One of the challenges that many older adults will eventually face is downsizing their living quarters. People downsize for many reasons including decreased mobility, not needing as much space after children are grown and moved out, or a desire to have more time to relax and enjoy without the responsibility and maintenance of a large home and yard.
Regardless of the reason, downsizing and moving to a new residence can be stressful. That’s why Oakland resident Gail Workman established an organization called The Maine Move to help people in those situations.
After working as a physical therapy assistant in nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities for many years, Workman said that she saw the need for older adults to have guidance and support in adjusting to the change in their living circumstances.
“The Maine Move was established to help with decluttering, managing the move, packing and unpacking, disposing of items, and house cleaning,” said Workman.
According to Workman, downsizing is difficult because it is associated with losing one’s home, giving up
things that hold memories, moving from friends, living in a smaller space, and setting up another home. She said that it’s often seen as “the close of a chapter of life.”
Workman said that to make downsizing less difficult, “create a plan, assess needs, set priorities, start with the hard stuff, downsize gradually, and be patient.”
she refers to as the golden rule of cleaning out: If you haven’t used something in a year or two, then it needs to get thrown out.
“Purge, baby, purge,” said Burke. “Keep only that which you truly need. It’s cathartic, and yes, it’s laborious. When everything you possess has memories attached, it’s hard to let go.”
Burke recommends scanning photos onto a flash drive rather than storing them in photo albums.
“Prepare to be amazed how big boxes, books, and a bounty of precious memories will fit on a tiny external hard drive — your life on a flash drive,” said Burke. “Digital copies sure beat 40 dusty, musty photo albums.”
Before starting to discard items, experts recommend setting aside any special keepsake items that shouldn’t be discarded in a secure place. Then it’s time to clean out the rest.
The author of the Maine Seniors article “Down-sizing and Moving” Heather Burke advises people to only keep items that are really important. She follows what
For those who are ambitious, a yard sale or estate sale can be an opportunity to make a profit off your discarded items. Thrift stores and antique shops are other options. Some may choose to donate items to charitable organizations or give items that hold memories to family members.
Moving and downsizing is rarely easy, but it’s well worth the effort to step into your retirement years with a lighter load and fresh slate.
WORKMAN SAID THAT TO MAKE DOWNSIZING LESS DIFFICULT, “CREATE A PLAN, ASSESS NEEDS, SET PRIORITIES, START WITH THE HARD STUFF, DOWNSIZE GRADUALLY, AND BE PATIENT.”
Who do you spy, in your mind’s eye, when you picture people exercising at the Bangor Region Y?
Do you see older adults spanning a broad range in terms of age, health, and fitness?
You should!
Founded in 1867, the Bangor Region YMCA in Bangor, Maine, has been serving the needs of older adults for more than 150 years. Its mission is to be a community leader in supporting community members in their lifelong quest for physical, emotional, and social wellness. The Bangor Region YMCA offers multiple evidence-based, support programs for chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancer, arthritis, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, diabetes, and obesity.
Since 1982, the Bangor Region YMCA has provided phase three cardiac rehabilitation for participants, who have been affected by a cardiac event, and/or have been diagnosed with some form of CVD, to improve cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and body composition. The opportunity to engage with others who have had similar experiences is invaluable. Over the years, the Y has expanded the programming to help individuals focus on disease prevention and health maintenance. These program offerings are consistently valued and recommended by area physicians and healthcare providers.
Recently, the Bangor Region YMCA announced the addition of Dr. Nicole Mullins, Ph.D., ACSM EP, NSCA CSCS, as the organization’s Fitness & Health Director.
Mullins earned her Ph.D. and M.A. in exercise physiology from Kent State University, and her B.S. in exercise science from the University of New Hampshire (UNH). She is certified by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), as a Certified Exercise Physiologist (EP), and by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). She was recently a professor of exercise science at Youngstown State University (YSU), where she earned several distinctions for her teaching and service to students, including the Distinguished Professorship for Excellence in Teaching, the Honors College Professor of the Year, and the Student Service Award.
