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.
The Aroostook Agency on Aging staff and volunteers offer these upcoming educational and enjoyable events in June.
Stop by our Presque Isle office or call 764-3396/800-439-1789 for more information on any of these events. 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. Some upcoming educational and enjoyable events in June include:
Congregate dining Wednesday, June 1 at 11 a.m. Every Wednesday and Thursday Van Buren Community Center/Van Buren Housing Authority, 130 Champlain St. Hosted by Aroostook Area Agency on Aging and Borderview Rehabilitation & Living Center. A sit-down luncheon for those over the age of 60 is now available two days per week. Interested persons must register a day in advance. Participants will be asked to provide some basic information upon first visit and then adhere to COVID-19 screening every visit.
Online Gathering Place (online) Wednesday, June 1 at 10 a.m. (also June 8, 15, 22 and 29). Hosted by 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. Call or email info@aroostookaging.org for more information or to preregister for this weekly session.
Artists for Aging Exhibit – First Friday Art Walk (in-person) Friday, June 3 noon to 7 p.m. 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 a co-exhibit of works by Kathleen Ledger Cassidy of Presque Isle and William “Bill” Duncan of Madawaska Lake. All guests are reminded to wear a mask and sanitize their hands upon entering our building. Please call or email info@aroostookaging.org for more information.
Senior Medicare Patrol Fraud & Abuse (online) Wednesday June 8 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.
Medicare 101 (online) Tuesday, June 14 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, for more information or to preregister for a link to this ZOOM class.
Brain Builders (online) Thursday, June 16 6-7 p.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. Call or email to info@aroostookaging.org for more information or to preregister for a link to this ZOOM class.
Caregiver Support Group (online) Tuesday, June 21 6-7 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 info@aroostookaging.org to receive a link to the ZOOM class.
Coming soon – call to find out when the next session starts – Tai Chi for Better Health and Balance, 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 register or for more information.
Bingocize, 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 ZOOM 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. Please call or email to info@aroostookaging.org to receive a link to the ZOOM class.
The Conversation 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. Please call for more information or to preregister.
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. Call or email to info@aroostookaging.org for more information or to receive a link to the class.
MaineCare Toolkit (in-person), hosted by Aroostook Area Agency on Aging. This is a helpful program designed to help older persons and their care partners identify and apply for financial assistance for nursing home care or in-home support services. Agency outreach specialists will provide information through a video presentation, a question & answer session, and a variety of agency materials to help benefit older persons in Aroostook. Call or email info@aroostookaging.org for more information.
A Matter of Balance, 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. Please call or visit www.healthylivingforme.org to preregister or for more information.
Living Well for Better Health, 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 ZOOM link or more information.
Living Well with Chronic Pain, 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 or visit www.healthylivingforme.org to preregister for a ZOOM link or more information.
Flavor of Aroostook: Cooking to Connect class (online), 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. The interactive ZOOM session will be transmitted from the state-of-the-art culinary lab at Northern Maine Community College. In-person registration (when available) will be limited to six persons. Call or email info@aroostookaging.org for more information.
Coffee and Conversation (in-person), hosted by Aroostook Area Agency on Aging. Employees from the Agency will be on hand to discuss programs and services that are available to help older persons live independently in their own home community. Refreshments will be available. Call for more information.
