“Just lately, the state of Maine created a ‘Cupboard on Growing older’ to coordinate the efforts of state companies serving the wants of Maine’s older adults,” the article defined. “Among the many companies introduced collectively beneath this working group are well being and human providers, public security, transportation, labor and group and financial improvement.”
The cupboard pays explicit consideration to points associated to “financial, social and transportation-related issues,” with financial points — particularly the prices of residing, meals and warmth — because the keys to making sure a top quality of life for the state’s older residents.
Some points got extra consideration following the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic, together with “meals insecurity, restricted housing choices and, for a lot of, loneliness,” the article acknowledged. “Through the pandemic, the distribution of Meals on Wheels within the state of Maine doubled whereas important efforts had been made to enhance web entry for older adults.”
To handle these issues, lots of the state’s aging-centered companies are targeted on serving seniors with the very best want. This contains via “direct home-based providers, case administration, steadiness and wellness programs and caregiver assist.”
However cost-of-living will increase are pushing the numbers of needy older residents to new heights, the article defined. In 2024, “the Southern Maine Company on Growing older served 28,000 folks within the city, suburban and rural communities surrounding Portland, the state’s largest metropolis,” NextAvenue identified.
However as the need to age in place accelerates — a pattern enjoying out in Maine and in different areas of the nation — figuring out a service path to permit extra folks to stay of their houses is a precedence.
“Once we take into consideration caring for older folks, we tend to consider assisted residing or nursing houses or institutional settings,” Megan Walton, CEO of the Southern Maine Company on Growing older, advised NextAvenue.
“However a current survey by AARP discovered that 85% of adults 65 and older mentioned they need to age in place at their house. A shift in sources, consideration and coverage making towards the house and the community-based facet could be an enormous win for our state.”