Contact: Glen Caplin (Gillibrand) 917-865-7556
Shrita Sterlin (Towns) 202-225-5051

BROOKLYN, NY – Tomorrow, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and U.S. Rep. Edolphus “Ed” Towns (NY-10), Chairman of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, will visit the Penn Wortman, Vandalia and Ft. Greene Stuyvesant Heights senior centers in Brooklyn to talk about issues affecting seniors and the aging. Senator Gillibrand will present her 3-point plan to improve the lives of New York’s seniors and provide support to family caregivers and other healthcare professionals.

As a leader on health and other issues relating to the elderly, Chairman Towns invited Senator Gillibrand to his district to hear constituents’ concerns and give the senator an opportunity to present her 3-point plan.  Senator Gillibrand’s 3-point plan will address critical issues facing seniors and the aging population: 1) the severe shortage of healthcare personnel trained to care for older adults; 2) the need for vital background screening of healthcare applicants to prevent elder abuse and neglect; 3) the need for legislation to provide better funding and research options for caregivers.

With more than 75 percent of adults older than 65 suffering from at least one chronic medical condition and relying on health care services far more than other segments of the population, addressing healthcare and elder abuse is essential to protect our nation’s seniors. Additionally, with over 44 million informal caregivers in the United States and over 2 million in New York alone, unpaid family caregivers are the largest source of long-term care services in the United States. These dedicated individuals often feel ill-prepared to handle the changing and intense care needs of their loved ones, and struggle to find reliable information and resources to supplement their care.

WHAT:            Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Rep. Edolphus “Ed” Towns to tour three Brooklyn senior
                       centers and meet with residents. Senator Gillibrand to unveil a 3-point plan to address
                       the needs of New York’s seniors and support family caregivers.

WHO:              Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
                       U.S. Rep. Edolphus “Ed” Towns
                       Brooklyn Senior Center Residents     

TIME:              11 a.m. - Wednesday, April 8, 2009

PLACE:           Penn Wortman Senior Center
                       895 Pennsylvania Ave (b/w Wortman Ave and Stanley Ave)
                       Brooklyn, NY

TIME:              11:40a.m. - Wednesday, April 8, 2009

PLACE:           Vandalia Senior Center
                       47 Vandalia Avenue (b/w Pennsylvania Ave and Louisiana Ave)
                       Brooklyn, NY 

TIME:              2 p.m. - Wednesday, April 8, 2009

PLACE:           Fort Greene Stuyvesant Heights Senior Center
                       69 Macdonough Street (c/o of Tompkins)
                       Brooklyn, NY

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