Northampton Age Friendly Survey-5_28_20.pdf1 / 48
AGE-FRIENDLY SURVEY OF NORTHAMPTON RESIDENTS
SUMMARY REPORT (June 2020)
Prepared for Age-Friendly Northampton
Northampton Council on Aging, Northampton Senior Center,
and Northampton Planning & Sustainability
with funding from
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INTRODUCTION
Northampton is a vibrant and unique small city with a large commitment to all aspects of livability and
accessibility. The city’s commitment in undertaking the Age Friendly Northampton Initiative is to highlight
what age-friendly programs are already in place, determine what is missing, and provide a platform for
even more collaboration and coordination of services and activities.
Northampton has undertaken an Age-Friendly Survey of residents to assess how the city can become a
more age-friendly place to live. Survey results and conclusions are presented in detail in this report.
There is a strong commitment to engage and partner with older adults and those with dementia in all
aspects of the Age Friendly Northampton Initiative: planning, gathering input, drafting recommendations for
priority activities, and implementing services.
AGE FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES
Northampton received designation as an Age Friendly Community in April, 2019 by AARP. The age-
friendly lens will provide the focus for a shared perspective for all stakeholders in the City, along with
enhanced understanding and access to current and future programs, activities, and services. The age-
friendly lens supplements Northampton’s efforts to expand accessibility beyond Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA) standards and to expand our 8 and 80 complete streets perspective.
The World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Age-Friendly Cities and Communities project was created
to help cities prepare for the rapid aging of populations and the increase in urbanization. The program
targets the environmental, social, and economic factors that influence the health and well-being of older
adults. AARP and the WHO are working together with communities across the United States to encourage
and promote age-friendly planning and policies that will allow communities to become places where adults
can successfully age in place.
The WHO has identified eight areas that influence the quality of life of those in a community, particularly
older adults. The eight areas or domains are: Outdoor Spaces and Buildings; Housing; Transportation;
Social Participation; Respect and Social Inclusion; Civic Participation and Employment; Communication
and Information; and Community and Health Services. AARP Research developed a survey instrument
that captures the WHO’s eight areas of an age-friendly community in order to help communities: (1)
establish a baseline with regard to older adults being able to age in place, and (2) conduct a community
needs assessment to identify and prioritize areas of focus. The survey findings reflect individual
preferences and help policymakers, planners and others better understand the needs of an aging
population in order to begin to brainstorm steps and policies that can be taken to improve livability for all.
SURVEY LOGISTICS
The Northampton Age-Friendly survey was administered from February through April 2020, using Survey
Monkey as the vehicle for collecting and tabulating responses. A total of 304 respondents participated in
the survey. Northampton promoted the participation in the survey through posting on the city website,
direct email contact, physical distribution of survey forms, and social media.
NORTHAMPTON AGE FRIENDLY CHARACTERISTICS
Northampton is a small city, rich in services and commitments to the development of a vibrant and livable
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community for residents of all ages. As the Hampshire County seat, Northampton is the home for a
number of county-wide programs and services all with a long history of collaboration and coordination.
The vibrancy of Northampton is reflected in many past and current designations: Best Place to Retire,
Best Arts Community, Healthy Motion Award, Bicycle-Friendly Community (Bronze), Pedestrian Friendly
Community (Bronze), STAR Communities-Five Star rating for Community Sustainability, Top 25 Arts
Destinations, Great Cities for Simple Life (AARP), and Top Adventure Towns.
There are a number of efforts underway that underscore the City’s commitment to being an inclusive Age
Friendly community. To cite a few:
The Climate Resilience and Regeneration planning effort includes building social resilience with
networks of how neighborhoods take care of all of their residents.
A “pavement to parks” program, Main Street redesign effort, North King Street Roundabout, and
recently completed Pleasant Street complete streets effort are all focused on ensuring that
Northampton is more pedestrian and bicycle friendly, safe, and desirable.
The development of a Rocky Hill Greenway includes the addition of many benches to be
accessible for all ages and populations.
The creation of ValleyBike and its inclusion of pedal-assist bicycles serves a larger demographic
than traditional human-powered bicycles.
The “complete streets on steroids” program planning is underway for the eventual reconstruction
of Main Street
Participation in the Mass in Motion program addresses all ages and supports many of the Age
Friendly goals.
Many of the City’s current housing efforts address the challenges of market-rate and subsidized
affordable housing and aim to expand housing options, especially in a market heavily dominated
by large single-family homes designed for families with children. The “Just Big Enough” effort
seeks to make smaller units more acceptable, to serve those left out of the housing market, and
to serve those whose housing needs are not necessarily met by traditional housing design.
