Living 60+_Spring 2024

Health, fun, fitness, finances, and more for Maine’s fastest growing population

LOCAL RESOURCES FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS

MAKING FRIENDS AT ANY AGE

A WWII VET BEFRIENDS A YOUNGER GENERATION

Local Resources for Maine Caregivers

ABY EMILY BAER

ccording to the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers, there are 53 million family caregivers providing comfort, compassion, and daily support to loved ones throughout the United States. Sometimes called primary caregivers, these individuals handle day-to-day logistics, navigate complex medical systems, and offer steady, loving companionship to those in their care.

According to AARP’s 2023 “Valuing the Invaluable” series, “Unpaid care provided by 166,000 caregivers in Maine is valued at $2.9 billion.” Despite their profound impact on our state and communities, it can often feel like a lonely journey for the thousands of Mainers who serve as caregivers. Just as this work is quiet and tender, it is often also overwhelming, exhausting, and isolating.

Still, there is a community of caregivers and allies at the local and national level who can offer assistance and understanding. Whether you’re just beginning to care for someone or have been doing it for years, these tips will help keep you energized and connected.

LOOK TO YOUR NEIGHBORS IN MAINE

If you are caring for an aging loved one in Maine, you can turn to any one of five Area Agencies On Aging that provide education, resources, and support to caregivers across the state. Each agency, also an Aging and Disability Resource Center, is designed to serve a specific geographic area and offer services such as Information sharing and referrals, respite opportunities, Medicare or health insurance counseling, classes and training, options counseling, advocacy, and care partner support services.

EXPLORE NATIONAL RESOURCES

If you’re looking to connect to national networks, there are organizations across the country whose mission is to support caregivers and their partners. In addition to the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers, the Family Caregiver Alliance and National Family Caregiver Support Program provide a variety of tools to help navigate caregiving relationships. Similarly, AARP has a suite of online and in-person resources to help people “choose how they live as they age.

FIND YOUR PEOPLE

While everyone’s care experiences are different, there is power in sharing your story with those who understand what you are going through. Local, regional, and national organizations host support groups with options for in-person or virtual participation. Even better? Groups are often organized around specific areas of need. Connect with folks in condition-specific groups, peerled groups, groups centered on certain ages or geographic areas, and groups based on demographics or interest areas (veterans, LGBTQ+, Gen-Z, hobbyists, or cross-cultural caregivers, for example).

LEARN AS MUCH AS YOU CAN

“You learn something new every day” is more than an adage for those engaged in caregiving. Opportunities to gain new knowledge, skills, or perspectives are practically endless, and the topics you can explore range from very broad to very specific. For example, the Southern Maine Agency on Aging hosts a statewide Savvy Caregiver training for “families and friends caring for someone with dementia.” You can also find classes geared towards estate planning, healthy cooking, time management, and meditation. Remember, knowledge is power.

EXPLORE TECHNOLOGY

Even though humans have been tending to one another for as long as we’ve been around, caregiving has evolved alongside technology. These days, care partners have access to websites, apps, and software to help monitor safety conditions, manage medications, and connect with loved ones near and far. Exploring your tech options with a care organization or medical professional could be invaluable, especially for those in rural areas of the state.

GIVE YOURSELF GRACE

This work is essential, and taking time to take care of yourself is as important as the time you give. As former First Lady Rosalynn Carter once said, “There are only four kinds of people in the world — those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers.”

Avalon Village

How Nutritional Needs Change With Age

COURTESY OF METRO CREATIVE

Healthy eating is important at any age and can set the course for a life of vitality and wellness. Sufficient nutrition can help prevent chronic illnesses and make sure that growing bodies develop properly. As one ages, various changes take place in the body, making healthy eating even more essential.

According to Healthline, nutritional deficiencies can affect aging individuals, which can decrease quality of life and lead to poor health outcomes. Individuals should pay attention to their vitamin and mineral intake at various ages so they do not miss out on important nutrients. As a person ages, here are some approaches to consider.

CONSUME FEWER CALORIES: According to Connie Bales, PhD, RD, associate director of the Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center at Durham VA Medical Center, people need fewer calories every decade. That’s because individuals are moving around less and have less muscle. This causes a decline in metabolic rate.

