‘A Matter of Balance’

BANGOR – Have you turned down a chance to go out with friends because you were concerned about falling? Have you cut down on a favorite activity because you might fall?

If so, “A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls” is a program for you.”

Fear of falling can be just as dangerous as falling itself. People who develop this fear often limit their activities, which can result in severe physical weakness, making the risk of falling even greater.

Many older adults experience isolation and depression when they limit their interactions with family and friends.

A Matter of Balance can help people improve their quality of life and remain independent.

A Matter of Balance is designed to reduce the fear of falling and increase activity levels among older adults.

Participants learn to set realistic goals to increase activity, change their environment to reduce fall risk factors and learn simple exercises to increase strength and balance.

Eastern Area Agency on Aging will offer “A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls” 10 a.m.-noon Tuesday, Aug. 19, at St. Joseph Healthcare at 900 Broadway.

The program cost is $15. A workbook will be provided and refreshments served.

To register or for information, call Eastern Area Agency on Aging at 941-2865 or 800-432-7812.

Volunteering for Rape Response Services

Looking for something different and rewarding?

Volunteer! Volunteers connect people to hope and offer a new chance to build a stronger community.

What is gained from volunteering at Rape Response Services will be different depending on each individual. There will always be new skills, new experiences and new feelings of satisfaction. Volunteering is hard work but rarely dull.

A 40-hour training begins the volunteer experience at Rape Response Services. Topics include acquaintance and date rape, crisis intervention, domestic violence, HIV and AIDS education, legal and medical protocols and more.

After training and one or more practice calls, you will join a group of women and men who are making a difference in our communities.

Pagers are provided to allow flexibility while on call. Each person on the Bangor area hot line is expected to make the commitment to take one shift a week and to attend an advocates’ meeting 6-8 p.m. the third Wednesday of every month.

Rape Response Services is looking for volunteers throughout Penobscot and Piscataquis counties.

Training is offered at the office in Bangor. In addition to providing support and information to survivors and caring through the crisis and support line, volunteers provide accompaniment to the hospital, physician and other health care provider offices, or to legal and law enforcement agencies. Some volunteers provide support during the court process.

“If you have some time to give, please come and join the wonderful group of volunteers who make a difference every day at Rape Response Services. Training in Bangor will begin Sept. 15 and conclude on Oct. 23. It will be held 5-8 p.m. Monday and Thursday. Call 973-3651 or e-mail Scurrie@penquis.org for more information,” said Sue Currie, project coordinator for client services.

Alzheimer’s Association

BANGOR – Westgate Manor will sponsor a spaghetti dinner and silent auction to benefit the Maine Alzheimer’s Association on Friday, Sept. 5, at the Elks Club, 108 Odlin Road.

The dinner will be held 4:30-6:30 p.m. and the silent auction 4:30-6:45 p.m. For information, call Tammy Leland at 942-7336. To donate items for auction other than clothing, call Sandy Inman at 942-7336.

The Memory Walk to benefit Alzheimer’s Association is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 4, at Bangor Raceway, Bass Park. Registration and information booth will begin at 8 a.m. and the walk at 9 a.m. For information, call 942-7336.

Participants may sign up at 800-272-3900 or visit www.alz.org/maine

Topic of depression

BANGOR – The meeting of the Bone Health Information and Discussion Group will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, at the Bangor Y on Second Street. The program will be the viewing of a PBS documentary on depression. For information, call Robin Long at 941-2808.

MMRF Race for Research

Hope Lutheran Church will be the host for the second annual MMRF Race for Research on Saturday, Sept. 27, at the Paul Bunyan Park in Bangor.

The 5K walk and run will be timed by the Bangor Running Club. Registration begins 9 a.m. and the race begins at 10 a.m.

Call Becky at 356-0425 for information about obtaining registration forms. Proceeds benefit research for multiple myeloma, an incurable blood cancer.

Raffle tickets may be purchased for an Otter sport craft donated by Old Town Canoe and Johnson Outdoors. A photography package by Tracy Green Photography also will be awarded.

Individual registration for the race is $25 to those age 10 and up. Families of four may register for a fee of $60. Contact the church at 990-5900.

New pulse oximeters

BANGOR – Eastern Maine HomeCare, including Bangor Area Visiting Nurses, has announced a $5,000 grant from the Agnes M. Lindsay Trust to purchase pulse oximeters for its nurses and physical therapists for use in home health care services for its patients.

“Our staff is excited to receive more pulse oximeters, which they use regularly, particularly for patients with compromised respiratory and cardiovascular systems,” said Susan Schnell, clinical director for Bangor Area Visiting Nurses. “We have never had enough of this equipment, and this grant will allow us to have more units available, resulting in fewer trips to the office to share equipment.”

Pulse oximeters are a valuable, safe and convenient method of monitoring the oxygen saturation and pulse of patients with compromised respiratory and cardiovascular systems.