In her role, Dr. Mullins will focus on further elevating the existing evidence-based health and wellness programs of the Bangor Region YMCA, which include:
• Cardiac Rehabilitation - Phase III Program
• Diabetes Program
• Arthritis / Bone Health Program
• Neuro Health Support Program (for Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and other neurologic conditions)
• Cancer Care & Support Program
• Older Adult Health & Wellness Program
Dr. Mullins will look to strengthen relationships with area healthcare providers, in order to create a holistic approach to continuing care and support for area adults.
When asked about her new role, Dr. Mullins shared “I’m absolutely thrilled to be a part of an organization which is so dedicated to the highest standards of health and community support, and offers programming which demonstrates that dedication.”
Bangor Region YMCA CEO, Diane Dickerson added “I’m so excited to bring such high-level talent to our Y. Dr. Mullins exemplifies our values and truly cares about developing our programs to better support our healthcare partners and our community members. I’m proud of our Y for stepping up to address our community need for evidence-based health programs, and I know Dr. Mullins will be an excellent addition to our leadership team.”
In addition to providing the programming, expertise, and environment necessary for older community members to maintain an active lifestyle, the Bangor Region YMCA also provides the opportunity to remain connected to a supportive, uplifting community. Evidence shows that connecting with others through community organizations helps to support mental and emotional health, and combats feelings of isolation and loneliness. From the community Food Pantry which offers free, nutritious food to any Mainer who needs help, to its evidencebased health and fitness programs, the Y’s organizational values of honesty, respect, responsibility, caring, and inclusiveness are embedded in all of its programs.
For more information on the Bangor Region YMCA or any YMCA programs, please call (207) 941-2808 or visit bangory.org/healthy-aging.
In the 1920s, some 7,000 acres of pristine land and water in Hancock County just 12 miles from Bangor became a true vacationland. Many know the area as Dedham, yet within it is a village of great heritage called Lucerne-in-Maine.
It’s this village that has captured longtime resident Robert Fraser’s attention. His family roots are firmly planted on the shores of Phillips Lake, and his retirement research project has taken him back to the 1800s’ activity along the three-square-mile lake originally called Fitz Pond.
“Nathan Phillips built the first camp on the lake and built the halfway house, which was the beginning of development in the area,” Fraser said.
The lake, which was renamed after Phillips, was used to power local sawmills and tanning mills.
A recreational hotspot was created during the Roaring Twenties when New York stockbroker Harold Saddlemire purchased thousands of acres of land and the lake. And because he was originally from Luzerne, Switzerland, he named the area Lucerne.
“It did not take long for the site to become its own village, all being built around the railroad lines, a water system, and roads,” said Fraser. His homestead cabin was one of the original log cabins built around the lake in the 1920s. His mother bought it in the 1930s and each summer the family would move “out to camp” from their Brewer home.
During this boom, the Lucerne-in-Maine Community Association was established. Documents confirm the newly established community and surrounding beauty was heavily marketed out of state. Fraser’s research dug up a budget breakdown showing the original price of a 2,000-square-foot lake-side lot was $98.20, and in just two years the price had doubled. The hefty advertising budget for that same year, including Boston and
Do you know the burial wishes of those closest to you? Do they know yours? As we get older, we often start thinking about how our death will affect those around us, especially our loved ones. Losing someone close to you is always traumatic, but we can help our loved ones during that difficult time by being prepared and pre-planning as much as possible. This relieves them of the stress of last-minute scrambling or trying to guess how you would like your life memorialized. Smet Monuments is proud to offer truly custom memorials for both traditional burials as well as cremation memorials designed to securely and permanently hold urns, benches and more.
