

The New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) has published a comprehensive 2021 Annual Report detailing the work of aging service providers who delivered vital services to over 1.3 million older adults and their families in 2021. The report offers a definitive analysis on the landscape of aging in New York State, including data on economic and demographic trends, the prevalence of chronic conditions, growth in long term care needs, and more.
“This comprehensive report provides a blueprint for what we do and why we do it,” said NYSOFA Director Greg Olsen. “Older adults with the most serious chronic conditions or functional limitations have needs that are all fundamentally served by core Office for Aging and network programs, including nutrition, personal care, transportation, and chronic disease self-management. But this network also serves a much wider population and purpose, providing supports that help older New Yorkers to thrive, manage their independence, and avoid situations that could put them at risk of worsening chronic care needs, as outlined in the report."
NYSOFA partners with 59 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) and almost 1,200 community-based partners. Collectively, these organizations provide a wide array of programs and supports that help older New Yorkers stay healthy, access services, prevent and mitigate elder abuse, stay engaged in their communities, understand and apply for benefits, and maintain their autonomy as they age.
According to NYSOFA’s Annual Report, older adults and their families received the following network services through AAAs and community partners in 2021:
For more information about NY Connects, or to access other local supports, visit https://www.nyconnects.ny.gov/ or call 1-800-342-9871.
NYSOFA’s Annual Report also contains additional information about New York's aging services system – its roles, responsibilities, and structure under the Older Americans Act and New York State Elder Law as well as case studies and program accomplishments in 2021.
Below is a snapshot of other data included in the report.
General Data
New York has the fourth largest population of older adults in the nation: 4.6 million New Yorkers are 60 years of age or older, and 4.2 million are between the ages of 45 and 59.
By 2025, the population of individuals age 60 and over is projected to account for 25% of all people in 33 counties and 30% of all people in 18 counties.
Economics and Community Involvement Data
Chronic Conditions and Long Term Care Needs
Read the complete report here.
About the New York State Office for the Aging
The New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) continuously works to help the state’s 4.6 million older adults be as independent as possible for as long as possible through advocacy, development and delivery of person-centered, consumer-oriented, and cost-effective policies, programs, and services that support and empower older adults and their families, in partnership with the network of public and private organizations that serve them. Stay connected—visit the NYSOFA Facebook page; follow @NYSAGING on Twitter and NYSAging on Instagram; or visit aging.ny.gov.
Roger Noyes
NYSOFA Public Information Officer
New York State Office for the Aging
2 Empire State Plaza
Albany, NY 12233