Gov. Janet Mills, center, and former Maine AARP State Director Lori Parham, left, announce the Age-Friendly State Plan in February.
Nearly two-thirds of older Mainers live in rural areas far from services, such as transportation and health care, according to a recent report from the U.S. Census Bureau.
The state reported the second-highest percentage (62.7%) — after Vermont (65.3%) — of elders living rurally.
Serving such a far-flung population is a challenge, Maine AARP Acting State Director Jane Margesson said in an interview last week.
The agency “is very aware of the problems facing our rural 50-plus populations,” Margesson said. “We are in the midst of a vibrant group of initiatives to address concerns.”
Perhaps foremost among the issues being addressed by the Age-Friendly State Plan is the lack of public transportation.
“In areas where there isn’t local transportation, many communities, such as Millinocket and Bowdoinham, have formed volunteer transportation programs,” Margesson said.
Such programs are developed under the Age-Friendly Plan, grassroots efforts announced by Gov. Janet Mills in February. The plan was created in collaboration with AARP and more than 50 other organizations throughout the state.
In announcing the program, Mills called it a “comprehensive strategy to help Maine’s older residents live well and safely in their communities.”
The plan focuses on seven issues: health care, housing, financial security, accessible communication, transportation, outdoor recreation and social engagement.
For example, Margesson said, AARP provides monthly calls to help communities tap into services. It also serves rural populations by supporting legislation to expand high-speed internet.
During the pandemic, AARP Maine developed a program called Community Connections to help people find resources and connect with others.
Volunteers send handwritten letters to older Mainers in rural communities, Margesson said.
“Hundreds of Mainers have been contacted this way and each received a copy of our free loneliness and caregiver resource guide,” she said.
Other services include access to affordable home repair and maintenance, transportation and food security.
Groups, including the Masons and local church members, help to provide these services, Margesson said.
“In some communities,” she said, “AARP Maine volunteers host virtual coffees and happy hour events to help bring community members together to meet new friends, share stories and have fun.”
Another aspect of the program is supporting family caregivers. AARP supports LD 296, “An Act to Provide a Tax Credit for Family Caregivers,” she said.
Still, isolation can be a problem. Community volunteers are addressing this by increasing access to public spaces. Some communities, including Mount Vernon, have created “highly successful neighbor-calling-neighbor programs” to connect and show that the community cares about the well-being of its elders.
An age-friendly team in the Hancock County town of Sullivan sends birthday cards to older residents, started a community garden and is developing an accessible walking trail, Margesson said.
She said many of the 71 age-friendly communities in Maine have outreach programs to encourage people to participate in local services.
Teams in Readfield and Presque Isle, for example, developed refrigerator magnets with essential information to connect with services.
And the AARP Virtual Community Center highlights local events and opportunities, such as “very popular” free yoga classes, Margesson said.
By the numbers:
• More than 1 in 5: Ratio of older Americans living in rural areas.
• 46.2 million: Number of older people in the United States.
• 10.6 million: Number living in rural areas.
• Vermont (65.3%) and Maine (62.7%): Highest percentages in rural areas.
• District of Columbia (0%), New Jersey (5.8%) and California (7.1%): Lowest percentages in rural areas.
• Maine, Vermont, Arkansas, Mississippi and West Virginia: States where more than half of the older populations live in rural areas.
• California, D.C., Florida, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey and Rhode Island: States where 10% or less live in rural areas.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau news release May 2021
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