Preplanning puts you in charge. It guarantees, before you die, that you will have the memorial that you want. Think of it in the same manner as you did when you planned your wedding, your vacations, your career, or life goals. The design & purchase of your memorial is a major life event for both you and your loved ones. This is something that many people only purchase once, and, if done properly, it can be one of the most meaningful gestures you make for those left behind. What better way to give the gift of love and to give you peace of mind at the same time. Smet Monuments has over 75 years of experience in the memorial field, and we are happy to assist and guide families through the process of pre-planning and pre-purchasing their memorials.
Pre-purchasing saves your loved ones from being forced into making fast decisions about your memorial, and without adding an extra cost burden onto your family. After a loss, your family will be under stress and in a state of shock, not ready to make important and expensive decisions. They may not even be fully aware of what is being discussed while making your funeral and cemetery arrangements. Pre-purchasing allows you to pay todays price, and by doing this you are avoiding inflation for the years to come. You can select what you are financially comfortable with at today’s budget, and ensure you a remembered the way you wish to be. Allow the Pre-planning experts at Smet Monuments guide you through this process by reaching out today!
You may also want to consider having your monument or memorial installed while you are still able to enjoy it. It can stand as a tribute to you and your family – your ancestors, your descendants, and your loved ones.
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Fraser and his neighbors are quite enthusiastic about the community’s unusual nature.
“We are legally citizens of the Town of Dedham, but Lucerne-in-Maine Village is a quasi-municipal corporation within the boundaries of Dedham,” Fraser said. “In 1927, the state recognized us as our own form of government. We have our own board, our own taxes, plow our own roads, and no matter how many times dissolving Lucerne-in-Maine comes to vote, it keeps getting voted down as people appreciate the uniqueness.”
Jordan Alpert, a long-time Lucerne-in-Maine resident now living on the west coast, agrees. “There is a very strong sense of community in this village within a town.”
His grandparents, Isidor and Mary Alpert, owned one of the original cabins called Boulder Lodge, which is still standing on the eastern side of Phillips Lake.
Alpert recalled his own childhood on the lake. “Lucerne had a mystical appeal to me. When I was a kid going to the beach club and looking out at the island on a foggy day, it had a magical pull — an appeal to it. Phillips Lake is just a gem.
“It cast a spell then and I think the same thing now,” Alpert said. “There is a very active social life with people from all over the place there — from Texas, Utah, Idaho, Michigan — [all] with a Maine connection.”
Over the past seven years researching and sharing the history via Facebook of his unique, thriving community, Fraser is hopeful younger residents will carry the history forward.
“It’s important to get the information out so the next generation can take over, and part of my push is to get the young people to realize the uniqueness of Lucerne-in-Maine.”
The Housing Authority of the City of Old Town (HACOT) has received renewal funding for 2023 from MaineHousing to continue the “Comfortable Home” Modification Program. This is a simple home modification program to help elderly and disabled individuals stay in their homes by making high quality home safety improvements and accessibility modifications. HACOT has received this funding since 2017 and has completed work in 178 homes.
HACOT offers this program in Alton, Bangor, Bradley, Brewer, Carmel, Dedham, Eddington, Glenburn, Greenbush Greenfield, Hampden, Hermon Holden, Hudson, Milford, Old Town, Orrington, Orono, Stillwater and Veazie.
We are looking for homeowners from these areas to work with us to correct simple safety issues and improve accessibility in and around your home. There is no cost to the homeowner to participate and most of the work would be completed in one day or less. The process is simple and begins with a homeowner contacting HACOT to discuss their needs with a member of our Comfortably Home team. A simple assessment of the property will be scheduled at the homeowner’s convenience and will focus on the individual’s needs. After the assessment, the homeowner will work closely with the Comfortably Home specialists to develop a work plan to address issues found during the home visit and then a time would be scheduled to complete the work.
Typical work items would include smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, LED light bulbs, grab bars, hand-held shower heads, transfer benches, raised toilet seats, handrails, cleaning dryer vents, changing door knobs, changing faucet knobs to lever handles, adding drawer pulls, and repairs to steps and existing ramps.
