Policy

The COVID-19 epidemic has constituted a unique threat to older New Yorkers; 80 percent of deaths have occurred among people ages 65 and older, and stay-at-home orders have isolated many older New Yorkers from family, friends, and needed services. A grant from the Mother Cabrini Foundation supports Brookdale’s three-part response to supporting older New Yorkers through the pandemic and planning for future disasters.

Our work includes:

• Supporting direct service providers in partnership with LiveOn NY, a membership organization that represents 450 senior centers, senior housing developments, and other providers on the front lines.
• Translating lessons learned from direct-service providers into policy and practice recommendations to inform recovery.
• Providing recommendations for a disaster communications safety net that will inform the activities of the city and state task forces being formed to address future disaster responses.

Related content:

A four-step plan to ensure access to COVID-19 vaccine by homebound New Yorkers: Testimony

Meaningful Access: Investing in Technology for Aging Well in New York City
(Policy brief by christian gonzález-rivera and Ruth Finkelstein)

Brookdale testifies at NYC Council hearing on increasing older New Yorkers’ access to technology

Investment needed in getting older New Yorkers online: City Council testimony

Older immigrants isolated by lack of home internet access: City Council testimony