Need help caring for an older Mainer? Start here

[

Aging in Maine is presented by AARP Maine
AARP Maine empowers people 50-plus to choose how they live as they age through advocacy, resources, programs, and benefits that strengthen communities, support caregivers and promote financial security and well-being.

Caring for an aging Mainer can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate it alone.

From respite care and transportation to counseling and legal help, a range of resources is available to support older Mainers and the family members and friends caring for them.

Here are some key agencies in each county and a look at what they offer.

As Maine’s population ages, taking care of its older residents is becoming an increasingly urgent issue. From the stress of rural isolation to a shortage of workers to complicated federal Medicare guidelines, this guide helps Mainers learn about the services, technology and resources available to caregivers and the parents, spouses, neighbors and friends they’re caring for.

ANDROSCOGGIN, FRANKLIN AND OXFORD COUNTIES

SeniorsPlus is based in Lewiston and has satellite offices in Norway and Wilton.

Here are some of the services they offer:

• Care coordination (connecting people with home care services from respite to in-home community service (assistance with living independently)
• Fiscal intermediary services for clients with long-term care needs (handling employer and employee paperwork, payroll, tax filings and workers’ compensation coverage)
• Nutrition services (access to the Meals on Wheels meal delivery program, social dining opportunities and restaurant vouchers that offer reduced prices at participating locations)
• Specialized services (coordination of emergency response systems, respite in a facility, environmental modification and assistive technology).

Connect at seniorsplus.org and 207-795-4010.

Advertisement

AROOSTOOK COUNTY

Aroostook Agency on Aging, based in Presque Isle, serves older people in northern Maine.

Here are some of the services they offer:

• Home care personal support (in-home help with daily activities)
• MaineCare in-home services, care partner education and support
• Volunteer programs and the Money Minders program (free bill-paying service where trained volunteers can help with setting up a budget, paying bills and managing a checkbook).
• MaineCare Toolkit which provides help with navigating community MaineCare or MaineCare in-home services applications and securing financial assistance for them.

Connect at aroostookaging.org and 207-764-3396.

For transportation needs, head to aroostooktransportation.org to access Aroostook Regional Transportation, which helps people throughout Aroostook County get to appointments, shop and stay active in their community.

A typical Meals on Wheels food delivery in Portland features nutritious meals. (Derek Davis/Staff Photographer)

CUMBERLAND AND YORK COUNTIES

Southern Maine Agency on Aging provides resources, services and information to empower adults, adults with disabilities and their caregivers.

Here are some of the services they offer:

Advertisement

• Information for older Mainers about day programs, nutrition (including the Meals on Wheels meal delivery program) and fall prevention
• Medicare counseling
• Money Minders (help with money management/bill paying)
• Phone Pal program, which pairs volunteers who will call 1-3 times a week for friendly conversations
• Resources for assistance with caregiving, including information on benefit programs, adult day programming and community resources
• Classes are offered on topics such as caring for someone with dementia, finding community resources, stress management and problem solving
• Southern Maine Agency on Aging’s State Respite Care Program supports family caregivers of people with dementia, and in some cases the program reimburses some of the cost for someone else to provide care
• Regularly scheduled support groups take place at the Biddeford office, and in the community to help connect caregivers with one another

Connect at smaaa.org and 207-396-6500.

HANCOCK, PENOBSCOT, PISCATAQUIS AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES

Eastern Area Agency on Aging, based in Brewer, provides information, options and services for older adults, adults with disabilities and caregivers.

Here are some of the services they offer:

• Family Caregiver Program (information and assistance, respite program and support groups)
• Commodity Supplemental Food Program (30-pound monthly food boxes with shelf stable grocery items and cheese available to low-income adults 60 years or older)
• Legal services for Maine elders, Medicare counseling, Meals on Wheels (meal delivery program)
• Money Minders (help with money management/bill paying).

Connect at eaaa.org and 207-941-2865.

KENNEBEC, KNOX, LINCOLN, SAGADAHOC, SOMERSET AND WALDO COUNTIES

Spectrum Generations is based in Augusta, and also has offices in Waterville, Damariscotta, Belfast, Hallowell and Brunswick.

Here are some of the services they offer:

• We Sustain Maine (locally grown food provided from Maine farms)
• Meals on Wheels (meal delivery program)
• MaineCare services (assistance with arranging home care programs)
• Money Minders (help with money management/bill paying)
• Caregiving services (support groups, adult day programs, state respite care program).

Spectrum Generations also covers Brunswick and Harpswell in Cumberland County.

Connect at spectrumgenerations.org and 800-639-1553.

OTHER RESOURCES

• Legal Services for Maine Elders is based in Augusta. Its mission is to protect the rights of older Mainers by providing free legal services to people ages 60 and older. They also advocate for people facing challenges when accessing Medicare benefits. Connect at maineelse.org and 207-623-1797.
• Office of Aging and Disability Services supports Maine’s older population by promoting the highest level of independence, health and safety throughout Maine. They oversee several programs for older adults, including long-term care programs. Connect at maine.gov/dhhs/oads and 207-287-9200.
• Maine Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program provides free, confidential advocacy for people receiving long-term care services and their families. The program investigates complaints and helps consumers understand their rights and options when problems arise with nursing homes, assisted living, home care, hospice and other services. Staff can also answer questions about finding and paying for care, and what to do if services are denied, reduced or terminated. Connect at maineombudsman.org and 207-621-1079.
• The Iris Network is a Portland-based nonprofit that helps Mainers who are blind or have low vision live independently. Services include low-vision evaluations and rehabilitation, mobility and orientation training, adaptive technology and help with everyday tasks. The organization serves people of all ages, including older adults experiencing age-related vision loss. Connect at theiris.org and 207-774-6273.

Copy the Story Link

Tagged: caregiver guide

Aimsel PontiStaff Writer

Aimsel Ponti is a music writer and content producer for the Portland Press Herald. She has been obsessed with – and inspired by – music since she listened to Monkees records borrowed from the town. More by Aimsel Ponti