INCLUDE MORE NUTRIENT-DENSE FOODS: Even though caloric needs go down with age, it’s important to pack as much nutrition into the calories a person does consume. That means finding nutrient-rich foods like whole grains, fruits, nuts, beans, vegetables, fish, and lean cuts of meat.

CONSUME MORE LEAN PROTEIN: Muscle loss and loss of strength can develop as a person ages. Healthline says the average adult loses 3 to 8 percent of their muscle mass each decade after age 30. Eating more protein could help aging bodies maintain muscle.

EAT FORTIFIED CEREALS AND GRAINS: The ability to absorb vitamin B12 can decrease as one gets older and with the use of certain medicines. Many health professionals recommend patients get more vitamin B12 by consuming foods enriched with this vitamin. Vitamin supplements may be needed in addition to food.

DRINK MORE FLUIDS: Health.com says sensation of thirst declines with age. Drinking water and other fluids becomes a priority to stay hydrated. It also helps with digestion.

PRIORITIZE BONE HEALTH: Osteoporosis is a concern for older adults, particularly women who have reached menopause. Osteoporosis occurs when bones become brittle and can break from only the slightest bump or fall, says the Mayo Clinic. Vitamin D and calcium help strengthen bones, and older adults may need more of these nutrients.

Individuals should speak with their health care providers and nutritionists for further insight into their changing nutritional needs. Such professionals can help customize diets to address specific health concerns.

STILL WORKING BEYOND MEDICARE? WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW!

COURTESY OF CARROLL E. HARPER

Many employees, especially in small group plans (less than 20 employees) continue to work beyond Medicare. Problematic are two very important concerns with respect to Medicare Part B and Medicare Part D. Let’s review each separately, so not to confuse one with the other.

Medicare Part B is the medical component that covers doctor’s visits, surgery, testing, lab work, durable medical equipment and a host of other medical services. When a Medicare beneficiary works beyond their initial eligibility of age 65 for an Employer Group Plan with less than 20 employees, most plans will NOT pay the Part B benefits if the Medicare eligible employee opts not to sign up for Medicare Part B, which after a deductible of $240.00, pays 80% of the reasonable amount. What does this mean to the employee who is covered under the Group Health Plan should the employee have major surgery? This means that the Group Health Plan will only pay the 20%, the Medicare employee will be responsible for the 80%! Have I got your attention? In Maine, currently there are 6 companies actively marketing small group plans. At last count, only 2 of the 6 companies would pay the Part B Medicare expense, should the Medicare eligible employee opt not to enroll in Medicare Part B when eligible.

Medicare Part D is the Prescription Drug Benefit offered by insurance companies. Up until 2024, small group plans for the most part were considered “creditable coverage”, meaning that they were as good or better than the Medicare Part D coverage. With the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, Medicare Part D got enhanced coverage. Beginning January 2024, the Medicare beneficiary no longer has to pay the final 5% catastrophic phase of Medicare Part D and beginning January 2025, the so called “donut hole” or gap in Medicare’s prescription drug coverage is ending. The Part D plans for 2025 will have an annual cost sharing cap set at $2,000.00 for 2025 and indexed each year thereafter.

With the implementation of this change, the drug coverage under many small group plans (and some large groups) are no longer considered “creditable”! This means that if the Medicare employee remains covered under the

small group plan and later comes off the group plan and enrolls in a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, a penalty will be assessed. It is based on the number of months that the employee went without “creditable coverage” and is a lifetime penalty.

Both the Part B and Part D concerns will require the Medicare eligible employee to decide as to whether to remain on the small group plan and face potential medical expenses as outlined in the Part B section of this article, pay a prescription drug penalty by remaining on the group that has no “creditable drug coverage”, or come off the small group plan and enroll in an individual Medicare plan with Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage.

If you have questions about Part B and Part D and are a Medicare eligible employee working for a small group of less than 20 employees, you should ask your employer for information regarding this very important part of your retirement planning.

