OK, we’re counting down to the New Year. Traditionally, it’s a time when we make great big plans to get in shape mentally and physically. Well, with years of broken resolutions behind me, I’m finally over the grandiose schemes. So this year I suggest a… Read More
It’s amazing what can be done with a little fabric, a pouch of cat treats, catnip mice and plastic balls with bells inside. Or how about some dog bones and chew toys? Individually, all of these things are fine, albeit uninteresting, but together they can make a little… Read More
Just when you think there couldn’t possibly be anything else to put under the tree for your older loved one, I have a few more ideas. While cold weather and snow may warm our hearts and put us in the spirit of the season, the… Read More
There is something sad about finishing off the last piece of double-layered pumpkin pie for breakfast. But alas, now that Thanksgiving is behind us, it’s time to kick our holiday spirit into high gear and start collecting the colorful, department store fliers full of good deals. Read More
It is always heartbreaking to hear of people losing their homes to fire. Or worse, losing their lives. And it seems to happen more this time of year. Is it because of the cold weather and the holidays? We heat our homes and spend more… Read More
Another campaign season is over and we all survived. 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. Read More
It seems there is a never-ending supply of scams out there to bilk seniors out of their money. The latest involves Lifeline. “Rosscare is warning elderly residents to protect their important information if they are contacted in regards to acquiring personal emergency response services,” said… Read More
Penobscot County is a wonderful place to live, but it recently got a little better. “The Penobscot County commissioners teamed up with the National Association of Counties to take advantage of educational and financial benefits that would be helpful to our residents,” said Barbara Veilleux,… Read More
Aging is not just decay, you know. As you age, you grow. As you grow, you learn. A tree’s leaves are the most colorful just before they die. If you’re always battling against getting old, you’re always gonna be unhappy because you’re gonna get old anyway,” said Morrie,… Read More
And so it begins: cold and flu season. Now, while there are distinct differences between these two ailments, being in proximity to a sneeze or a cough can spell trouble. “Influenza is spread easily from person to person, primarily when an infected person coughs or… Read More
Former Brewer educator helped many students Marjorie Jenkins claims to have lived an ordinary life. But that just seems to be her way – unassuming and perhaps unaware of the impact her life has had on the hundreds of students who passed through her classroom… Read More
“As with child abuse and domestic violence many years ago, elder abuse is a problem that has been in the shadows for too long,” said Rick Mooers, Adult Protective Program administrator for the Office of Elder Services and member of the Greater Bangor Coalition to End Elder Abuse. Read More
While it’s true that if you have your health, you have everything, it’s still a good idea to venture a peek around your home, including attic and cellar, and do an inventory of your assets. “People usually think of a house, car or land as… Read More
October is a busy month, what with craft fairs, apple picking, Columbus Day weekend, and of course the best candy holiday, Halloween. Here is one more thing to put on your calendar. The Penobscot County Triad annual meeting, to be held Thursday, Oct. 12, at… Read More
It is no secret that I love to shop. And I like nothing more than a good excuse to do so. Shoe stores: beware. The Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk is on Oct. 7, and it’s just the reason I need to buy new sneakers. But… Read More
Don’t you just love the feeling of accomplishment you get when you’ve learned something new? I think it starts in childhood, like the first time you tied your shoes all by yourself or rode a two-wheeler unassisted. Well, you’re never too old to feel that… Read More
Friends, buddies, comrades, pals, cronies. Any way you slice it, friendship makes us thrive as human beings. But sometimes, illness such as Alzheimer’s disease can change things, and people may not be the same as they once were. Personalities may become drastically different, causing anxiety… Read More
We all need a little help now and then. And when we do, we typically get it without much fanfare. But sometimes when seniors require some assistance, family can slip into panic mode and automatically think “nursing home,” which may not be the best solution. Read More
The typewriter clacks softly as Evelyn Friedman’s 88-year-old fingers turn her feelings into poetry. “I have so much inside of me that if I didn’t get it out, I’d explode,” she said. “Writing releases things that either bother me or make me happy. I think… Read More
People tend to shudder at the mention of taxes. But sometimes the word tax is a good thing, for instance when it is paired with the word rebate. It’s time again for the Maine Residents Property Tax and Rent Refund Program, which provides tax relief… Read More
