AUGUSTA -- The number of elderly Mainers waiting for help with everyday living tasks is on the rise in Maine, and a new group has been formed to map out a comprehensive strategy to address the growing need.

And in Maine, the state with the oldest median age in the country, that need will only continue to grow.

"There are a lot of families doing their level best, they just need a little help," said Brenda Gallant, the state's long-term care ombudsman.

Right now, there are 657 people on a waiting list for homemaker services, which are offered for up to six hours a month and include help with tasks such as grocery shopping, laundry, housekeeping and errands.

There also are 685 people on a waiting list for home-based care services, which combine homemaker services with bathing, dressing and more personal needs.

The Blue Ribbon Commission to Study the Future of Long-term Home-based and Community-based Care met Monday in Augusta for the second of five meetings. The group, which includes legislators, a physician and elder-care experts, has until November to come up with a plan to make sure these kinds of services can be provided to those who need them -- now and in the future.

The commission, funded by the Maine Community Foundation and The Bingham Program, meets as the state faces at least a $400 million gap in funding for the new two-year budget cycle.

"These are truly the most vulnerable people," said Sen. Kevin Raye, R-Perry. "It's a growing challenge, but we can't abandon them and the alternative is going to cost us more."

Cost comparisons provided by the state Office of Elder Services shows that the average monthly cost for a MaineCare-eligible person in a nursing home is nearly $4,000 compared to $1,686 for those who get help at home.

Rep. Margaret Craven, D-Lewiston, who is chairwoman of the commission and a member of the Legislature's Appropriations Committee, said she hopes the legislation that comes out of the commission's work will require the state to take action.

"We're looking at opportunities to pay relatives, neighbors to allow them to come over and provide that kind of help," she said.

On Monday, the commission got updates on what types of state and federal services are already provided in Maine. Future meetings will focus more on potential funding sources.

Graham Newson, executive director of the Maine Association of Area Agencies on Aging, said part of the commission's work will be to ensure that money is being used in the most effective way possible.

"It doesn't have to be a large expensive program to make a difference for people, to keep their independence a little longer," he said.

In 2006, the state spent about $7 million on home-based care, which served 2,005 people. In addition, it spent $2 million on the homemaker program, which provided help to 1,636.

Gallant said Maine led the nation in the 1990s with efforts to keep people out of nursing homes by providing at-home care. Since then, the state has fallen behind. Maine ranks fourth in the country for the percentage of residents age 65 to 84.

"We have a good foundation, but we need to expand it because we have so many people waiting," she said.

Susan Cover -- 620-7015

scover@centralmaine.com