Manchester seniors cite housing as top issue
Affordable, accessible places to live listed atop needs assessment
MANCHESTER — Manchester seniors say the need for affordable, accessible housing is their prime concern, along with more local activities and an increased focus on mental health services.
The Needs Assessment for Seniors Age 60-plus, prepared by the human services department, draws from local professionals, a survey of Manchester seniors and the U.S. Census and other agencies that track demographic changes.
Connecticut’s overall population is aging and people are living longer (average life expectancy in the state is 80.8 years). The statewide population over age 65 is expected to increase 57 percent by 2040. Manchester’s population also is climbing. The current estimate is 62,697 residents, and the number of residents age 65 and over is projected to rise by 9 percent over the next decade, further squeezing available subsidized and age-restricted housing.
Seniors who were interviewed for the report said they want to stay in their current homes as long as possible.
“It is less expensive for them to do so and their overall health is better when they do,” the report said.
Manchester’s overall population is younger than the state. The local median age is 35.5 years compared with a statewide median of 40.4. People in town age 65 and over total 8,219, or 14 percent of the population, compared with a statewide figure of 16 percent for the same age group. Manchester households with at least one person age 65 or over in town total 24 percent, compared with 29.3 percent statewide.
But town seniors said waiting lists for local senior housing are long or closed. Survey respondents said the tight local housing supply _ especially for affordable housing on a single level (no stairs) _ will make it difficult to stay in town.
“Financial worries are common for seniors ‘in the middle’ – i.e., those who are ineligible for assistance programs because of higher income, but unable to afford housing/services on their own,” the report said.
Recommendations to help residents age in place include working with nonprofit organizations such as Rebuilding Together to retrofit seniors’ homes for accessibility and providing local funding for lower middle class seniors who need to retrofit their homes, but do not qualify for a government funded program. Other recommendations include working with the town to encourage developers to include affordable housing for seniors as part of any new multi-family project.
Seniors also sought more activities for fun and learning and to stay active. The town senior center offers programs designed to keep people engaged, but the center is at capacity, the report said, “so few additional classes or activities can be added; a larger building is needed.” Planning for a larger senior center should begin as soon as possible, the report said. Also, additional programs and workshops at various other locations should be considered, the report said.
On local seniors’ mental health, the report’s recommendations included hiring a full-time outreach worker who is skilled in geriatric mental health issues, launching a pilot program with Manchester Memorial Hospital and the National Alliance on Mental Illness to help seniors who are transitioning from hospital to home and supporting community programs that connect seniors with friendly visitors, including private, non-profit and faith-based programs.
Jesse Leavenworth can be reached at jleavenworth@courant.com