HACOT is excited to continue to connect housing and health care in innovative ways through this program. This small investment per home will help to ultimately improve the health and well-being of elderly and disabled individuals in our community. Individuals that have benefited from this program in the past have had less falls, trips to the hospital and feel safer staying in their own homes longer.
To qualify for the program, residents must live in the areas mentioned above, be at least 55 years old or have a disability, own their home or live in a house owned by a family member and have an annual household income of under $60,270 for a single person, $68,880 for two or $77,490 for three. If you meet these qualifications and would like to find out more please contact the Housing Authority at 827-6151.
HACOT has over 40 years of experience providing housing and maintenance for elderly and disabled individuals. They currently own or manage 228 units in and around the Old Town area.
any adults nearing retirement age count down the days until they can bid adieu to the daily tasks of commuting and working so they can enjoy much more time for recreation, travel, family, and more.
As enticing as unending free time may seem, some retirees find it is not ideal to be entirely free from the responsibility of working. Some may be looking to offset the costs of living, while others may miss the daily opportunities to socialize or the way problem-solving on the job stimulates the brain. But even retirees who miss working may not be ready to return to the workforce full-time. That can make part-time employment an ideal fit for mature workers.
Here’s a look at some part-time positions that could be a good fit for older adults reentering the workforce.
Jobs in retail may include greeting customers, making sales, putting out inventory, and helping customers select merchandise. Being personable and having good customer service skills are necessary traits. Many stores offer part-time employees flexible hours so schedules can be customized.
Retirees who loved their job but wanted to spend less time doing it can return as consultants. According to The Balance: Money, individuals often find they earn more per hour working as consultants than they did as full-time staff members. Consulting is a way to share expertise and experience without making a full-time commitment.
A customer service representative is tasked with helping customers solve problems and ensuring customer satisfaction. He or she may work in a traditional office or store location, or answer calls and resolve issues from home.
Retirees may want to consider jobs working in schools or in related capacities. Driving a school bus is an option if people are willing to undergo the proper training and licensing to operate this type of vehicle. Or consider working as a lunchroom aide or lunch service provider, crossing guard, substitute teacher, or paraprofessional. Such employees only work a few hours during the day and enjoy holidays off and summer vacations.
The Funeral Consumers Alliance of Maine is an allvolunteer non-profit organization that works to promote simplicity, dignity, and economy in funeral arrangements through education & advocacy. We provide information and guidance regarding funeral and body disposition options – there are more than you think! While we are not an organization in a position to provide financial assistance, we can guide you to more affordable options for funerals and body disposition. For example: embalming is not required, home funerals (full or “hybrid”) are an option, “green” burial and disposition options, and so much more.
One of the greatest gifts you can give your loved ones is to pre-plan your end-of-life wishes and after-death care and clearly record and communicate this information. With this, at a time when your family and friends will be reeling from your loss, they will not be faced with making difficult – and often unnecessarily expensive – decisions that may or may not be in line with
what you would have wanted. Pre-planning should include: a completed advance directive, a will, and an end-of-life plan. Record and clearly express what you would like for yourself – and for them – at the end of your life and after your death. At what point would you want to end curative treatments? Would you like to involve hospice as soon as possible? Would you like to die at home? Would you like to be in a certain room? Near a window? Would you like the windows open? Would you like certain music playing during your final days? Certain scents? Is there anything you do not want? Are there people you would like to be there? (or not be there at all) Do you like to be touched? Would you like to be read to? Sung to? Massaged? Reiki? Would you like an end-of-life doula to assist you and your family through the dying process? Have you written, recorded, or conveyed your life stories? Have you communicated all that is important to you to those that need to hear it? Are all of your passwords and account information in a
safe place? Do you want a funeral or memorial service? What would you like it to be like? Where would you like it to be? Which music and readings would you like? What would you like for body disposition? All of this information can be recorded as part of your advance directive and end-of-life plan. Again, it is one of the greatest gifts you can provide.
