New York's $35M Plan to Transform Elder Care and Combat Abuse

Governor Kathy Hochul has unveiled a series of measures to improve support for older adults in New York. The plans, announced as part of her 2026 State of the State address, target elder abuse, home care access, and end-of-life services. With nearly 4.6 million residents aged 60 and over, the state aims to address growing needs in an ageing population.

A key focus of the proposals is tackling elder abuse, which affects around 300,000 older New Yorkers annually. The state’s Office for the Aging will create free online training to help the public recognise and respond to abuse. Additionally, a short-term task force will review existing benefits for seniors and assess the feasibility of a centralised 'one-stop hub' to simplify access.

The governor also pledged a $35 million investment for fiscal year 2026 to cut waitlists for non-medical home services. This funding will support programs like CAPABLE, which offers in-home nursing, occupational therapy, and home repairs to up to 2,600 older adults. Another initiative will expand Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs), helping seniors remain in their homes as they age. To improve end-of-life care, Hochul announced an awareness campaign for clinicians. It will promote community-based hospice options and advance care planning. The move comes as New York currently ranks last among states for the share of Medicare beneficiaries receiving hospice care before death.

The proposals aim to strengthen support for New York’s ageing population, now at 4.6 million and expected to reach 5.3 million by 2030. Expanded home care, elder abuse training, and better access to hospice services form the core of the state’s plan. Funding and task forces will roll out these changes over the coming year.