An unconstitutional and problematic measure on New York’s ballots next November would threaten the rights of the state’s seniors.
More than 4 million seniors live in New York, making it the fourth largest state the biggest elderly population in the country. The elderly population is only growthbecause the elderly population is uprising faster than the general population in most of the state.
If the proposed constitutional amendment called “Proposition 1” were permanently enshrined in the State Constitution, “age” would become a constitutionally protected class. Specifically, it would prohibit “unequal treatment” based on “age.”
Proposition 1 sounds good on paper, but it is vague and would inadvertently endanger age-based rights, benefits, and services. This opens the door for New Yorkers to abuse services intended for millions of seniors.
New Yorkers rightly don’t want to be discriminated against based on their age, but sometimes age-specific benefits and services are necessary, especially when it comes to the older population. Proposition 1 uses a heavy-handed approach, jeopardizing existing protections and threatening age-specific rights.
Thousands of seniors in the state rely on on senior services from the New York State Office on Aging (NYSOFA) in partnership with nearly 1,200 community organizations.
For example, more than 63,000 older New Yorkers receive meals delivered to their homes and more than 108,000 benefit from transportation services to get to medical appointments or pharmacies. Older people also have access to New York seniors law services, necessary to prevent elder abusedepending on their age. Other age-specific services include housing, social work support and rental assistance.
Seniors already face problems, and Proposition 1 would only add more.
Looking at all long-term care options over the past two decades, the median annual cost has increased. increase faster than the rate of inflation. Many older New Yorkers are finding it increasingly difficult to allow medications, housing and health care.
The challenges of aging and the need for long-term care services particularly affect women. Overall, women spend less time in the workforce than men, resulting in lower retirement incomes. They also generally live longer and alone.
35% of women aged 65 and over and 55% of women aged 85 and over live alone. For this reason, almost 30% of women over 65 across the country worry on their current financial situation (compared to 20% of men of the same age). The main reasons given by these women are the cost of living, lack of savings and the inability to rely on others financially.
If Proposition 1 passes, you can bet we’ll see challenges in senior services, housing, communities, and state cuts.
These benefits are crucial because NYSOFA estimates that, by 2025, more than 20% of New York’s population over the age of 60 will have functional impairments and will need in-home care and services.
As a Brooklyn resident and caregiver to an elderly woman, I have witnessed the increasing challenges of aging, especially in a city like New York. Single and without close family nearby, my friend relied on public aged care services when she fell and entered a nursing home and rehabilitation center.
When she moved from a retirement home to her home (the desire of most older Americans), she could not have achieved this without the services of seniors. Due to her age, she continues to rely on services such as home care and health care. Proposition 1 would only add more challenges to his life and the lives of millions of older New Yorkers.
Supporters of Proposition 1 will tell you the ballot measure is essential to preventing age discrimination, but New York’s seniors already have protected rights under the law. federalstate and local law.
Under federal age discrimination in employment law, many employers cannot base employment decisions on age. New York State law will furtherpreventing all employers, regardless of size, from basing hiring, firing or other workplace decisions on age.
new York Human rights law already prevents age discrimination in many other contexts as well as housing, credit and education. New York City law also protects against age discrimination, including through Declaration of the Rights of Older Persons And Special rights.
We can show that we value the dignity of older people in our community by defending their rights. Proposition 1 would further contribute to the challenges New York’s seniors face every day. Instead, policymakers should seek to increase options for services and benefits for older adults and look for creative ways to properly care for our elderly population.
We must ensure the continuation of senior-specific services and benefits in New York while prohibiting discrimination against seniors by saying no to Proposition 1.
McCoy is state affairs manager at Independent Women’s Voice (iwv.org).