If you have questions, or would like more information, please contact us at The Funeral Consumers Alliance of Maine, PO Box 622, Brunswick, ME 04011. Email: info@fcamaine.net. Phone: 207.558.1699. Website: fcamaine.net
A $25.00 (or more!) donation to the Funeral Consumers Alliance of Maine will provide you with a lifetime membership to our organization, and includes our seasonal newsletters, invitations to events and educational opportunities, and will better help us to help others. Thank you!
If you’re not a member of a Martin’s Point Generations Advantage plan yet, the good news is that you can be soon. With Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period coming right up, you’ll have the opportunity to join over 70,000 Maine and New Hampshire seniors who are already enjoying the quality and savings provided by these highly rated plans. In fact, if you don’t want to wait until 2024 to join, you can switch today to any of our Generations Advantage plans that have earned a 2023 5-Star rating from Medicare.
Each fall, it’s a good idea to review your Medicare coverage and ensure it still meets your needs. As you compare plans, consider these key things:
QUALITY: Medicare’s annual Star Ratings assess the quality of Medicare Advantage plans. Generations Advantage’s Star Ratings are among the highest year after year, including excellence for service and plan quality.
COVERAGE: Want an all-in-one plan? Our Medicare Advantage plans cover all the services in Original Medicare Parts A (hospital stays) and B (doctor visits) plus Part D (prescription drugs), and even more. All our plans cover emergency and urgent care worldwide!
EXTRA BENEFITS: Looking for dental, eyewear, hearing aids, over-the-counter items, wellness items and services, and more? Original Medicare doesn’t cover these, but Generations Advantage plans do and can save you thousands on these needed items!
PROVIDER CHOICE: Your doctors probably already participate in our wide network of over 15,000 providers. And most of our plans also offer out-of-network flexibility.
AFFORDABILITY: When considering overall costs, factor in premiums, deductibles, copays, coinsurance, and annual out-of-pocket caps. Our Medicare Advantage plans feature $0/low monthly plan premiums and copays/coinsurance, no medical or hospital deductibles, and low yearly limits on member costs.
LOCAL SERVICE : As Mainers, ourselves, we deliver the kind, respectful, and caring service that earns 5-Star ratings from Medicare (and our members!), year after year.
COMMITMENT: As a local health care organization, the priority at Martin’s Point is to improve the health of the communities we serve. It’s this commitment to our family members, neighbors, and friends – the people who live and work beside us in Maine and New Hampshire—that makes the difference.
We invite you to discover how a Generations Advantage plan could be the best choice for your health and your budget. Learn more at MartinsPoint.org/BDN or call us today at 1-844-538-0471 (TTY: 711) if you have questions about Medicare, Generations Advantage, or how to enroll. We’re right here, waiting to lend a hand.
DISCLAIMER: Every year, Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system. Generations Advantage 2023 Overall Ratings: 5 out of 5 Stars for HMO Contract H5591; 4.5 out of 5 Stars for LPPO Contract H1365. Savings vary by plan, county, and benefit usage. You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premiums. Visit www.Medicare.gov for more information. Martin’s Point Generations Advantage is a health plan with a Medicare contract offering HMO, HMO-POS, and Local PPO products. Enrollment in a Martin’s Point Generations Advantage plan depends on contract renewal. Out-of-network/non-contracted providers are under no obligation to treat Generations Advantage plan members, except in emergency situations. Please call our Member Service number or see your Evidence of Coverage for more information, including the cost-sharing that applies to out-of-network services.
Y0044_2024_157_M
ACCEPTED: 08/29/2023
Abalanced diet and exercise routine, which includes a combination of aerobic activities and strength training, is necessary to maintain long-term health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do to protect your overall health. Exercise helps to delay or prevent many of the conditions that come with age. Adults ages 65 and older should aim for the recommended 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity activity, such as brisk walking, and at least two days of activities that strengthen muscles. Such exercises help maintain muscle mass and also improve balance and bone health. When it comes to muscle strengthening, older adults can follow these safety guidelines as they embark on their strength-training journeys.