The City has a long-standing commitment to ensuring that City buildings and services are
accessible and has been a catalyst for many retail and private businesses doing the same.
There are numerous programs and services for older adults in place, many sponsored or
coordinated by Northampton Senior Services. These include an enhanced and coordinated
transportation system, the year-old EARN (Employment After Retirement Network) program,
health and wellness support, and outreach and referral services to name a few. A newly hired
food and nutrition professional will enhance and expand nutrition-based programs and services.
The city’s commitment to ensuring that Northampton is an Age Friendly Community is partnered with a
commitment to ensure that all efforts and recommendations include a Dementia Friendly component as
well. The Age Friendly Northampton planning will assess what is in place and determine priorities for filling
gaps and enhancing current services and programs. The objective is to ensure accessible and effective
programs, activities, services, and user-friendly navigation and communications.
COLLABORATION BETWEEN NORTHAMPTON AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS
Under the leadership of Northampton Senior Services and the Northampton Council on Aging, Age
Friendly Northampton is led by a core group that is reflective of the eight domains of livability. The list
includes, but is not limited to, representatives from the Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Highland Valley Elder
Services, relevant municipal departments (Planning & Sustainability, Recreation, Arts Council, etc.), the
City Council, the Northampton Chamber of Commerce, Northampton Housing Authority, nursing homes
and assisted living facilities, Healthy Hampshire, the real estate and business communities, Smith College,
Northampton Neighbors, faith based organizations, Valley Community Development , and the Northampton
Survival Center.
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SUMMARY OF SURVEY RESULTS
The overall findings and trends from the survey are:
Most respondents have lived in Northampton for 30 years or more.
There are not many “snowbirds” among those responding, as 95% live in Northampton year-round.
Most residents want to stay in their current homes in Northampton after they retire and live
independently.
Northampton is a good place to live as people age, as 82% of respondents think the city is either
good, very good, or excellent.
The primary factors that might make Northampton residents move out of the city during retirement
would be looking for an area with a lower cost of living or looking for a home that would help them
live independently as they age.
HOUSING
The majority of respondents are homeowners, live in single-family homes, and want to live
independently in their own homes as they age.
Residents are likely to make home improvements to stay in their homes as they age, particularly
bathroom modifications and home access improvements.
There was broad support for a variety of home accessibility and affordability options, with
particularly strong support for affordability programs to allow residents to stay in their own homes,
and for affordable home repair services.
OUTDOOR SPACES AND BUILDINGS
The most important features to respondents are sidewalks in good condition and accessible public
buildings and restrooms.
TRANSPORTATION AND STREETS
Most residents get around by driving (94%) or walking (42%).
The most important transportation features to respondents are well-maintained streets and
sidewalks (98% rated extremely or very important) and affordable convenient public transportation.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Most respondents rated their health as excellent or very good, and 85% of respondents exercised at
least several times a week.
Most respondents (81%) feel it is extremely important to remain physically active.
Respondents placed a high value on a wide variety of health and wellness services. The most
highly ranked overall were: respectful and helpful hospital and clinic staff; a variety health care
professionals; affordable home health care providers; and well-trained certified home health care
providers.
SOCIAL PARTICIPATION, INCLUSION AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
The most popular locations for continuing education are: local organizations or businesses;
online programs; senior centers; and universities/community colleges.
Respondents would like to see a wide variety of increased opportunities for social interaction and
continuing education. The highest-ranking activities were: activities affordable to all residents; a
variety of cultural activities for diverse populations; multi-age activities; activities with senior
discounts; and continuing education classes.
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VOLUNTEERING AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Respondents placed a high value on a wide variety of opportunities for volunteering and civic
engagement. The highest-ranking activities were: easy to find volunteer information; a range of
volunteer activities; and transportation to and from volunteer activities.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Opportunities to continue working into senior years are important for about three quarters of all
respondents.
Respondents valued job assistance highly, including jobs adapted for people with disabilities,
and a range of flexible job opportunities and job training for older adults.
COMMUNITY INFORMATION
The most trusted sources of information about senior services are: family and friends; the internet;
Northampton Senior Center; and the library.
The most valued sources of community information would be: free access to computers and
internet in public places; community information in multiple languages; and information in one
central source.
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DETAILED SURVEY RESULTS
PART ONE: YOUR COMMUNITY
Q1 Do you live in Northampton (including Florence and Leeds)?
Of the total responding, nearly all (300) live in Northampton.
Answered: 301 Skipped: 3
Yes
No
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Yes 99.67% 300
No 0.66% 2
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Q2 How would you rate Northampton as place for people to live as they age?
The most respondents (35%) rated Northampton as a good place to live as they age, with 33% rating
the city very good. Only 6% rate the city poor.
