Document Type
Research Report
Publication Date
7-2023
Keywords
Berlin, Massachusetts, needs assessment, older residents
Disciplines
Gerontology
Abstract
This report describes research undertaken by the Center for Social & Demographic Research on Aging (CSDRA) within the Gerontology Institute at the University of Massachusetts Boston, on behalf of the Town of Berlin. The goals of this project were to investigate the needs, interests, preferences, and opinions of Berlin residents age 18 or older by engaging the community regarding their experiences and needs relevant to the Social Services alongside the Council on Aging’s objectives to serve the needs of all Berlin citizens 60 and older. The contents of this report are meant to inform the Town of Berlin, the Berlin COA together with Berlin Social Services (COA/SS), in addition to organizations that work with and on behalf of older residents of Berlin for the purposes of COA/SS mission fulfillment alongside planning and coordination of services for current and future needs of residents.The report will also help to build awareness about issues facing Berlin among community members at large.
A broad range of findings are reported in this document, highlighting the many positive features of Berlin as well as concerns expressed by residents. While many of our findings, and the recommendations that follow, intersect with the scope of responsibility of the Berlin COA/SS, it is understood that responding to many needs and concerns expressed in the community will require the involvement of other municipal offices or community stakeholders, and some will require substantial collaborative effort.
Community Engaged/Serving
Part of the UMass Boston Community-Engaged Teaching, Research, and Service Series. //scholarworks.umb.edu/engage
Recommended Citation
Krebs, M. and Coyle, C. “Aging in Berlin: A Community Needs Assessment” (June 2023). Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging Publications