· SPEAK WITH A HEALTHCARE PROVIDER FIRST. Your doctor can recommend strategies that are safe and point out any exercises that may compromise your overall health.
· MASTER BASIC EXERCISES FIRST. Anyone new to strength training, which is sometimes known as resistance training, can start out slowly, even using just body weight, to provide resistance. Resistance exercises can include squats, crunches, modified pushups, planks, and lunges.
· GRADUATE TO RESISTANCE BANDS. When you’re ready to move on to something else, consider resistance bands as an alternative to free weights. The bands can help you develop good form before introducing weight.
· WORK WITH A TRAINER. Working with a personal trainer can help you learn how to use free weights and strength-training machines correctly, as well as create a routine to gradually build and maintain muscle mass.
· EXERCISE WITH A FRIEND. Strength training with a friend or family member can provide motivation and keep you on target to meet your goals.
· BUILD UP GRADUALLY. Your first strength session should only last 10 to 15 minutes, according to Tiffany Chag, C.S.C.S., a strength coach at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. Wait until soreness abates before beginning your next session if you are new to strength training.
As someone over the age of 55, you are among the safest drivers compared to other age groups, because you observe speed limits, wear seat belts, don’t drive impaired or distracted, and often self-limit your driving. However, the ability to drive safely can be affected by changes in physical, emotional, cognitive health and medications both prescription and over the counter. To help you keep your license for longer you need to keep your driving skills sharp.
As someone over the age of 55, you are among the safest drivers compared to other age groups, because you observe speed limits, wear seat belts, don’t drive impaired or distracted, and often self-limit your driving. However, the ability to drive safely can be affected by changes in physical, emotional, cognitive health and medications both prescription and over the counter. To help you keep your license for longer you need to keep your driving skills sharp.
As someone over the age of 55, you are among the safest drivers compared to other age groups, because you observe speed limits, wear seat belts, don’t drive impaired or distracted, and often self-limit your driving. However, the ability to drive safely can be affected by changes in physical, emotional, cognitive health and medications both prescription and over the counter. To help you keep your license for longer you need to keep your driving skills sharp.
Ask your doctor if any medical conditions or medications may affect your driving.
Ask your doctor if any medical conditions or medications may affect your driving. Schedule an appointment with your doctor to have your eyes and hearing checked at least once a year. Always wear your glasses or corrective contact lenses as directed.
Ask your doctor if any medical conditions or medications may affect your driving. Schedule an appointment with your doctor to have your eyes and hearing checked at least once a year. Always wear your glasses or corrective contact lenses as directed.
Schedule an appointment with your doctor to have your eyes and hearing checked at least once a year. Always wear your glasses or corrective contact lenses as directed.
Plan your route before you drive and avoid: highways, rush-hour traffic, driving at night, or driving in bad weather when possible.
Plan your route before you drive and avoid: highways, rush-hour traffic, driving at night, or driving in bad weather when possible.
Plan your route before you drive and avoid: highways, rush-hour traffic, driving at night, or driving in bad weather when possible.
skilles. For more information visit AAA.com/DriveSafe
AAA has resources for older drivers, specifically training that helps sharpen driving skilles. For more information visit AAA.com/DriveSafe
• Maine residents 55+ qualify for an auto insurance discount 1
• New Hampshire and Vermont residents 55+ should inquire with their insurance provider
Online Course
4 hour program is designed to increase driving awareness & confidence behind the wheel
• Content reviews age-related changes and how to adjust your driving to stay safe on the road longer
on any WiFi enabled device
• Our online course is available 24/7 on any WiFi enabled device
$15 for AAA members
COST
$20 for non-members
$15 for AAA members $20 for non-members COST