Thanksgiving is behind us and the leftovers are but a memory, so the time has come to give serious thought to brushing up on Christmas carols and hoarding sales flyers. There is no denying that this is a difficult economy, and people on fixed incomes… Read More
Thanksgiving is a wonderful celebration that kicks off the holiday season. It is steeped in tradition right down to the menu, which for most people revolves around a turkey. While some meal variations exist, the day is inevitably a license to eat – a lot. Read More
Have you thought about who will help you and carry out your wishes should you be unable to do so? Even temporarily? A power of attorney can ease your mind. And while many people assume that a power of attorney only goes into effect when someone becomes incapacitated,… Read More
It is getting downright frigid at night. The calendar still says fall, but the blanket of frost on the lawn and cars tells a different tale. Regardless, there’s not much to do about it but try and stay warm as best we can. If you… Read More
As the weather turns colder and the holidays approach, we tend to inch up the thermostat and spend more time cooking and using lights to decorate. So, ’tis the season for fire prevention and safety tips. First of all, smoking is a major cause of… Read More
Someone had a sneezing fit near me the other day. I immediately washed my hands and kept my distance. After all, it is the season of colds and flu, and being in close proximity to a sneeze or a cough can spell trouble. If by… Read More
Want to learn about fire safety, fraud, emergency preparation, protecting your money and elder abuse? Want to rid yourself of old prescriptions, enjoy a delicious free lunch and have a few laughs all in one day? Join the Penobscot County TRIAD Coalition for its Building… Read More
Libraries have always been wondrous places, where a world of knowledge can be found in one building. Libraries can provide a comforting place for everyone from children seeing “Spot run” for the first time to college students doing research to seniors reading magazines and newspapers and dabbling online. Read More
Many seniors live with the fear of falling, which can be almost as dangerous as falling itself – just in a different way. Those who develop this fear often limit their activities, resulting in physical de-conditioning, making the risk of falling even greater. It is… Read More
You may have heard on TV or read in the newspaper lately that most animal shelters are at capacity, and that there are just not enough loving homes to ease the burden. It is heartbreaking. But did you know that seniors and pets are a… Read More
There is nothing like a new, slightly stiff backpack, shiny notebooks filled with clean white paper waiting for your thoughts and lethally sharpened pencils to ignite the thirst for learning. While the sound of a school bell may be a faint memory, these items could still be useful… Read More
Sometimes in my travels I hear, “Oh, I’ve heard of your agency. Just what do you do exactly?” My answer is always, “Oh, we do so much for seniors, adults living with disabilities and their caregivers.” googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
As summer dissolves into memory, it is time to think about taxes. Lest you think I have lost my calendar, let me assure you I am not referring to income taxes, but to tax and rent refunds from the Maine Revenue Service. The Maine Residents… Read More
Eastern Area Agency on Aging is governed by a dedicated board of directors, some of whom have been with us for many years. But term limits instituted a few years ago mean these wonderful people are leaving. “We will miss them,” said Noelle Merrill, executive… Read More
Just when we think we’ve reached every possible senior with low income and have signed them all up for what we call the “buy-in program,” we get a notice from the Boston regional office of the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. That agency believes there could… Read More
If I told you I had a sure-fire way for you to get $300 free and clear, would you take me up on it? Of course you would. Well, there are thousands of Maine seniors who have not filed for economic stimulus checks. Why, you… Read More
Do you ever wish, as a senior or a caregiver, that you could get the government to really listen to you about the important issues that affect your life? When government policy is made, do you wonder if an actual elderly person had any input? After all, the… Read More
Perhaps more than any other mental health problem, eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia are tied to culture and society. Many people have noted the irony of living in a world where millions of people are malnourished, while millions of others struggle with… Read More
Ah, the allure of the open road. It is that time of year when we take vacations. And even with gas prices so high, traveling is a tradition in Maine, and we all know somebody who heads to camp after Memorial Day or the Fourth of July. Read More
No one wants to think about Mom and Dad getting older. The strong, seemingly invincible parents of our childhood may now be in need of a little help from us. And this need can come at a time when we are already trying to balance family and work. Read More
