Somerville Council on Aging presents senior survey, finds space limits, awareness gaps and financial insecurity among older residents

Somerville’s Council on Aging (COA) on Wednesday presented results of a community survey of residents aged 60 and older, outlining gaps in program awareness, limited space at senior centers, transportation and housing challenges, and growing financial insecurity among older Somerville residents.

The survey and assessment were presented by Ashley Spiliotis, director of the Council on Aging, and Sierra Somerville, senior research associate at the UMass Boston Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging. The study combined U.S. Census data, interviews with city leaders and a community survey that received 1,519 responses from a random mailing and other outreach.

The findings: roughly 14 percent of Somerville residents are age 60 or older, and awareness of COA offerings is limited — 41 percent of survey respondents who never participate at the COA said they “don’t know what is offered.” About a third of respondents prioritized expanded indoor fitness programs; program fit and interest were cited as barriers to participation. The COA’s ability to meet demand is constrained primarily by space: the Holland Street Center and the Ralph and Jenny Center have had capacity limits, producing wait lists for nutrition and cultural programs. Spiliotis said the COA has already started renting additional space and offering to-go meal options for hot meals that run at capacity on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Respondents reported transportation and mobility barriers, including uneven sidewalks, snow removal, bike-lane safety and gaps in public transit reliability. The report notes that about half of respondents said they will need home repairs to remain safely in their homes over the next five years, and preferences for future housing ranged from independent condominiums to assisted living.

Financial insecurity emerged as a significant concern: the presentation said the median household income for Somerville residents 65 and older is about $42,000 and that residents of color reported greater financial strain than white non‑Hispanic respondents. Caregiving is common: one-third of respondents reported providing care to someone with a disability or frailty in the past five years.

Recommendations presented include increasing outreach and awareness of COA programs, expanding program offerings (including skills-based and men‑targeted programming), identifying and using satellite spaces across the city for programs, conducting community walk audits to target walkability fixes, evaluating expanded taxi or alternative transportation options for older residents, and pursuing partnerships or pilot approaches (for example, discount programs with local businesses) to address food and cost-of-living pressures.

Councilors asked about timing and capacity for programs, outreach methods for the COA newsletter and whether large municipal facilities such as the high school had been considered for daytime programming; staff said many program needs happen during regular school hours, making school space usage logistically complex. The council also discussed creative, low-cost ideas for food access and transportation partnerships; the UMass team said it can provide peer examples and implementation ideas.

The council voted to refer the report to the Council’s Equity Committee for additional review and follow-up with city staff.

The COA and UMass presenters noted a fuller report and supplemental slides will be posted with the meeting materials and that a more detailed public presentation will be held at the Holland Street Center on May 23.