Aging in Hingham - Town of Hingham Massachusetts

Executive SummaryIntroductionThe purpose of this needs assessment is to investigate the needs, interests, and opinions ofmature residents of Hingham, Massachusetts, relating to their aging experiences and needsfor age-related services. This assessment was undertaken by the Gerontology Institute of theMcCormack Graduate School at UMass Boston on behalf of the Town of HinghamDepartment of Elder Services (hereinafter referred to as the Department of Elder Services).The focus of this report is on Hingham residents aged 60+ (referred to here as “Seniors”)and residents aged 45-59 (referred to here as “Boomers”). Information about these two agegroups was obtained both through the U.S. Census Bureau, and through a sample surveydesigned and conducted in support of this project. Two focus groups were conducted toobtain feedback on the survey results and generate recommendations. Key informantinterviews with six Town officials and community leaders were conducted to provide expertinput on the implications of the aging population for the Town as a whole, and thefunctioning of the Department of Elder Services. The content of this report is intended to beuseful to the Department of Elder Services, other Town offices, and organizations thatprovide services within Hingham, advocates, and community members.ResultsHingham includes more than 22,000 residents, many of whom are part of the large andgrowing Boomer and Senior populations. The 2010 Census indicates that 5,735 Hinghamresidents are aged 60 and over, representing 26% of the Hingham population. Another5,139 residents (23%) are aged 45 to 59, poised to move into later life within the comingdecade. Hingham has also experienced strong growth of its older population in recentdecades. Between 2000 and 2010, the number of Hingham residents aged 60 and overrose from 3,700 to 5,735 (an increase of 55%), and the number of Hingham residents aged45-59 grew from 4,575 to 5,139 (an increase of 12%). Over the next ten years, the aging ofthe Boomer cohort will continue to swell the size of the 60+ population in Hingham.Data from the American Community Survey suggests that the older population represents asubstantial presence within Hingham, with 46% of households including at least one personaged 60 or older. One-third of Hingham’s residents aged 65 and over live alone, and morethan half of these individuals are homeowners. Although a sizable share of Hingham’shouseholds report relatively high incomes, many Hingham Seniors experience a comparativeeconomic disadvantage. The median household income for residents who are aged 65 andover is less than half that of younger households. Many seniors also experience some levelof disability, which may impact their ability to function well and independently in thecommunity. More than one-third of Hingham’s residents aged 75 and over report a disability.4