PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Staying well allows us to live better lives. Through group classes, informational sessions and events, the Aroostook Agency on Aging staff and volunteers share topics and techniques that are intended to help all people age well.
We offer monthly programs developed to help older persons and their care partners succeed and thrive in their own homes. Pre-registration is required for all sessions. Please call 207-764-3396/1-800-439-1789 or email info@aroostookaging.org for more information, unless otherwise noted. Some upcoming educational and enjoyable events in April include:
Artists for Aging Exhibit – First Friday Art Walk (in person), Friday, April 1 from 12-7 p.m. at Aroostook Agency on Aging, 260 Main Street, Suite B, Presque Isle. Hosted by Aroostook Area Agency on Aging and First Friday Art Walk. Help us celebrate “Artists for Aging” with a visit to our gallery at Aroostook Agency on Aging featuring the quilting creations of Dana Allison of Castle Hill. All guests are reminded to wear a mask and sanitize their hands upon entering our building. Spaces are limited.
Online Gathering Place (online), Wednesday, April 6 10-11 a.m. at Aroostook Area Agency on Aging and AgingME. The Gathering Place focuses on creating a safe “virtual” place for those with chronic memory loss or health conditions to engage in fun activities and interact with others.
MaineCare Toolkit (in person), Friday, April 8 10 a.m. to noon at Putnam House Senior Center, 48 Court Street, Houlton. Hosted by Aroostook Area Agency on Aging and AgingME Did you know there’s a helpful program designed to help older persons in northern Maine identify and apply for financial assistance for nursing home care or in-home support services.
Medicare 101 (online), Tuesday, April 12 10 a.m. to noon, hosted by Aroostook Area Agency on Aging. Can you save money on your Medicare? What options do you have for coverage? Do you need Advantage plans or Supplements? Contact Kimberly James, Medicare Education Coordinator, at 207-764-3396/1-800-439-1789 for more information or to preregister for a link to this Zoom class.
Flavor of Aroostook: Cooking to Connect class (online), Tuesday, April 12 3-4:30 p.m. Hosted by Aroostook Area Agency on Aging, UMaine Cooperative Extension, NMCC, Aramark and A.R. Gould Northern Light Health. Join Lisa Fishman of the UMaine Cooperative Extension for a hands-on cooking class on “Meatless Meals.” Due to COVID precautions, the interactive ZOOM session will be transmitted from the state-of-the-art culinary lab at Northern Maine Community College. Registrations will be limited to 20 persons. Call or email to lori.cyr@aroostookaging.org.
Senior Medicare Patrol Fraud & Abuse (online), Wednesday, April 13 10 a.m. to noon. Hosted by Aroostook Area Agency on Aging. Have you been a victim of Medicare fraud? Do you want to learn ways to protect yourself from scams? How can you inform others about Medicare? Contact Kimberly James, Medicare education coordinator, for more information or to preregister for a link to the class.
Caregiver Support Group (online), Wednesday, April 13 12-1 p.m. Hosted by Aroostook Area Agency on Aging. It is normal for caring for a loved one to sometimes produce frustration and anger. But you don’t have to cope alone. Our support group for caregivers can be a lifesaver because it gives participants a place where they can share their feelings confidentially, make friends, get help navigating the healthcare system, and learn from others who are traveling a similar path. Please call or email to receive a link to the Zoom class.
Brain Builders (online), Thursday, April 21 10-11 a.m. Hosted by Aroostook Area Agency on Aging and AgingME. We all know the importance of physical, mental, social, and emotional wellness. But do you know having a healthy brain improves your mood and decreases the likelihood of having illnesses that threaten your quality of life? Our monthly Brain Health: You Can Make a Difference online session helps participants create goals that impact on their life and boosts their brain health.
Flavor of Aroostook: Cooking to Connect class (online), Tuesday, April 26 3-4:30 p.m. Hosted by Aroostook Area Agency on Aging, UMaine Cooperative Extension, NMCC, Aramark and A.R. Gould Northern Light Health. Join Lisa Fishman of the UMaine Cooperative Extension for a hands-on class on “Cooking for One or Two.” Due to COVID precautions, the interactive session will be transmitted from the state-of-the-art culinary lab at Northern Maine Community College. Registrations will be limited to 20 persons.
Coming soon – call us to find when the next session starts – Bingocize (online). Hosted by Aroostook Area Agency on Aging, Healthy Living for ME and AgingME. Bingocize is a 10-week health promotion program that mixes the popular game of bingo with moderate exercise. Participants will perform fall prevention exercises while learning about the importance of physical fitness in preventing serious falls. Individuals over age 55 should call or visit www.healthylivingforme.org to preregister for a link or for more information on this class.
Savvy Caregiver (online), hosted by Aroostook Area Agency on Aging and Healthy Living for ME. The Savvy Caregiver is a 12-hour course delivered in 2-hour sessions over a 6-week period. Curriculum includes a caregiver manual and workbook. It aims to introduce family caregivers to the caregiving role, providing them with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to carry out that role and alerting them to self-care issues.
Conversations Project (online), hosted by Aroostook Area Agency on Aging and AgingME. Talking about the things you want for yourself can be challenging. There are so many questions when you plan for the future: will I have enough money, will someone make decisions for me, does anyone really know what is most important to me, or does anyone know what makes me afraid? Our online Conversations class can assist you in developing questions or sharing concerns that you have with your loved ones and family doctor.
Falls Prevention Informational Session (online), hosted by Aroostook Area Agency on Aging and AgingME. Participants will gain an overview of falls prevention and other health classes available in Aroostook County. Class is free, pre-registration is required.
A Matter of Balance (online), hosted by Aroostook Area Agency on Aging and Healthy Living for ME. A Matter of Balance emphasizes practical strategies to reduce fear of falling and increase activity levels. Participants learn to view falls and fear of falling as controllable, set realistic goals to increase activity, change their environment to reduce fall risk factors, and exercise to increase strength and balance.
Living Well for Better Health (online), hosted by Aroostook Area Agency on Aging and Healthy Living for ME. Staying well allows us to live better lives. Living Well for Better Health helps people learn how to manage their own health by improving communication with their physicians, actively managing their symptoms, creating personal action plans, and developing support structures. Please call or visit www.healthylivingforme.org to preregister for a link or more information.
Living Well with Chronic Pain (online). hosted by Aroostook Area Agency on Aging and Healthy Living for ME. This class is designed for people who have a diagnosis of chronic pain, offering strategies for dealing with their symptoms. Topics include: techniques to deal with frustration, fatigue, isolation, and poor sleep, appropriate exercise for maintaining and improving strength, appropriate use of medications, communicating effectively with family, friends, and health professionals, nutrition, pacing activity and rest, and how to evaluate new treatments. Space is limited. Please call Jane Hanson or visit www.healthylivingforme.org to preregister for a link or more information.
Tai Chi for Better Health and Balance (online), hosted by Aroostook Area Agency on Aging and Healthy Living for ME. Tai Chi is an enjoyable exercise that can improve balance, relieve pain, and improve health and ability to do things. It is a slow exercise. It is easy to learn and good for all ability levels. This Tuesday/Friday class, instructed by Joy Barresi Saucier, is offered in partnership with Healthy Living for ME. There is a $20 fee. Please call or visit www.healthylivingforme.org to pre-register or for more information.
