Here is a link to an article in the Globe about “Geezer Jocks”.
It highlights a group of older athletes who show how our healthy years (healthspan) are extending to match our longevity (lifespan). Our experience of aging is and will be different than previous generations. There is a movement to create age-friendly communities. (Newton is one, Massachusetts is an age-friendly state, and there is a worldwide movement to adapt to longevity). The momentum in this effort is fueled by the recognition that creating an age-friendly community helps all of us of any age live longer, healthier lives. What works for the oldest and youngest in a community tends to work for everyone in between.
What is Newton doing to help us all extend our healthspan? There are lots of examples. The new requirement to shovel sidewalks may make it safer for all of us to walk to destinations or to get exercise. Using multiple channels of communications (email, calls, newsletters, Tab) ensures that people have access to information and feel connected. Transportation options like NewMo help people to get around and stay connected even when they no longer drive. The accessory dwelling unit change may allow some homeowners to age in place. The property tax deferral program may provide relief to some who need resources to pay for other services. Having benches or bathrooms available to the public can make it easier for people to get out and about if functional status or continence is a concern.
What are your ideas to make Newton age-friendly?
Um, it depends on who is shoveling the walks. The plowers and landscapers are abandoning the business of plowing driveways because global warming has made snow less common. I’ve also heard anecdotal information that commercial plowers have been hit with more regs and insurance. I gave up and bought a snow blower ( carbon emitting ) because I couldn’t find a reliable plower. And I have to do the walks anyways, which they won’t do.
Btw, I have to say, that driving by city hall tonight I noticed the triangle area by comm ave and Lowell ave, the crosswalk was impassible! People were walking in the street to cross comm ave.
So much for pedestrian friendly. Bunch of talk and no action.
Maybe I’m missing something, but why are the taxpayers, at least in part, subsidizing a NewMo in the age of Uber and Lyft?
@Jim – among other reasons, NewMo can transport people in wheelchairs without them having to arrange for the transit a day ahead of time with pick-up being at the mercy of schedulers who couldn’t give a damn about whether their assigned time will leave you sitting out in the cold for 1/2 hour and no way to change the timing if a situation changes.
Meredith,
Uber and Lyft generally reach any Newton location within 3 to 8 minutes notice, anytime (at least in my experience). As I understand, but if I’m wrong let me know, NewMo covers as well riders without wheelchairs, which is likely more often the case. Anyway, riders who use folding wheelchairs can request an Uber ride in all other options available via the Uber app (perhaps requiring a bit longer waiting time). In those cases, drivers are expected to accommodate riders using walkers, canes, folding wheelchairs, or other assistive devices.
So, again, why is there a taxpayer subsidized NewMo?
@Jim, here is information to NewMo (http://www.newtonma.gov/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?t=47587.48&BlobID=97697), it is not free for the rider. I suspect you know this, but generally, municipalities recognize that it is desirable to support mobility, even for older people or those who do not drive. It helps the local community because residents can get out and spend money, use services, volunteer, etc. Besides complaining about a service we do have, what are your ideas to make Newton a city that makes it easier to be our healthiest self?
Beth,
Yes NewMo is not free to the rider, BUT IT IS FINANCIALLY SUBSIDIZED BY THE TAXPAYERS at the same time we have Ubers and Lyfts which are much more convenient to use.
Anyone,
If Beth can’t supply the answer, can ANYONE?
@Jim: Aren’t there some FOX news shows you could be watching now instead of your foolish badgering? We need more transportation options, especially for our seniors, not less. NewMO provides a service that is especially caters to folks who may have mobility challenges, aren’t comfortable using phone apps/storing credit cards on their phones etc. (you can call locally for a NewMo you can’t call for an Uber) or may just feel safer or more comfortable with the service and specially trained drivers. Before that the city had a similar contract with Veterans Taxi.
Plus, as a taxpayer I’m delighted to be supporting a service that benefits our seniors.
Greg,
Pejorative aside, I’m able to multi-task. It’s nice to know that you are “delighted” to waste the taxpayers money on a service when services not subsidized by the taxpayers are readily available which are (1) much more convenient in terms of arrangements, scheduling and time, (2) fully accommodating to riders using walkers, canes, folding wheelchairs, or other assistive devices, and (3) can be accessed by phone with services such as Go Go Grandparent or Arrive Ride, for seniors unaccustomed to using smart phones or apps.
