Supporting Our Growing Senior Population

In the short term, we must work to protect our seniors for the duration of COVID-19, while ensuring that they have access to social interaction and the ability to go outside. It is especially critical that sidewalks are cleared this winter so that our senior population has safe access to time outside the house even if the Senior Center is not open.

In the long term, becoming an age-friendly city must be a priority. Seniors make up 28% of Newton residents, and the average age of our population is continuing to increase. We need to continue to make our public places, transportation, and housing more accessible for our older adults.

We need planning in the repair of our roadways to prioritize walkability with accessible, safe sidewalks. During our New England winters we must make clearing the snow from sidewalks a priority. It’s not only the problem of neighbors not shoveling the sidewalk in front of their houses, but also seniors who are unable to shovel not having an easy way to request the city come clear the snow for them. This is especially critical during the pandemic when going for a walk around the neighborhood may be the only time our older adults are able to safely get out of the house.

We need to be more thoughtful about the little things, like ensuring our crosswalk lights are adjusted to allow enough time for people who are mobility impaired to cross, and adequate accessible parking availability. We should be providing opportunities and services that allow our older adults to age in place, whether that means remaining in their family home or moving to alternative housing with single-floor living.

We must build a new Senior Center that is fitting of a city of our size and resources. It should be attractive and supportive to seniors of varying income levels and ability. Bryan was opposed to building the senior center in a park, and supports the decision to look at a renovation or rebuild of the current Senior Center that is located in Newtonville’s city center.  The question now is do we renovate the current building or tear it down and rebuild? In the short term, how long would the Senior Center be unavailable if we choose to rebuild instead of renovate? What benefits do we get in the long run if we decide to go with a new build? Bryan is keeping an open mind as this conversation unfolds.