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
- Senior community activity space in East BostonCreate a place in East Boston where older adults can join community activities, so everyone in the community is included.2025–26East Boston
- Extracurricular activities for older adultsThe resident asks for extracurricular activities for older adults to equalize opportunities for personal development and promote inclusion and respect.2025–26City-wideSubmitted in Spanish
- Support for older adults living aloneThe resident asks for support for older adults or people who live alone, citing mental health as the benefit.2025–26City-wideSubmitted in Spanish
- More funding for senior activitiesResident asks for funding to increase and improve activities for seniors, who need more help and attention in the community.2025–26City-wide
- Regular check-ins for senior citizensResident asks for periodic check-ins with seniors by door knocking or calls so those who get out less stay informed about community news and resources.2025–26City-wide
- More senior programs and community health fairsThe resident asks for more programs for senior citizens and more health fairs for all families in the community.2025–26Roxbury
- Intergenerational events for elders in public housingResident asks to connect youth and daycare programs with elders in BHA and other public housing for culturally relevant social events like dance and painting, building belonging.2024–25City-wide
- Tax relief and driveway help for elder homeownersResident asks for tax breaks and services for homeowners who don't qualify for aid, including help building a driveway so an older person can be safe.2024–25Dorchester
- Senior clubs and day trips to reduce isolationResident wants funding for senior activities like day trips and garden, poetry, knitting, golf and photography clubs so seniors leave home, make friends and avoid loneliness.2024–25City-wide
- Health program for older adultsResident asks for a program to promote the health of older adults in their neighborhood.2024–25City-wide
- Gathering place for older adultsResident asks for a space where older adults can meet, socialize and share ideas with others.2024–25City-wide
- Budgeting classes for low and middle-income seniorsResident suggests banks or business schools teach budgeting classes for low, middle and working seniors at accessible times and places citywide, to help people stretch fixed incomes and save.2024–25City-wide
- Mental health and activity program for older adultsResident asks for a program supporting seniors' mental health with learning and activities, to help prevent illness such as depression.2024–25City-wide
- Senior food delivery, bus stops, and parking enforcementExpand food delivery for seniors and disabled people, add heated bus stop enclosures and more bus stops, enforce double parking, and limit community fridge use per person.2024–25City-wide
- Regular door-to-door wellness checks for seniorsSend a team with BPHC, Age Strong and clinicians to check on seniors weekly, biweekly or monthly if they cannot stay healthy on their own.2024–25City-wide
- Accessible senior centers in every neighborhoodOpen step-free senior centers in every neighborhood, open all week with varied programming, air conditioning and food, bringing in younger generations and sharing senior resources.2024–25City-wide
- Senior centers with intergenerational youth programmingThe resident asks for senior day care, independent living and rehab centers with youth programming, such as adopt-a-grandparent days, to benefit both seniors and kids.2024–25City-wide
- Senior day care centers in all neighborhoodsThe resident asks to expand senior day care centers to every neighborhood so seniors can leave home and interact with others.2024–25City-wide
- Better housing and healthcare for seniorsResident asks for improved housing and healthcare options for older adults.2024–25City-wide
- Property tax assistance for senior homeownersResident asks for more property tax help for seniors because long-time homeowners with limited income are being pushed out.2024–25City-wide