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With you along the journey...wherever it takes you |
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| "Senior" Prom Fundraiser!
Do you have your tickets yet for the biggest event in September? Time is running out, so get your dance shoes on and make your way to the dance floor. Make it a September to remember and join us for the “Senior” Prom Fundraiser. This fundraiser is open to anyone over 21 years old and helps support programming for older adults. 100% of the proceeds will support programs like Meals on Wheels, Furry Friends Food Bank, and much more. Invite your partner, grandparent, best friend, or anyone who wants to listen to great music and get all dressed up. The Dogs will be playing all of your prom favorites and rumor has it this is their last year together. Come enjoy and support this incredible band during one of their last public performances. The “Senior” Prom is happening September 16 from 6 pm-9 pm at the Morgan Hill Event Center in Hermon. Get your tickets at eaaa.org/seniorprom. Use promo codePROM10 at checkout to save $10. We have some wonderful silent auction items for prom goers, including New England Patriots tickets against last year’s AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals, two reserved seats for any available Waterfront Concert for the 2023 concert season, and many more great items. Follow on Facebook to see a preview of the silent auction items. This event can be as big and fancy as you’d like or come semi-formal. Whatever your style, you’ll have a spot on the dance floor!
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| SHIP Volunteers Needed The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) volunteers for EAAA assist individuals with Medicare in the following ways:
Provide one-on-one counseling to review medical or prescription drug plan options for those new to Medicare and during Medicare’s annual Open Enrollment periods. Connect individuals struggling to afford Medicare premiums and copays to programs that can reduce their costs. Educate consumers about how Medicare works, including eligibility guidelines and Medicare’s relationship to Medigap plans, retiree coverage, MaineCare, and other insurance.
The next training for SHIP volunteers begins on October 19th and includes three online classes that meet 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. on October 19, 25, and 27. If you are interested in joining our team, please contact Debra Chalmers, Community Resource Specialist Supervisor, at 941-2865 or 1-800-432-7812. |
HOT WEATHER TIPS FOR PETS From Furry Friends Food Bank |
| Provide your pets with plenty of fresh, clean water when it’s hot or humid outside. Make sure they have a shady place to get out of the heat, and be careful not to over-exercise them. Know the symptoms of overheating in pets, such as excessive panting, increased heart rate, and excessive drooling. Never leave your pets alone in a parked vehicle. Not only can it lead to fatal heat stroke, but it is illegal in several states. When the temperature is very high, don’t let your dog linger on hot asphalt. Their bodies can heat up quickly, and their sensitive paw pads can burn. |
| For more information, visit aspca.org or call Eastern Area Agency on Aging at 207-941-2865 EXT 167 ASPCA. “Hot Weather Safety Tips.” ASPCA |
| Are you caring for a loved one and would enjoy the opportunity to share your experience with others who are facing the same obstacles and challenges within a confidential and supportive setting?
Once a month, Eastern Area Agency on Aging offers an in-person Caregiver Support Group at our Durgin Center. The support group helps caregivers gain skills, build confidence, and learn helpful resources available within the community. We would love to see you there!
Call EAAA for more information. |
| Worried about the cost of food? From your friends at CSFP |
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With the continuous rise of food cost, how would you like to receive $600+ worth of free groceries every year?