Another campaign season is in full swing. Having had numerous knocks on my door from canvassers, I started to think about home security. I mean, how do we really know who these people are? Anyone can make a campaign button or carry a clipboard. Now,… Read More
Summer is here and there seem to be more people everywhere you go. As always, it pays to be diligent and watchful of your belongings when in public to avoid becoming a crime victim. Here are some precautions that can keep you – or your… Read More
Mainers are no strangers to “belt tightening” and in these difficult economic times it is certainly an important skill to have. Typically we are not a bunch of lavish spenders, but we still can find ourselves overbudget quickly when costs for essentials skyrocket. Eastern Area… Read More
We all love cookouts and everything that goes with them. I am still waiting for my first bite of a friend’s legendary potato salad. It seems that every weekend is a new opportunity to join family and friends in a barbecued feast. However, nothing spoils the memory of… Read More
Eastern Area Agency on Aging has gone to the dogs – and cats and birds and any other nonhuman companion that a senior may have. As the nutrition program of EAAA, Meals for ME has always served noontime meals to older people in community dining… Read More
We have had some record-breaking temperatures already this year – and they seem to come out of nowhere. So this is a clip-and-save column to keep handy for those hot days ahead. Be prepared and know how to beat the heat before it beats you. Read More
The winners of the Eastern Area Agency on Aging George Hale Silver Frame Awards have been chosen – and there was no shortage of nominees in the Artistic Creative category. The 60-75 age group was won by Elsie Sealander, Blue Hill. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
As human beings, we never stop learning if we are open to new experiences and yearn for knowledge. Meet the two winners of the Eastern Area Agency on Aging George Hale Silver Frame Award in the category of Life-Long Learner- Entrepreneurial. The winner of the… Read More
The winners of the Eastern Area Agency on Aging George Hale Silver Frame Awards have been chosen, and they are profiled here by category. The Fitness or Outdoor Enthusiast-Adventurer category of the awards is important because it shows that being active is not only for… Read More
Next week is a busy one. First, Monday is Memorial Day, so get your flowers ready and your plans made. Then rest up because Wednesday is the second annual Senior Expo, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Wellman Commons on the former site of… Read More
May is Older Americans Month and there are many things for seniors to do, not the least of which is attending health fairs and expos. If you are planning a trip to the Bangor Mall, this weekend is the best time to shop as the… Read More
Social phobia or social anxiety disorder is characterized by intense and excessive fear about everyday social situations. People with social phobia have more than a nervous moment or two when they interact with others. The anxiety they experience is overwhelming. It would be difficult, if… Read More
Never underestimate the power of the pen. Seven years ago, a letter to the editor of the Bangor Daily News was forwarded to Mary Poulin at the Warren Center for Communication and Learning. The author sought help for a dear friend who’s hearing loss was so pronounced he… Read More
Traveling with children and seeing the world through their eyes is a special trip. One way to take children on this journey, at no cost, is by reading to them. Their imaginations will soar and they will be building memories to last a lifetime – memories of someone… Read More
Bill paying can be stressful for a variety of reasons. Not enough money to cover expenses is but one. However, money isn’t the problem for some people. For them, the simple act of writing checks is nearly impossible. Or keeping the finances straight and the… Read More
They say everything happens for a reason. That could be said of Helen Genco’s childhood injury which was instrumental in her decision to become a nurse. “My arm was badly injured as a child and I was hospitalized,” said Genco, chief operating officer at Bangor… Read More
I am not typically cynical by nature, but it seems that every time I turn around these days someone is trying to scam or defraud the elderly. And the ideas that these criminals have devised boggle the mind. If only they would use their powers for good. Read More
Let’s face it, we all want, and actually expect, to be treated well when we go out into the world, especially when we are patronizing a business. And typically, we are not disappointed. Sadly, this is not always the case for people living with disabilities. Read More
There seems to be some confusion surrounding the federal government’s stimulus payment, such as who is eligible and how one goes about getting the check. If you can answer “true” to the situations below, you can expect to receive a stimulus check if you file… Read More
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… Read More
The old song explaining that the knee bone is connected to the ankle bone reminds us that our bodies are a functional sum of single parts. What is not mentioned in this little ditty is the mind-body connection. Relaxation techniques such as meditation can be… Read More