Making Friends At Any Age

WWII VETERAN BECOMES PALS WITH A MUCH YOUNGER GENERATION

ARTICLE & PHOTOS BY JODI HERSEY

When someone is about to turn 103 years old, it can be challenging to find the perfect birthday present. However, when word got on social media that former WWII Navy Lieutenant Pilot Ed Hendrickson of Brewer was about to hit that milestone birthday, family, friends, and even strangers alike decided to shower him with birthday cards. All told, Hendrickson received close to 6,000 cards by mail in the weeks leading up to his Nov. 14 birthday.

“It’s really just the greatest thing in the world that’s happened to me,” Hendrickson said.

Twins Don and Frankie Veneziano with Ed Hendrickson of Brewer.

One of those cards was from my 11-year-old twins Don and Frankie Veneziano of Hermon. Hendrickson first met the boys at the Bangor-Brewer Fourth of July parade last year. The boys proudly carried the WWII banner in that parade while Hendrickson was pushed in a wheelchair close behind them donning a bright tie-dye colored shirt and his WWII veteran hat.

The trio enjoyed each other’s company along the parade route so much that Hendrickson invited us to his apartment so he could take us down memory lane through black and white photos from his time spent in the Pacific.

Hendrickson, who flew a Curtis SB2C Helldiver in WWII, served four years in the Navy. And the boys, who both love history, barely got through his apartment door before they bombarded him with questions about the planes he flew or if he, himself, had ever been shot at, and more.

“I remember the night a torpedo went underneath our ship. We all were told to go to our battle stations. We would have to take turns flying patrol looking for submarines,” Hendrickson told the twins.

“I spotted something way up in the air, a plane. And I thought there wasn’t supposed to be any planes in this area. At that time, there was always one dive bomber

and one fighter that flew together. The fighter is there for protection and the dive bomber is there to look around and see if there are any other planes that shouldn’t be there. When the plane got in front of me, I could see the big red circle,” said Hendrickson as the boys leaned in closer to hear more. “So I went after the guy. I fired and I could see the plane I shot down, and I could see the parachute was covered in blood, so I know

he was killed and I thought that’s too bad, someone is going to miss him.”

He shared pictures and other stories of happy times during his military service. “My mom sent me a chocolate cake with white frosting when I was in the Pacific. Do you know I have no idea how long it took to arrive, but it was still good,” he said to the boys. “Do you guys like cake?”

“Yes,” the boys said in unison.

During another visit at Hendrickson’s home, the trio’s conversation eventually circled back to food and how much all three of them enjoy pancakes.

“Well, we should get pancakes sometime,” Hendrickson said.

My sons both say they don’t know many others their age who have friends over 100. And Hendrickson is just as fond of the boys as they are of him.

When we had the opportunity to reunite at the Veterans Day Parade, the three of them jumped right back into friendly conversation like no time had passed since our last visit. When I was finally able to get a word in, I asked Hendrickson, “What’s it like being 103-yearsold?” He simply looked up at me from his wheelchair and with laughter in his eyes he said, “It’s just like being 102, except for a year older.”

PAID ADVERTISEMENT FOR MYEROWITZ CHIROPRACTIC & ACUPUNCTURE CLINIC

Lyme disease risk likely higher than you think

Lyme disease is the most common tickborne disease and is one of the fastest growing infectious diseases.

Prevention admits to over 300,000 new cases per year. In reality, as we have seen it’s much greater than that and the prevalence is rising.

Since national surveillance began in 1982, the number of annual Lyme cases disease is also spreading geographically.

Between 1993 and 1997, 43 counties across the U.S. had a high incidence of Lyme disease. By 2012, the number had skyrocketed to 182 as reported by TIME Magazine. According to the CDC, Lyme is

not only rampant in the hotspots, but is rapidly spreading across the country In the northeast alone, Lyme has increased 320 percent since 2016.

Lyme disease is caused by the infectious spirochetal germ Borrelia burgdorferi. Its cousingerms, Bartonella henselae, Babesia microti, and the bacteria of the Ehrlichia

over 100 species of Borrelia and 100 species of Babesia.

which enables them to burrow deep into the connective tissue.In addition, these bugs are pleomorphic, meaning they can

can also live intracellularly, which is why the heavy metals in your system and create an armored protective shell that antibiotics cannot penetrate.