“I led the whole parade,” said Christine Blackmer, speaking of the event on the Fourth of July in Bangor this year, which also happened to be her 95th birthday. “I’d never led a parade before and probably never will again.” I wouldn’t be so sure. Read More
Do you ever wish, as a senior, 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 ever wonder if an actual elderly person had any input? After all, the elder policies… Read More
“It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity.” That phrase can be annoying because hot is hot any way you slice it, but there actually is some validity to the notion. Thick and heavy air can make it seem warmer than the temperature reports. Extremely cold weather gets quite… Read More
BANGOR – Meals for Me has gone to the dogs – and cats and birds and any other nonhuman companion that a senior may have. As the nutrition program of Eastern Agency on Aging, Meals for Me has always served noontime meals to older people… Read More
As soon as the clouds roll in, the lights flicker and the weather channel displays its orange crawl line on the bottom of the television screen warning of a storm, I immediately run to the closet and grab a flashlight. A stop by the cookie cupboard is next… Read More
My cousin and I were hateful children. My aunt – my cousin’s mother – had a problem with incontinence. If she laughed too hard she would tinkle a little bit. When we discovered this fact, we did whatever it took to put her into hysterics. Again, we were… Read More
The tourists are here, as evidenced by the number of out-of-state cars on the roads. While as Mainers we welcome these vacationers for their boost to the local economy, more people in the area means more precautions should be taken. This in no way implies that people “from… Read More
Not that I want to be thought of as a pest, as I have mentioned this before, but I feel it’s important to remind you of some of the things that are available through Eastern Agency on Aging – either free or for a minimal cost. Things you… Read More
Ah, the allure of the open road. It’s getting to be that time of year when we start thinking about vacations. And I confess, I have always harbored a secret dream of climbing into an RV and heading out for parts unknown. Never mind the fact that I… Read More
Surf’s up. Not the ocean wave surfing glorified in Beach Boys music, but Internet Web site surfing. Just as there are endless waves in the ocean, there are seemingly endless Web sites full of useful information on line. Sometimes Web sites are the best way… Read More
When a loved one can no longer live at home and must enter some type of facility, it can be traumatic for everyone. Regardless how much research is done, and how wonderful the chosen place seems to be, there may still be nagging fears, such as “How can… Read More
I have always liked superheroes. Superman, Underdog and of course, Batman and Robin, whose show I rarely missed as a child. No feat was too tough. They all did the undoable. It is not often in life that you come across someone who is reminiscent… Read More
May is Older Americans Month. Established in 1963, it was designated as a time to celebrate and acknowledge senior citizens for their past and current contributions to their communities and the country at large. Today, one in six Americans is at least 60 years of… Read More
I have been called a bit of an alarmist at times – putting the horse before the cart, that sort of thing. But hear me on this: Monday, May 15, is the deadline for enrolling in the Medicare prescription drug benefit. Now, as you may… Read More
Being ill can be stressful for anyone, but especially so for seniors. It can be physically and mentally exhausting. But there is a way to relieve some of the strain. Visiting nurse agencies truly make a difference in health care. Imagine being treated right in… Read More
National Volunteer Week is April 23-29. This week is also the kickoff for Eastern Agency on Aging’s Volunteer Recognition events, which go through the spring. As Roberta Macko, director of volunteer services for Eastern Agency on Aging, gets busy planning and preparing for these parties,… Read More
Living alone can be great. You can do what you want, when you want, and no one is hogging the remote. It’s not like living completely alone if you have furry roommates, but unless they are well-versed in 911 calls, they are basically there for… Read More
“Running the roads” is a common phrase in Maine, and now that it’s spring, people are out in full force. And you heard it here first – people are crazy. I won’t regale you with my own trials and tribulations of driving on the interstate or busy streets. Read More
How’s this for a statistic? “Eighty percent of older adults suffer from at least one chronic condition, and the average 75-year-old has three chronic conditions and uses five prescription drugs,” according to the American Public Health Association’s Web site. And as we are in the… Read More
Every time I go with a volunteer driver to deliver a meal to a homebound senior, I am 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. Another home, another meal,… Read More
