AGE-FRIENDLY SPRINGFIELD A PROMISE TO LIVE, WORK, GROW & AGE WELL

JUNE 2019

A COMMUNITY REPORT FROM LIVE WELL SPRINGFIELD’S AGE-FRIENDLY INITIATIVE 1 LUDLOW 1 LUDLOW CHICOPEE CHICOPEE

INDIAN ORCHARD WILBRAHAM 1 INDIAN ORCHARD WILBRAHAM 2 Over the last two years, Live Well 1 LUDLOW INTRODUCTION EAST SPRINGFIELD BOSTON ROAD EAST SPRINGFIELD CHICOPEE BOSTONSpringfield’s ROAD Age-Friendly City Initiative 2 7 2 7 has worked collaboratively with The AARP/WHO framework identifies eight domains to guide us LIBERTY HEIGHTS PINE POINT INDIANLIBERTY ORCHARD HEIGHTS PINE POINT 4 4 WILBRAHAM community partners to understand in understanding the way to improve living conditions for older 1 EAST SPRINGFIELD 1 BOSTON ROAD Springfield’s readiness to become an people. We focused our efforts on better understanding two MEMORIAL SQUARE BAY MEMORIAL SQUARE BAY 3 7 3 2 7 7 Age-Friendly city. This effort has been of those domains—housing and transportation—since these 7 LIBERTY HEIGHTS 7 PINE POINT 8 4 8 BRIGHTWOOD 4 MCKNIGHT BRIGHTWOOD 4 MCKNIGHTsupported by a grant from the Tufts issues had already been raised as needs by the Springfield 1 1 1 6 1 4 MEMORIAL SQUARE 6 1 4 BAY Health Plan Foundation. Office of Elder Affairs. 3 3 7 3 4 6 7 4 6 METRO CENTER 2 UPPER HILL METRO CENTER 2 8 UPPER HILL 8 1 BRIGHTWOOD 4 8 1 MCKNIGHT 6 1 6 6 1 4 To guide this assessment of the current strengths and opportunities in housing and transportation for older 5 4 35 4 SPRINGFIELD 2 4 6 people, Live Well established an Age-Friendly Advisory Committee of community partners, stakeholders, SIX CORNERS 1 OLD HILL METROSIX CORNERS CENTER 8 1 1 UPPER HILL OLD HILL 7 6 7 2 5 4 2 and older residents to provide ongoing input. Throughout the process, the Age-Friendly Initiative engaged SIX CORNERS 1 OLD HILL 7 SOUTH END SOUTH END 2 SIXTEENcommunity ACRES residents and stakeholders to ensure community input and to begin to build community trust 1 1 SOUTH END SIXTEEN ACRES and partnership. As we spoke with these important partners, we also gathered information on other AARP/ 1 FOREST PARK EAST FOREST PARK FOREST PARK EAST FORESTWHO PARK Age-Friendly domains, including social support, outdoor spaces, and health care. FOREST PARK EAST FOREST PARK

EAST LONGMEADOW EAST LONGMEADOW EAST LONGMEADOW The Public Health Institute of Western led the assessment process along with two Springfield

LONGMEADOW LONGMEADOW LONGMEADOW Senior Resident Facilitators, the Age-Friendly Advisory Committee, and the University of Massachusetts Civic Engagement & Service-Learning Program. Assessment and community engagement activities COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MAP included walk audits, listing and ranking prioritization exercises, surveys, focus groups, workshops, and

1 3 5 Public Transportation 7 key informant interviews. Our efforts took place in 11 Springfield neighborhoods and resulted in the Walk Audits PVTA Bench Survey Workshops 1 3 Use Survey5 Public Transportation 7 Walk Audits PVTA Bench Survey Workshops engagement of over 300 older people from across the City of Springfield. Use Survey Along the way, with strong involvement of our Senior Resident Facilitators, we helped to successfully 1 3 5 Public Transportation 7 2 Key Informative 4 6 Focus Group 8 Senior Interview Walk Audits PVTA Bench Survey Workshops Big Paper Questions Use Survey AGE FRIENDLY CITY Interviews Discussions Profiles advocate against cuts to the Transit Authority budget. Additionally, we partnered with the 2 4 6 8 Key Informative Open Community Focus Group Senior Interview Pioneer Valley Transit Authority to secure AARP funding to support the installation of 12 new bus stop SPRINGFIELD Interviews Discussions Discussions Profiles 2 Key Informative 4 6 Focus Group 8 Senior Interview benches throughout the city. Big Paper Questions COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENTS Interviews Discussions Profiles

Dementia Friendly Open Community Baystate Health Enrolls in Age- HISTORIC DESIGNATION OF THREE Coalition Forms Discussions Friendly Healthcare Movement MAJOR AGE-FRIENDLY FRAMEWORKS

Age-Friendly City Build Identify Advocacy Focus Group Dementia Friendly America Assessment Transportation & Against PVTA Twelve New Bus Discussions Team Housing Assets Budget Cuts Stop Benches on Housing Age-Friendly Health Systems

