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
- Snow and ice clearing help for seniorsA 93-year-old widow with no relatives asks for a program to help seniors clear snow and ice so they can stay home safely.2024–25Mattapan
- Shovel sidewalks, especially near seniorsResident asks that all sidewalks be shoveled during snowstorms, especially where seniors live.2024–25Dorchester
- Seasonal leaf and snow help for seniorsResident asks for a program to help seniors with seasonal work like leaf and snow removal.2024–25City-wide
- Yard and snow help for seniorsResident asks for help for seniors with leaves, snow, weeding and grass cutting, possibly employing youth, to bring people together.2024–25City-wide
- Adult day care center for eldersEstablish an adult day care center offering professional, culturally competent care including skilled nursing for elderly residents, with affordable access for low-income families.2024–25Charlestown
- Major home repair help for ineligible seniorsHelp senior homeowners in Dorchester and Roxbury afford major repairs when they don't qualify for city programs and lack funds.2024–25City-wide
- City snow clearing of sidewalksResident asks the city to clear snow from sidewalks as it does roadways, which would especially help lower-income residents who can't pay for shoveling.2024–25City-wide
- Paid helpers for elderly residents' tasksResident proposes a paid program connecting people willing to help seniors with tasks they need assistance with.2024–25City-wide
- Free non-medical home services for elderlyResident proposes free non-medical home help for low-income elderly Boston residents who live alone, which could also create entry-level jobs.2024–25City-wide
- Senior activities at Dorchester YMCAOffer senior activities such as bingo, cards and sewing at the Dorchester YMCA to bring the community together.2024–25Dorchester
- Property tax relief for senior citizensResident asks for property tax relief for seniors so they can stay in the city.2024–25City-wide
- Free landscaping and yard cleanup for seniorsResident asks for free yard help for seniors, including weeding, grass cutting and hedges, believing it would bring people together.2024–25City-wide
- Snow removal and grass cutting help for seniorsResident asks for help with snow removal and grass cutting for seniors, calling it a safety issue.2024–25Roxbury
- Pay youth to help seniors with yard workResident proposes paying youth to help seniors cut grass, take out trash and shovel snow, benefiting both groups.2024–25Mattapan
- Snow shoveling for seniors and flashing stop signsResident asks for snow shoveling help for seniors and flashing stop signs.2024–25Dorchester
- Senior home repair help and trusted contractor listResident asks for a program helping seniors with home repairs, including a list of senior-friendly contractors.2024–25City-wide
- Senior activities in parks with transportationResident asks for senior-friendly park activities such as arts and crafts, chair yoga and evening concerts, with transportation provided.2024–25City-wide
- Senior activities and outings with transportationResident asks for more senior-friendly activities and outings with transportation because many older people are lonely.2024–25City-wide