New York State Department of Health and Office for the Aging Launches Long Term Care Planning Project

Project Designed to Understand Projected and Desired Needs of State's Older Adults

ALBANY, N.Y. (January 28, 2019) - The New York State Department of Health and the State Office for the Aging today announced the launch of the Long Term Care Planning Project (LTCPP), which is designed to understand the projected and desired needs of older adults in New York by examining the State's long term care system. The LTCPP will analyze, evaluate and identify the existing service gaps in New York's long term care system, determine the most cost-effective evidence-based interventions and prepare a strategic plan to meet the emerging needs of New York's aging population over the next decade.

"We are constantly working to address the health care needs of all New Yorkers, including our significant population of aging New Yorkers," said State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker. "The Long Term Care Planning Project will bring experts with a variety of experience and different viewpoints together to help us determine how best to address the needs of this population in the coming years."

New York State Office for the Aging Acting Director Greg Olsen said, "I applaud Governor Cuomo for his continued commitment to ensuring that older adults and their caregivers have access to the vital long term care services they need to remain healthy and engaged in their communities. The Long Term Care Planning Project, along with the Governor's recently announced age-friendly executive order, are just the latest examples of our ongoing efforts as the first certified age-friendly state to become the healthiest state in the nation and an even greater place for all New Yorkers to grow up, work, and grow older."

By 2030, it is projected that more than 5.3 million New Yorkers will be over the age of 60. More than 51 counties in New York will have at least 25% of the population age 60 and older, and 18 counties in New York will have 30% or more of the population age 60 and older. These increases bring both opportunities and challenges that can be met with thoughtful, evidence-based interventions. The LTCPP will bring experts together to review effective strategies and to chart a course for the next 10 years.

The LTCPP is expected to launch February 4th with its first public meeting. In 2018, the Department and the Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) released a statewide survey to gather information on the issues faced at all levels of care and by all involved in the long term care system. This survey helped to inform the topics for discussion. The long term care system is defined broadly to include clinical services as well as non-medical home and community-based services that address the social determinants of health. In response to this survey and stakeholder input, the LTCPP meeting topics will include:

  • Aging and Long Term Care Services – Improving Coordination, Communication and the Consumer Experience
  • Evidence-Based Interventions in Aging and Long Term Care
  • Family Caregiving Support
  • Analyzing, Expanding and Supporting the Long Term Care Workforce
  • Financing Alternatives to Public Programs, including Medicaid

The information gathered from each meeting will be developed into a list of recommendations that will inform a planning tool for the State. The guiding principles of all discussions will include the State's existing financial commitment to the long term care system, evidence-based interventions, technological innovations, and programs that are currently working effectively and efficiently.

The LTCPP meetings will be open to the public, and anyone who interacts with or is part of the current long term care system is encouraged to attend these meetings and come prepared to discuss effective solutions to ensuring high-quality care for older New Yorkers.

The first meeting is February 4, 2019 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Empire State Plaza, Concourse Level, Meeting Room 7. Registration is required.

If you have any questions please contact ALTCteam@health.ny.gov