Aging on the Cape Presentation to Cape Cod & Islands Community Health Network #27 Jan E. Mutchler, PhD Center for Social & Demographic Research on Aging Gerontology Institute John W. McCormack School of Policy & Global Studies University of Massachusetts Boston May 12, 2016

Three points for this morning Massachusetts is aging The Cape will continue to be “older” than the rest of Massachusetts Aging in place concerns are shared across Cape communities

1: Massachusetts is aging

2. The cape will continue to be “older” than the rest of Massachusetts

Massachusetts Counties: Percentage age 60+, projections for 2030 Eg, Eastham, Provincetown, Truro, Orleans, Chatham and Brewster expected to be above 60% in 2030 Sandwich, Bourne, Barnstable and Yarmouth will be closer to 40-45%

3. Aging in place concerns are shared across cape communities

Some commonalities on the Cape Downsizing options, housing with services, and home modifications are needed Transportation options are needed Many seniors place limits on their own driving, with implications for participation Isolation is a concern Remote locations, seasonal housing These based on needs assessments conducted over the past 2 years on the Cape and elsewhere, including Barnstable, Chatham, Falmouth, Brewster, and Yarmouth Downsizing: For example, in Town of Barnstable 1/3 of seniors said their homes needed modification to make them safer to live in as they age; about 1/3 of those individuals said they could not afford needed modifications and repairs. Transportation: for example, in Chatham, 11% of respondents age 80+ do not drive, and 61% drive with modifications such as… Isolation: For example, in Barnstable County, 37% of all housing is occupied seasonally. For example, in Brewster, 49% of seniors who live alone have no family members within 30 minutes who could help.

Cape commonalities (cont.) Caregiver support is needed Support groups, adult day care Worries about being able to afford to stay are substantial Keeping and attracting younger residents to the Cape is “age friendly” Caregiver: For example, in Falmouth, 22% of those age 45-59 provide unpaid care to family members who are frail or disabled—half of these said these responsibilities were challenging. Affording to stay: we hear in every community that affordability, taxes, rising expenses, fixed income are concerns. Keeping and attracting younger residents is age friendly: Yarmouth is taking a leadership role on this theme—but we have heard from every community concerns about the loss of younger populations.

Jan E. Mutchler: jan.mutchler@umb.edu Thank you! Jan E. Mutchler: jan.mutchler@umb.edu http://www.umb.edu/demographyofaging