Support Family Caregivers and Their Loved Ones!

TAKE ACTION!

Home and Community-Based Services, administered through the New York State Office for the Aging (SOFA), help older adults live safely and independently while providing critical relief to family caregivers—many of whom are juggling full-time jobs, raising children, and caring for aging loved ones.

New York offers a range of valuable services, including home-delivered meals, transportation, respite care, and more. However, for years, long waitlists have prevented thousands of older New Yorkers and their caregivers from receiving the help they need. In 2025, lawmakers made a historic investment to eliminate these waitlists and ensure services are available to all who need them.

Now, we need to make sure that commitment continues. Without full funding, waitlists could return—leaving families without essential support.

Please take a moment to urge Governor Hochul, your State Senator, and Assemblymember to fully fund aging services in the next state budget.

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Dear State Lawmaker,

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First, thank you for the unprecedented commitment the state made in the last budget to eliminate waiting lists for aging services. These services—such as in-home personal care (including toileting, bathing, dressing, and skin care), transportation to medical appointments, home modifications, personal emergency response systems, and home-delivered meals—are a lifeline for older adults and the family caregivers who support them.

The additional funding to address unmet needs was a major step forward for New York. However, thousands of older New Yorkers remain on waiting lists for home- and community-based services, unable to access the help they urgently need. Many family caregivers are struggling to keep their loved ones safe and independent without the support they deserve.

Research shows that older adults waiting for these vital services face higher risks of hospitalization and poor health outcomes, often leading to costly nursing home placements. Every dollar invested in aging services is estimated to save the state more than $3.

As we enter what is expected to be a challenging budget year. Please continue your commitment to ending waiting lists and fully funding aging services in the next state budget.

Thank you.

[First Name] [Last Name]
[Your Address]

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