One of the reasons blood tests are so unreliable is that the spirochete is capable of infecting white blood cells. Since lab tests rely on the normal function of these cells to produce the antibodies they measure and are infected, they will not

worse the infection, the less likely it will

test is no better than 50/50, according to Richard Horowitz, M.D.

Johns Hopkins says it misses 55 percent

the New York State Department of Health says it missed 81 percent of the people that did not have a bullseye rash

One of the most important aspects of developing a Lyme disease treatment protocol is to strengthen and restore the immune system. Lyme disease bacteria and associated neurotoxins are immunosuppressive. Since homeopathy stimulates the body’s response to the disease, it is basically able to “jumpstart”

against the infection. It gets to the root of the issue not by generically boosting the whole immune system, but by targeting immune functions that relate to the disease at hand

A combination of homeopathy, Chinese herbs and glandulars has proven successful for patients.

Homeopathy's basic premise is called the “principle of similars,” and it refers to recurrent observation and experience that a medicinal substance will elicit a healing

proven to cause when given in overdose to a healthy person

It not only initiates a healing response, but encourages a respect for the body's wisdom. Because symptoms represent the

against infection or stress, it makes sense to utilize a medicine that helps and mimics this defense rather than that inhibits or suppresses it.

Homeopathic medicine is so widely practiced by physicians in Europe that it is no longer considered “alternative medicine.” Approximately 30 percent of French doctors and 20 percent of German doctors use homeopathic medicines regularly, according to Dana Ullman, MPH, British Homeopathy Institute. Over 40 percent of British physicians refer patients to homeopathic doctors, and almost half of Dutch physicians consider

(Fisher and Ward, 1994)

Homeopathic medicine also once had a major presence in American medical care and society. In 1900, there were 22 homeopathic Medical schools in the U.S production, upregulate immune response,

re-pattern the body’s energy pathways, minimize clearing reaction, get better

reverse dilutions, enforced by ultra-high potency follow-up support. One can expect psitive outcomes for both chronic most powerful homeopathic approaches to infection available.

individualized protocol is determining what co-infections are also present Borrelia never seems to come alone. Tick bites can transmit numerous other bacteria and viruses. Initial testing via acupuncture points takes about an hour, until satisfactory balance is achieved with Chinese herbs and homeopathic remedies. Depending on the length of the illness and number of co-infections, treatment generally takes seven to nine months to complete and achieve a passive immunity.

For more information, please visit our website: MyerowitzChiroAcu.com.

Tips For Aging In Place

BY WANDA CURTIS

As people approach the later years of their life, one difficult decision they must make is whether to remain in their own home. The rising costs of maintaining a home and decreased mobility are two big reasons why some people decide to relocate to a retirement community or assisted living facility. But most older adults — the AARP reports up to 90 percent — would prefer to “age in place” in the comfort and familiarity of their own home for as long as possible. The trick is ensuring you can do so safely and independently.

LOCAL RESOURCES

Fortunately, there are many resources for individuals or couples who choose to age in place. Maine’s five Area Agencies on Aging serve as “one-stop-shops” to answer questions from older adults and individuals with disabilities and their care partners about a wide range of in-home, community-based, and institutional services.

Lindsay MacDonald is the vice president of Community Engagement for Spectrum Generations, the Central Maine Area Agency on Aging and Aging and Disability Resource Center. She said one of the most important things every person should do is pay close attention to their physical and mental health. Having a primary care provider you trust and keeping up with regular exams and screenings are all important for anyone who wants to live independently in their own home.

“Stay active both physically and mentally,” MacDonald said. “Keep your mind sharp. Read different books, practice crossword games, word searches, brain games, etc. Find a hobby you enjoy. If possible, try to get outside daily, even if it’s just standing at the front door and taking in a breath of fresh air.”

Spectrum Generations offers a number of programs to encourage older adults to remain physically and mentally healthy, including fitness classes, health and wellness

workshops, foot clinics, health screenings, social activities, and on-site meals, as well as Meals on Wheels. They also provide short-term and long-term personal support services for anyone needing assistance with the activities of daily living. Through a partnership, they also provide in-home emergency response and medication reminder systems to help individuals remain safe at home.

