Aging and the State of Maine

Lenard W. Kaye, D.S.W.
Director, Center on Aging Professor, School of Social Work
University of Maine

Maine is well ahead of the national curve in terms of the aging of its population. Nearly 15% or almost 200,000 citizens in the state are 65 years of age or older compared to some 13% of the U.S. population. This reality combined with the fact that Maine continues to represents one of the most popular states in which older adults choose to retire, requires that we pay explicit attention and both plan and act expeditiously in dealing with the consequences of the old age phenomenon within our borders. 

It does us no good and is unwarranted to paint a doomsday scenario. In fact, the dramatic increase in the number of older adults in Maine now and in the future can ultimately have a positive impact on our region's social and economic well-being. What is crucial is that we respond to both the challenges and opportunities of an aging citizenry thoughtfully and promptly. 

There is no denying that because of the economic conditions and rural nature of Maine, a significant proportion of older citizens of the state face a number of difficult challenges including: 

1. A high risk of being isolated and disconnected from their neighbors, families and from the community services required to meet their social, emotional, economic, and health-related needs;
2. The lack of transportation services that would enable many older adults to get to the very community programs that they require;
3. A scarcity of expertly trained health and human service professional prepared to address the special needs of an older population;
4. Inadequate housing especially designed to meet the needs of persons living into extended old age;
5. The risk of being victims of various forms of elder abuse at the hands of both relatives and strangers; and
6. Being able to afford the prescriptions, housing accommodations, health care services, and special diets required of many older adults. 

These are real issues that will not go away with the passage of time. A coordinated and concerted response is required that merges the resources of families, our communities, the state, and the nation in order to address adequately these challenges now and in the future. Scarce resources and budgetary deficits should not explain away our responsibility and resolve in dealing with these realities that are both increasing in severity and in some cases represent life-threatening conditions especially if they are indefinitely neglected. 

At the same time that the state is challenged by the sobering realities of people living longer, we need to also recognize the enormous opportunities that the aging phenomenon creates for Maine and its communities. Today's elders, overall, are more educated, healthier, more active and mobile, and more politically astute than ever before. They also, on average, have more disposable income than most age groups. Furthermore, they have a strong spirit of voluntarism and a wish to serve in their communities and help their families and neighbors deal with the challenges of daily life. They want greater opportunities to remain connected to their communities and contribute in meaningful ways to the wellbeing and quality of life of the towns in which they live. 

The aging of Maine must not be seen as a bad thing but rather a positive consequence of impressive advances made on multiple fronts in medicine, technology, nutrition, and the like. However, a concerted response is required by the state to respond to the imperative of an aging world. Greater attention needs to be paid to preparing our workforce in the human services, education, health and medical care, housing, education, and more to respond to the special needs and issues facing an older citizenry. Opportunities need to be provided for older people to be able to both work and volunteer in their communities in meaningful ways. More young people need to be encouraged to dedicate themselves to careers in service to older adults. And above all else, the state needs to insure that adequate resources are secured, programs are provided, and a thoughtful strategy is implemented for effectively addressing both the positive and negative consequences of an aging Maine. That strategy needs to be explicit in encouraging a response that guarantees all levels of government, and all members of our communities work together to make Maine the best place it can be for its older citizens.

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