History

  • 2023: The U.S. Conference of Mayor’s passes a Department for the Aging resolution “Promoting Age-Inclusive Cities to Support and Serve a Nation of All Ages”
  • 2022: Mayor Eric Adams launches the Cabinet for Older New Yorkers to bring City agencies together to build an age-inclusive New York.
  • 2022: Department for the Aging stops using the acronym “DFTA” on its website and social media channels to describe the agency, replacing it with NYC Aging, so residents have a clearer understanding of who the agency serves. The agency also stops using the term “senior” because of the negative connotations the word has in society.
  • 2021: Ageless New York media campaign is launched, highlighting older New Yorkers who continue to make positive impacts on their communities. The campaign challenged the way older adults are usually portrayed in popular media outlets.
  • 2020: DFTA launches Aging Connect, its in-house information and referral contact center for older adults and their families.
  • 2019: DFTA launches an awareness campaign for unpaid caregivers on billboards throughout the five boroughs, the Staten Island ferry, radio, and more.
  • 2017: DFTA launches Age-friendly NYC: New Commitments for a City for All Ages with nearly 90 initiatives.
  • Mid-late 2016: Through ThriveNYC(now the Mayor’s Office of Community Mental Health), DFTA launches the Geriatric Mental Health Initiative counseling program and the Friendly Visiting Program.
  • July 2016: DFTA releases the Aging in Place Guide for Building Owners: Recommended Age-Friendly Residential Upgrades.
  • April 2016: DFTA launches a graphic ad campaign showing elder abuse and receives feedback from organizations in the U.S. and abroad.
  • 2009: The City launches Age-friendly NYC with nearly 60 initiatives.
  • 2005: The City of New York wins a "Livable Communities" award from the federal Administration on Aging for its work with NORCs.
  • Late 1990s: Oversight of programs at existing naturally occurring retirement communities (NORCs) in the City now fall under DFTA.
  • 1992-1993: The New York City Human Resources Administration transfers its senior centers to DFTA.
  • Early-mid 1990s: DFTA launches its Health Insurance, Information, Counseling, and Assistance Program and becomes the first municipality to create a Grandparent Resource Center.
  • 1980s: Under Commissioner Janet Sainer, DFTA develops the Intergenerational Work-Study Program, senior center health programs, the first Alzheimer's disease counseling service provided by a municipality, Citymeals on Wheels, and the nonprofit Aging in New York Fund.
  • Mid-late 1970s: Senior centers and nutrition programs expand. DFTA also expands to support in-home, transportation, senior employment, foster grandparent, legal, and elder abuse services.
  • 1975: The Office becomes the New York City Department for the Aging (DFTA). Alice Brophy is the first Commissioner.
  • 1973: The Office becomes a national Area Agency on Aging.
  • Late 1960s-early 1970s: The NYC Mayor's Office for the Aging is created as a three-year project. The Office conducts groundbreaking research on the needs of urban older adults, opens four service sites, and pioneers a half-fare transit program.
  • 1965: The Older Americans Act creates a nationwide aging network.