The Commodity Supplemental Food Program* provides a 30 pound box of FREE groceries every month, to be picked up at one of our many distribution sites in Penobscot, Piscataquis, Washington, or Hancock County. The Commodities Food Box provides shelf-stable items such as:
Juice Shelf stable milk Cereal Peanut Butter Canned protein Pasta or Rice Assorted canned fruits and vegetables 2 pound block of cheese
Applicants must be 60 years of age or older and meet income requirements. To apply, contact Eastern Area Agency on Aging at 941-2865 |
| | Dear Marci, I have Original Medicare but have been seeing a lot of ads for Medicare Advantage Plans that seem great. I don’t want to fall for just good marketing, though. Are Medicare Advantage Plans better than Original Medicare? How should I choose? -Lauren (Chicago, IL) |
| Dear Lauren,
It’s great that you are taking the time to learn about your options before enrolling in a plan. There are many important choices to make about your health care coverage, and being informed can help you make the best decisions for your own needs. People with Medicare can get their health coverage through either Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage Plan (also known as a Medicare private health plan or Part C). While there are many differences between the two, remember that Medicare Advantage Plans must provide the same benefits offered by Original Medicare, but may apply different rules, costs, and restrictions. Let’s review some of the main differences between these two ways to get your Medicare: Costs Original Medicare: You will be charged for standardized Part A and Part B costs, including a monthly Part B premium ($170.10 in 2022). You are responsible for paying a 20% coinsurance for Medicare-covered services if you see a participating provider and after meeting your deductible. Medicare Advantage: Your cost-sharing varies depending on plan. You usually pay a copayment for in-network care. Plans may charge a monthly premium in addition to Part B premium. Supplemental insurance Original Medicare: Have the choice to pay an additional premium for a Medigap policy to cover Medicare cost-sharing. Medicare Advantage: Cannot purchase a Medigap policy. Provider access Original Medicare: Can see any provider and use any facility that accepts Medicare (participating and non-participating). Medicare Advantage: Typically can only see in-network providers. Referrals Original Medicare: Do not need referrals for specialists. Medicare Advantage: Typically need referrals for specialists. Drug coverage Original Medicare: Must sign up for stand-alone prescription drug plan. Medicare Advantage: In most cases, plan provides prescription drug coverage (you may be required to pay a higher premium). Other benefits Original Medicare: Does not cover vision, hearing, or dental services. Medicare Advantage: May cover additional services, including vision, hearing, and/or dental (additional benefits may increase your premium and/or other out-of-pocket costs). Out-of-pocket limit Original Medicare: No out-of-pocket limit. Medicare Advantage: Annual out-of-pocket limit. Plan pays the full cost of your care after you reach the limit. Between the two options, one is not better than the other. Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare are just different, and you may prefer one over the other depending on your needs and priorities. To review the differences and receive counseling on your options, I recommend calling your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). -Marci
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| Starting Monday, October 3rd, Eastern Area Agency on Aging will begin scheduling Open Enrollment appointments. Call us at 941-2865 to review your 2023 prescription drug plan options. You don't want to wait, appointments fill up quickly. |
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| | Eastern Area Agency on Aging and the Durgin Center will be closed September 5th for Labor Day. The Durgin Center will be closed September 13th for a Staff Training. |
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Have you had the conversation? |
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You're at that point where you're ready to have the conversation about your wishes for care, but where do you start?
Follow these steps:
Watch the video Take the survey Download the starter guide
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Caregiver Respite Program
The Caregiver Respite Program supports family caregivers by helping to pay for someone else to provide care for the person with dementia.
Caregivers can utilize agencies, friends, relatives, or day programs to provide care. Respite gives caregivers a chance to take care of their own needs while knowing that their loved one is safe and being cared for.  Respite funds are currently available, click here to learn more. |
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| | | “The brain is like a muscle; the more the brain is used, the stronger it becomes,” says Ozioma Okonkwo, Ph.D. [...]
The majority of dementia risk studies have examined the benefits of obtaining education early in life. But [...] some studies have shown that learning new skills and working in jobs that are cognitively complex in mid and late life could also help protect the brain. |
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| Milo Café Thursdays 11:30AM - 1:00PM 15 Harris Pond Rd Milo, ME 04463 Call (207)-943-2488 to reserve. |
| | Millinocket Café Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10:30AM - 1:00PM 80 Maine Ave Millinocket, ME 04462 Call (207)-723-2045 to reserve. |
| | Brooksville Café Thursdays 12:00PM - 1:00PM 1 Townhouse Rd Brooksville, ME 04617 Call (207)-326-8864 to reserve |
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Coming Soon to the Durgin Center: |
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| Community Café Dates September 5 - Café Closed September 6 - Turkey w/ apple and mushroom gravy September 12 - Beef Steak with Red Wine and Horseradish sauce September 13 - Café Closed September 19 - Honey Mustard Chicken September 20 - Chicken Alfredo September 26 - Honey Garlic Pork September 27 - Meatballs in Marinara |
| | Ask A Librarian
Foot Care Clinic
Tai Chi 2 |
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*In accordance with Federal Civil Rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Civil Rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior credible activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: [email protected]. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. |
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