Document Type
Research Report
Publication Date
2018
Keywords
Cape Ann, Essex, Gloucester, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Rockport, Massachusetts, age-friendliness, dementia-friendliness, seniors
Disciplines
Gerontology | Public Policy | Social Welfare
Abstract
This report describes research undertaken by the Center for Social & Demographic Research on Aging within the Gerontology Institute at the University of Massachusetts Boston, on behalf of SeniorCare, Inc. (hereafter referred to as SeniorCare), to learn about the age- and dementia-friendliness of the region of Cape Ann, including the Massachusetts municipalities of Essex, Gloucester, Manchester-by-the-Sea, and Rockport. The contents of this report are intended to inform SeniorCare for the purposes of planning and implementing the Age & Dementia Friendly Cape Ann (ADFCA) Initiative. The ADFCA Initiative builds on ten Areas of Focus, which are essential components of a livable community derived from the Age- and Dementia-Friendly frameworks. These ten Areas of Focus include housing, transportation, outdoor spaces and buildings, respect and social inclusion, communication and information, community and business supports, social participation, civic participation and employment, healthcare and continuum of care, and legal and advanced planning.
The purpose of the research described here was to assess Cape Ann assets and gaps in each of the ten Areas of Focus, for seniors and individuals with cognitive impairment. Data for the study were drawn from several sources, including publicly available information obtained through the U.S. Census Bureau and the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative, as well as data collected expressly for this study. Primary data collection included four community forums, one forum conducted in each of the four communities of Cape Ann; nine key informant interviews with community leaders, including Council on Aging directors and municipal leaders representing each of the four communities; and four focus groups, including residents, caregivers, and key stakeholders who serve Cape Ann.
Community Engaged/Serving
Part of the UMass Boston Community-Engaged Teaching, Research, and Service Series. //scholarworks.umb.edu/engage
Recommended Citation
Coyle, Caitlin, "Age & Dementia Friendly Cape Ann: A regional needs assessment" (2018). Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging Publications. 33.
https://scholarworks.umb.edu/demographyofaging/33