ArchCare, the continuing care community of the Archdiocese of New York, co-hosted a Town Hall on Wednesday, May 22, on efforts to maintain “successful aging in New York.” It was emphasized that Catholic and other faith communities have played important roles in addressing concerns related to social isolation among the elderly – such as through church gatherings and home visitation programs.

The two-hour, afternoon event was held at the Church of the Epiphany in Manhattan. Along with ArchCare, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) served as co-hosts. The collaborative effort is designed to collect and inform local communities about the New York State Master Plan for Aging (MPA).

Organizers said the MPA is a project designed by the state to ensure that older adults and individuals of all ages can live healthy, fulfilling lives “while aging with dignity and independence…building off our state’s successes in healthy aging.” By 2030, one in four people in New York State will be aged 60 years or over,

The timeline for the plan began in November 2022 with an executive order from the governor’s office. It will end in early 2025 with the release of the MPA, which will include implementation strategies over the following 10 years – with government, private sector, and non-profit sector collaboration.

The focus of the Town Hall included: Home and Community-Based Services; Caregiver Support; Health and Wellness; Housing, Community Development, and Transportation; Safety, Security Technology; and Economic Security. More than 20 of the estimated 75 event attendees onsite presented comments and concerns, as well as several watching online – concerns that included safety in the subways and the streets, fraud via cyberspace, and medical discharge regulations. More than 100 signed up to participate virtually.

“They have really opened their arms and hearts,” Father John Anderson, ArchCare vice president of mission integration, said in opening remarks about related planning and organizing teamwork among ArchCare personnel and parishes in the archdiocese. Father Austin E. Titus, pastor of Epiphany, offered an opening prayer, and noted, “It’s so beautiful when people work together like this, to build up rather than to tear apart.”

Andrew Lebwohl, the DOH director of the Center for the Master Plan for Aging, gave the main presentation, informing the audience about the initial planning procedures, the ongoing collaborations, and the plans and hopes for the coming months and years. Plans include continuing to hold Towns Hall meetings throughout the state, as well as encouraging people to email related concerns and ideas. A woman serving as a sign language interpreter was on hand. Informational material was distributed in English and Spanish.

“There are no silver bullets in the Master Plan for Aging; that’s one thing that’s been very clear throughout our process,” Lebwohl said. “There will not be a single solution to the tremendous challenges that we have committed to addressing.” But he noted that faith communities are a very important part “in addressing issues of social isolation.”

He added that “the New York State Master Plan for Aging is part of a national movement to establish master plans for aging…We need to coordinate; we need different agencies to coordinate the program. We need to see what we need to do that we are not yet doing.” Organizers noted that advisory committees are helping with the process and that Scott LaRue, ArchCare president and CEO, is on one of the committees.

Also on hand was John Cochran, chief of staff/deputy director with the New York State Office for the Aging, who offered words of support and gratitude. “It’s truly for us something that we cherish,” Cochran said. “A church – it’s a wonderful place where people gather; you gather for social connection, you gather to worship, you gather to engage with one another.”

After the event, Susan Gasis, 74, told The Good Newsroom that she attended because she wanted to know more about policies related to medical care for her loved ones. “This was very informative, and I would love for this Master Plan to be able to serve the communities, especially the aging,” Gasis said. “I would like to continue learning more.”

Tony Kindred, 66, was one of the attendees who took the mic, saying he was wondering about the funding aspects. Lebwohl noted that funding for new or improved programs would be addressed through annual budget procedures. Afterward, Kindred told The Good Newsroom he was grateful for the meeting and plans to stay informed.