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. Our events in September include:
Artists for Aging Exhibit – First Friday Art Walk 5-7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2, hosted by Aroostook Agency on Aging and Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce.
Help us celebrate “Artists for Aging” with a visit to our gallery at Aroostook Agency on Aging to see a photographic exhibit entitled “A Main Street Retrospective,” compiled by Kimberly Smith of the Presque Isle Historical Society.
Congregate Dining 11 a.m. every Tuesday and Wednesday at the Madawaska Senior Center, 291 Newberry Street, hosted by Aroostook Agency on Aging.
A sit-down luncheon for those over the age of 60 is available two days per week. Interested persons must register a day in advance; please call the registration line at 207-760-1689 and leave a message. Participants will be asked to provide some basic information upon first visit and then adhere to COVID-19 screening every visit.
Living Well for Better Health (in-person) 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Oct. 11 at the Fort Fairfield Public Library, 339 Main Street, hosted by Aroostook Agency on Aging and Healthy Living for ME.
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. Call Callie Rogers at 207-764-3396/1-800-439-1789 for more information or visit www.healthylivingforme.org to preregister.
Online Gathering Place (online) 10-11 a.m. Wednesdays in September, hosted by Aroostook 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 207-764-3396/1-800- 439-1789 or email to info@aroostookaging.org for more information or to preregister for this weekly session.
Congregate dining 11 a.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays at the Van Buren Community Center/Van Buren Housing Authority, 130 Champlain Street, hosted by Aroostook Agency on Aging and Borderview Rehabilitation & Living Center.
A sit-down luncheon for those over the age of 60 is available two days per week. Interested persons must register a day in advance; please call the registration line at 207-760-1687 and leave a message. Participants will be asked to provide some basic information upon first visit and then adhere to COVID-19 screening every visit.
Congregate dining 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 8 Thursdays and Fridays at the Fort Kent Senior Center, 20 Pine Street, hosted by Aroostook Agency on Aging and Fort Kent Elderly Social Action Club.
A sit-down luncheon for those over the age of 60 is available two days per week. Interested persons must register a day in advance; please call the registration line at 207-760-1690 and leave a message. Participants will be asked to provide some basic information upon first visit and then adhere to COVID-19 screening every visit.
Falls prevention presentation (in-person) 10-11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 12 at the Turner Memorial Library, 39 Second Street in Presque Isle, hosted by Aroostook Agency on Aging, Healthy Living for ME and AgingME.
Aging is inevitable, falling is not. Many adults can benefit from learning low-impact exercise to improve balance and strategies to increase confidence and reduce their fear of falling. Our staff and volunteers deliver evidence-based workshops that have been proven to help older adults reduce their risk of falling. Call Callie Rogers at 207-764-3396/1-800-439-1789 for more information and to preregister.
Coffee talk (in-person) 9-10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13, hosted by Age-Friendly Caribou, Cary & Pines Health Services and Aroostook Agency on Aging.
Kimberly James, Medicare educator with the Aroostook Agency on Aging, will discuss the basics of Medicare coverage. She is a Maine SHIP/SMP Counselor and assists Medicare-eligible individuals, their families, and caregivers through outreach, counseling, and training to help people make informed decisions about their healthcare coverage. Contact Elizabeth Singer for more information on this free event at 207-498-1632.
Bingocize (in-person) 10:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays starting Tuesday, Sept. 13 at the Caribou Wellness & Recreation Center, 55 Bennett Drive, hosted by Aroostook 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 Callie Rogers at 207-764-3396/1-800-439-1789 for more information on this Tuesday/Thursday class or visit www.healthylivingforme.org to preregister for a ZOOM link.
Senior Medicare Patrol Fraud & Abuse (online) 10-11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14, hosted by Aroostook 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, at 207-764-3396/1-800-439-1789 for more information or to preregister for a link to the class.
Falls Prevention Presentation (online) 11 a.m. to noon Friday, Sept. 16. ZOOM link available upon preregistration, hosted by Aroostook Agency on Aging, Healthy Living for ME and AgingME.
