AARP Maine Vital Voices Survey Highlights Needs and Concerns of Older Maine Residents

AARP Maine Vital Voices Survey Highlights Needs and Concerns of Older Maine Residents

AARP research examines issues that impact Maine adults 45-plus

In an ongoing effort to better understand the needs and attitudes of older residents in the state, in 2024 AARP Maine conducted a Vital Voices survey with 708 Maine residents aged 45 and older. Conducted tri-annually, the survey data highlights older Mainers’ interests and concerns, assesses awareness on select topics, and signals advocacy and outreach priorities for the state office. The 2024 Vital Voices survey included issues such as health care, financial security, energy costs, caregiving, livable communities and housing.

“AARP Maine is dedicated to improving the lives of Mainers aged 50 and older, as well as their families,” said Noël Bonam, AARP Maine State Director. “Through state-specific surveys such as Vital Voices, we gain valuable insights into the needs and desires of older adults in Maine. Our research bolsters our efforts to advocate for fair utility rates, seek support for Maine’s family caregivers and provide resources on health and retirement security.”

Results from the AARP Maine Vital Voices survey include the following:

Caregiving is a pressing issue for Maine adults 45-plus according to the survey:

· 70% are currently providing care to a loved one or have done so in the past.

· 87% say it is extremely or very important to be able to stay in their own home as they get older.

· 27% say that it is extremely or very likely that they will provide care on an unpaid basis to an adult loved one in the future.

· 85% of current or past caregivers said that they spend their own money on transportation, medical devices, direct care or home modifications, to help care for a loved one.

“Maine is home to 166,000 family caregivers, which is 12 percent of the state’s total population,” explains Bonam. “With the average caregiver spending over $7,000 out-of-pocket each year to care for a loved one, we know that this issue is of paramount importance in the state with the oldest population.” 

Earlier this month, AARP Maine announced its 2025 Legislative Priorities, noting that Maine lawmakers have an opportunity to create a lasting, positive impact for Maine’s family caregivers by codifying Maine’s Respite for ME program. Launched in the fall of 2022 and funded by the Maine Jobs and Recovery Act, the Respite for ME pilot program provided eligible family caregivers with grants that enabled caregivers to access services such as respite care, assistive technology and other resources. AARP Maine calls on our lawmakers to work together to reinstate the Respite for ME program since the pilot program ended in the fall of 2024.

Utility costs are a concern for older Mainers:

· 81% say that an increase in electricity bills would be a problem.

· Only 20% (one in five) Maine residents say their elected officials are doing enough to keep electricity affordable.

· 67% have seen their electricity bill go up in the past 12 months.

“High utility rates, coupled with rising housing, food, and medicine expenses, force many vulnerable, older adults to make tough choices,” said Bonam. “Mainers need more consumer protections, and AARP Maine is committed to ensuring that all Mainers have access to fair and reasonable electric rates. Any discussion of rate changes must be transparent and allow for public engagement.”

AARP Maine will continue working to address current laws that cause undue burdens to electricity customers. Any costs, particularly those covering government subsidies which are transferred to ratepayers, should be re-evaluated and restructured in a fair and reasonable manner.

Financial security in retirement is on the minds of survey respondents:

· 88% believe having enough income or savings to retire is extremely or very important.

· 89% say having adequate Social Security benefits is extremely or very important.

· 91% feel that having financial security throughout their lives is extremely or very important.

“We know that Mainers 50-plus continue to experience financial strain whether they are working or already retired,” said Bonam. “It is critical that both elected and appointed leaders work to address these important issues that affect Mainers 50-plus and their families.”

To read the complete results from the AARP Maine Vital Voices survey, click here for the chartbook and overview.

“AARP’s research highlights older Mainers’ voices at a moment when they need to be heard,” said Bonam. “AARP is listening, and we’ll use these findings to inform our work and help older Mainers and their families access important tools, resources and engagement opportunities as they age.”

· To read AARP Maine’s 2025 Legislative Agenda, click here.

· To learn more about AARP and our work in Maine, visit www.aarp.org/me and follow us on social media @aarpmaine.

· To review complete results from the AARP Maine Vital Voices survey, click here.


Methodology

The Vital Voices survey of 708 Maine residents age 45 and older was conducted between July 17, 2024 and July 28, 2024. All data have been weighted by age, gender, and race/ethnicity according to 2022 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates. Survey results have a 3.7% margin of error.