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With you along the journey...wherever it takes you |
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| Meals on Wheels Drivers and Packers Needed Volunteer opportunities in Brewer, Milo, Millinocket, and Ellsworth
Delivery Drivers are responsible for delivering and/or transporting food, meals, commodities, pet food, or other specified goods to patron homes or other specified locations.
Packers are responsible to assist the Local Coordinator with counting and packing meals, food, or pet food for delivery. |
Dangerous Winter Toxins For Pets From Furry Friends Food Bank |
| The holidays are a busy and exciting time of the year. However, it’s crucial to take precautions against the risks that winter presents for dogs and cats. Many holiday decorations, foods, and common winter items can cause harm our pets. Here is a list of the most common winter toxins and holiday hazards for pets |
| Holiday Plants Poisonous to Pets Poinsettias, Holly, and Lilies Poinsettias cause gastrointestinal (GI) upset, Holly leaves and berries contain saponins and Lilies are very toxic to pets and can trigger gastric distress. Adverse side effects of consumption may include excessive drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, decreased activity, and loss of appetite so use extra caution about where you place these plants when decorating for the holidays. Christmas Trees Pets should not be allowed to drink from the Christmas tree water, Many Christmas tree preservatives can upset your pet’s GI system, the water could have bacterial contamination and the sap from needles can be very harmful if consumed. Don’t forget to secure electric cables and do not use tinsel as it is commonly ingested by cats. |
Hazardous Holiday Decorations Snow Globes with Antifreeze Snow globes are commonly filled with Antifreeze which has a sweet, warming taste that many pets may enjoy, but it is extremely poisonous to pets. Tragically, around 10,000 animals die each year from antifreeze poisoning, which has a fatality rate of 44-70% in dogs and 78-96% in cats.Take the time to seal and store all antifreeze containers away from pets. Potpourri, Essential Oils, and Candles Dry potpourri can cause chemical burns in our pets’ mouths, intestinal blockage, or gastrointestinal upset. Many essential oils are toxic to dogs and can cause a bad reaction and/or respiratory issues. pets may try to lick the heated oil, resulting in possible chemical burns. Candles and oil warmers are fire hazards and can be easily knocked over by pets in the house. |
| Winter Chemicals Toxic to Pets Ice Melt/Rock Salt Ice melt typically contains salt and chemicals that irritate pets' paw pads and skin. If pets ingest it, it can irritate their stomachs, and lead to salt poisoning. Look for a pet-friendly Ice Melt and keep all rock salt out of your pet’s reach. Rodenticide and pesticides Rodenticides and pesticides that kill or repel unwelcome seasonal pests are highly poisonous to cats and dogs upon direct or indirect ingestion. Silica Gel Many presents contain silica gel packs that absorb moisture and keep the product dry until it can be used. If your cat or dog consumes all or part of one, watch for signs of silica poisoning, which includes diarrhea, fatigue, vomiting, and loss of appetite. |
| My Plate Holiday Makeover From your friends at CSFP* |
| Tweak the Sweets Fruits make delicious desserts
Cheers to Good Health Drink water to manage calories
Bake Healthier Use recipes with pureed fruits instead of butter or oil
Spice it up Use spices and herbs instead of sugar and salt
Brighten your meal Fill half your plate with fruits and vegetables
Skim the Fat Try skim evaporated milk instead of heavy cream
Swap the grains Choose whole wheat flour instead of white flour
Go Easy on the Gravy A little bit of gravy goes a long way |
| | Dear Marci, I have Original Medicare and a Part D plan. I’m considering changing my Part D plan this Medicare Open Enrollment Period. How can I compare Part D plans? -Mina (Walla Walla, WA) |
| Dear Mina,
I’m glad to hear you’re comparing your Medicare coverage options this fall! Research shows that many people with Part D could lower their costs by shopping among plans each year. There could be another Part D plan in your area that covers the drugs you take with fewer restrictions or with lower costs, so it’s great that you are trying to compare plans. I would recommend using Plan Finder to compare Part D plans. Medicare Plan Finder is an online tool at www.medicare.gov that can be used to compare stand-alone Part D plans or Medicare Advantage Plans. Plan Finder provides information about costs, which drugs are included on the plan’s formulary (list of covered drugs), and the star rating of the plan. To use Plan Finder, follow these steps: Go to www.medicare.gov and click on the button that says, “Find Plans Now.” You can do a general search on the right side of the page, under the title “Continue without logging in” button. If you wish to save your drugs and pharmacy information, you can log into or create your Medicare account on the left side of the page. Next, put in your zip code and use the drop-down list to choose whether you are looking for a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan. Make sure you click “Apply” and then click on “Start” to begin your search. Then you can enter the drugs you take, choose the pharmacies you use, and indicate whether you are interested in a mail order option. Plan Finder will display results for plans in your area. Note that a plan may not cover all of the drugs you take, but it may have alternatives on its formulary. Speak to your provider about whether these alternatives would be appropriate for you. Plan Finder also tells you if the plan has a deductible and how much the monthly premium is.