Aging is inevitable, falling is not. Many adults can benefit from learning low-impact exercise to improve balance and strategies to increase confidence and reduce their fear of falling. Our staff and volunteers deliver evidence-based workshops that have been proven to help older adults reduce their risk of falling. Call Callie Rogers at 207-764-3396/1-800-439-1789 for more information and to preregister for a ZOOM link.
Falls prevention presentation (in-person) 9-10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20 at Caribou Wellness & Recreation Center, 55 Bennett Drive, hosted by Aroostook Agency on Aging, Healthy Living for ME and AgingME.
Aging is inevitable, falling is not. Many adults can benefit from learning low-impact exercise to improve balance and strategies to increase confidence and reduce their fear of falling. Our staff and volunteers deliver evidence-based workshops that have been proven to help older adults reduce their risk of falling. Call Callie Rogers at 207-764-3396/1-800-439-1789 for more information and to preregister.
Caregiver Support Group (online) 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20, hosted by Aroostook 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 207-764-3396/1-800-439-1789 or email to info@aroostookaging.org to receive a link to the ZOOM class.
Falls prevention presentation (in-person) 10-11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 22 at the Gentle Memorial Building (Houlton Recreation Center) 128 Main Street, hosted by Aroostook Agency on Aging, Healthy Living for ME and AgingME.
Aging is inevitable, falling is not. Many adults can benefit from learning low-impact exercise to improve balance and strategies to increase confidence and reduce their fear of falling. Our staff and volunteers deliver evidence-based workshops that have been proven to help older adults reduce their risk of falling. Call Callie Rogers at 207-764-3396/1-800-439-1789 for more information and to preregister.
Tai Chi demonstration (online) 9-10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 23. ZOOM link available upon preregistration, hosted by Aroostook Agency on Aging, Healthy Living for ME and AgingME.
Volunteer instructor Ben Paradis will give an overview and sample exercises of our popular Tai Chi for Health and Balance classes. Call Callie Rogers at 207-764-3396/1-800-439-1789 for more information and to preregister.
Falls prevention presentation (in-person) 10-11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 29 at the Fort Kent Public Library, 1 Monument Square, hosted by Aroostook Agency on Aging, Healthy Living for ME and AgingME.
Aging is inevitable, falling is not. Many adults can benefit from learning low-impact exercise to improve balance and strategies to increase confidence and reduce their fear of falling. Our staff and volunteers deliver evidence-based workshops that have been proven to help older adults reduce their risk of falling. Call Callie Rogers at 207-764-3396/1-800-439-1789 for more information and to preregister.
Bingocize demonstration (online) 11 a.m. to noon Friday, Sept. 30. ZOOM link available upon registration, hosted by Aroostook Agency on Aging, Healthy Living for ME and AgingME.
Staff instructor Callie Rogers will give an overview and sample exercises of our popular Bingocize classes. Bingocize combines a bingo-like game with exercise and health education. The program has been shown to increase older adults’ functional fitness, health knowledge, and social engagement. Call 207-764-3396/1-800-439-1789 for more information and to preregister.
Coming soon, call us to find out when the next sessions are being offered in your area or online!
Savvy Caregiver – new session starts Oct. 3, hosted by Aroostook 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 207-764-3396/1-800-439-1789 or email to info@aroostookaging.org to receive a link to the ZOOM class.
The Conversation Project, hosted by Aroostook 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 207-764-3396/1-800-439-1789 for more information or to preregister.
Brain Builders, hosted by Aroostook 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 207-764- 3396/800-439-1789 or email to info@aroostookaging.org for more information or to preregister for a link to this ZOOM class.
MaineCare Toolkit, hosted by Aroostook 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.
Tai Chi for Better Health and Balance (online), hosted by Aroostook 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. There is a $20 fee for 10 weeks. Please call 207-764-3396/1-800-439-1789 or visit www.healthylivingforme.org to register or for more information.
Living Well with Chronic Pain, hosted by Aroostook 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.
