Federal cuts, rising costs leave senior programs at risk

QUEENSBURY – New York State is getting older. According to recent data from The Center for an Urban Future, the state is home to nearly 3.5 million residents ages 65 and older. While affordable housing, rising food costs and other issues impact residents of all ages, seniors, many of whom live off fixed or limited incomes, are particularly vulnerable. Studies show the number older adults living in poverty has increased by 37.4 percent from 2011 to 2021.

The struggles for older adults across the state are acutely felt within the Capital Region, which includes some of the oldest counties in New York. Coupled with recent and potential federal cuts to senior-serving programs and services, communities face increasing pressure to meet the needs of their elderly residents with limited resources.

During the May 21 Warren County Health Services Committee meeting, Deanna Park, director of the Warren/Hamiliton County Office for the Aging, reported that many evidenced-based programs such as respite care, legal services, disability resource centers and state health insurance assistance (SHIP) programs are due to be cut under the proposed 2026 federal budget.

Park shared her concerns over these potential cuts and urged residents to reach out to their representative to advocate for protecting these services.

“I think there are some revisions or tweaks that need to be made with all of our programs but to just eliminate them completely without thinking… I don’t think is a good idea,” said Park.

Washington County Office for Aging Director Gina Cantanucci-Mitchell echoed these sentiments, noting that guidance on how to navigate health insurance programs is one of the biggest needs of the older adult population in her county. But she said if there were cuts to this program, Washington County would figure out a way to still offer services.

Nutrition programs in Washington County are also feeling the strain of the increased cost of food and utilities. Cantanucci-Mitchell expressed gratitude to the county for its strong funding. “If we didn’t have support, [the county] would have a waitlist for nutrition services,” Cantanucci-Mitchell said.

Staffing struggles

In several municipalities, older residents themselves provide the (mostly volunteer) manpower required to run the many services seniors depend on. Arthur Webb, who spoke with The Post-Starabout the challenges facing the senior population in Johnsburg, is in his 80s and serves as the chairman of the town’s Emergency Medical Services Department. Webb pointed to multiple programs which are staffed or lead by seniors as a testament of the town’s strong volunteer spirit.

While Webb spoke highly of senior contributions to the community, he also addressed the challenge of attracting and retaining enough workers to provide home care and other services the elderly population relies on. He referenced the lack of affordable housing and limited income opportunity as reasons why the town struggles to bring in young people. Webb also pointed out the need for more support for caretakers who often struggle with the demands of caring for aging family members and being able to earn enough income to support themselves and their loved ones.

Addressing the worker issues requires a major, national level effort, Webb said. Until that happens, Johnsburg is working to optimize its current capabilities.

Cantanucci-Mitchell shared that her office has been unable to fill its open registered dietician position, which is required by the state. The county has been relying on the NY States Association on Aging’s registered dietician for support, Cantanucci-Mitchell noted. However, this person cannot provide in-person services. She said she is hoping she can make the county dietician role a part-time position to better attract more applicants.

Funding challenges

Difficulties in finding staff and costs burdens has led some communities to consolidate their efforts to better serve seniors in their area. In Washington County, the Senior Center of the Kingsbury and Fort Edward area provides older residents with such programs as pickleball, ukulele classes, weekly shopping trips and yoga, as well as informational classes on medication management and other issues impacting seniors.

According to the center’s “About Us” page, its “primary focus is to initiate, establish and put into place creative and innovative ways for older adults, 50 plus, to age well in Washington County.”

The center’s website also boasts modest increases in attendance and lunches served daily thanks to marketing initiatives conducted in cooperation with Washington County CARES and the Office for the Aging.

Federal cuts could reduce the availability of paid senior services jobs even further. Park commented that advisory programs once staffed by paid professionals could be compelled to rely on volunteers who may not have the adequate skills to address senior needs.