Caregivers are the unsung heroes of the world – selfless, tireless and devoted to their loved ones. It is a hard job full of struggles, and yet these people go quietly about their duties on a daily basis. They have my deepest respect. To make… Read More
Every once in a while, I go with a volunteer driver to deliver a meal to a homebound senior. I am consistently struck by how happy the person becomes when we arrive. Smiles and pleasantries are shared before we are off to do it all again somewhere else. Read More
It seems we can’t open a magazine or watch the news these days without being bombarded with presumably the very best ways to take care of ourselves and live with the media’s disease of the day. From acupuncture to vitamins, there is no shortage of tips for wellness. Read More
During my training to be a psychologist, I was confronted with an interesting math problem by one professor. He noted that there were about – well, I forget the exact number – let us say 50 million Americans who at some point will have a diagnosable mental health… Read More
College isn’t just for 20-somethings seeking an education with which to go forth and change the world. Sometimes college is about personal growth and fulfillment. Learning for the fun of it is the unofficial motto of the Penobscot Valley Senior College. PVSC is affiliated with… Read More
Several months ago we were all saying, “It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity.” Well now, for me at least, it’s not the cold, it’s the dryness. As I creep into my 50s, I realize, more readily, when precious moisture is being whisked from my skin. Read More
I have often heard the phrase, “Give ’til it hurts.” The United Way of Eastern Maine has the opposite philosophy. Don’t misunderstand, it wants and needs thousands of pledges in order to meet its goal of more than a quarter million dollars. But United Way… Read More
April is approaching. Think the snowbanks will be gone by then? While we look forward to a change in precipitation, most of us must gear up for tax time. Seniors may not need to worry about this, but sometimes it pays to check things out. Read More
It’s that time again – time to start taking notice of the inspiring seniors in your life. Then put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard and let us know about them. In May, in honor of Older Americans Month, Eastern Area Agency on Aging… Read More
Winter has a firm grip on us this year and there appears to be no end in sight. With that in mind, clip and save this column. “Shoveling can be good exercise, but can also be dangerous for some people, especially those who do more… Read More
He may rule with the iron hand of the law in Penobscot County Probate Court, but Judge Allan Woodcock Jr. has a heart of gold. Of all the cases that come before him, it’s the making of new families that gives him the greatest satisfaction. Read More
January is a tough month. The holidays are over and spring seems so far away. Then there is the weather. It still gets dark early, it’s cold and snowy and icy. The gray days can give way to the blues, aka “the blahs.” For seniors,… Read More
If you celebrate a holiday this time of year, and if to the best of your knowledge this holiday season will mean more joy than sorrow, you may want to skip ahead to another story. Or, if you are one of those people struggling with… Read More
Usually by now I’m Ho Ho Ho-ing more than anyone and singing carols until my co-workers avoid me. At least that’s the excuse they use. So what is the problem this year? Maybe holiday stress has finally caught up with me. Are you feeling a bit pressured and… Read More
While cold weather and snow may warm our hearts and put us in the holiday spirit, the dipping temperatures can leave us searching for ways to keep the rest of us warm. With heating prices soaring, “cozy” is the word of the day. Gift buying… Read More
As the nation contemplates the possibility of electing a woman for president, Eastern Agency on Aging has already taken the plunge. At the October 2007 annual board of directors meeting, Virginia Fortier was voted in as the first woman president in EAA’s 35-year history. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
We’ve had some powerful rain and wind storms lately which have left a significant number of people without power or with flooding. The building excitement of local TV meteorologists is a good signal to dust off your emergency preparedness kit. Don’t have a kit? Well,… Read More
I clearly fall into the category of people who start to daydream, hum or otherwise distract myself when someone points out that today is a designated “day.” I completely missed Boss’s Day a couple of weeks ago. I think I missed Grandparents Day some time ago. I remembered… Read More
Falling stars, falling in love, even the fall season are all good and wondrous things. But falling down is not. And for seniors, falling can be particularly dangerous. A variety of things can cause seniors to take a spill, not the least of which are… Read More
A friend was making cookies while we were chatting on the phone. As her speech became garbled, I realized she was also snacking on the raw cookie dough. I can’t imagine it myself because freshly baked, right-out-of-the-oven cookies are little bits of joy. But aside… Read More
