Following Thursday’s Assembly Aging and Senior Services Committee hearing on the challenges seniors face regarding the affordability of long-term care and housing, committee chair Assemblywoman Angela McKnight (D-Hudson) issued the following statement:
“Seniors in New Jersey should not have to face uncertainty about how they will afford to live comfortably or pay for the long-term care that they may require as they grow older. They deserve to feel safe and economically secure as they retire and enjoy their golden years. With seniors in New Jersey facing yearly living expenses that are 145% more than the national average, this simply isn’t possible. That is why it’s critical for us to take action to respond to the growing need for affordable senior housing and long-term care options for New Jersey’s seniors.
“With our population of residents over the age of 65 expected to grow 48% by 2034, there is a pressing need to investigate the ways the Legislature can address the affordability concerns for our senior residents, whether they are aging in place or in a long-term care facility.
“I would like to thank the advocates who testified on behalf of New Jersey’s senior residents today. I look forward to leading this committee as we consider ways to address the needs of our seniors and provide them with critical, necessary support.”