Along with federal cuts, rising costs imposed by private organizations has also impacted Warren County’s ability to provide services to its seniors. Park reported, for instance, that the Salvation Army of Glens Falls, which partners with the county to provide meals to senior citizens in Glens Falls and Queensbury, amended their contract to reflect a 2 percent increase in the price per meal from $9.72 a meal to $9.91. According to Park, this is the first time the Salvation Army has increased the price since the partnership began and was necessary because of the rising costs of labor and food supplies.

Knowing what’s available

Despite the funding challenges, many areas continue to offer programs aimed at improving seniors’ quality of life and encouraging them to engage in their communities. The Saratoga Senior Center, for one, offers bus trips to such areas as Burlington, Vt., and New York City, at a cost, as well as free presentations on such issues as living with arthritis and how to manage aging in one’s home.

At the county level, Warren and Hamilton counties are partnering with Geri-Fit to provide evidence-based health promotion programs to seniors. According to Park, funding this program, which is required by the state, will be split between the counties.

At the state level, seniors have access to New York Connects, which provides information and assistance on available services and programs for elderly residents, caregivers and supporting professionals. As part of the New York Connects program, participating counties have Long-Term Care Councils, which are made up of various stakeholders whose goals are to identify and address issues to ensure seniors can thrive within their homes and communities.

With cuts to federal funding imminent, many communities will likely need to rely more heavily on alternative sources including local funding, grants, and donations. Johnsburg’s Senior Committee was recently announced as a recipient of a $2,500 grant from AARP to improve the safety and accessibility of the homes of 10 qualifying older adult residents. The town also received $1,000 from the Community Fund for the Gore Mountain Region, which will be used to increase activities at Johnsburg’s Senior Center. Webb said the Senior Committee will continue to seek out grants and other funding opportunities, as cuts to or eliminations of federal-, state- and county-sponsored programs continue to increase.

Town of Queensbury seniors can enjoy such programs as belly dancing, cooking classes, and trips thanks to a variety of funding sources including the Town of Queensbury, local sponsors, fundraising, grants and membership dues, said Briana Lyons, director of Queensbury Senior Citizens, Inc.

While at the county and municipal level, there is concern about programs closing because of cuts to federal funding, many are also concerned about the lack of awareness among seniors for available services. Many elderly residents are not on social media nor use the internet regularly, if at all. Recognizing the needs to address these challenges, Johnsburg formed a Senior Committee in December 2024 and prioritized the formation of a newsletter to notify residents of events and services in the community.

In Washington County, up until this spring, many older adult residents benefitted from receiving a monthly insert, “Community Connections,” in the Washington County Free Press. Cantanucci-Mitchell shared that this was being delivered to 22,000 households and widely supported in the community. However, because of the paper’s decision to go all digital, there is no longer a regular print distribution. Cantanucci-Mitchell said the county is working with the paper, which is supported by advertisers, to continue providing this service to residents. She said whether it goes out is determined on a month-to-month basis.

Lack of adequate and reliable transportation is another challenge facing seniors. In towns like Johnsburg, transportation is very limited and is especially hard during the winter months, Webb said. Those who are unable to drive or to afford a car must rely on caretakers or volunteers.

Budgetary support for transportation is one of the biggest needs in Washington County, Cantanucci-Mitchell shared, noting its importance in helping older adults remain in their homes and communities by enabling them to attend doctors’ appointments, pick up prescriptions and go grocery shopping.

In Queensbury, seniors have several ways to get around, including The Conkling Center’s On the Go program and the Tri-County United Way’s RSVP Medical Transportation Program. Still, Lyons believes there is room for improvement.

“It would be wonderful to see additional transportation programs in the area to meet the high demand for medical needs (including specialty appointments that require travel to the Albany area), and also the ability to provide transportation for social needs, like transportation to our center and to other community programs and events as well. This is key to support the well-being of seniors and combat the social isolation that can sometimes occur with aging,” Lyons said.

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