Newscasts and Podcasts Buzzing About Master Plan for Aging

Governor Kathy Hochul recently unveiled the Final Report for New York's inaugural Master Plan for Aging (MPA), featuring over 100 actionable proposals aimed at ensuring individuals can age with dignity, independence, and essential support.

NYSOFA Director Greg Olsen and NY State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald have teamed up for news and podcast interviews to talk about the MPA: what's in it, what it means for older adults, why it was developed, and some of the key focus areas.

One of those interviews aired on Albany’s WRGB CBS 6. You can watch the interview and access the podcast here.

Other interviews can be found here:

• WAMC: New York Releases Its First Master Plan for Aging

• Capitol Pressroom: Hochul Administration Unveils Master Plan for Aging

• Capital Tonight/Spectrum: New York State Creates Master Plan for Aging Population
   

• WBAI: City Watch with Jeff Simmons

For the complete report and a sortable library of its 100-plus proposals, visit the new MPA website.

How Should New York Tackle Impending Federal Funding Cuts?

Legislators seem unhurried about impending federal budget cuts, according to an article by New York FOCUS. Some believe legislators should hold a special session now, rather than wait until the new year. Read the article here

New Report Reveals Profound Experiences of Family Caregivers

Caregiving in the US 2025, a new report released by the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP, provides a comprehensive look at America’s 63 million family caregivers. The findings highlight urgent challenges in caregiver health and wellness, financial strain, and service gaps—providing data to inform programs, policy, and funding decisions.

Discover key insights of the report through this video.

WE’RE OFFERING FUNDING FOR PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT FAMILY CAREGIVERS

Find more information and apply here

What motivates the launch of a Volunteer Respite Program?
This video from our mini-grant recipient UR Medicine/ Noyes Health Caregiver Resource Center in Geneseo, NY provides the answer! Discover The Home Away From Home social day respite program.

Visit their Facebook page to learn more about the program.

Mini-grant funding is made available through the Lifespan Respite Program Grant initiative awarded to the NYS Office for the Aging by the Administration for Community Living, Grant # 90LRLI0023

In addition to our statewide mini-grant program, we also have mini-grant opportunities for development of Volunteer Respite Programs in Tompkins, Cortland, Oneida, Herkimer, Jefferson, and Lewis counties. Application deadline is August 31, 2025 at 5 PM. Learn more and apply here

Learn more about our AmeriCorps Program

This grant is made possible through the Health Foundation for Western and Central NY in partnership with the NYS Caregiving and Respite Coalition.

Our volunteering options offer individuals aged 55 and up community connection, friendships, extra income, and a revitalized sense of self!
Learn more here

WE NEED YOUR INSIGHT!

What awaits you in life after your caregiving experience concludes? We are excited to announce that we're developing a new webinar dedicated to exploring the journey beyond caregiving. We invite those whose caregiving roles ended prior to 2023 to share their insights.

Would you be open to answering a few questions to guide us in crafting this upcoming webinar? If interested, please submit your responses using the link below.

Thank you!

Caregiving Knows No Boundaries
At some point in our lives, most of us will become a caregiver for a loved one. Caregiving does not discriminate. Celebrities in Hollywood leverage their influence to support those navigating the challenges of caregiving. Check out their real life stories.

Coordinating care for your loved one can be tough!
Watch the Caregiver Action Network's (CAN) webinar, "Navigating Care Coordination with Confidence," for valuable insights. The Families, Addiction & Mental Health Network (FAM) joins CAN for a discussion about navigating care coordination and prior authorization. Share the knowledge!

• Don’t miss early bird registration for the Lifespan Gerontology Certificate Program. This program, in partnership with the Finger Lakes Geriatric Education Center (FLGEC) at the University of Rochester, is a 31-class, non-credit course designed to deepen understanding of a wide range of age-related topics for professionals, older adults, care partners, and volunteers. Early bird pricing ends August 15. Register for the Fall (September 2025) or Spring (January 2026) semester. Find out more here

• Want to better understand what the Master Plan for Aging is all about and what its effects might be? Join LiveOn NY for a webinar for information and background from the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and a Q&A session. Please submit questions by August 11, 2025. LiveOn NY staff will then focus on how advocates can use the MPA as a tool for change, ensuring a brighter future for older New Yorkers. Monday, August 18 from 10:00-11:00 AM.
  Register and submit questions here

Would you like to add your organization to the NY Connects
Resource Directory? Please use this link to request that your organization be added to the Directory. Please note, the entity must provide a service to caregivers, including but not limited to respite care. There are additional inclusion/exclusion criteria—your request will be reviewed by the local NY Connects program for inclusion in the resource directory. To learn more, call: 1-800-342-9871 or visit www.nyconnects.ny.gov 

This project is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $1,375,000 with 75 percentage funded by ACL/HHS and $458,330 and 25 percentage funded by non-government source(s). The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government.