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UMass study: Millis, Medway residents 60+ cite affordability, transportation and home repairs as top barriers to aging in place
Summary
A UMass Boston survey presented to the Millis Select Board found that about a third of Millis residents will be age 60 or older by 2030 and identified affordability, lack of transportation and unaffordable home repairs as the leading concerns for older adults; the report recommends coordinated services and shared programming with Medway.
The Millis Select Board on Feb. 9 heard key findings from a UMass Boston study of older residents in Millis and neighboring Medway that found affordability, transportation and the ability to maintain independence are the top barriers to aging in place. The presentation, led by Dr. Caitlin Coyle of the UMass Boston Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging and introduced by Council on Aging Director Rick Cañon, summarized survey results from 1,983 respondents (a 29% response rate).
The researchers said Millis had about 48% of the respondents and projected the share of residents age 60 and older would grow from 27% in 2020 to about 32% by 2030. "People wanna age in their communities," Coyle said, summarizing the motivation behind the study and its emphasis on local services.
The survey found 41% of respondents reported needing home repairs to improve safety and 31% of those said they cannot afford the repairs. Eleven percent of the sample said they do not have adequate resources for basic expenses. Transportation emerged as the second-highest concern: among respondents who do not drive, 18% said they had missed, canceled or rescheduled a medical appointment in the past year because of lack of transportation. The report also highlighted that living alone rises with age — roughly 23% of people in their 70s and 34% of those 80 and older reported living alone — and that social supports and caregiving obligations are substantial in the community.
Council on Aging members and other board participants noted the transportation findings during discussion. Elizabeth Durden, chairman of the council managing board, said the report reinforced the need to restore transportation funding removed from last year’s budget and suggested regional options such as MetroWest services as possible responses. The study also flagged service-awareness gaps: some older residents reported not knowing who to contact for social-service help, and print newsletters remain a preferred communication channel for older cohorts while younger seniors showed more interest in email or text.
Cañon credited a state earmark and Representative James DeRosa for funding the project, and the presenters said the two towns can use the findings to explore shared services, refresh programming at the Council on Aging, expand medical-clinic offerings and address behavioral-health needs identified in the survey. The board did not adopt policy changes at the Feb. 9 meeting; staff and the Council on Aging expect to use the report to inform future budget and service decisions.
