Age- and Dementia-Friendly Hadley Community Assessment and Action Plan 2022

History of Age- and Dementia-Friendly Hadley Initiative

In April 2021, HCOA Director Hayley Wood invited staff and community members to form the Age- and Dementia-Friendly Hadley Working group as a first step to encouraging Hadley to join the Age- and Dementia-Friendly MA networks. In June 2021, Town Administrator Carolyn Brennan and Select Board Chair David Fill submitted a letter of commitment to the AARP MA chapter. In August of that year the working group submitted an application to AARP, and in September, Hadley received a certificate of membership in the Age-Friendly MA network.

In July 2021 the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission agreed to assist Hadley with the creation of a community survey (The Livable Hadley Survey), survey analysis, and the writing of a Community Assessment and Action Plan, which was finalized in November 2022. This work was made possible by a grant from the Point 32 Health Foundation, and $14,000 was applied to the work completed for Hadley.  Topic based discussions with invited stakeholders took place between October 2021 and May 2022, providing additional community feedback for the Community Assessment and Action Plan, and this process helped gain additional members of the working group. The working group welcomes new members, and members need not be older people. People who would like printed copies of this assessment may request one from the Senior Center.

Key findings and survey responses

• 35.9% of people over 65 in Hadley live alone
• 13.3% of people in Hadley over the age of 65 have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or Dementia
• 59% of survey respondents feel it is “extremely important” to stay in their homes as they age
• 30% of survey respondents feel it is “very important” to stay in their homes as they age
• There are not enough smaller housing units in Hadley for those who want to downsize: people who want to leave their larger homes must relocate
• 14% of survey respondents said that lack a friend or neighbor they can call for help if needed