Initiatives Introduced to Increase Support, Resources for New York’s Older Adults

Gov. Kathy Hochul proposed a series of initiatives to support older New Yorkers as part of her 2026 State of the State. The governor’s investments will help older New Yorkers, caretakers and communities by connecting them to key resources so seniors can age in place, at home, in the communities they know and love.

New York State offers a variety of preventive services to help older adults age safely and healthily in their homes, delaying the need for more costly supports and services. Non-medical in-home services such as home delivered meals, personal care or transportation services delay the need for institutional care, reduce economic pressures on older adults, improve health outcomes and reduce social isolation.

To allow more older New Yorkers to age in their homes, the governor will increase investments in proven models of care for preventive home and community-based services. First, the governor will increase investments in Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities, which are housing developments or neighborhoods with large populations of older adults where community providers offer supportive services for residents, such as healthcare navigation and case management. The governor will also renew a FY26 $35-million investment to reduce waiting lists for non-medical in-home services such as personal care, case management, home delivered and congregate meals and transportation.

Finally, Gov. Hochul announced the launch of the “CAPABLE” program, or Community Aging in Place – Advancing Better Living for Elders. Through this program, up to 2,600 older adults will receive in-home visits to provide nursing, occupational therapy, and handy worker services.