BUILD A SUPPORT SYSTEM

In addition to paying close attention to their physical and mental health, MacDonald advises older adults to build strong support systems with people who can assist with everyday needs and in difficult times. Friends, family members, and professionals who can lend a helping hand or a listening ear are important.

“Share any concerns with your PCP and your support system,” MacDonald said. “No detail or concern is too small.”

A SAFE ENVIRONMENT

In regard to your physical environment, MacDonald says to ensure that all stairways and ramps have sturdy rails and are clear of tripping hazards. She also recommends keeping household items at a comfortable level.

“Don’t stack things too high or too low,” she said.

Certain modifications, like handicap ramps and bathroom modifications, can also help you remain more safely at home. MacDonald encourages people to contact

their local Area Agency on Aging to be connected with resources. Some people may qualify for financial assistance to help with modifications. Visit spectrumgenerations.org for more details.

Kennebec Valley Community Action Program, or KVCAP, is one such agency that assists with home modifications through their Community Aging in Place program. Senior Energy, Housing & Community Initiatives Director Monica Grady said the program is meant to assist people 55 and older with minor accommodations needed to remain in their home. A home assessment is conducted to see where they can leverage resources or provide individuals with referrals to other programs that may be of assistance to them.

In addition, KVCAP can connect older adults with assistance programs for minor maintenance repairs, weatherization, help with heating and electric bills, transportation, counseling, and much more. Visit kvcap.org for more information.

Catholic Charities of Maine is another program available to help qualified individuals with a variety of tasks, from routine housekeeping to grocery shopping and laundry. Visit ccmaine.org.

With a little planning and a good support system, you may be able to stay in your own home for years to come.

Best course of treatment for Lyme disease

Lyme Disease patients have found the best course of treatment for Lyme an d its co-infections, to be based in Homeopathic principles. In determining a course treatment, it is important to consider that Lyme disease involves

reasons for having a negative Lyme diagnosis based upon bloodwork

1) You were recently infected and tested before your body produced Lyme antibodies

2) You took antibiotics before testing, which co-opted an antibody response.

3) You were already on long-term antibiotics for another illness.

4) Not enough “free” Lyme antibodies were detectable in your blood because they were all doing their job binding to

the Lyme bacteria

5) Lyme Spirochetes were protected

6) Spirochetes were burrowed deep neurons, etc.)

7) Only small blebs were in your body, no whole bacteria, which are needed for the PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) based tests

9) Genetic heterogeneity — here are at least 300 strains of Lyme, 100 in the U.S You might be infected by a strain of Borrelia that the test doesn’t recognize.

10) Antigen variability — Borrelia can change its outer surface protein to suit its environment so the test will detect a

11) Spirochetes are in dormancy phase (L-form) with no cell walls, so there is nothing for the immune system to atta ck with antibodies.

12) Lyme’s surface antigens can change body temperature

14) You have had recent suppresses the immune system.

15) Co-infection with Babesia

(protozoa) which causes immune system suppression

16) Down-regulation of your immune system by your body’s own cytokines

17) Lab error or poor technical capability/training to detect Lyme disease

18) You might have late stage Lyme. Lab tests are not standardized for detecting late stage Lyme disease.

approved for investigational use.

20) Lack of adequate reference points for the test (most tests only use a few genetic strains as reference) fails to include important Antibody Bands.

22) Centers for Disease Control testing criteria is designed for epidemiological study, not clinical diagnostics.

asked to full out questionnaires on the very important from a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective. TCM diagnosis and treatment involves root and

condition and the branch are the symptoms. Since no two Lyme cases are the same, the treatment regimen and strategy must be designed individually for

each patient. Treating the root will eventually resolve the patient’s condition and their symptoms, however treating the branch will expedite their recovery. I can personally attest to this as my diagnosis of problem was Bell’s palsy. Treatment can resolve the issue in as little as nine days.

