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07/23/2019 02:17 PMAfter conducting a survey on the needs and interests of seniors in the community, the Clinton Senior Task Force is sharing the results of the survey and eying next steps.
Phyllis McGrath and Elizabeth Goldstein, co-chairs of the task force, presented the results of the survey to the Board of Selectmen (BOS) at a July 17 meeting. They also provided a copy of the results to the Harbor News. In total, 164 people returned surveys, with the majority of responders in the 70 to 74 age range. That number represents only a fraction of the total seniors in Clinton. Based on the latest census data, more than 2,300 (or about 18 percent) of Clinton’s residents are aged 65 or older.
The survey responders listed top activities including spending time at the Henry Carter Hull Library, walking or bike paths, and spending time at senior programs. Responders also said that the biggest obstacle to participating in more programs and services is that they do not know about them.
Affordable housing and the lack of a senior center were also singled out as major needs that would need to be addressed.
“We’re looking at a diverse population. We’re looking at seniors with financial concerns and some who don’t have any, [and at] seniors who want to interact with seniors and some who want multi-generational interaction,” McGrath said.
With the survey completed, the task force has committed to a serious of short- and long-term goals. In the short term, the task force is interested in increasing the communication and awareness of the programs.
McGrath suggested that the town find a way to create a position for a director of senior services who would act in part as an advocate for seniors, and partly as a program coordinator. The director would allow seniors to have a single principle point of contact to share concerns and receive information which interests them.
Besides the director position, McGrath suggested that the town could gather and disseminate information that clearly lists all the existing senior programs and their times so that it can be effectively communicated to seniors.
“The seniors in Clinton overall feel like they’re not cared for overall as a group,” Goldstein said.
The BOS praised the task force findings, and several of the selectmen pointed out that they themselves were senior citizens. “The bottom line here is communication,” said Selectman Carol Walter.
“A lot of this is making people feel welcome and included in this,” agreed McGrath, while Goldstein added, “It needs to be embraced and discussed in town.”
The board expressed support for the ideas brought forward by the task force.
First Selectman Christine Goupil said “I don’t see any reason we can’t get to these,” and added that the town will need to find resources and volunteers to start working on some of the recommendations.
As for long term goals, the task force wants to form committees to work on four key areas: the development of a senior center, the development of senior housing communities, transportation needs, and safety needs.
Bringing a senior center to Clinton became a major sticking point earlier in the summer after some seniors felt that the task force wasn’t doing enough to address that particular need quickly.
McGrath and Goldstein said that they do support bringing a senior center to Clinton, but said it will take time and the task force must consider other needs as well.
Currently, the Town Hall Annex is made available for seniors one day a week for a lunch program. Some have complained that the annex is uninviting when compared to the senior centers located in other towns, and has limited hours.
“When I think of what’s here compared to Old Saybrook, there is a big void that needs to be addressed,” Walter said.
Goupil said that there actions the town can take in the immediate future to alleviate some concerns. Goupil said that the lunch room of the annex will be made available more often should the seniors want to use it for activities like playing cards. She also suggested that the town could make the room more welcoming by adding things like a coffee machine and seeking donated furniture.