With census figures forecasting New York City's senior population will grow over 40% by 2030, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer today released, "Living Fully: Resources for Aging Well in the City," New York's most comprehensive guide to rights and services for Manhattan seniors and their caregivers. The Borough President was joined Monday by dozens of seniors at the Hamilton Center on West 73rd Street, as well as service providers and representatives from EmblemHealth which helped make possible the release of the 78-page guide, available in English and Spanish.

"The 'Living Fully' guide isn't just a helping hand for today's seniors – it helps create a foundation for New York City's future retirees," said Borough President Stringer. "By the year 2030, it is projected that 20 percent of our city's population will be over 60 – giving us the fourth largest urban senior population in the nation. It is critical that our city's seniors continue to enjoy the comforts and benefits of community, and the assurance that vital services are always available to them."

"We know it can be hard to access information about senior programs and services—and this guide, published in English and Spanish, puts all of that data in one place for quick and easy use," Stringer said, noting that more than 1,500 seniors ordered copies before it was published. "The guide doesn't just cover the basics, like Medicare or Senior Center locations. We reached out to experts in elder abuse, long-term care and senior advocacy, among other areas, to make sure all essential services were included."

Stringer noted that the percentage of New Yorkers 55 to 64-years-old grew 30.2% from 2000 to 2010. Over the next two decades, that population will hit "senior" status and, as a result, the number of New Yorkers in this category will rise over 40% between now and 2030—bringing the senior portion of New York City's population to 14.8 percent.

The guide includes detailed information on a range of topics, including:

• Financial benefits such as Social Security, Food Stamps, and Veterans Benefits
• Health and Wellness programs such as Medicare, Big Apple RX, and Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Programs
• Senior Housing, including information on Senior Citizen Homeowners Exemption, Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption, and housing resources for people with disabilities
• Long Term Care such as adult homes, enriched care, home care and adult day programs
• Resources for Caregivers, including information on Alzheimer's counseling and care centers, special services for Chinese and Korean communities, respite care and home health care agencies.
• Elder Abuse resources and consumer protection information Advocacy, employment and volunteer opportunities
• Transportation programs such as Reduced Fare MetroCards and Access-a-Ride
• Community Boards
• Senior Centers and Case Management Agencies

"EmblemHealth is delighted to join with the Manhattan Borough President in this effort to make it possible for seniors to access the many resources that NYC has to offer. For the last 75 years, EmblemHealth has served New Yorkers and this guide is another demonstration of our care for their health and well-being. We're particularly proud of our Care for the Family Caregiver initiative, which is listed in the guide along with many other organizations we partner with to serve the senior community," said David Flemister, Director, Brand Strategy and Community Marketing.

"Borough President Stringer and his team have produced an invaluable reference guide that is a must read for older adults, or anyone with an interest in the services and supports available to them," said David Gillchrist, Executive Director, Project FIND.

"Bringing together information on programs and sources of assistance that fit the needs of seniors is a great help," said Maria Alejandro, Director of Senior Services at Union Settlement Association. "I would like to thank the Borough President for seeing the need and working to fill it."

"New York City's seniors need to know the full range of services available to them, and I congratulate Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer on the publication of his new 78-page guide, "Living Fully: Resources for Aging Well in the City," said Rep. Jerrold Nadler. "This guide will enable seniors to take advantage of all the services available to them in New York City."

"Providing our growing population of senior citizens with the proper information on benefits, opportunities for continuing education and access to health and senior centers should always remain a top priority," said New York State Senator Jose M. Serrano. "Many thanks to Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer for providing this invaluable service to our senior citizens, ensuring that they can maintain happy, healthy and fulfilling lives."

New York State Senator Brad Hoylman said: "New York's senior citizens have made significant contributions to our society, and we have an obligation to help them maintain their health, safety, dignity and quality of life. I applaud Manhattan Borough President Stringer for producing this comprehensive guide so that seniors and their caregivers are aware of the full slate of resources and opportunities that are available to them."

"As the West Side's senior population continues to grow, it's our responsibility to provide services that enable seniors to stay healthy, independent, and connected to their community," said New York State Senator Adriano Espaillat. "By ensuring seniors are informed about the programs available to them, including educational classes, group activities, different types of caregivers and emotional support systems, we can lead the way in modernizing the aging experience and allow New York's seniors to remain in their homes."

"As the population in New York continues to age, it is critical that seniors be provided with information about essential programs and services available to them," said New York State Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal (D/WF-Manhattan). "Often, seniors are overwhelmed by bureaucracy and may not even be aware that they are eligible for certain programs. Borough President Scott M. Stringer's resource guide will be a lifeline for seniors across the City, and will enable them to more easily access the critical services to which they are entitled."

New York City Council Member Gale Brewer said: "I am sure that Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer's 2013 report "Living Fully: Resources for Aging Well in the City" will be a bestseller! From its large font to the clarity of its information, seniors and their families will be delighted by this resource. At my storefront District Office pamphlets for seniors go like hotcakes, and we can't keep up with applications for SCRIE/SCHE, affordable housing, and benefits. With the publication of "Living Fully," seniors can find everything they need in one, up-to-date booklet. As one who has worked to make the upper West Side and Clinton our most age-friendly neighborhood, I congratulate and thank Borough President Stringer and his staff for helping seniors "Age Well in the City."

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