NYC Budget Dance May Leave Seniors Citizens Dancing In Quicksand

June 7, 2011 - PRLog -- In recent years Mayor Bloomberg has cut more than $50 million to seniors services across the city.  In his FY12 executive budget the Mayor proposed another $39 million dollars in cuts to senior services.  

Advocates have been meeting with City Council Members asking for their support to restore the proposed cuts to Department for the Aging (DFTA).  
   
Bobbie Sackman, director of public policy, CSCS, states “seniors are fighting hard to prevent the damaging cuts to senior services. Each year, they must take part in the budget dance. While we all appreciate that some funding is restored, seniors find themselves dancing in quicksand as millions of dollars are lost and services disappear just as the age revolution is upon us. We urge New Yorkers to call Mayor Bloomberg at 311 and urge him to not cut the elderly. The Department for the Aging has taken enough cuts.”

DFTA funding reductions include $6.6 million (a 30% cut) to case management which is social workers going into the homes of frail, homebound elders, $20 million in cuts to senior centers including the closing of 17 senior centers, the elimination of elder abuse funds, $800,000, plus other critical services. About one out of three city dollars at DFTA has been lost.

Karen Koslowitz, NYC Council Member 29th District states, “it is unconscionable that the Administration is going after seniors in the budget.   For as difficult as past budgets were in the 1980’s and 90’s, we were able to cut back without harming senior services.   While some funding was recently restored, it is not enough.  Cutting senior services will be disastrous for our city.  I am calling for the full restoration of funds to senior services as well as to our borough presidents, who fund key senior programs.”

The Council of Senior Centers and Services (CSCS) promotes the quality of life, independent living, productivity, and dignity of mature older adults principally in New York City.  CSCS champions elder rights. For a full list of the $39 million in cuts go to cscs-ny.org.

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The Council of Senior Centers and Services (CSCS) promotes the quality of life, independent living, productivity, and dignity of mature older adults principally in New York City. CSCS champions elder rights. visit the CSCS web site at cscs-ny.org.