news from the Cabinet on Aging:
older americans month

Greetings again from the Governor’s Cabinet on Aging!

Early Spring is a busy time of year for activities related to the Older Americans Act (OAA). First, May is Older Americans Month and a time to celebrate the experiences, talents, and skills that older people contribute to Maine and to our communities. This year’s theme is “Powered by Connection,” which recognizes the far-reaching impacts that meaningful relationships and social connections have on our health and well-being. For more information from the Administration for Community Living and ideas on how to participate, you can read more here.

The State is also in the process of finalizing its next four-year State Plan on Aging (2025-2028). This plan serves as a roadmap for services and programming funded under the OAA and includes goals, objectives, strategies, and performance measures to be conducted during this period by Maine’s Aging Network. The Office of Aging and Disability Services, Maine’s State Unit on Aging, leads Maine’s Aging Network consisting of the five Area Agencies on Aging, Legal Services for Maine Elders, Maine Long-Term Care Ombudsman, and local service providers. The State Plan on Aging (2025-2028) includes efforts to support older adults and their care partners to remain in their communities through the provision of home and community-based services, service navigation, enhanced volunteer utilization, elder justice services, and caregiver support. Each Area Agency on Agency must also develop objectives in their Area Plans on Aging that coordinate with and reflect the State Plan on Aging goals and objectives for services under the OAA.

A draft of Maine’s State Plan can be reviewed here. It outlines how Maine will prioritize OAA funding to support older Mainers and caregivers, especially for those with the greatest economic need and greatest social need. The State will hold two virtual public hearings on the plan and will present an overview of OAA services and program, a summary of the proposed plan, and provide the opportunity for public comment. Please join if you are able!  Here are the dates and registration links for those sessions:

April 30, 2024 – 9:00 to 10:30 am. To register, click here.

May 2, 2024 – 9:00 to 10:30 am. To register, click here.