So, again, why is there a taxpayer subsidized NewMo? Anyone?
Because we taxpayers like supporting and helping our seniors!
Greg, Greg, Greg,
Come on, I’ve long been a senior. I like seniors. I feel I’ve been supportive of seniors. I know many seniors. Some of my best friends are seniors.
How about going back to my points and see if you can provide a real substantive answer.
That goes for anyone — so far no answer — how about a substantive answer to my precise points from ANY City official or holder, if any have the cajones?
Otherwise, I say, eliminate this budget item and provide full information to senior residents as to Uber, Lyft, Go Go Grandparent and Arrive Ride, etc.
And if this is being a Scrooge near Christmas, go ahead and direct that taxpayer money to help seniors on something that is not otherwise fully, and with far better service, available from the private sector.
@Jim, how about you do some NewMo research and find out and then report back to us? I think demanding that someone respond to your comment won’t get you what you want. You are missing the main point of the post: to generate ideas re making Newton work for residents of all ages, including older people. (Similar to Chuck’s post about what is your big transportation idea).
Beth, Beth, Beth,
Again, again, again, Uber, Lyft, Go Go Grandparent, Arrive Rides.
Beyond that, no one has to respond (including ANY City Official or Office Holder); we’ll just waste taxpayer money on something that is readily and superiorly available at no taxpayer money.
I guess that’s Liberal/Progressive Newton at its best!
I think it would help to define exactly what we mean when using the terms “senior” or “senior citizen”. There’s a lot of difference when talking about someone who is 83 like me or some of the “young uns” who call themselves senior when they hit 60 or even 55 because there are senior discounts to be had. I still drive, hike,swim, do weights, yoga, shovel modest amounts of snow, do heavy landscaping work around my yard and interact socially and politically with all age groups. .
In that sense, I may seem a bit younger than some people who are chronologically younger than I am; but looks and even the activities I describe can be deceptive because in terms of modern technology and modern communications, I am way behind people who are only a decade or so younger than I am and it doesn’t bother me all that much that I am. So, I know Jim Epstein is acting in good faith when he admonishes us to just get an app and call Uber or Lyft when we need to go somewhere; but a lot of older seniors jut don’t feel comfortable with that. And it’s not just because we have difficulty with new technology; I think many of us also find a lot of it shallow, superficial, rushed, confining, impersonal and even stifling. I’m puzzled by people I observe walking down the street on a bright Spring morning with their eyes and thoughts focused solely on a smart phone. The last thing on their minds is what a great day this is going to be, at least weather wise.
And you may also get to personally know the new Mo drivers over a period of months or years where Uber or Lyft drivers are always a one off. The personal touch is almost always the most important attribute with older seniors.
Bob Burke,
Services such as Go Go Grandparent and Arrive Ride allow the old timers simply to call a phone number, and those services, for a slight fee, arrange for the Uber or Lyft pick and drive. Moreover, a youngen or technology literate on behalf of that old timer can set up an account, which the old timer never has to touch, arranging for payments and pre-programming all the destinations, anywhere (e.g., well beyond Newton), so said old timer need not know where or how to get to the destination. And then, the old timer can simply phone Go Go Grandparent or Arrive Ride for an Uber or Lyft ride back home.
I did that for my 95+ year old mom who couldn’t handle a smart phone yet alone any cell or flip phone. And my mom would develop a relationship with the Arrive Ride operator who would stay on the phone until the Uber or Lyft arrived and made sure everything was all right.
Jim,
Thanks for the information. I’ll check it out.
Bob,
One update I see since my mom passed away, Arrive Ride has been supplanted by RideWith24 which has partnered directly with Uber and Lyft, primarily for seniors.
…and Arrive Ride has merged with GoGoGrandparent, also with the name GoGo.
In answer to Beth’s question:
1. Designated senior time in the NNHS training room (and NSHS if there’s one there) for a nominal fee. Gyms are expensive!
2. Same for the swimming pool at NNHS.
3. Connections to affordable snow removal services.
4. Outdoor walking clubs to encourage physical activity and social connections.
5. Advertise information about safe places to take walks in the winter. I’m trying to remember if the track at NNHS is plowed because it’s one of my regular walking sites lately. If it’s not, plowing it may be a low cost way of encouraging physical activity, especially if it were to be paired with #4.
