In testimony before the Committee on Health and Human Services this past March, Executive Director Joy Barresi Saucier shared a story that illustrates the growing complexity of needs in our region. An older resident contacted the Agency out of concern for another older adult who was unsheltered and showing signs of cognitive decline. But during the conversation, it became clear that the caller herself also had unmet needs and was in need of support.

The Agency team responded to both individuals with information, referrals, and assistance — but in truth, each situation required the intensive, ongoing help of a case manager to fully address their circumstances over the weeks and months that followed.

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“This is just one of many challenging situations we’re seeing,” Barresi Saucier explained. “But it’s part of a clear trend. At the Aroostook Agency on Aging, calls for information and assistance are up 36% since 2020, and our partners at Legal Services for Maine Elders have seen a 21% increase in service hours for Aroostook County. These are leading indicators that point to rising complexity — and the urgent need for more case management capacity in our community.”

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What Would Be Funded by the Older Mainers Act?

In addition to funding for case management, which is critical to assisting older adults in accessing benefits, coordinating care, and navigating complex systems of care, key provisions of the Act include:

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• Elimination of waitlists for home-delivered meals (Meals on Wheels), which include more than 200 Aroostook County residents who are eligible for nutritional support;

• Support for basic needs, which will assist with essential services such as food, fuel, housing, and home repairs, addressing the fundamental needs of older adults who often struggle to remain in their own homes;

• Medicare counseling and financial guidance, which ensures that older Mainers understand Medicare options and can effectively manage personal finances;

• Respite for family caregivers, which enables loved ones to continue their vital care partner roles without undue strain; and

• Public education and outreach, which will create greater awareness of available services to support older Mainers and their families.

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Better Outcomes, Lower Long-Term Costs

Economic analysis finds that a $9.75M investment in these services is a cost-effective approach to meeting the needs of older adults. For instance, Meals on Wheels costs less than $10 per day, compared to $258.55 per day for nursing home care. Preventing just 103 individuals from entering nursing homes annually would offset the program's entire cost.  Not only does this bill make financial sense, but it allows older adults to age in the setting they choose — for nearly 90%, that means home.

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Along with our sister organizations across the state, the Aroostook Agency on Aging has worked hard to emphasize the importance of this Act in meeting the needs of Maine's aging population, particularly in rural areas where services are limited. By 2035, nearly a third of all County residents will be aged 65 or older; in some communities, up to 45% of residents are currently over the age of 65.  These data underscore the critical need for the support that this legislation would provide.​

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