Document Type
Research Report
Publication Date
11-2025
Keywords
aging, community, council on aging, needs assessment, age-friendly
Disciplines
Community-Based Research | Gerontology | Social Welfare
Abstract
Taking a community-engaged approach, this assessment sought to capture the voices, experiences, and aspirations of older adults living in our community. It is designed to support the COA in fulfilling its mission: acting as the community resource for older adults, their families, and caregivers; advocating for their interests; and offering social, educational, physical activity, transportation, and nutrition programs that promote health, independence, and meaningful engagement.
Specifically, this needs assessment aimed to: 1. Describe the demographic and social trends shaping Wellesley’s older adult population. 2. Identify older residents’ priorities, challenges, and unmet needs—spanning health and wellness, housing and mobility, social connection, learning and engagement, and community services. 3. Explore how existing programs, services, and facilities meet those needs, and where gaps remain. 4. Provide evidence-based recommendations to guide COA strategic planning, resource allocation, partnerships, and program design over the next 3-5 years.
By grounding our work in local data, resident input, and best practices from age-friendly communities, the COA commits to planning proactively rather than reactively, ensuring that Wellesley remains a place where older adults thrive, remain connected, and contribute across generations. This report is intended for the COA Board and staff, Town leadership, partner agencies, and all community members interested in supporting healthy and engaged aging in Wellesley.
Community Engaged/Serving
Part of the UMass Boston Community-Engaged Teaching, Research, and Service Series. //scholarworks.umb.edu/engage
Recommended Citation
Coyle, Caitlin E. and Rouleau, Beth, "Wellesley Council on Aging: Planning for the Future" (2025). Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging Publications. 112.
https://scholarworks.umb.edu/demographyofaging/112
Executive Summary
Comments
Free and open access to this Campus Access Thesis is made available to the UMass Boston community by ScholarWorks at UMass Boston. Those not on campus and those without a UMass Boston campus username and password may gain access to this thesis through Interlibrary Loan. If you have a UMass Boston campus username and password and would like to download this work from off-campus, click on the “Off-Campus Users” button.