Fund the NYS Adaptive Living Program

Disclaimer

Throughout the MPA process, more than 100 proposals were developed thanks in particular to thousands of hours of work by external stakeholders and members of the public. These proposals and the MPA Council commentary are being submitted to the Governor and shared with policymakers and the public to inform policymaking. These proposals represent a starting point for discussion. Further discussion is necessary between relevant state agencies and stakeholders to both refine these proposals and assess which may be appropriate to adopt and implement.

Summary

Increase funding for the existing New York State Adaptive Living Program (AP) for Older Individuals who are Blind (OIB) to meet current demand and use AP services to empower older elders to live at home, while increasing reimbursement to much-needed service providers.

Justification

This program is currently working to ensure aging adults can remain at home and is looking to gain more funding to extend these services to more eligible New Yorkers.

Full Proposal

The New York State Adaptive Living Program (AP) for Older Individuals who are Blind (OIB) administered by the New York State Commission for the Blind (NYSCB) builds access to critical services for individuals 55+ who are legally blind and are not seeking employment. These critical rehabilitative services reduce falls, delay the need for home care or institutionalization, increase independence, improve quality of life, and decreases the burden carried by the public health systems and caregivers.

• Increase funding to the NYS AP  to enable the AP to extend coverage to 1,000 people, allowing these beneficiaries to live at home, as well as to increase reimbursement to service providers to enable inclusion of modern assistive technology. 

MPA Council Commentary

This proposal is categorized as near-term. Funding decisions will be made in the context of the annual budgeting process and negotiation. Proposed first steps for implementation may include an assessment of costs and savings to the State. If successful, the program would expand opportunities for more individuals to remain independent in the setting of their choice. Proposed metrics for evaluating implementation success may include number of individuals served by the Adaptive Living Program and length of stay in the setting of their choice.