Aging in Hingham - Town of Hingham Massachusetts

January 31, 2013Dear Citizens of Hingham,On behalf of the Department of Elder Services, I am pleased to present the findings of the“Needs Assessment Study” that was intended to be proactive in obtaining basicdemographic data along with a comprehensive profile of Baby Boomers and Seniors inHingham. The impetus for this project grew out of the self-assessment process that wasconducted in preparation for our 2012 application for National Senior Center Accreditationthrough the National Institute of Senior Centers.In 2007, the Department of Elder Services was awarded National Senior CenterAccreditation for a five year period. In 2011, we began the process to retain thisAccreditation which involved a self-assessment based on national standards and criteria.To accomplish this task, a Self-Assessment Committee comprised of Council on Agingmembers, staff, other Town officials, representatives from various community agencies,and interested citizens was formed. During the self-assessment process, we identifiedweaknesses within our current planning document and the need to develop acomprehensive strategic plan that would better meet the social and human service needs ofHingham’s growing adult population as identified in the 2010 US Census.Following the completion of the self-assessment process, the Council on Aging (theadvisory body to the Department of Elder Services) decided that the first step in thedevelopment of a strategic plan was to obtain basic demographic data along with acomprehensive profile of Hingham residents 45 and older. In the spring of 2012, theGerontology Institute at the University of Massachusetts Boston was commissioned toconduct a “Needs Assessment Study” with the findings culminated into a final report. Theresults will help us to identify the underserved and the unmet needs and insure that weprovide the social and human services.