FALL 2017 WINTER 2017 SPRING 2018 SUMMER 2018 FALL 2018 WINTER 2018 SPRING 2019 SUMMER 2019

Build Assessment Recruit Senior Public Transportation Senior Housing Public Sessions on New Key Informant Community AGE-FRIENDLY Team’s Capacity Resident Leaders Survey Walk Audits PVTA Benches Interviews about Workshops SPRINGFIELD Housing SUMMIT 3 TRANSPORTATION 4 ASSESSMENT

HOUSING ASSESSMENT

Participants in the transportation assessment included older people who are regular transit Participants in the housing assessment identified as renters and homeowners, and older riders, many of whom do not have other means of transportation as well as some vehicle people living in “senior housing” as well as other types of private and public housing. owners and current drivers. HOUSING MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS: Homeowners expressed many unmet needs for home AFFORDABILITY: Residents expressed concerns about affordability, especially shuttle/van services for modifications, upkeep, and maintenance resulting in struggles with aging in place (i.e., staying intheir older people that complement the public bus system, but have become unaffordable. homes as they age). Renters cite the cleanliness of buildings, outdated units, unreliable elevators, and resistance of landlords to making accommodations for older people, such as for falls prevention. TIMING: Older people rely on public transportation for daily use but the timing is challenging when planning trips for medical appointments or trips to the grocery store. AFFORDABILITY: Homeowners noted the burden of property taxes and the difficulty of balancing living and medical expenses without sufficient income. They also commented on challenges with staying in LIMITED TRANSPORTATION TO THE NEW SENIOR CENTER: This was raised as an obstacle in homes that are multiple levels as stairs become difficult--buying a new home is not possible financially accessing the senior center and social activities. and moving is too much of a challenge. LACK OF BENCHES AND COVERING AT BUS STOPS: Throughout the city, not having a place to sit protected from the weather makes it difficult for older people and residents with disabilities to comfortably Renters reported a lack of affordable units, especially units of high quality, and long wait lists for subsidized wait for buses. housing units. In addition, they noted the lack of availability of multi-bedroom units for older people. Men of color, in particular, shared their frustrations of spending years on waitlists for affordable housing without NEED FOR SAFER ROAD/INTERSECTION CROSSING: Infrastructure improvements are needed to placement or their inability to apply for housing due to having a criminal record. ensure safe road/intersection crossing for older people and individuals with disabilities. There are numerous intersections around the senior housing complexes where there are no or faded crosswalks, no pedestrian signals, no pedestrian-controlled signals, and very short pedestrian cross-times.

IMPORTANT NEED FOR HOUSING THEMES SOCIAL ISOLATION SERVICES NAVIGATION

Social isolation when aging in place and alone was another theme that emerged from multiple Residents expressed the need to understand the sources. The personal care assistants and Baystate Geriatrics house calls team spoke to availability of social services exists in the community for the importance of home-visiting programs and personal care assistants for the social and housing support and to have advocates to help navigate emotional support of older people as well as to help them to regularly leave their homes even the system. The two professional groups supporting for fresh air or a short walk. And for older people who do not receive these services, often older people in their homes noted their need for because they are ineligible through Medicare, social isolation is a persistent problem. advocates who know what services are available to them. 5 6 AREAS OF FOCUS The “City of Firsts” •• Transportation AGE-FRIENDLY •• Housing is again “First” in its •• Social Participation commitment to the SPRINGFIELD •• Respect & Social Inclusion Age-Friendly Movement! COLLABORATIVE •• Civic Participation & Employment •• Communication & Information •• Community Support & Health Services AGE-FRIENDLY AGE-FRIENDLY DESIGNATION FROM AARP •• Outdoor Spaces & Buildings Springfield is the FIRST city CITY in the United States to be As an Age-Friendly City, Springfield commits to implementing recognized for its commitment policies, services and structures to support and enable older www.aarp.org to improve the quality of life for people to “age actively”–that is, to live in security, enjoy older people, including those good health and continue to participate fully in society. Age- with dementia, as an Age and Friendly or livable communities actively work toward making their city a great place for people of all ages. This includes Dementia Friendly City with an walkable streets, housing and transportation options, access Age-Friendly Health System. to key services and opportunities for residents to participate in AGE-FRIENDLY community activities. SPRINGFIELD COLLABORATIVE DEMENTIA FRIENDLY DESIGNATION FROM THE MASSACHUSETTS COUNCIL ON AGING DEMENTIA As a Dementia Friendly City, Springfield commits to creating FRIENDLY AREAS OF FOCUS environments that are supportive, inclusive, and welcoming of individuals living with dementia, their families and care CITY partners. A Dementia Friendly Community is informed, safe, AGE-FRIENDLY •• What Matters respectful and inclusive of individuals living with dementia •• Medications HEALTH regardless of race, gender identity, socioeconomic status, •• Mentation SYSTEMS language, culture, religion or national origin. AREAS OF FOCUS •• Mobility