Do you go to bed early only to wake up feeling tired? Are you constantly nudged in the night by an impatient spouse because you are snoring? Do you fight nodding off in the middle of the afternoon? If you answered yes to any of… Read More
April is fast approaching. If you are like me, and your birthday is in April, this pleases you. If not, the month may only signal tax time. Seniors may not need to worry about this. However, sometimes it pays to check things out. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
I was talking about Medigap coverage to a friend and her teenage daughter overheard me. She asked, “Medigap? What’s that – a trendy clothing store for medical workers?” She burst out laughing at her own wittiness and her reference to an imaginary version of the popular store at… Read More
Julie Mallett and Eleanor Bruchey sit in side-by-side offices at Eastern Agency on Aging. Each maintains a mild manner that belies the passion and tenacity she draws upon to serve a senior in need. Mallett and Bruchey are but two of the dedicated staff at… Read More
There is no denying it – we have had a mild winter. But don’t be fooled. Being from Maine, I am sure we have not seen the last of winter. So with that in mind, clip and save this column. “Shoveling can be good exercise… Read More
We’ve almost made it through another winter. It’s now time to think spring, get out of the house and try something new. Taking a fun-filled, no-pressure class on an interesting topic might be just the ticket to chase away the last of the winter doldrums. Read More
I have always thought that the United Way was aptly named. The organization unites individuals, businesses and nonprofit agencies to form a better community in which to live. The United Way of Eastern Maine, which covers Penobscot, Piscataquis, Waldo, Washington and Hancock counties, exemplifies the… Read More
Have you ever heard the phrase, “It’s not over, ’til it’s over,” indicating that while the outcome of an event may seem obvious, often perceptions are wrong? Take Anne Piper, 76. Due to some medical complications such as dehydration and confusion, which prohibited her from… Read More
My mother has a great smile that she flashes frequently. You’d be fairly hard-pressed, however, to find something that can make her giddier than saving money at the grocery store. Coupons. The word alone is enough to make her face light up and send her… Read More
The middle of January is prime time for the winter blahs. The excitement of the holidays is over, the days are short and it’s cold, snowy and icy. Typically these blahs manifest themselves in a variety of negative ways. Craving comfort food, which is usually… Read More
OK, the holidays are over and winter has settled in for the long haul. There’s not much to do but try and stay warm until spring. Unless, of course, you are a winter sport lover. But let’s assume, for the sake of argument, that you… Read More
Outpatient surgery. It’s becoming almost as commonplace as a doctor’s appointment. I sometimes actually hear people say, “Oh, my surgery is no big deal, it’s just outpatient.” Think again. Outpatient though it may be, there are still things you should keep in mind. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
Have you ever had this experience? You need some help – could be anything from heating assistance to handicapped-accessible transportation to finding an adult day program for a disabled loved one. You’re not really sure who to call, so you get out the phone book and start flipping… Read More
Christmas is timeless. The ghosts of Christmases past rise and bring with them the memories of youth, and a time when the holidays were brimming with anticipation and wonder. A time when our biggest concern was composing the perfect letter to Santa and finding the perfect Christmas tree. Read More
The hustle and bustle and ribbons and bows, not to mention the traffic, is enough to take the wind out of your holiday sails. And then there is the pressure of finding just the right gift. This can be especially taxing when the giftee is… Read More
Bing Crosby and Santa Claus have nothing on Eastern Agency on Aging. Silver bells and sleigh bells may be ringing throughout the land but here at EAA, it’s the ringing of the phone that is most pervasive. The explanation for this phenomenon is the new… Read More
It’s December and the temperature is dropping. Time to shop, not only for Christmas gifts, but also for practical and fashionable hats with coordinating scarves and gloves. This is my yearly ritual, one of the few that helps me survive the season. There is something… Read More
Feet get no respect. You have probably put your foot down or even put your foot in your mouth. But how often do you actually think about that foot? Probably not much, until it starts to hurt, that is. “The most common foot injury I… Read More
I was chatting on the phone with a friend who seemed to be in quite a state. Nothing was going her way, and the only thing that could bring her comfort, she said, was to make cookies. I know what that really means. She will… Read More
Libraries have always been wondrous places, where literally 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… Read More
Remember a couple of weeks ago when I told you about the Medicare prescription drug benefit educational sessions being held at the Bangor Civic Center on Oct. 19? Well, with the sign-up for the new Medicare drug plan beginning Tuesday, Nov. 15, Eastern Agency on… Read More
