Maine Volunteers Fight Senior Loneliness in Aging State

When Maggie Dallaire walks through Tom Pettegrow's door each week, she brings something no medication can provide: two hours of genuine human connection that he calls "heaven."

Tom, an Army veteran living with dementia, is one of thousands of older Mainers facing a perfect storm of challenges. More than 20% of the state's population is now over 65, while 15 of its 16 counties face critical healthcare worker shortages.

The Southern Maine Agency on Aging saw the gap widening and responded with a simple but powerful solution: trained volunteers who provide companionship and respite care. For families like the Pettegrows, it's become a lifeline.

"Some folks, as they age, start to feel like they're becoming invisible," said Renee Longarini, chief operating officer with the agency. The isolation hits hardest in rural areas, where neighbors might live too far apart to easily connect.

Dallaire's weekly visits do double duty. Tom gets consistent companionship that brings joy and stability to his daily routine. His wife Patty, who works during those two hours, gets something equally vital: time to breathe and handle her own responsibilities.

"You made my day," Tom told Dallaire after one recent visit. Patty, overhearing those words, found herself fighting back tears at seeing her husband so genuinely happy.

For Patty, asking for help wasn't easy. "I can't change my age. I can't change the fact that I get tired," she explained. But as Tom's needs grew, reaching out became necessary rather than optional.

The Ripple Effect

What started as addressing one family's needs is quietly reshaping how Maine cares for its aging population. Volunteers like Dallaire aren't just filling gaps in the healthcare system; they're proving that human connection belongs at the center of elder care.

The impact flows both ways. "Interacting with the people around you can give you so much more purpose to your life," Dallaire said, describing how volunteering enriches her own days as much as it helps the families she visits.

The Southern Maine Agency on Aging continues recruiting volunteers as demand grows. They're looking for people willing to offer what matters most: their time and attention.

In a state where aging in place means aging surrounded by community, these volunteers are making that dream possible one weekly visit at a time.