|   | Mark your calendars! Our popular Healthy Aging Expo is returning on Thursday, May 22, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Anah Shriners in Bangor. This long-standing resource fair is the go-to event for older adults and their families. |
|
| | We're now accepting vendor registrations for the 2025 Healthy Aging Expo, happening this May! If your organization or business serves the aging community, this is a great opportunity to showcase what you do, make meaningful connections, and grow your reach. |
|
| Help Us Support Older Mainers: Your Donation Matters  Maine’s aging population is facing growing challenges as the costs of food, fuel, and housing continue to rise, making it harder for older Mainers to meet their basic needs. At Eastern Area Agency on Aging (EAAA), we’ve been forced to implement waitlists for critical services like Meals on Wheels, Furry Friends Food Bank, and Respite Programs. Demand continues to grow, and without your support, these essential programs—and the individuals who depend on them—are at risk.
Over 300 people are currently on our Meals on Wheels waitlist with an average wait time of six months. For just $10 a day, you can help us eliminate waitlists and ensure that older Mainers have access to nutritious meals, support, and care.Your donation will directly impact lives - every gift helps us provide critical services and meet the rising demand.
What Agencies on Aging do: Our work with Maine's Cabinet on Aging
Since its creation by Governor Mills in 2022, the Cabinet on Aging has worked with state agencies and community partners to advance policies that support sustainable living and connection to the community so that all of us can age safely, affordably, and in ways and settings that best meet individual needs and preferences.
The Cabinet has just released its second annual report highlighting initiatives and activities over the last year. Read the report here - and see if you can spot one of our employees!
The Older Mainer's Act
Many older Mainers struggle to meet basic needs: Agencies on Aging like ours provide essential services, but face funding limitations. Over 600 Mainers are on waiting lists for Meals on Wheels, which has been proven to keep people in their homes and communities. By supporting this act, you are ensuring that older adults have access to vital services and programs that are proven to reduce hospitalizations, keep people in their homes, and offer peace of mind for families and caregivers.
The Older Mainers Actis good for older Mainers, families, and Maine’s economy. Contact your legislators today to let them know why you support LD 814: The Older Mainers Act.
Not sure who your representative is? Find them by your town's name here. |
|
Durgin Center Events and Activities |
| |
| Join us at the Durgin Center M/W/F for games! Play board games on Monday 1pm - Scrabble, Yahtzee, Sorry and more! Wednesdays at 1pm is BINGO! Play for bragging rights and the fun of winning at these Bingo games. (There's a chance to win a small [non-monetary] prize!) And on Fridays at 11am, come in to play many different card games!
There is a $3 drop in fee for these activities, or pay $12 a month and save! Monthly payments include all three activities. |
| | Join us April 25th at 1pm for our April Spotlight Sponsor! FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers Twin City Bangor, Clinical Director, Dr. Renee Moran, PT DPT and Benjamin Smith, Clinic Liaison are thrilled to present a Falls Prevention and Balance Seminar at the Durgin Center.
During the seminar, participants will learn how to identify if they have a balance deficiency, learn how we lose our balance and how fall risks are identified. If interested, in-person participants will be offered an individualized balance screening at no cost from Renee.
We ask that you sign up in advance by calling the Durgin Center (207) 941-2865 or filling out this online form so we know how many people to expect. |
|
|
Calais Access Center Events and Activities |
| |
Do you have questions about available resources and would prefer a friendly face-to-face conversation? Walk-in hours at our Calais Access Point are Tuesday 9-3 for Family Caregiver, and Wednesday 9-3 for the Resource Center. |
|
| Held on the first Monday of the month, the Alzheimer’s Association’s The Empowered Caregiver trainings help caregivers gain skills, build confidence, and feel more prepared to handle the challenges that come with caregiving. Call EAAA's Family Caregiver Program at 941-2865 to learn more! |
|
| In Person at the Durgin Center: Monthly every second Friday 9-10:30 a.m. Monthly every fourth Friday 10:30-12 p.m.
In Person at the Ellsworth Library: Monthly every second Thursday 2-3:30 p.m.
Zoom Support Group: Jan., April, July, Oct. Third Thursdays 2-3:30 p.m.
In Person at Calais United Methodist Church: Monthly every fourth Wednesday 2-3:30 p.m. |
| | Caregivers come together to share their experiences in a confidential and supportive setting. These support groups help caregivers gain skills, build confidence, and learn about helpful community resources.  Call (207) 941-2865 to register |
|
| Are you looking for opportunities to volunteer? Eastern Area Agency on Aging is always accepting volunteers for our SHIP/SMP program. State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs) and Senior Medicare Patrols (SMPs) empower and assist Medicare-eligible individuals, their families, and caregivers through local outreach, counseling, and education.
Help make a difference in your community! |
| |
New to Medicare? Attend EAAA's Medicare 101 class! Click the image above to learn more. |
|
| Dear Marci, I have Medicare Part D, and my doctor recently prescribed me a few new medications that I’m struggling to afford. I heard that the Extra Help program can help pay for Part D costs. What is Extra help and how do I know if I’m eligible for it? Deepa (Warba, MN) Read Marci's answer! |
|
NUTRITION NEWS AND INFORMATION |
|
| | | PAWS AND PEACE:Â Grieving a Pet and End of Life Services from Furry Friends Food Bank, brought to you by grant funding from the Maine Community Foundation - Click Here
FROZEN: Safe, Nutritious, and Accessiblefrom Commodity Supplemental Food Program - Click Here  Home Delivered Meals/Meals on Wheels Sample Menu - Click Here |
|
|
| Grief over the loss of a pet can be profound and is often comparable to the loss of a loved one. You can cope with pet loss by allowing yourself to grieve, seeking support, and memorializing your pet.  Read the flyer above by Furry Friends to learn more about this difficult time. |
| |
| Community Cafés Click here to view Community Café dates and locations. |
|
| Office Closures Eastern Area Agency on Aging offices will be closed April 21st for Patriots Day. Inclement weather delays or closures will be posted on our Facebook pages and on the Agency voicemail. |
|
| NEWS FROM OUR COMMUNITY To view larger or to read the flyer, click on the images. |
|
|   Eastern Area Agency on Aging | Website |
|  Â  |
|
| 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/ad-3027.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 AD-3027 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. |
|
|
|
|
