An eye-opening new report from New York City Controller Scott Stringer shows that the number of senior citizens who are already “rent-burdened, relying on government services, and living below 150% of the poverty line” is growing exponentially and will likely reach 1.4 million in less than 30 years.
Today, that number includes more than 500,000 New Yorkers affected by the burdens of Alzheimer’s or caregiving for those with the disease. In the absence of an effective therapy, by the year 2050, it is likely that 20% of all New Yorkers, or one out of every five of us, will have dementia or will be caring for someone who does.
Given this impending healthcare catastrophe, how is it then that Mayor de Blasio’s Executive Budget does not increase funding for the NYC Department for the Aging or caregiving programs by a single dime?
Even before this budget proposal was unveiled, DFTA was sadly underfunded. Analysis done by LiveOn NY shows that almost 18% of the city’s population is over the age of 60, yet DFTA receives less than half of one percent of the city budget — and less than 2% of all human services funding.
It’s unconscionable that at a time when the needs of some of our most vulnerable citizens are growing that support for senior centers, case managers, respite programs and home care — all vital resources for caregivers — is not keeping up with the demand and has been entirely overlooked by the current administration.
Across New York City every day, thousands of regular New Yorkers struggle as caregivers. An online survey of 500 family caregivers conducted jointly by CaringKind (then known as the Alzheimer’s Association, New York City Chapter) and the Manhattan borough president’s Office in 2013 documented the devastating toll that caring for a person with Alzheimer’s or dementia has on their lives. This includes the financial impact of lost wages, lost jobs, lost promotions, overwhelming care expenses, as well as the impact on caregiver health and the breakdown of personal relationships.
Forty percent of those surveyed said they spent 40 hours or more per week providing care to a family member or friend with Alzheimer’s. Two-thirds reported that they missed work in the previous year to perform caregiving duties — with more than 17% missing four, full-time work weeks.
Many others are forced to retire to provide full-time care — living on Social Security and meager savings, if any. Insurance coverage to supplement expenses for caregiving is inadequate and inflexible family leave policies often force caregivers to leave the job market. And when family caregivers leave the work force, they pay fewer taxes, thereby reducing the tax base at precisely the moment when we need more money to sustain our already fragile healthcare system.
The sad fact is that our health-care system is entirely unprepared to withstand the extraordinary pressure of so many people ill with dementia and in need of care. We lack adequate beds in nursing homes and hospitals. We do not have sufficient numbers of trained healthcare workers for either residential or home care. We must begin now to address how New York City will manage the growing number of people with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers.
Given that we are already behind, it’s imperative that the Department for the Aging be given the resources that will allow it to work with organizations dedicated to supporting the needs of senior citizens, with a focus on families struggling with the burdens of caregiving. Advocates for older New Yorkers, including CaringKind, are calling for an additional $60 million for core services provided through DFTA, including $15.7 million to baseline discretionary and one-time funding.
We also urge the city to train 311 operators so they can respond to callers seeking information and resources about community-based agencies that serve the elderly. And, to ensure that families who are struggling with caregiving know who to call for help and advice in accessing services, the city should invest in a public education campaign.
Without this critical infusion of support, the already bleak future for New York City’s elders and Alzheimer’s community looks increasingly grim.
Barkan is the president and CEO of CaringKind, formerly known as the Alzheimer’s Association, New York City Chapter.
