UMaine researcher presents solo aging data to Bangor committee

A researcher from the University of Maine's Center on Aging presented findings on "solo agers," older adults living without immediate family support, to the Bangor Livable Communities Committee. The presentation highlighted that 36.1% of Bangor residents live alone and discussed the unique challenges these individuals face regarding health, transportation, and social isolation.

Key points

• The speaker noted that 43% of women aged 75 and older live alone, compared to 24% of men, indicating a significant gender disparity in solo aging.
• Data from the presentation showed that 36.1% of Bangor residents live alone, a figure higher than the state average of 28.34%.
• The researcher emphasized that many solo agers feel estranged from family or lack reliable support networks, leading to concerns about emergency response and long-term care.
• A provider survey revealed that 85% of health and social service providers expressed interest in resources to better support solo agers, yet fewer than one-third currently ask patients if they live alone.
• The presentation introduced a new website, soloagingresourcecenter.org, which curates resources and includes a conversation guide for providers to assess the support networks of older adults.

Next steps

• The researcher plans to propose adding more nuanced questions about solo aging to the upcoming 2027 statewide needs assessment for the state plan on aging.
• Committee members were encouraged to consider local policy implications and to stay in touch with the research team to share community-level insights.

Read the full transcript