What the 2023 NYSOFA Statewide Needs Assessment Survey Reveals About Aging in New York

In 2023, the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA), in partnership with Polco and the Association on Aging in New York (AgingNY), conducted the first-ever statewide needs assessment survey of older adults. Nearly 27,000 New Yorkers age 60 and over responded, providing an unprecedented look into the strengths, challenges, and needs of older adults across all counties.

Key Findings from the Survey

• Health and Well-Being: A strong majority reported positive health outcomes. 72% rated their overall health as excellent or good, and 82% gave the same rating to their mental health and emotional well-being.

• Community Satisfaction: 78% considered their community an excellent or good place to live. But when asked about retirement, only 52% felt their community was an excellent or good place to retire.

• Housing Concerns: Housing emerged as a pressing issue. Affordability and accessibility of housing received consistently low ratings across the state.

• Aging in Place: 71% indicated they are very likely or somewhat likely to remain in their communities throughout retirement, reinforcing the importance of local supports and services.

Local Perspectives: County-Level Reports

The survey results are also available on a county-by-county basis, highlighting unique regional challenges and opportunities:

• Essex County: 69% rated their overall quality of life as excellent or good. Yet only 8% viewed the availability of affordable, quality housing positively. Mobility was also a concern, with 32% reporting needs in this area.

• Nassau County: 82% rated their quality of life positively. But only 17% gave favorable ratings to affordable housing availability, and 38% reported difficulty accessing needed information.

These examples show how statewide averages mask important local differences that policymakers and service providers must address.

Why This Matters

This survey offers an invaluable tool for policymakers, advocates, and communities. By identifying both strengths and gaps, the data can help guide planning for services, programs, and funding to better support New Yorkers as they age.

Importantly, the findings are designed to feed directly into the New York State Master Plan on Aging (MPA), a comprehensive blueprint to prepare the state for its rapidly growing older adult population. The Master Plan on Aging emphasizes healthy aging, financial security, caregiving supports, housing, and equity. The 2023 survey provides the evidence base that the MPA needs to set priorities and measure progress.

For practitioners in trusts and estates, elder law, and related fields, these findings underscore the broader social and economic context in which our clients live. Issues like housing affordability, community support, and access to information directly affect the planning needs of older adults and their families. The Master Plan on Aging adds another dimension: it signals where state policy and resources may be directed in the coming years, which could reshape the environment in which our clients make critical legal and financial decisions.

Accessing the Reports

NYSOFA has made the full statewide report and individual county reports available online. These documents cover areas such as community design, employment and finances, equity and inclusivity, health and wellness, information access, and opportunities for engagement.

• Community Assessment Survey of Older Adults – NYSOFA
• Preliminary Data Report (PDF)
• 2023–2027 New York State Plan on Aging (PDF)
• New York State Master Plan on Aging

Further Reading

• NYSOFA News Release on the Survey
• Essex County Report (PDF)
• Nassau County Report (PDF)