Initially, the plans will be sorted by “lowest drug + premium costs.” This is the closest estimate to what you may pay out of pocket for your Part D coverage for the year. You can select “Plan Details” to find out more specifics about coverage, including any coverage restrictions that might apply to your drugs. Before enrolling, it is a good idea to call the plan directly to confirm any information you read on Plan Finder, as information may not be completely up to date. Here is a list of questions you can ask when calling a company about their prescription drug coverage. You can enroll in a plan online, by calling 1-800-MEDICARE, or by calling the plan directly. Note that this year, there are some additional things that people who take insulin should consider when using the Plan Finder tool. Beginning in 2023, cost-sharing for insulin is capped at $35 per prescription. However, the Plan Finder tool does not reflect this price change. If you take insulin, do your Plan Finder search without your insulin included in your drug list. This will show you the lowest cost plans for your other medications. Then separately check with a plan to see if your insulin is on the plan’s formulary. You can make as many changes as you want between October 15 and December 7, but only the last change you make will take effect on January 1. If you choose a plan and realize that it is the wrong plan after Fall Open Enrollment is over, in most cases you will not be able to change your coverage until the next Fall Open Enrollment Period. For this reason, it is important to carefully consider all of your options and take the time to research each plan in order to make a decision that fits your health care needs. Good luck choosing the best Part D plan for your needs! -Marci
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Our Medicare Open Enrollment appointments are FULL for the Fall 2022 season. If you still need help with your Part D for the Open Enrollment period, please call 1-800-Medicare (1-800-633-4227) for assistance or visit Medicare.gov. Our resource center is still available for other Medicare questions. |
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| | Eastern Area Agency on Aging and the Durgin Center will be closed November 11th for Veteran's Day and November 24th & 25th for Thanksgiving |
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| | We all enjoy the occasional free item, but when it comes to your Medicare insurance, the word "free" is something you want to be aware of and cautious about. Scammers use this word to lure people in and grab your attention and obtain your personal information. No matter who you are talking to, do your research and read the fine print, especially when you hear the word "free" and these phrases. When you have questions, reach out to EAAA. We are always ready to assist you. |
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Caregiver Respite Programs
Eastern Area Agency on Aging also has a Caregiver Respite Program, which 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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| 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 November 1 - Honey Mustard Chicken November 7 - Ham with Apricot Glaze November 8 - Beef Steak with Mushroom & Onion Gravy November 14 - Chicken with Herbed Gravy November 15 - Meatballs in Marinara Sauce November 21 - Turkey with Cranberry Gravy November 22 - Chicken & Rice Casserole November 28 - Shepard's Pie November 29 - Tilapia with Hollandaise Sauce |
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| *In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002- 508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD3027 form or letter must be submitted 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; or 2. fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or 3. email: [email protected] This institution is an equal opportunity provider. |
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