Have you peeked inside a new first aid kit lately? There is pretty much something for every ailment. The kits are certainly not your basic aspirin and small bandage combo of years past. However, basic first aid is much more than a state-of-the-art kit. And… Read More
As the weather turns colder and the holidays approach, we tend to inch up the thermostat and spend more time cooking and using lights to decorate. So, ’tis the season for fire safety tips. First of all, smoking is a major cause of fire deaths… Read More
It has been said that you should watch out for things that seem too good to be true. There are exceptions to this sage advice, however, as evidenced by the Penobscot County Drug Card. “The Penobscot County Commissioners teamed up with the National Association of… Read More
If you’re reading this column over a breakfast of whole grain, high fiber cereal, good for you. Katherine Musgrave would be delighted. Last week, Musgrave, a registered dietitian, emphasized the importance of breakfast for seniors. The body needs glucose in the morning after a night… Read More
BANGOR – After two days of voting, members of the nurses union at Eastern Maine Medical Center have ratified a new three-year contract, bringing several rounds of intense negotiating to an end and averting a strike. The ratification vote took place on Friday and Saturday… Read More
This is a great time of year to take a serious look at the nutritional value of your meals. Farm stands are bursting with fresh fruits and vegetables – all colorful and vitamin-packed. Stocking up on the offerings of nature’s bounty will add quite a punch to your… Read More
I heard someone have a sneezing fit the other day. Now, it may have been allergies but I kept my distance nonetheless. After all, it is the season of colds and flu. While there are distinct differences between these two ailments, being in close proximity… Read More
BANGOR – Negotiators for the nurses union at Eastern Maine Medical Center on Tuesday withdrew the formal 10-day notice of their intention to strike that was issued Monday. But as the day closed on an emergency bargaining session and last-ditch effort to avert the nursing strike, negotiators from… Read More
BANGOR-The nursing union at Eastern Maine Medical Center rejected the hospital negotiating team’s final contract offer Sunday afternoon and announced its intention to call a one-day strike. The official strike notice is expected this morning, both sides said Sunday night. By law, the union must give the hospital… Read More
How often have you heard an older person say, “I am not really sure what I am supposed to do. I didn’t understand everything,” upon returning from a medical appointment? This is not an uncommon scenario. Often physician’s appointments are short and before you know… Read More
An unbalanced check register, a bank statement and a stack of bills can be the triple threat for some people. Even for those individuals who usually are not flummoxed by the everyday handling of finances, unforeseen mishaps can send them into a quandary. And sometimes… Read More
Just the word retirement may conger up visions of traveling, fishing, golfing, gardening or any other activity that could be done endlessly if one didn’t have to work. But for some seniors, this portrayal of their golden years is not accurate. Some find all that… Read More
It is back-to-school time and not just for children, but seniors as well. However, there is no need to shop for new clothes, unless of course you want to. The AARP University will host a daylong learning event titled “Taking Care of Business: Caring for… Read More
There is nothing quite like a big family. Glean from that statement what you will but if your family is like most, they are simultaneously very well-loved and exasperatingly challenging. Nevertheless, family meetings may be a necessity if you are the caregiver for an aging parent. Read More
Anyone touched by cancer knows the heartbreak of the disease. And given that a woman’s chance of experiencing breast cancer increases with age and is approximately one in eight by the time she reaches 80, we must remain ever vigilant in the fight. Wouldn’t it… Read More
It’s like money in the bank. The Maine Residents Property Tax and Rent Refund Program, which provides tax relief for homeowners or renters of any age who live in Maine, is up and running. But to receive a refund, you must meet the following qualifying… Read More
Recently, while at the Maine Center for the Arts, a woman sauntered to her seat located several rows below mine. As she moved, a thick wave of heavily scented air washed over me and my companion. Even though I don’t have a severe fragrance allergy,… Read More
During my teenage years in the 1970s, the legal age to purchase alcohol in my state was 18. It was hardly rare that some of my friends and classmates drank before their 18th birthday, but clearly there was a rite of passage mentality around turning 18 and using… Read More
BANGOR – Officials from Eastern Maine Medical Center cut the ribbon Wednesday on a new 12-bed intensive care unit, bringing to 44 the total number of critical care beds at the hospital. The new unit is located on the hospital’s first floor, not far from… Read More