There is nothing quite like the crackle and glow of a fire in the fireplace. Or how about the soft flicker of candlelight at a carefully set table? And then there are bonfires in the country. Let’s face it: Fire has been mesmerizing human beings since its discovery… Read More
If you close your eyes and listen to Raymond Butera reminisce about his childhood in Bangor, you can almost hear the laughter of children playing ball safely in the streets and the clanging of trolley cars. Butera, 76, paints a vivid and colorful picture of… Read More
It is already the middle of October. This time of year is fraught with decision making – what Halloween candy to buy, what to make for Thanksgiving, and of course, what to get friends and family for Christmas. This year, however, there is an even… Read More
Remember some of the old sitcoms on television where the parents would gather the kids together for a “family meeting” to discuss something important? While you may be all grown up, family meetings may still be necessary if you are a caregiver for an aging parent. Read More
Bangor is booming. If you have taken a ride out Stillwater Avenue in Bangor lately, you know what I mean. There is a new mall in town. It’s not even fully open yet, but boy, oh boy, it seems the traffic has really increased. Or maybe it’s just… Read More
Don’t let Drew Matlins’ age fool you. This “30-something” is dedicated to the health and wellness of seniors, and he takes his job as director of the Senior Sense program very seriously. The program, which is funded by a three-year AmeriCorps VISTA grant from the… Read More
Myths are circulating that getting older is the sole cause of countless varieties of aches and pains. Nothing to be done, as they say as it is a “normal part of aging.” Take painful cramping in the legs or hips while walking; or numbness, tingling… Read More
There is nothing quite like a new, slightly stiff backpack, shiny notebooks filled with crisp white paper 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 if you register… Read More
Never mind water, blood is thicker than paint, it turns out. The three Nickerson sisters can vouch for that. They take art classes together at the Hammond Street Senior Center in Bangor. “It’s our way of getting together because we all live in different towns,”… Read More
Eastern Agency on Aging is abuzz with activity. We have important dates for you to remember and information to share regarding the new Medicare prescription drug benefit, part D. We also are offering to help people complete their Tax and Rent Rebate forms. But before… Read More
On Aug. 26, Gloria Cote, nurse for the city of Bangor, will hang up her stethoscope for the last time. She is retiring after 17 years of service to “the adult and geriatric population” of which she has grown so fond. “I have loved every… Read More
A hot cup of coffee and the Bangor Daily News is a non-negotiable morning routine for me. Regardless of the time I have to get up, that half-hour is factored in. Even with Dixie-Cat lying across whichever section I am attempting to read, the experience is an enjoyable… Read More
Sitting in an eye doctor’s office, in front of a rack of brochures, can be a bit unnerving. Given enough time, it is possible to begin imagining symptoms for whatever disease pamphlet has been pulled off the shelf. But some diseases have a quick test… Read More
Forget the dog days of summer – for me, it’s all about the cats. As I put Mona on the bed with her special blanket, underneath the ceiling fan to keep her cool, I thought how different, and yes empty, my life would be without her and Dixie,… Read More
It happened again. I was on my way to an interview at an elderly person’s home, with fairly good directions I might add, but I still drove past the residence. Not just once either, but twice. The only identification for the house was a small number on a… Read More
Looking for an excuse to buy new running shoes, get in shape and make a difference in the world? Get in the “pink,” with ribbons that is, by participating in the Komen Maine Race for the Cure. Sadly, as women age, the risk for breast… Read More
Home may be where your heart is, but it’s also the site of numerous accidents. Personally, I think this is because we are less careful at home. We know where things are – such as furniture, steps or uneven floors – and we are used to the surroundings. Read More
Accidents can happen at any time. For example, I stubbed my toe to the breaking point recently by running into a heavy piece of furniture, which I confess was protruding into the pathway between the living room and kitchen. Aside from the pain, I also felt very stupid,… Read More
Petite and delicate, with face-framing soft curls and a stylishly coordinated outfit, Doris Maher is easy to picture as a lady who frequents tea parties and fills her afternoons with good friends and bridge games. But Doris doesn’t have much time for such things. What… Read More
It’s almost barbecue season. Actually, I’ve been to a couple already. While waiting for my veggie burger to cook on the grill, I overheard something that made me nervous. The hostess asked a guest if maybe a certain food (I can’t remember what) had been… Read More