Answered: 297 Skipped: 7
Excellent
Very Good
Good
Fair
Poor
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Excellent 14.14% 42
Very Good 33.00% 98
Good 34.68% 103
Fair 12.12% 36
Poor 6.06% 18
297
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Q3 How long have you lived in Northampton?
The most respondents (43%) had lived in Northampton for 30 years or more.
Answered: 302 Skipped: 2
Less than 5
years
5 years but
less than 15...
15 years but
less than 25...
25 years but
less than 30
30 year or more
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Less than 5 years 11.26% 34
5 years but less than 15 years 15.56% 47
15 years but less than 25 years 19.21% 58
25 years but less than 30 11.26% 34
30 year or more 42.72% 129
302
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Q4 Some people reside in places outside of their state for part of the year. Which of the
following describes how you reside?
A large majority of respondents (95%) live in Northampton year-round.
Answered: 299 Skipped: 5
Year round, do not reside...
Seasonally, reside outsi...
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Year round, do not reside anywhere outside of Northampton 94.65% 283
Seasonally, reside outside of Northampton during Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall on a regular basis 5.35% 16
299
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Q5 Thinking about your retirement years (when you retire from working), how likely is it that
you will move to a different home in Northampton?
The majority of respondents (58%) would not very likely or not at all likely move to a different home in
Northampton when they do retire.
Answered: 268 Skipped: 36
Extremely
likely
Very likely
Somewhat likely
Not very likely
Not at all
likely
Not sure
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Extremely likely 7.09% 19
Very likely 9.33% 25
Somewhat likely 17.16% 46
Not very likely 25.75% 69
Not at all likely 32.09% 86
Not sure 8.58% 23
268
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Q6 If you are already retired, how likely is it that you will move to a different home in
Northampton?
For residents already retired, most respondents (63%) are not very or not at all likely to move to a
different home in Northampton.
Answered: 202 Skipped: 102
Extremely
likely
Very likely
Somewhat likely
Not very likely
Not at all
likely
Not sure
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Extremely likely 7.92% 16
Very likely 6.44% 13
Somewhat likely 14.85% 30
Not very likely 22.28% 45
Not at all likely 41.09% 83
Not sure 7.43% 15
202
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Q7 If you were considering moving out of Northampton during your retirement (when you
retire from working), would the following factors impact your decision to move?
The primary factors that might make Northampton residents move out of the city during retirement
would be looking for an area with a lower cost of living (48%) or looking for a home that would help
them live independently as they age (47%).
Answered: 246 Skipped: 58
Looking for a different ho...
Fearing for your persona...
Looking for a home that wi...
Wanting to be closer to...
Needing more access to...
Wanting to live in a...
Looking for an area that ha...
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Looking for a different home size that meets your needs or budget 35.77% 88
Fearing for your personal safety or security concerns 6.10% 15
Looking for a home that will help you live independently as you age 47.15% 116
Wanting to be closer to family 23.17% 57
Needing more access to public transportation 26.83% 66
Wanting to live in a different climate 26.42% 65
Looking for an area that has a lower cost of living 47.56% 117
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Q8 How important is it for you to remain in Northampton as you age?
For the large majority (68%) of respondents, it is important to stay in Northampton as they age.
Answered: 299 Skipped: 5
Extremely important
Very important
Somewhat important
Not so important
Not at all important
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Extremely important 29.10% 87
Very important 38.80% 116
Somewhat important 24.08% 72
Not so important 5.35% 16
Not at all important 2.68% 8
299
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PART TWO: HOUSING
Q9 Do you own or rent your primary home — or do you have some other type of living
arrangement, such as living with a family member or friend?
Most respondents (85%) are homeowners.
Answered: 292 Skipped: 12
Own
Rent
Other type of
living...
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Own 84.93% 248
Rent 14.04% 41
Other type of living arrangement 1.03% 3
292
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Q10 What type of home is your primary residence?
Most respondents (65%) live in single-family home.
Answered: 289 Skipped: 15
Single family
home
Multi-family
home
Apartment
Condominium or
coop
Other, please
specify...
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Single family home 64.71% 187
Multi-family home 12.46% 36
Apartment 7.96% 23
Condominium or coop 11.07% 32
Other, please specify 3.81% 11
289
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Q11 How important is it for you to be able to live independently in your own home as you
age?
This is a very important or extremely important issue for 90% of respondents.
Answered: 291 Skipped: 13
Extremely important
Very important
Somewhat important
Not very important
Not at all important
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Extremely important 64.60% 188
Very important 25.09% 73
Somewhat important 8.59% 25
Not very important 1.37% 4
Not at all important 0.34% 1
291