A report released by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli highlights the need for improved oversight and transparency in state programs that support older adults. The report comes as federal funding becomes less predictable and the population of seniors in New York continues to grow.
“New York has an obligation to support seniors who need and qualify for in-home, meal or other support services,” DiNapoli said. “These critical services provide necessary care and help people remain in their homes and communities, while preventing more expensive institutional care. The Legislature has stepped up with more funding for the Office for the Aging, but with thousands still on waitlists and some funding going unspent, we need greater transparency and stronger tracking to make sure the state’s investment is truly reaching those who need it.”
According to projections, nearly 5.5 million New Yorkers will be aged 60 or older by 2030. About 70% of those over 65 are expected to require some form of long-term care during their lives. As federal contributions such as Medicaid decrease, there may be more demand placed on state-funded programs.
Many seniors prefer home-based care instead of moving into institutions. However, the growing senior population is putting pressure on local agencies that deliver services like personal care, meal delivery, transportation, case management, and caregiver support. A Master Plan for Aging Final Report released by the state in June evaluated current services for older adults and made recommendations for improvement. One major challenge identified was ensuring enough direct care workers are available to meet rising needs.
State budget allocations for programs managed by the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) have increased significantly—by over 88%, or $114 million—from fiscal year 2018–19 to fiscal year 2025–26. These funds cover initiatives such as the Expanded In-Home Services for the Elderly Program (EISEP) along with other core offerings from local aging agencies.
Despite increased funding intended to broaden access to essential services like personal care and meals, many eligible seniors remain on waitlists due to demand exceeding available resources. Some allocated funds also went unspent, prompting questions about whether state investments are reaching those most in need.
In a 2023 audit, DiNapoli found that NYSOFA did not consistently oversee local agencies or provide guidance on tracking service waitlists. The new report notes that important data—including participation numbers and how funds are distributed—is not always made public or tracked uniformly.
NYSOFA does not publicly release key information needed to evaluate if in-home services or unmet needs funding are effective at reaching intended recipients. Without this data, it is difficult to identify gaps in service delivery or assess how taxpayer dollars are used.
The Comptroller’s report recommends better consistency and transparency in collecting service data as well as making county-level waitlist information public.