The best-laid plans can often go awry. Yet the right attitude can turn personal tragedy into triumph. After retiring, Betty Pickering, 72, and her husband, Alton, sold their home and bought a 35-foot fifth-wheel trailer and a truck. They had a grand design in mind… Read More
Out of the “mouths of babes” often comes the greatest wisdom. Such is the case with Patricia Keogh, who moved to our fair state because her two little grandchildren kept “wishing Gramma lived in Maine.” Her new personal journey, soon to begin. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
The “call of the wild” is loud for Bob Blake, 63, but his sense of community and giving back has an even bigger voice. “My buddy, Malcolm, and I hike every week,” said Blake, the new Maine Medicare Education Partnership program coordinator at Eastern Agency… Read More
I remember getting a powder-blue “Do It Herself” toolkit for Christmas one year. It had everything necessary for my very minor tasks, such as a hammer, pliers, wrench, assorted screwdrivers, a box cutter and matching scissors, all in a sleek carrying case. It was my favorite gift, and… Read More
From spreadsheets to the corner office, Noelle Merrill is movin’ on up. The former chief financial officer at Eastern Agency on Aging is now at home in the executive director’s chair. “I am really looking forward to continuing, but also expanding, the vision for the… Read More
It’s only been a few weeks, but Doug Crawford, a registered nurse, is sure he has found his calling. As the new kid at Bangor Area Visiting Nurses, Crawford is excited about the opportunities BAVN has to offer, especially in the area of patient care. Read More
I first met Roberta Downey, executive director of Eastern Agency on Aging, during my interview for the director of communications position. I was initially struck by her sense of personal style. I immediately started second-guessing my own choice of attire for this important meeting. Gray blazer and black… Read More
Being organized is a beautiful thing, not that I would know this personally. And while organization can make life easier (I hear), it can also be life-saving. Imagine this: A woman is found unresponsive on the living room floor. Emergency crews arrive but her neighbors… Read More
You would probably know fairly quickly if your wallet, purse or car had been stolen. Walking into your house, you probably could tell immediately if it had been burglarized. But how would you know if your identity had been filched and was being used by criminals?… Read More
I am long on information and short on space so let’s get to it. For the fifth straight year, Meals for Me, a program of Eastern Agency on Aging, is taking the Feinstein Challenge. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var… Read More
If you have your health, you have everything, so the saying goes. Because “Live Well, Age Well” is the motto of Eastern Agency on Aging, we have some tips to help you do just that, and all in time for National Public Health Week, April 4-10. Read More
Think about your best friend. It’s most likely a very special relationship that you cherish. I am sure you treat each other with the utmost kindness and respect born at the deepest cockles of your heart. Nothing less would befit these closest of ties. I… Read More
Some people always seem to go above and beyond the expected. Take Rosemarie LeGasse and Robin Long of Caring Connections, who will explore every possible avenue to share information. Caring Connections, a cooperative women’s health program of the Bangor Y and Eastern Maine Medical Center,… Read More
She has some crochet thread, a favorite hook and a desire to help. But that’s all Leone Labreck, 75, who has been crocheting since she was a junior in high school, really needs. And it seems she has come full circle. The craft she learned… Read More
Grandparents raising grandchildren feel everything from “I wanted to be Granny and spoil her, but I can’t do that now,” to “I’m relieved that the child is safe and in a healthy place,” said Barbara Kates, director of Family Connections, a program of Families and Children Together. Read More
Valentine’s Day is over. It’s time to toss the empty heart-shaped boxes and hang the roses upside down to dry to preserve their beauty. While the memory of this romantic holiday will live on, if you’re lucky through a sparkling diamond pendant, the shape of your heart should… Read More
The price of getting an education can be high. Indeed, too high for some. But there is a program for low-income seniors that will pay them to learn a new skill or brush up on an old one and then will help them enter or re-enter the workforce. Read More
Alice Rush, 69, had big plans. She informed her daughter, Mary, for whom she worked, that she would be taking the summer off with the intention of spending more time with her granddaughters. That was in May 2003. Alice had cold symptoms that she simply… Read More
There is nothing quite like watching a snowstorm from the comfort of a soft couch, one hand holding a large mug of hot chocolate while the other hand rests on a purring cat. It is almost magical. Now if only the accumulation would magically disappear. Dream on. But… Read More