Family Caregivers in Maine Provide 2.9 Billion in Unpaid Care to Loved Ones

The unpaid care provided by the 166,000 caregivers in Maine is valued at 2.9 billion, according to new state data available in AARP’s latest report in the Valuing the Invaluable series www.aarp.org/valuing. This is a 700,000,000 increase in unpaid contributions since the last report was released in 2019. The report highlights the growing scope and complexity of family caregiving and highlights actions needed to address the many challenges of caring for parents, spouses, and other loved ones.

“Family caregivers play a vital role in Maine’s health care system, whether they care for someone at home, coordinate home health care, or help care for someone who lives in a nursing home,” said Noël Bonam, AARP Maine State Director. “We want to make sure all family caregivers have the financial, emotional and social support they need, because the care they provide is invaluable both to those receiving it and to their community.”

AARP Maine is fighting, and will continue to fight, for family caregivers and the loved ones they care for. Right now, AARP is urging state lawmakers to support Paid Family Medical Leave because caring for a loved one shouldn’t mean losing pay—or even one’s job. Maine’s family caregivers provide critical support and often do so while juggling a full or part-time job. The stress of balancing both can be daunting. Lack of workplace support can even result in individuals quitting their jobs or experiencing negative health outcomes.

Read the full Valuing the Invaluable report www.aarp.org/valuing for national and state-by-state data on the economic value of unpaid care by family and friends.

Resources and information on family caregiving are available at aarp.org/caregiving.

Maine Family Caregiving Resource Guide