Peter Baker, a social worker and manager of the Helpline for the Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter, will present a seminar Thursday, Feb. 18, at the Stewart Adult Day Center, 74 Lunt Road, Falmouth. The topic will be, “Effective Communication Strategies with those Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or Dementia.”
Baker will provide attendees with new ways to communicate with their loved ones who have been diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s, whose ability to use words begins to fade. Through attitude, tone of voice, facial expression and body language, learn how to decode verbal and behavioral messages so that caregiver and loved one can continue to connect and communicate even after the loss of speech.
The seminar is presented by Southern Maine Agency on Aging, from 1:30-3 p.m., at the Lunt Auditorium at the Stewart Center. Tours of the center will be available after the seminar. Those interested can RSVP to pclancy@smaaa.org.
Other programs coming up for seniors include:
• On Tuesday, Feb. 2, the Southern Maine Agency on Aging will offer a Welcome to Medicare seminar at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church at 919 Roosevelt Trail, Windham. The seminar is from 10 a.m.-noon. In addition to the Medicare seminar, there will be one-on-one counseling available from 9 a.m.-noon with volunteer Medicare advocates on both Feb. 2 and 16.
The seminar and counseling are intended to help people sort through Medicare options, answer questions and to help with enrollment. In addition to Medicare assistance, counseling on tax and rent rebate, food stamps and fuel assistance can be arranged. Call the Southern Maine Agency on Aging to register for an upcoming seminar or to make a one-on-one appointment, at 396-6500 or 800-427-7411. Visit www.smaaa.org to learn more about the many other services that are available.
• The Lakes Region Senior Center, a drop-in senior center, is open Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., at the Little Falls Activity Center, 40 Acorn St., Gorham. Stop in daily for coffee, tea, socializing, puzzle table or some other activity. Ongoing activities include: Monday, mahjong; Tuesday, crafts and card games; Wednesday, memoir writing group meets on the second and fourth Wednesday; Thursday, table games; Friday, art workshop begins at 9 a.m.
• Veterans Service Officer Matt Haley is available for office visits on Wednesday, Jan. 27, at Windham Veterans Center, from 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. Starting in February, he will be available on the second Wednesday of each month from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. He can provide free assistance to veterans or their dependents about benefits that may be available. Appointments are not needed. The Veterans Center is on Memorial Drive, which begins off Route 302, just before Friendly’s in North Windham.
Kay Soldier welcomes reader ideas for column topics of interest to seniors. She can be reached by email at kso48@aol.com, or write to 114 Tandberg Trail, Windham, ME 04062.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
