SeniorsPlus -

AGENCY CONTACT PERSON: Nicole Rooney, Office of Aging and Disability Services, 41 Anthony Ave, 11 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0011; TELEPHONE: 207-287-9221, FAX: (207) 287-9229; EMAIL: nicole.rooney@maine.gov.

Public Hearings

(posted Friday, March 4, 2016) We will hold three public hearings on our 2016-2020 Area Plan, outlining our plan to serve the older adult and adults with disabilities populations over the next four years.

The public is invited and comments are welcome.

Area Plan on Aging Public Hearing Dates and Locations:

• Thursday, March 24th at 10 AM, SeniorsPlus Education Center, 8 Falcon Road, Lewiston

• Friday, March 25th at 10 AM, Chisholm Room, Franklin Memorial Hospital, Farmington

• Friday, March 25th at 1:30 PM, Norway Town Office, Norway

An advanced draft plan can be reviewed on our website between March 8th and March 25th, 2016 or you may pick up a copy at our office at 8 Falcon Road in Lewiston.

Written comments should be mailed to SeniorsPlus, 8 Falcon Road, Lewiston ME, 04240, and must be received on or before April 4th, 2016

For more information, visit www.seniorsplus.org or call 1-800-427-1241.

Established in 1972, SeniorsPlus is the Western Maine designated Agency on Aging covering Franklin, Oxford and Androscoggin counties. The overall program goal of SeniorsPlus, which is headquartered in Lewiston, is to assist older adults and adults with disabilities in Franklin, Oxford and Androscoggin counties to remain safely at home for as long as possible.  The mission of SeniorsPlus is to enrich the lives of seniors and adults with disabilities.  SeniorsPlus believes in supporting the independence, dignity and quality of life of those we serve.

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Testimony in Support of Direct-care Workers

Gretchen Zeh-Higgins, Program Director at EIM, spoke to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services in support of LD 1350, to increase the reimbursement Rate for direct-care workers serving adults with long-term care needs. See what she had to say!

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Maine Transportation Forums Announced

The Maine Department of Transportation is holding a series of forums regarding general public transit services in those communities that appear to have the largest unmet needs. They are seeking ideas from the public on how to improve services for, low income individuals, the elderly and disabled, and members of the general public.

Forums in our area:
Mexico - May 19, 3:00 - 5:00 PM, Region 9 Education Center

You may also send your input by email at Transit.MaineDOT@maine.gov.

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Praise from Senator Susan Collins

Video Message from Senator Susan Collins of Maine, Chairwoman, Senate Special Committee on Aging On the occasion of the Fill the Plate Breakfast 2015 to benefit Meals on Wheels of SeniorsPlus and the presentation of the Ikaria Award to Dr. Alan Verrill of Central Maine Medical Center and Bridgeton Hospital for singular and outstanding contributions to towards improving the lives of older adults.

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Medicare Covers Durable Medical Equipment

Did you know that Medicare Part B covers durable medical equipment (DME) that your doctor prescribes for use in your home? Anyone with Medicare Part B is eligible.

Generally, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after you have met your Part B deductible for the year. The amount you pay may vary depending on the kind of DME needed.

If you have questions about the cost of durable medical equipment or coverage, call 1-800-MEDICARE or call us at 1-800-427-1241!

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Two Credit Union Donations total $1,693.91 for Meals on Wheels

THANK YOU to Community Credit Union and Maine Family Federal Credit Union for their donations to Meals on Wheels in the past week! Community Credit Union donated $320 on behalf of the Maine Credit Unions' Campaign for Ending Hunger, and Maine Family FCU brought in a whopping $1,373.91!

That's a lot of meals! SeniorsPlus served 47,351 meals to 325 older adults and adults with disabilities in Androscoggin County last year.

