A new statewide survey of New Yorkers age 60 and older shows that older adults on Long Island are physically and mentally healthy and have positive opinions about their communities, but they are more concerned about housing costs and employment. It has been revealed that they are concerned about access to access to up-to-date work skills. .
The first-of-its-kind study, conducted by the New York State Department on Aging in collaboration with the research firm Porco and the nonprofit New York Association on Aging, provides a comprehensive but complex picture of how older adults live. A statue is drawn. Older adults are thinking about themselves and the communities in which they live.
“Although these results may be surprising to some, they confirm what many in the senior services field already know: Older adults believe they are healthy, active, and engaged in their community. “We broadly believe that we are participating in this,” said Greg Olsen, director of the state’s Department of Aging. “Results on the ground have been mixed, highlighting some challenges for many older people who require some form of help and support.”
The survey, conducted among 27,000 older adults in the winter and spring of 2023, focused on more than 100 data points, from loneliness and crime to transportation and recreational opportunities, and will inform policy leaders. It aims to provide accurate information about the needs of an aging population. The bureau released 62 county-specific reports, including Nassau and Suffolk.
Statewide, 72% of older adults consider their overall health to be “very good” or “good,” and 82% rate their mental health and emotional well-being that way. I’m thinking about it.
Older adults on Long Island felt even better, with 80% of respondents in Nassau and 77% in Suffolk giving positive ratings of their physical health. Meanwhile, 91% of older adults in Nassau feel positive about their mental and emotional health, compared to 87% in Suffolk, the survey found.
Both across the state and on Long Island, the majority of older New Yorkers have positive opinions about their communities, with most saying they are “likely” or “likely” to remain in their neighborhoods after retirement. “To some extent,” he answered.
But seniors across the state and island expressed concerns about being able to find and purchase housing that “suits their needs.”
For example, only 17% of respondents in Nassau and 15% in Suffolk gave a positive score for the availability of affordable and quality housing. A majority of Long Island seniors surveyed also described the “diversity” of their local housing stock as “fair” or “poor.”
AARP New York State Representative Bill Ferris said affordable housing and ensuring seniors can remain in their homes is a long-standing issue on Long Island.
But Ferris said Gov. Kathy Hochul’s 2025 budget does not include enough funding to address some of the key concerns outlined in the report.
“This report is detailed and shows the need on Long Island and New York State,” he said. “It’s always good when the government identifies problems. It’s always disappointing when in the same report they don’t offer solutions.”
Among other concerns cited by Long Island seniors were finding affordable health insurance, getting needed medical care, and securing employment, job training skills, and volunteer opportunities. Ta.