History

  • 2023-2024: The United States Conference of Mayors adopted a resolution introduced by New York City to promote age-inclusive cities to support and serve a nation of all ages. New York City formed a National Age-Inclusive Working Group, comprised of 18 other US cities with an older adult population of 20 percent or more.
  • 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.
  • April 2016: DFTA launches a graphic ad campaign showing elder abuse and receives feedback from organizations in the U.S. and abroad.
  • 2015: Mayor Bill de Blasio appointed new members to the Age-Friendly Commission, expanding the public-private partnership.
  • 2011: DFTA announces new providers had been selected for the first eight innovative senior centers. They include one specifically for adults with vision problems and the first center for LGBTQ+ seniors in the United States.
  • 2010: DFTA, Department of Information Technology & Telecommunications and Microsoft launch Virtual Senior Center demonstration project. The public-private partnership aimed to show cities how technology can be used at senior centers and enhance the lives of homebound older residents.
  • 2010: The Age-friendly NYC Commission seated as a public-private partnership to champion the work launched in 2009.
  • 2009: The City announces nearly 60 Age-Friendly NYC initiatives covering housing, health, social services, public safety, transportation, and civic participation.
  • 2007: Age-friendly NYC launches under Mayor Michael Bloomberg, building on the work of the World Health Organization’s Global Age-friendly Cities initiative to help identify and address barriers to the well-being and participation of older adults.
  • 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 in the city is now under DFTA, expanding programming into educational and recreational opportunities, aimed at promoting health, managing healthcare needs, and case management.
  • 1992-1993: The New York City Human Resources Administration transfers its senior centers to DFTA, believing DFTA’s growth could mean additional support and resources for older adults.
  • 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. The Home Delivered Meal program also begins.
  • 1975: The Office becomes the New York City Department for the Aging (DFTA). Alice Brophy is the first Commissioner.
  • 1973: The Office for the Aging becomes a national Area Agency on Aging, giving it more flexibility to support, protect, and preserve the rights and interests of older adults.
  • 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.