I’ll be perfectly honest – the total sum of what I know about golf could fit easily on a postage stamp. However, my ignorance of the game in no way curbs my enthusiasm for the upcoming first Penobscot County Triad Coalition Golf Tournament, taking place at 9 a.m. Read More
We all love cookouts. Every weekend is a new opportunity to join family and friends in a barbecued feast. However, nothing spoils the fun faster than a trip to the emergency room. I’m sure we all have seen meat and assorted salads sitting out awaiting… Read More
Henry Tyler wasn’t scared when he agreed to participate in a one-year clinical trial at Eastern Maine Medical Center’s CancerCare of Maine. Diagnosed with leukemia, he put his focus on getting well. If the clinical trial could give him a better shot at doing just that, then he… Read More
“The sins of the fathers are visited on the sons.” But I am writing about the sins of the mother – my sins. I am writing about the pain and hopelessness of knowing a child is living with addiction, abuse and neglect. I am writing about my children… Read More
The halls are alive with the sound of music – at least one afternoon a week. That’s when Jennifer Collins, activities director at Stillwater Healthcare, brings the residents together for choir practice. Also lending their voices to the group are residents from Ross Manor. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
They’re here. The tourists. Out-of-state plates are rivaling Maine tags for room on the roads. And it always amazes me how people on vacation can be in such a hurry. After all, don’t they visit our fair state to get away from the rat race and to enjoy… Read More
The Eastern Agency on Aging George Hale Silver Frame Awards was a wonderful opportunity to read about some truly inspirational seniors. Our hope for the awards was to highlight active seniors and we are happy to say our goal was reached. There are incredible seniors… Read More
Response to my June 9 front-page story about disruptive client behavior at Acadia Hospital’s methadone clinic has been mixed but vigorous. I received dozens of e-mails and telephone calls about it, and for a couple of days the “reader comments” section of our Web site fairly bristled with… Read More
The results are in. After careful deliberation, the judges have selected the winners of the Eastern Agency on Aging George Hale Silver Frame Awards. All of us at EAA were impressed and inspired by each and every one of the nominees. The essays were glowing… Read More
I read with interest and consternation the recent Bangor Daily News article about the issues facing the clients and the administration of the methadone clinic on the campus of Acadia Hospital. Though I’m not a client of the methadone clinic, I do attend appointments at the hospital’s ambulatory-neurology… Read More
I can always find a good reason to head to the Bangor Mall. But all sales aside, the best reason to venture to the shopping center is the Public Safety Senior Appreciation Day celebration. It’s all about seniors from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 20. Read More
On May 22, I read an excellent column in the Bangor Daily News written by Dr. Erik Steele, in which he called Maine’s “addiction to prison” an inadequate solution to our alcohol and drug abuse crisis. He noted that we are using our courts and prisons as the… Read More
As summer rapidly approaches, now is the time to take a good look at your feet. It is sandal season, but more than looking nice, healthy feet are a necessary component to overall good health. Think about it. If your feet hurt, the rest of… Read More
Last Thursday, 101 women gathered at the Blaine House in Augusta to celebrate a collective 267 years and three months of recovery from alcohol and drug dependence. This was the 27th annual Silver Tea for Women in Recovery held at the governor’s mansion. Gov. John Baldacci was on… Read More
The smell of fresh popcorn, French fries, onion rings and sausage with green peppers and onions recently filled the air in the atrium at Freeses Assisted Living, a program of Eastern Agency on Aging, in downtown Bangor. The residents were treated to a fair right… Read More
I love saving cold hard cash. And I love helping people save money, from telling them about a great sale to writing about the Medicare Buy-In programs. You may remember a couple weeks ago when I told you about changes in the Medicare Savings Programs. Read More
Spring is here and we made it though another winter unscathed. Or did we? I don’t know about you, but my hands look like they have been on the business end of hard labor in a hostile climate. As I get older I find my… Read More
My personal experience with alcohol abuse goes way back: I grew up in an alcoholic family. My alcoholic father was very abusive to my siblings and to my mother, who also was an alcoholic. By the age of 14, I, too, had fallen into the trap of this… Read More
With the temperature continuing to rise and air bursting with spring rebirth, it is hard to be in a bad mood or feel sad. Or is it? For some people, the warm weather and fragrant air, or even a favorite ice cream parlor opening for the season, is… Read More
Eastern Agency on Aging is happy to be offering a “benefits check-up” program where seniors can contact us, answer a few questions and in a short amount of time be informed of all the benefits to which they may be entitled. Take the Food Stamp… Read More