Homeopathic series kits, herbs, and supplements

Colon issues and depleted immune systems function is present in almost all Lyme patients. Symptoms include diarrhea or constipation, rectal bleeding, irritable bowel, diverticulitis, diverticulosis, Crohn’s disease, constant

From the Homeopathic perspective, patients will be provided with the series kit of the same nature of their diagnosis. Homeopathy follows the law of similars.

every three days over a period of eight weeks. Greater potencies are then taken once a week for 20 weeks

and detoxed for full recovery.

During treatment, most if not all patient’s experience “Herx,” discovered by Dr.Herxheimer, or clearing reactions.

and expected.

According to the principles of Homeopathy there are phases of phases of degeneration and six phases of regeneration. It is very typical in the process of getting well that a patient will experience symptoms of disease that they “retracing” back to normal health.

During the patient’s course of treatment, it is not unusual to experience “crisis” situations. As part of patient care we monitor patients every month as well as help with any “crisis” that may occur.

and no two Lyme patients experience the same recovery symptoms.

For more information please visit our website: MyerowitzChiroAcu.com.

Finding The RightAssisted Living Facility

Millions of people across the globe benefit from residing in assisted living facilities. Such facilities feature well-trained and highly skilled staff who can help aging men and women live full lives even if they’re dealing with cognitive and/or mobility issues.

The benefits of assisted living facilities are undeniable, but certain spaces may be a better fit than others depending on an individual’s unique needs. Choosing a facility may be up to the individual who will ultimately move in, but such decisions also have a tendency to be family affairs. Adult children of aging men and women often help their parents find a facility, and the following are some strategies families can employ to find the right space for adults who need some help with the tasks of everyday life.

WORD-OF-MOUTH RECOMMENDATIONS.

In its 2023 Local Care Survey, the National Council on Aging found that 63 percent of respondents utilized family and friends as a primary source of information on living options for aging loved ones. Though it’s important that families recognize older adults have their own unique needs and certain facilities may be more experienced at handling certain conditions than others, word-of-mouth recommendations can still yield valuable insight into what life is like at a given facility. And such intel also can provide useful insight as to how well a facility is maintained and how much it prioritizes communication with family members.

DECIDE WHERE TO LOOK. Proximity to family is an important consideration when choosing an assisted living facility. The NCOA notes that family members willing to drive 20 to 30 minutes outside of their immediate area may have more options to choose from than those who want something closer to home. When considering proximity, each family member involved in the decision should give thought to how likely they are to visit their loved one if the facility is a significant distance away from home. Assisted living facilities often go to great lengths to ensure residents socialize amongst each other, but many may feel there’s no substitute for visits from their own family members. So a facility that’s within a short drive of a resident’s relatives might make the best fit if all other boxes are checked.

EXERCISE DUE DILIGENCE. It’s best to visit as many facilities as possible before making a final decision. Such diligence can provide insight that can be highly valuable to any family, but especially those who have never before had a relative move into an assisted living facility. Families can visit multiple facilities even in urgent situations when loved ones need immediate care. In such situations, enlist various adult family members to visit one or two facilities apiece, asking the same questions and taking notes at each one. Notes can then be compared during group discussions. This approach is efficient and ensures as many options as possible are given consideration before a final decision must be made.

WORK WITH A LOVED ONE’S PHYSICIAN. If a loved one has a unique condition like dementia or greatly limited mobility, his or her physician should be consulted. For example, physicians may know of a facility or facilities that excel in handling residents with dementia, and that insight can increase the chances a loved one gets the level of care he or she needs and deserves.

COURTESY OF METRO CREATIVE

It All Happens at The Bangor Region YMCA!

Lifting People. Strengthening Community.

Courtesy of the Bangor Region YMCA

“I love the Y because it has improved my health and wellbeing especially during my recovery from my back injury. I really, truly appreciate the Y and all the support it has provided. The staff are so awesome; always friendly and supportive. The trainers are awesome, especially Travis and Sara. They have helped me tremendously. With their help, I have been able to regain my strength and mobility. The maintenance crew are also outstanding. Anything that needs to be fixed with the equipment, they do it immediately while also being friendly and helpful. This is why I love the Y!”

