As our city leaders consider their resolutions for 2023, supporting older New Yorkers to age in place safely and with dignity should be near the top of the list.
The over 65 population is our city’s fastest growing demographic, and the number of older adults over 85 is expanding rapidly as well. By 2030, all baby boomers will be between 65-85, and the census bureau projects that older adults will outnumber children for the first time in U.S. history.
Aging in a city like New York comes with a host of particular challenges—expense and inaccessibility chief among them. Our housing stock and transportation systems are ill-equipped to serve individuals with limited mobility or care needs. There is a dearth of ramps across our city, and elevators are either nonexistent (most subway stops and all walk up buildings) or nonfunctional (NYCHA buildings). But long-term care facilities are both incredibly costly and not the preferred option for most, who would rather age in their homes and communities.
