Believe me, when I was younger I never dreamed I’d anticipate sitting down and reading a tabloid called The Senior News,’ but here I am with a cup of coffee, a comfy chair and a newspaper just for me – and thousands of other Maine senior citizens.
Published by Southern Maine Agency on Aging, this little paper is filled with up-to-date information and ideas including, in the new issue, the subjects of Alzheimer’s and dementia and the help available in our local area.
SMAA and Community Partners Inc. are teaming up to present meetings about these two concerns. Most of us know someone who has Alzheimer’s. It’s a major concern for many people, not just senior citizens.
Everyone is welcome to attend the following presentations by the Dementia Support Group. which meets on the third Monday of the month at 3 p.m. in Classroom 3 at Community Partners, 443 Main St., in Biddeford. For more information, contact Barbara Alberda at 229-4308. Topics include: July 20: Death and Dying presented by Larry Greer of Hospice of Southern Maine; Aug. 17: Aging Issues and Dementia – medical considerations for those with memory loss, presented by Betsey Palmer and Laurie Petrson, RN, of Community Partners.
Other support groups for people caring for older adults, whether family or friends, welcome new attendees. Choose a place near you and plan to attend to find out how others handle this issue:
Bridgton area: Second Wednesday, 1:20-3 p.m. at the Bridgton Community Center. For more information, Oretta Baker, 647-8095
Portland: First Monday, 5:30-7:30 at Maine Medical center Geriatric Center, 66 Bramhall St. For more information, Anne O’Sullivan, 1-800-427-7411
Scarborough: Fourth Thursday, noon to 1 p.m. at SMAA. For more information, Kate Dulac, 1-800-427-7411
York: Third Tuesday, 1-2 p.m. a Heart Health Institute. For more information, Susan Kelly-Westman, 351-3700.
Looking for help in another area? – call toll free, 1-800-427-7411.
A resource book for family caregivers in Maine has been updated and is available free of charge by contacting AnneMarie Catanzano, Family Caregiver Advocate at 1-800-427-7411 extension 545.
A new chapter of Triad has been formed in Gorham/Westbrook. Triad is a cooperative partnership among law enforcement, elder service providers and senior citizens in a community. The new group meets on the second Friday each month from 9-10 a.m. For more information, call Fred Merrill at 839-7785 or David Garthe at 839-5407. The location of meeting place alternates between the two towns. The July meeting will be in Gorham; August in Westbrook, for example.
Triad is all about crime prevention and fostering communication between senior citizens and the community at large. There are 19 Triad groups in Maine.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
