SENATOR, DO YOU THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE PART OF THE LEGISLATIVE DISCUSSION?

>> I SURE HOPE SO.

I HAVE CARRIED THIS BILL FROM THE VERY BEGINNING AND IT ALWAYS FALLS OFF THE TABLE IN THE BUDGET.

AND I THINK IT FALLS OFF THE TABLE BECAUSE WE KNOW THOSE PEOPLE ARE STILL GOING TO DO THE WORK WHETHER WE GIVE THEM A TAX CREDIT OR NOT.

AND BUT THAT'S JUST WRONG AND ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS ABOUT THE TAX CREDIT IS IT WOULD COVER THINGS LIKE RESPITE PROGRAMS SO THAT YOU COULD TAKE A WEEKEND AND GO AWAY AND HIRE SOMEBODY TO CARE FOR YOUR LOVED ONE.

PEOPLE WHO ARE DOING THAT KIND OF WORK REALLY, REALLY NEED A BREAK.

AND THIS WOULD HELP THEM DO THAT.

SO I HOPE WE CAN MAKE THE CASE FINALLY THAT THIS NEEDS TO BE IN THE BUDGET.

IT'S NOT A HUGE AMOUNT OF MONEY AND IT WOULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

PEOPLE SPEND ROUGHLY $7,000 A YEAR ON OUT OF POCKET COSTS FOR CARING FOR A LOVED ONE.

THEY OUGHT TO BE ABLE TO GET A TAX CREDIT.

>> IS IT DYNAMIC THOUGH IMLOO ED INTO OTHER-- BLEED INTO OTHER ISSUES WHERE FAMILY MEMBERS WILL STEP UP IN OTHER WAYS AND CARRY THE BURDEN THAT THE STATE MIGHT OTHERWISE.

>> YEAH, BUT WE MADE A BIG INVESTMENT IN CHILD CARE LAST YEAR AND HOME CARE SO WE ARE BEGINNING TO RECOGNIZE THAT.

I THINK A LOT OF THE PANDEMIC, SORT OF BROUGHT INTO RELIEF A LOT OF THOSE ISSUES OF WHAT ARE THE BARRIERS TO GETTING PEOPLE BACK IN THE WORKFORCE AND THAT SORT OF THING AND I DO THINK IT'S FLONT OF MIND NOW I'M HOPEFUL THIS IS ONE THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO PASS.

>> DO YOU THINK IN THE WAKE OF THE PANDEMIC, THAT OUR MIND SET HAS DRAMATICALLY CHANGED OR AS WE RETURN TO NORMALCY, WILL OUR THOUGHT PATTERNS RETURN TO WHAT WAS PREVIOUSLY THE NORM?

>> I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S THE PANDEMIC BUT I DO KNOW CARE GIVING IS REALLY-- PEOPLE ARE RECOGNIZING THAT THAT IS NOT SOMETHING WE CAN JUST ASSUME IS GOING TO HAPPEN BUT BEE HAVE TO TO HELP MAKE IT HAPPEN AND MAKE IT AFFORDABLE FOR PEOPLE I AM ENCOURAGED BY THAT.

I WAS DISCOURAGED THAT THE CAREGIVER TAX CREDIT COULDN'T GET IN THE BUDGET BUT I THINK WITH, AS THIS KIND OF CONVERSATION, IT GETS MORE PREVALENT AND MAYBE IT WILL BE MORE POSSIBLE WE ARE TOLD THERE ARE GOING TO BE MORE TOUGH FISCAL DECISIONS AND I HAVE TO IMAGINE THAT YOU ARE GOING TO BE HAMMERING HOME THIS IDEA THAT DON'T BE PENNY WISE POUND FOOLISH AND THAT THESE INVESTMENTS NOW WILL PAY OFF IN THESE OUTYEAR FISCAL SITUATIONS WHERE WE ARE LOOKING AT SOME LONG-TERM POTENTIAL DEFICITS THAT COULD BE REVERSED WITH THESE SMART INVESTMENTS, RIGHT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND AAR IS GREAT AT MAKING THE CASE FOR THIS KIND OF THING.

WE WILL KEEP HAMMERING AT IT.

>> I IMAGINE WE WILL HEAR FROM AARP.

AND UNFORTUNATELY THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE TODAY.

MY THANKS TO OUR GUEST - STATE SENATOR RACHEL MAY, AARP NEW YORK'S BILL FERRIS AND NEW YORK STATE MASTER PLAN FOR AGING COALITION STATEWIDE COORDINATOR BOB BLANCATO.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO REVISIT THIS EPISODE OR DIG INTO THE CONNECT NEW YORK ARCHIVES, VISIT WCNY.ORG/CONNECT NEW YORK.

ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE TEAM AT WCNY - I'M DAVID LOMBARDO - THANKS FOR WATCHING