Find answers on aging, disability at DASH fair

While this may be the information age, sometimes getting the exact information you need can be a challenge. And if you are looking for help from a social service agency, you may be mystified as to who to contact. This can spur you to reach for the phone book and start flipping through pages. The search can be maddening and often people give up in frustration.

Put down your directory, pick up your calendar and circle March 26. A variety of social service agencies will congregate for the DASH Network Fair 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday at the Spectacular Event Center, Griffin Road, Bangor.

DASH, the Disability and Aging Services Helpline, is your aging and disability connection. It’s available to help you in your pursuit of services as part of a national Aging and Disability Resource Center project.

“The ADRC project that we call DASH is designed to improve the awareness of, and access to, long-term support systems for older adults, adults with disabilities and caregivers, and to make it easier for them to navigate the variety of community services that are available to help support their independence in the community,” said Val Sauda, director of community services at Eastern Area Agency on Aging, where the DASH Network is based.

“This means that these individuals will have one place to call to get help finding the services they need,” she added. “No longer will they make a variety of calls to different agencies hoping to hit the right one in the search for help. The DASH Network will be able to give them a list of services based on what their exact need really is.”

For some people, trying to explain exactly what they need is a challenge. But DASH has thought of that.

“We have trained resource specialists who will be able to discern a person’s particular need and then help them,” said Sauda.

More than 30 agencies will staff tables at the fair, eager for you to stop by, pick up a brochure and discuss their services.

Agencies committed to attend include RossCare Center for Health Aging, Community Health and Counseling Services, Eastern Maine AIDS Network, Amicus, Pine Tree Chapter of the American Red Cross, Caring Connections and Warren Center for Communication and Learning, to name a few.

There also will be presentations given by Marcia Young, on assisted living; by the Tech Center on home modification and universal design; and by Dottie VanHorn on nursing facilities.

And make sure to be on hand at noon when the second annual DASH Awards are presented to Tim Horton’s on Broadway and Dora Petry of the Beaded Moose in recognition of exceptional service provided to seniors or people living with disabilities.

DASH is funded through the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the federal Administration on Aging. It is administered by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Elder Services.

Along with social services, TRIAD will hold a drug drop-off point, so be sure to bring your expired or unneeded medications. It is imperative to get these prescriptions out of the house, lest you take them by mistake.

And always keep all prescriptions out of reach of grandchildren. A police officer will be standing by to take these drugs off your hands so they can be disposed of properly.

This is a great time to think about spring cleaning, so why not start with your medicine chest, kitchen cabinet or refrigerator – wherever you keep your medications.

For information on the DASH fair, call EAAA at 941-2865 and ask for Karyn Grass.

Carol Higgins Taylor is director of communications at Eastern Area Agency on Aging. E-mail Higgins Taylor at chtaylor@eaaa.org. For information on EAAA, call 941-2865, toll-free 800-432-7812, e-mail info@eaaa.org or log on EAAA.org. TTY 992-0150.