Commissioner's Message

Picture of DFTA Commissioner Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez
Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez, Commissioner
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With an overarching mission to eliminate ageism and ensure the dignity and quality of life of approximately 1.775 million older New Yorkers, the NYC Department for the Aging is deeply committed to helping older adults age in their homes and creating a community-care approach that reflects a model age-inclusive city. 

We accomplish these goals by partnering with hundreds of community-based organizations to provide services through older adult centers, naturally occurring retirement communities, case-management and home-care agencies, home-delivered meal programs, mental health, caregiver support, and friendly visiting programs, and much more in each borough. 

NYC Aging also has an Older Adult Employment Services Unit, Elderly Crime Victims Resource Center, Foster Grandparent Program and Volunteer Resource Center. 

We are committed to providing safe and inclusive services for diverse, older New Yorkers. All New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status, can access NYC Aging and City services. We know that older adults may have concerns about the confidentiality of their information, especially any information about their immigration status. The City has strong policies to protect the privacy of your information. You can find more information through the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs. Additionally, if you are worried or have questions about immigration and public benefits for you or your loved ones, you can visit nyc.gov/publiccharge for more information. 

As we look to the future, when older adults are projected to reach 1.86 million - or 20.6 percent - of the City's population by 2040, we are proud to participate in Age-friendly NYC: New Commitments for a City for All Ages under Mayor Eric Adams’ leadership. Our City has already been named an age-friendly city by the World Health Organization. The Age-friendly NYC: New Commitments initiative and our work with community partners make it even better! 

Sincerely,
Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez
Commissioner


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