Sudbury Addresses Growing Senior Population

SUDBURY, MA—The senior population in Sudbury has shifted, in fact grown, over the years, with the population of residents 60 and older now at 4,000, or about 21 percent. It's projected to grow to 32 percent of the total within the next few years, according to officials.

In a recent town manager newsletter, Debra Galloway, senior center director, addressed plans and initiatives to address this population.

"Recognizing the potential impact of changing demographics and the new housing in town, the Sudbury Council on Aging and Sudbury Senior Center are helping to plan for the future of Sudbury," she wrote. "Our research into best practices in planning for the demographic shift, led us to AARP’s All-Age Friendly/Livable Community Initiative."

The effort would involve assessing the town's livability rating along eight domains, along with developing a community plan to to improve that livability for all ages. The domains include transportation, social participation, outdoor spaces and buildings, civic participation and employment, respect and social inclusion, and communication and information.

In collaboration with many of the town departments, Galloway writes, "in this effort, our goal is for Sudbury to be an all-age friendly town with improved livability for all, including: families, older residents, persons with disabilities and persons with dementia."

A Needs Assessment for the town will be conducted by UMass Boston’s Center for Social & Demographic Research in Aging and Gerontology Institute in September to target the needs of Sudbury's older population. The process will also include focus groups. The target date for the entire assessment to be done is February of 2019.

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