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St. Dom’s Pre-K Classes Hop Their Way to $1,135.05 for Meals on Wheels

Two pre-Kindergarten classes at St. Dominic’s Academy recently held their annual spring community service Hop-A-Thon, raising $1,135.05 for Meals on Wheels.  Each child hopped for 2 minutes, and with an outpouring of family and friends’ support, provided support for meals for 11 months for an older adult unable to cook their own meals.  (Each $100 supports meals for one month for a senior.)

See the video below demonstrating how they “hopped” their way to a successful fundraiser! 

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Oxford County Senior Workgroup

Paris Hill Baptist Church, South Paris – Valerie Cole from SeniorsPlus and Pastor Mary Beth Caffey of the Paris Hill Baptist Church are inviting all interested community members to join in this open group discussion. This is a new group in your community and our mission is to identify the struggles and barriers that impact quality of life for seniors wanting nothing more than to remain independent at home. Together, and with your ideas and input, we will work toward identifying solutions that will help seniors age in place with the needed services and resources. Please join us for this new group discussion!

South Paris Baptist Church, Paris Hill

Monday, March 30^th 2pm - 4pm

Call SeniorsPlus at 1-800-427-1241 to reserve your seat.

Please join us for the

FILL THE PLATE BREAKFAST
to benefit Meals on Wheels

Friday, March 20, 2015 * 7 am – 9 am
Hilton Garden Inn, Auburn
Honoring Dr. Alan Verrill with the Ikaria Award for singular and outstanding contributions toward improving the lives of older adults.
Individual tickets are $20 per person/$25 per person at the door.

SeniorsPlus is grateful for the generous support of its sponsors.

Central Maine Medical Center
Bangor Savings Bank
CBRE/Boulos Asset Management
Mechanics Savings Bank
Bates College
Raymond Gagnon
Head-to-Toe Physical Therapy
Healey & Associates
Hilton Garden Inn Auburn Riverwatch
Connie Jones
Law Offices of Joe Bornstein
New England Emergency Response System
Pine Tree Waste
Cabot Creamery
Maine Gourmet Chocolates
SunMedia Group

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SeniorsPlus NewsBites: Celebrate Older Americans

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Oxford Casino Donates to SeniorsPlus Meals on Wheels

SeniorsPlus has received a $1000 donation from the Oxford Casino, to support the Meals on Wheels program.

"This donation will help to provide more meals to older adults needing Meals on Wheels", says Connie Jones, Director of Community Services at SeniorsPlus. "We are very appreciative of the Casino's support of this crucial program which provides hot, nutritious meals to homebound older adults and adults with disabilities. We cannot run this service without strong community support."

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Moving Freely Classes in Mexico

An exercise class to support and increase your exercise and flexibility. Taught by the dynamic leader, Mitzi Sequoia. Classes are Monday, Wednesday and Friday, beginning on March 17 and ending on April 25, 9 to 10 AM. Classes are held in the Mexico Recreation Center. A donation of $15 is suggested. No need to pre-register.

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SeniorsPlus a Best Place to Work

SeniorsPlus was recently named as one of the 2013 Best Places to Work in Maine by awards program created by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). This statewide survey and awards program was designed to identify, recognize and honor the best places of employment in Maine.

SeniorsPlus will be recognized and honored at the Best Places to Work in Maine awards ceremony on October 10th and will be profiled in a special publication by Mainebiz. The final rankings will be announced at the event.

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SeniorsPlus Receives John T. Gorman Foundation Grant for Meals on Wheels

SeniorsPlus has received notification that they have been awarded a $25,000 grant from the John T. Gorman Foundation to provide meals for clients on the Meals on Wheels wait list throughout Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford counties. Because of federal sequestration and other policy changes, the Meals on Wheels program lost significant funding this year, leaving a large gap between the need for the program and the capacity to provide the meals. "This additional funding will help to fill the gap in our program budget so 45 older adults who would otherwise be on the wait list, will receive much needed meals," says Connie Jones, Director of Community Services at SeniorsPlus. "This grant will help us drastically reduce the wait list, which at its highest stood at over 160."

