Older adult support
Services that help seniors live safely and independently at home and in the community.
Residents consistently ask for activities and places that reduce senior isolation, help with snow and yard work, regular check-ins, and safer, easier ways to get around.
Theme grouped and summary written with AI from this theme's resident ideas.
78 ideas across three cycles
| Cycle | Ideas | Share of all ideas | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | 32 | 2.6% | 16 of 20 |
| 2025–26 | 22 | 1.8% | 20 of 20 |
| 2026–27 | 24 | 1.8% | 19 of 20 |
Needs that keep coming back
Senior activities and gathering places
Residents want more programs, outings, clubs and senior centers so older adults can socialize and avoid loneliness.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
Snow, yard and tree help for seniors
Residents ask the City or paid helpers to shovel snow and clear sidewalks, cut grass and trim trees for seniors who cannot safely do it themselves.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
Check-ins and in-home support
Residents ask for regular visits, calls and practical help at home for seniors who live alone, are homebound or have no one to assist them.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
Benches and easier walking routes
Residents want benches, shade and better streets near senior housing, senior centers and transit so older adults can walk and rest.
Raised in 2025–26, 2026–27
Home repair and affordability help
Residents ask for home repair help, home modification grants and property tax relief so seniors can stay in their homes.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26
2024–25
Snow and yard help for seniors dominated the ideas, alongside requests for senior activities, day care centers, home repair and property tax relief.
2025–26
Ideas centered on loneliness, check-ins and support for seniors living alone or homebound, with benches and home modification grants also appearing.
2026–27
Many ideas were short, general requests for more help for older adults, along with calls for outreach, senior centers, door-to-door transportation and food assistance.
New in 2026–27
New or growing asks include door-to-door and expanded Age Strong rides, post-hospital check-ins, fall prevention and health education, and outreach with caregiver support for isolated and non-English-speaking seniors.
Funding so far
The funded 2024-25 bus stop benches address the recurring bench request, but no winning project yet covers snow and yard help, check-ins, senior activities and centers, home repair, transportation or food assistance.
Projects are linked to themes by matching each project's description to the themes; this is not an official City classification.
Install Benches at High Ridership Bus Stops
2024–25 · $150,000 · related theme
This proposal will allow the City's Transportation Department to install benches at high-ridership bus stops across the City.
Departments that often lead this work
- Age Strong Commission
- Public Works
Suggested with AI; not an official assignment of responsibility.
Ideas in Older adult support
78 ideas
2024–25: 32 · 2025–26: 22 · 2026–27: 24
- More help for older adultsThe resident asks for more help for seniors.2026–27Jamaica Plain
- Exercise and music activities for older adultsThe resident asks for activities and programs for seniors, such as exercise and music, to support the community with resources and programs.2026–27City-wide
- Senior center for education, health and wellbeingThe resident asks for a center for older adults offering education, health and wellness services.2026–27City-wide
- Equal help for all older adultsThe resident asks that all seniors and elderly residents receive help equally.2026–27City-wide
- More neighborhood benches, including memorial donationsResident requests more benches in neighborhoods, some donated in memory of someone, to encourage walking, give older and disabled people places to rest, and help neighbors connect.2025–26City-wide
- Focus on elderly and disabled residentsResident asks the City to focus on the needs of elderly and disabled residents, without specifying a particular program.2025–26City-wide
- Recreation for older adults and lighting in unsafe areasResident asks for recreation programs for older adults and public street lighting in dangerous places.2025–26City-wideSubmitted in Spanish
- City tree trimming for elderly owners unable to trimResident asks that when a city employee claims an elderly person's trees need trimming and the person cannot safely do it, the tree department trim them if it benefits the community.2025–26Unspecified
- City snow shoveling for the elderlyResident asks the City to shovel snow for elderly residents who cannot do it safely, suggesting approaches like Cambridge's, community service by young people, or Bearcats.2025–26City-wide
- City tree trimming for elderly owners who can'tResident asks that when a city employee says an elderly person's trees need trimming and the person cannot safely do it, the City's tree department trim them if it benefits the community.2025–26City-wide
- Programs and caregiver training for seniors living aloneResident asks for more support programs for seniors living alone and training for caregivers to handle seniors' negative emotions, keeping them connected and cared for.2025–26ChinatownSubmitted in Chinese
- Home-based wellness activities for homebound seniorsResident asks for more activities and in-home visits supporting the mental and physical wellbeing of homebound older adults, who are isolated and face language barriers.2025–26ChinatownSubmitted in Chinese
- Help for families caring for eldersResident asks for help and resources for families to care for elders, citing elder abuse and abandonment seen as normal in some communities.2025–26City-wide
- Community liaisons checking on seniors' careTrain community liaisons to check on seniors and disabled residents, especially BIPOC, to make sure they receive the insurance-covered care they are promised.2025–26City-wide
- Senior-accessible exercise equipmentInstall exercise equipment accessible to older adults so exercise and movement are available to all in neighborhoods.2025–26City-wide
- Grants for home modifications so seniors age in placeResident asks for grants to fund home modifications such as stair lifts, walk-in tubs and gutter access so elderly residents can stay in their homes.2025–26City-wide
- More programs and trips to reduce senior lonelinessThe resident asks for expanded senior programming such as summer day programs, trips, lunches, art and dance classes, and Power of Attorney help to address loneliness.2025–26City-wide
- Digital literacy classes and programs for seniorsThe resident asks for digital literacy classes for seniors to build skills and social connection, plus fix-it clinics and yard sales near Smith Senior Center, to help close the digital divide.2025–26City-wide
- More food assistance for older adultsResident asks for increased food assistance for seniors.2025–26East Boston
- Benches along sidewalks near senior sites and transitResident asks for comfortable public benches on sidewalks, especially near assisted living, senior centers and transit stops, to help older adults and people with disabilities get around.2025–26City-wide