1. 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

2. 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

3. 1: Massachusetts is aging

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

8. 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%

9. 3. Aging in place concerns are shared across cape communities

10. 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.

11. 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 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.

12. Jan E. Mutchler: jan.mutchler@umb.edu
Thank you!
Jan E. Mutchler: