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Community Corner

Brookline Forum on Models of Senior Housing

As part of Brookline's Age-Friendly Cities initiative, the Brookline Board of Selectmen, Housing Advisory Board, Economic Development Advisory Board, Council on Aging, Advisory Council on Public Health and BrooklineCAN (Brookline Community Aging Network) is presenting a panel of experts to discuss models of senior housing on Sunday, April 7, 2013. The panel, whose members are all familiar with Brookline, will take place from 2:00 to 5:00 pm in Whitney Hall at the Holiday Inn, 1200 Beacon Street, Brookline.


Aging baby boomers are the most rapidly growing segment of Brookline’s population. The number of Brookline residents between 55 and 65 years of age grew by 40 percent between 2000 and 2010.  Will Brookline be prepared to house these same residents over the next 20 years as their needs change, or will residents be forced to seek housing and services elsewhere? Will middle-aged Brookline residents be able to find nearby housing for their frail parents? Will the Town continue to receive empty nesters from other communities who are attracted by Brookline’s convenience and public services, ultimately contributing to community life and the local economy?


Panelists will consider models of housing and services for older people whose needs and financial resources differ widely, in hopes of stimulating discussion, interest and, ultimately, action. This forum will be of interest both to policy makers and to those who are considering their own futures in Brookline.

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Brookline is a member of the World Health Organization global network of Age-Friendly Cities, which was established to foster the exchange of experience and mutual learning among communities worldwide.


Frank Caro, Emeritus Professor of Gerontology, McCormack Graduate School UMass Boston and co-founder of BrooklineCAN, will introduce the panel.

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Michael Jacobs, Development Consultant, vice chair of the Brookline House Authority and member of the Housing Advisory Board, will serve as moderator.  


Panelists include Dorothy Kelly Gay, Director of Government Relations, Hebrew SeniorLife; Amy Schectman, President and CEO, Jewish Community Housing; James Seagle, Jr., President, Rogerson Communities; and Ruthann Dobek, Director, Brookline Council on Aging.

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