AARP NY to Release New Research & Policy Paper on Disparities Faced by Older Rural New Yorkers
Report Documents Challenges Rural NYers Face Accessing Healthcare, High-Speed Internet, Telehealth and Family Caregiving Support, Proposes Achievable Policy Solutions
WHAT: AARP New York will hold a virtual event to release and discuss findings by respected researchers documenting challenges rural New Yorkers face in accessing healthcare, high-speed internet, telehealth and support for unpaid family caregivers – and proposing achievable policy solutions.
The event will include breakout sessions in which the researchers, AARP, and experts will discuss each of the four issues in-depth.
WHEN: 9 a.m. Tuesday, November 9, 2021; breakout sessions on high-speed internet and telehealth at 10:10 a.m., and on health and caregiving at 12:20 p.m.
WHERE: https://zoom.us/j/92176844340?pwd=RlVuVjVOb2EwNkhwbFRxRmxuSEREQT09
WHO: NYS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli (via pre-recorded video)
NYS Senator Rachel May, Chair, Aging Committee
NYS Assembly Member Angelo Santabarbara, Chair, Commission on Rural Resources
(via pre-recorded video)
NYS Office for the Aging Director Greg Olsen
Beth Finkel, AARP New York State Director
Rex Smith, Editor of the Upstate American and former Editor of the Albany Times Union (moderator)
Danielle Arigoni, Vice President, AARP Livability
David McNally, AARP New York Director of Government Affairs & Advocacy
Nora OBrien-Suric, President, the Health Foundation for Western & Central New York
Dr. Nicol Turner Lee, Brookings Institute (plenary speaker)
Brian Alexander, author, The Hospital: Life, Death and Dollars in a Small American Town (keynote)
WHY: Over a million rural New Yorkers are over the age of 50 – more than the entire population of six states and the District of Columbia – and their numbers are growing while the number of younger rural New Yorkers shrinks.
The pandemic and this rapid aging of the rural population are exacerbating disparities rural New Yorkers have long faced in accessing healthcare, high-speed internet, telehealth and support for unpaid family caregivers.
AARP New York is committed to working with rural New Yorkers, lawmakers and policymakers to advocate for legislation and policy changes aimed at improving life not only for older rural New Yorkers but for rural New York residents of all ages.