– Dave, Y Member

Health. Friendships. Laughter. Fun. If you’re seeking a healthy, enriching, social, and educational life, The Bangor Region YMCA is for YOU! The moment you walk through our doors, you’re greeted with a smile and a “hello” by our Member Experience Associates who are ready to show you around our Y during your first visit, get to know you, and answer any questions you may have in the future — you’re on your way to making new friends. During your tour, you’ll discover our Y is a community hub serving people ages 6 months to 102 years old from more than 23 towns and all walks of life. We offer a wide variety of programs and services for all ages to help fulfill the needs of the Bangor region—all while providing a fun, friendly environment where all are welcome, and friendships are made.

“The encouragement, support, and the friendships you make here at the Y really touch my heart. I love it every day,” says Carolyn Hathaway. She and her husband, Rod, have been members of our Y for 12 years and take advantage of the 75+ fitness classes that are included with their Y membership or are in our Fitness Center working out while laughing and chatting with fellow members.

Our Y membership includes a wide variety of fitness classes from yoga and Tai Chi to dance fitness, to strength training to classes specifically designed to help older adults improve their balance, strength, mobility, and flexibility all taught by Certified Instructors and Personal Trainers. Our fitness classes don’t just help people stay active; our classes help people continue to do the most important activities in their lives. Take it from Patti Alquist, who has been a Y member for 18 years and shared her experience of when she started taking our Group Power class.

“It was very welcoming, and everybody was so helpful and encouraging,” says Alquist. “My body changed; I didn’t expect that. I just wanted to get strong and fit again. I have 4 grandchildren and I like rolling around on the floor with them and I like playing with them. I like being silly and goofy with them without being afraid of being hurt, and I can do that now! All the muscles around my legs have gotten so strong from just learning how to balance better and my achy knees have gone away. My range of motion has improved for various things. It’s been spiritual, emotional, and strength-wise, it’s an amazing class.”

The camaraderie and health benefits aren’t just within our fitness classes. Avid pool-goer, Joe Pickering, has been a Y member for 21 years and says, “The Bangor Region YMCA has changed my life with the smiles I get when entering the Y, seeing the Welcome Center staff in the lobby, and the life changing activities and exercises the Y provides in the pool, gym, and such programs such as aqua fitness classes, 50+ ‘N Fit and the other multiple programs.”

Not only does our Y membership include everything Joe mentioned, but it also includes some of our Evidence-Based programs to help support those living with a chronic disease: LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA for cancer survivors, Cardiac Disease Rehabilitation & Secondary Prevention, Arthritis/Bone Health, and our Neuro Health Program for Patients and their Care Partners living with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s Disease, or dementia—all come free with a Y membership.

Robert and Deborah Harvey joined our Y’s Neuro Health Program for Patients and their Care Partners and benefitted beyond their expectations—both physically and mentally—from this program. “The exercise program is very well run and fits the needs of both the patient and care partner, with individual assistance as needed by the Certified Personal Trainers. Deb enjoys doing the exercises and I also look forward to the exercises and know that it has improved my balance. The discussions in the support groups are also very helpful emotionally and socially. We greatly benefit from this entire program.”

In addition to having unlimited access to our land and water fitness classes — with the earliest classes beginning at 5:45 a.m. and the latest classes beginning at 6:45 p.m.—Fitness Center, Weight Room, two swimming pools (with two different water temperatures), and saunas in our locker rooms, a membership to the Bangor Region YMCA also includes our Second Wind Social Club, a program created to help older adults connect and make new friends while taking part in fun social activities like Second Wind’s Coffee & Conversation, Mahjong, Thrilling Book Club, Scrapbooking Club, and Card Games Club, all held in the Isaac Farrar Mansion. In addition to weekly and monthly activities, members of our Second Wind Social Club host special events like the very popular February Love Bunch Afternoon Tea, with the help of our incredible Family Programming Coordinator, Alyssa Gutib.

All this is included in a Bangor Region YMCA Older Adults, Veteran, and First Responder Membership for $41 per month. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify. As a Y, we want to help all aging adults in our community have the same opportunities regardless of their financial situation. A Social Club Membership is also available for older adults who are only interested in participating in Second Wind activities.

For more information, stop by The Bangor Region YMCA at 17 Second Street in Bangor for a tour or call us at 207-941-2808.