AARP Maine agrees with Editorial Page Editor Greg Kesich’s Jan. 31 column, “Attitudes about aging are no joke.” In the nation’s oldest state, outdated attitudes that fuel ageism have a negative impact on perceptions of our worth as older adults. To counteract this, in 2016 AARP launched the groundbreaking Disrupt Aging initiative and continues to challenge aging stereotypes.

“The Longevity Economy” report from AARP describes state-by-state contributions of Americans 50-plus. Even after accounting for the impact of COVID-19, Maine’s aging population is projected to make economic and social contributions that benefit people of all ages. The growth of this age group will drive innovation and market solutions.

As Mainers live longer and healthier lives, they contribute to communities and fuel economic growth well past traditional retirement age. The biggest percentage of new businesses in Maine has been created by people over 50. By 2030, Maine’s 50-plus workers are projected to number 275,000, or 38 percent of the state’s total labor force. Beyond economic contributions, the 50-plus cohort spends time engaging in activities like volunteering. In 2018, Mainers 50-plus contributed $621 million in volunteering activities, with the average person spending 51 hours as a volunteer.

What you do after 50 can be as remarkable as what you’ve done before 30. AARP’s own founder was 73 when she founded AARP. She is what we would now call an “age disrupter.”

I urge business and community leaders, as well as elected officials, to ensure that programs and policies are in place to support this unstoppable economic engine in Maine.

Lori Parham
state director, AARP Maine
Portland

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