Aging in Hingham - Town of Hingham Massachusetts

to younger residents who could volunteer on behalf of seniors, perhaps residents who are homewhile their children are in school, may be helpful.Some specific housing issues were mentioned. The need for affordable housing is increasing: forexample, Thaxter Park has over 200 people on a waiting list (not all of these individuals arecurrently living in Hingham). One group member predicted that the housing issues will continue tobe significant in the years to come, as rising medical and housing costs place increased demandson seniors’ budgets. Another group member mentioned a number of issues that concern residentsin Thaxter Park, including insufficient walkways and isolation. Concerns about emergencytransportation for seniors living in Housing Authority residences were also voiced.Increasing awareness was cited as a key to improving elder well-being in Hingham. One groupmember explained that once a Senior is connected to a resource, he or she may overcome fearand other obstacles to accepting help. A broad fear of being put in a nursing home was discussedas a barrier to participating in Senior Center activities and using services. Middle-aged adults wereidentified as being a market to be targeted with educational material about the services availableto them as caregivers and for those older adults that they support. It was said by one groupmember that middle-aged residents are overwhelmed and can’t find out what’s available in thecommunity. Ideas for marketing were also discussed, including blogs, putting information in taxbills, or hiring marketing consultants.Focus Group 2: Community MembersThe second focus group was composed of community members aged 45 and over. Most of theseindividuals had lived in Hingham for many years (25-50 years of residency). They describedHingham as being a great place to live and a raise a family.The group was surprised by the number of survey participants who reported knowing “not much”about the Senior Center. Group members felt that the Senior Center gets a lot of publicity,particularly via word of mouth, and that the programs are widely known. Members of the groupenjoy the newsletter, feel that it includes a wealth of good information, and has widedissemination. The group shared ideas for expanding awareness of the Senior Center and itsprograms, including supplementing the familiar newsletter with use of electronic media. Severalparticipants suggested that the Senior Center create a Facebook page that would appeal to themany computer-literate Seniors as well as Boomers who use this technology. Participants alsoacknowledged that the stigma of seeking out and using services targeting so-called “seniors” maykeep some residents from participating in or learning more about Senior Center programs thatthey might enjoy and benefit from.Transportation was cited by this group as a very important issue for older residents. Whileparticipants mentioned that the Senior Center does a good job offering transportation, they alsonoted that it is limited in its capacity to serve the growing population needing alternativetransportation. The group agreed that both a lack of flexibility and availability of transportation forolder adults in Hingham is an issue. They noted that more paid drivers are needed, becausevolunteer drivers can be used for social events and trips but are not capable of providing medicaltransportation.The group also cited high real estate taxes and other expenses—fuel for home heating, as anexample—as creating challenges for residents to stay in their homes comfortably. The number ofHingham residents who are characterized as being “house rich and cash poor” is increasing, inthis group’s judgment. And although various forms of tax abatement are available, these49