Aging in Hingham - Town of Hingham Massachusetts

Many Seniors experience some level of disability that may impact their ability to function well andindependently in the community. The American Community Survey includes a series of questionsabout disability. These questions are intended to tap long-lasting conditions based in physical,mental, or emotional health conditions. 8 Figure 7 highlights the frequency with which seniorsreport some level of disability, and reveals that this varies substantially by age group. Six percentof the Hingham residents aged 65-74 report at least one type of disability in the ACS, as do morethan one-third of the residents aged 75 and over. Among the types of disability assessed, themost commonly named were ambulatory limitations (difficulty walking or climbing stairs)mentioned by 12% of those aged 65 and over, and independent living limitations (difficulty doingerrands alone such as visiting a doctor’s office or shopping), also reported by 11%. These rates ofdisability are lower than those suggested by the ACS for Massachusetts as a whole (22% for those65-74 and 47% for those 75+).Figure 7: Percentage reporting a disability by age group, HinghamHingham residents age 65-746%Hingham residents age 75+39%0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45%Source: U.S. Census Bureau. 2009-2011 American Community Survey, Table B18108.About Hingham Department of Elder ServicesThe Department of Elder Services offers a wide range of services and programs intended to meetthe many different needs and interests of Hingham’s older population. The Senior Center servesas the focal point for the delivery of services and programs. All programs and services are open toany Hingham resident 60 and older and where space permits, seniors from other communities arewelcome to participate. Programs offered through Hingham Department of Elder Services includethe following 9 :8 The questions asked in the American Community Survey are as follows: a. “Is this person deaf or does he/she haveserious difficulty hearing? Is this person blind or does he/she have serious difficulty seeing even when wearingglasses?” b. “Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition, does this person have serious difficultyconcentrating, remembering, or making decisions? Does this person have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs?Does this person have difficulty dressing or bathing?” c. “Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition, doesthis person have difficulty doing errands alone such as visiting a doctor’s office or shopping?”9 Content of this section is drawn from a document provided by Hingham Department of Elder Services.23