Saco man’s caregiving story highlights challenges in Maine’s elderly care system

SACO, Maine — The numbers are surprising and may not be widely known.

A recent report by the AARP shows that over a quarter of Mainers care for an elderly or disabled loved one without pay, totaling nearly $3 million in out-of-pocket costs each year.

These needs are putting pressure on resources that help seniors stay connected and healthy. The Southern Maine Agency on Aging has expanded its programs to meet this demand.

When the pandemic began, Craig Lennon’s father, Francis, moved in so Craig and his wife could care for him full-time.

Craig worked as many as 60 hours a week at a logistics company while also raising his young grandson. Craig suddenly needed to arrange transportation and medical care for his dad. He also noticed that his father, an Air Force veteran and MIT graduate, needed more social interaction.

“I would come home from work and realize that my dad, a very intelligent man, had been sitting here watching TV all day,” Craig recalled.

A family member suggested he reach out to the Southern Maine Agency on Aging. This is one of five Area Agencies on Aging that provide free information about in-home, community, and other resources for seniors.

Francis started going to the agency’s Adult Program at the Cohen Center twice a week, using free rides from Age Friendly Saco. This gave him and his wife a safe and reliable option.

“It’s literally four hours twice a week that I can focus on other things, and that in itself is a huge victory,” Craig explained.

At 83, playing games, singing, and talking with others make life meaningful for him.

“It’s a fun time at the Cohen Center, I have gotten to meet people,” Francis said with a smile.

The recent AARP report shows that more than 320,000 Mainers provide unpaid care to a loved one, sometimes spending thousands on medical care and other costs. Seventy percent of those surveyed also have jobs. To help caregivers, SMAA added an adult day program in Springvale last year and recently opened a new site in Portland for up to 30 seniors.

“We are helping folks who wouldn’t have participated if it weren’t for the new location,” Renee Logarini, SMAA’s chief operating officer, said.

Craig started a new business called CarePatrol, which helps families find independent and assisted living and other services for their loved ones across Maine at no cost. This gives him more flexibility to care for his dad, who was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and to help seniors who feel isolated. “Oftentimes, we can help find a better way,” Craig enthused. 

LD 814 proposes increasing funding to Area Agencies on Aging, which, in turn, run programs that provide caregiver respite and adult day programming to help families get a break.
The legislation was carried over to the next legislative session, scheduled to begin in January. As currently proposed, it would direct $9.75 million a year to support aging services.

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