Meals on Wheels are provided for those who are homebound, unable to cook safely for themselves, and have no one else to cook for them. The meals provide a minimum of 1/3 of daily nutrition. Not only does this program provide nutritious meals, but in addition, the volunteer delivery person provides a safety check and a social contact for people generally isolated.

The John T. Gorman Foundation provides direct service grants to Maine non-profits to address, among other priorities, the immediate needs of seniors so they can successfully age in place.

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Change in Tax and Rent (Circuitbreaker)

Due to recent Maine legislation, the Circuitbreaker, aka Tax And Rent program, has been eliminated. In its place, a new program called the Property Tax Fairness Credit program will begin in January 2014. To receive a rebate for your rent or property tax you will file a 1040ME tax form and a Property Tax Fairness Credit Worksheet during the regular tax filing season - January 1 through April 15.

This may be new for many people who do not regularly file an income tax form each year. SeniorsPlus will be available to answer questions about the process as we learn more, and tax volunteers from AARP will be able to assist with tax forms and worksheets at no cost, starting in January.

For those eligible for the Property Tax Fairness Credit, the limit will be $300 per year for those 70 and younger, and $400 for those over 70. For more details on the program, click here.http://www.maine.gov/revenue/taxrelief/tnr.htm

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Technology: Balancing Bane and Blessing

I am constantly amazed at the speed with which technology has reshaped our lives. The challenge is to keep up with it, constantly evaluating what we want to adopt, what we will be forced to adopt, and what we will dismiss.

Take Social Security checks. You no longer go to the post office to await your check, then to the bank to cash or deposit it. Instead it shows up in your bank account or on your debit card. So you've given up the personal connections at the post office and the bank, but actually, you're safer without carrying that cash around.

We have to balance the need to keep up with the world as it spins faster and faster with our need to slow down and simplify. How do we do that?

• Make it a fun brain challenge. What do you know of Snap Chat? Explore the pros and cons of a laptop computer vs. a tablet.
• Find some much younger person and adopt them as your Personal Technology Assistant.
• Take classes (at the Lewiston Education Center, your local adult ed program, or at our Aging Well Living Well Expo on October 4th at Sunday River).
• Then evaluate - is this beneficial to me? Is this fun? MUST I learn this?
• Hold on tight, though, to the personal connection - pick up the phone talk to your friend, vs. sending an e-mail. Send a hand-written note to your grandchild. Invite your neighbor over for coffee instead of texting them.
  

While we're talking technology, please check out the totally revised SeniorsPlus website, www.seniorsplus.org. Read our news items, keep track of the latest scams on our Scam Alert corner, check out our blog, or like us on Facebook! Let us know what you think of it by by using technology - or pick up the phone and call us!

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The Shame Hiding in Some Maine Families

It's hard to believe that some families in Maine are taking advantage of and, let's say the correct word… abusing… a mother, father or grandparent. How could we? How could we let a grandmother come to live with us, but then blame her for the stress, the lack of money, and the family fights? How could we move ourselves into our mother's house, take over control of her finances and spend her money for our needs? How could we take her prescriptions and use, sell or give them to our friends? How could we decide to take mom home from the hospital instead of letting her go to a nursing home for better care…because we're afraid we'll lose her Social Security check?

Have we no shame? As a person becomes frail, why do we allow a caregiver to control, torment and abuse him or her?
Oh, not in my family, you say. Well, maybe not, but have you seen or suspected someone being treated abusively and stood by in silence, because you didn't want to become involved or didn't know what to do?

Mainers should not stand by and let this happen. We Mainers are better people.

There is no excuse for elder abuse.

Here's what you can do:

• If you are being abused, call Adult Protective Services (1-800-624-8404) as soon as possible. They will talk with you confidentially, and protect your safety.
• If you worry that someone you know is being abused, call and report it to authorities. Call 9-1-1, Adult Protective Services (1-800-624-8404) or your local police department.
• Support bills in state and federal legislation that strengthen laws against elder abuse (currently proposed LD 527 in Maine legislature).
• Respect your elders.