•• Local Government AGE-FRIENDLY HEALTH SYSTEM DESIGNATION FROM •• Business www.ihi.org THE INSTITUTE FOR HEALTHCARE IMPROVEMENT •• Legal & Advance Planning Services Baystate Medical Center and its Brightwood, High Street and •• Banks & Financial Services Mason Square Health Centers will be the first health care • • Neighbors & Community Members institutions in the country recognized as “age-friendly.” They •• Independent Living are committed to providing safe, high-quality health care to •• Communities of Faith achieve the goals which matter most to older adults. An Age- •• Care Throughout the Continuum Friendly Health System is one in which every older adult gets •• Memory Loss Supports & Services the best care possible, experiences no health care-related •• Emergency Planning & First Response harms, and is satisfied with the health care they receive.

www.dfamerica.org 7 8 INNOVATIONS Community innovations are new ideas, programs, or initiatives that focus on enhancing the quality of life for all residents as they age. Together these improvements increase access, complement existing services, and reduce barriers for residents facing challenges as they age.

SENIOR FARE FREE TUESDAY SENIOR COMMUNITY ADVOCATES www.pvta.com/seniors www.facebook.com/events/388296951904703/

PVTA is introducing a new program called Senior Fare Free Senior Community Advocates are working with Way Finders to Tuesdays! Seniors aged 60+ can ride PVTA Buses for FREE make Springfield a more walkable city. We meet monthly with every TUESDAY!!! This is a two-year program that will start in City Councilors and other resource people and strategize our July and run through June of 2021. advocacy efforts which include letter writing, attending City Council Speak-outs and collaborating with Mass Senior Action. DOORWAY TO AN ACCESSIBLE, SAFE AND HEALTHY HOME (DASHH) INITIATIVE DEMENTIA FRIENDLY TRAININGS www.revitalizecdc.com/contact-us www.facebook.com/DementiaFriendlyCommunities/

Doorway to an Accessible, Safe and Healthy Home (DASHH) The Springfield Dementia Friendly Coalition provides training, helps older people by improving their housing conditions related education, outreach and awareness for local businesses, faith- to asthma and falls. DASHH provides home assessments and based communities, public officials, those living with dementia, home repairs to help residents stay healthy and age in place. care partners and the overall public.

GO FRESH MOBILE FARMER’S MARKET AGE-FRIENDLY HEALTH SERVICES www.livewellspringfield.org/go-fresh-mobile-market/ www.baystatehealth.org/services/geriatrics/

The Go Fresh Mobile Farmer’s Market is a van that brings Baystate Geriatrics has three teams participating in the Age- affordable, fresh fruits and vegetables to local neighborhoods Friendly movement. The ACE (Acute Care for Elders) team every week in the summer and fall. Now in its 10th season, Go cares for older patients admitted to a designated unit at Fresh serves 14 stops in 11 neighborhoods in Springfield. Out Baystate Medical Center. The Geri-Pal interprofessional team of the 14 stops, eight are in senior communities. Throughout provides care for frail, mostly homebound patients from the the season, residents can maximize the amount of produce purchased each week by increasing their SNAP benefits through Brightwood, High Street and Mason Square Health Centers. A the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) or taking advantage of new Geri-Ortho Care team is working with older patients with BMC Healthnet or Greater Springfield Senior Services (GSSSI) hip fractures. These Baystate teams focus on improving care Senior Vouchers. and outcomes for the “4Ms.” (what matters most, medications, mentation, and mobility) which are the cornerstones of an Age- Friendly Health System. 9 10 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

SPECIAL THANKS TO: •• City of Springfield residents •• Mayor Domenic Sarno and the Springfield Mayor’s Office •• Springfield Department of Elder Affairs and the Raymond A. Jordan Senior Center •• Springfield Department of Health & Human Services •• Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative •• AARP •• Institute for Healthcare Improvement •• Massachusetts Council on Aging •• Tufts Health Plan Foundation

Age-Friendly Advisory Committee •• Senior Resident Facilitators •• Baystate Health Geriatrics, Palliative Care and Post-Acute Medicine •• Greater Springfield Senior Services, Inc. •• Mass Senior Action •• Pioneer Valley Planning Commission •• Pioneer Valley Transit Authority •• Revitalize CDC •• Springfield Department of Elder Affairs •• Springfield Department of Health and Human Services- Support for this summit was Mass in Motion provided by a grant from the •• Springfield Office of Planning and Economic Development Tufts Health Plan Foundation. •• Springfield Housing Authority • The Age-Friendly City Summit is • Springfield Partners for Community Action/Springfield organized by Live Well Springfield. Dementia Friendly Coalition •• Stavros Live Well Springfield is convened •• University of Massachusetts Civic Engagement and by the Public Health Institute Service-Learning of Western Massachusetts •• Way Finders www.livewellspringfield.org/age-friendly-city Live Well Springfield Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts 127 State St., 4th Floor P.O. Box 4895 Springfield, MA 01101-4895 413-794-7739 [email protected]