CUSHING – A volunteer group called the Homeport Network in Cushing is trying to find ways to help people stay in their homes longer as they get older.
“Our first objective is to inform residents about what is available,” said volunteer Julie Palm in an interview with the Bangor Daily News.
“If you need help to live more comfortably at home as you get older, or if you have an older loved one who needs more help than you can give, we need to know what is available to help,” Palm said.
The network is launching a speaker series designed to make midcoast residents aware of support that is already available to help answer these questions. Gloria Rhode of Spectrum Generation in Rockland will speak on the topic “Living at Home Longer with Spectrum Services,” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, in the Cushing Town Hall. The public is invited.
The network will sponsor a six-part speaker series on the second Wednesday of November, January, February, March, April and May, Palm said. All sessions will feature a midcoast speaker well-versed in topics related to helping people stay in their homes as they get older.
Audiences will be invited to make suggestions for future speakers.
In addition to the speaker series, the Homeport Network has established priorities to address issues such as transportation, a directory of resources, and a skill-swapping program. The network seeks to build on existing activities of the Broad Cove Church and other community groups in Cushing and to organize working groups to address high-priority issues.
“This won’t just be for Cushing,” Palm said. “We’ll include South Thomaston and Friendship as well.”
Cushing volunteer Carol Cardone said the first step is to help everyone understand what services are already available and see what is on Spectrum Generation’s long list.
“Once we know what is available, we will be better able to focus on our other priorities,” Cardone said.
“We know this is a topic that is of interest to many people in the area, and we hope they will find these sessions helpful.”
gchappell@bangordailynews.net
236-4598
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