Great ideas, thanks Jane!
I second @Jane’s suggestion: “Connections to affordable snow removal services.” Or better yet, do a bulk purchase arrangement to get a really good price to which seniors could subscribe. This new snow removal ordinance puts us at financial risk if we feel insecure about removing snow, but you’re only exempt below certain (very low) income levels.
Beth asks: “What are your ideas to make Newton age-friendly?”
Answer: Restart the NewCAL process with a true assessment of how multiple generations (think 50-100 year olds) might use a senior center and what kind of location would be attractive to them. Eliminate the idea of devoting a portion of every day and evening at this center to non-seniors.
Thanks @Paul. I think I read this in the NewCal materials that Richard Rasala compiled, so I hope he will correct me if wrong…but opening the facility to all ages when not in use by seniors (50-100+) was a strategy to get more expanded hours of service. The operating hours now are 8:30-4, but with the new facility it would be nice to have evening and weekend access, too. (*Side note, the heating system at the current senior center died again. At our last COA meeting we had to wear our coats inside the building.) So I agree, moving forward on NewCal efforts is needed!!
Jim, the topic of accountability appears nowhere in this thread, so let me sprinkle it liberally. One reason (and there are others) for taxpayer funding is that NewMO has requirements for service that Uber/Lyft/Gogo and others do not have to deliver as private companies. I’m a Newton@Home volunteer, and do other nice things for seniors but the city can enforce terms of service, get usage data and establish standards including wheelchair service.
If I recall correctly, once you establish an account with NewMO, there’s a flat fee of $5 one way and therefore $10 round trip, all of it paid automatically. That feature might appeal to some residents in certain cases, whatever the limitations of the service — you always know how much the ride(s) will cost ahead of time and don’t have to worry about paying the driver. Now, perhaps some of these same users may opt for a different provider (i.e. Uber, Lyft et al) if they need a ride beyond NewMO’s hours of operation or areas of service. So in this context, NewMO would simply be part of a suite of options available, and riders can evaluate the costs/benefits for themselves.
“Connections to affordable snow removal services.”
Good luck with that. The city already lets contractors get away with doing a crappy job on the streets.
And it’s not just the affordability- it’s the when. Contractors are so, busy doing streets for the city and parking lots for commercial buildings you’re lucky if they show up before it melts.
And a lot of the smaller folks got out of the business because of climate change ( less regular snow ) and increasing insurance costs.
I bought a snow blower when my other snow blower went off to college.
Ah…the good old days..50 years ago…..I grew up just outside of Syracuse NY. Snow days, school cancellations? Ha. Only for blizzards. Orange colored County plows with government employees would be out plowing 24/7. Probably had a good pension too. My uncle, who owned a machine shop in Syracuse, would one-off parts for the plows when they broke. Nothing stopped because of a couple feet of snow. My dad had chains for his car to get up 1 big hill on his way to work. Get out of the car, put in the chains, go up the hill, get out of the car, take them off.
Privatization of public services has been a disaster.
To address the original premise of this post, I thought of a different take on the phrase “age-friendly.” This involves promoting/creating opportunities for people from different generations to have meaningful, (hopefully) enlightening conversations — not so much on “big” topics but the mundanities of everyday life.
Let me elaborate: Through my job and some of my leisure activities, I often get to interact casually with people considerably younger than me, i.e., college age or 20-something. Over time, we get to exchange insights on life and times that enable us to see each other as real people, instead of ready-made stereotypes and pop culture constructions of our respective generations, and even develop a degree of empathy for one another. Oh, I have adult children, but I think this non-familial type of connection can be equally, if not more enlightening.
Of course, the trick is how to bring about such conversations, in a way that isn’t forced, awkward and stilted? I think of those assignments sometimes given out in high school (or earlier) — go interview your grandpa/grandma/elderly neighbor! — which rarely bring about a rewarding engagement. The more successful exchanges, such as the ones I’ve enjoyed, come about organically and are not aimed at solving problems but serve as an end in of themselves.
No, this idea probably won’t making housing more affordable, or improve the city’s infrastructure, or improve sustainability. And generations have always been at odds with one another throughout history for one reason or another. But at a time when segments of our society seem increasingly isolated from one another — socially, politically — maybe encouraging healthy discussions between young and, well, less-young is not a bad thing.