Many resources available for local seniors

Tue, 01/22/2019 - 9:45am

JANE CARPENTER, News Contributor

The Community Navigator helps seniors who are in need of services.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau and its 2017 American Community Survey, Maine has the oldest population of the 50 states with a median age of 44.6 years old. And information published by 24/7 Wall St. (https://247wallst.com/,) shows that Lincoln County, with almost a quarter of the state’s senior population, has an older median age of 49.8 years.

That same report says that seniors living in Lincoln County are trying to make ends meet on an average retirement income of $26,373.

Since necessity is the mother of invention, it’s not surprising that a number of services exist to help area seniors and their family members negotiate the sometimes bumpy road to the golden years.

Here are a few of those resources and contact information. Some of them are free, others charge for their services. More information can be obtained by visiting the Maine Senior Citizen Resources website at: https://www.maine.gov/portal/residents/seniors.html

General Services

Boothbay Region Community Resources Council / Community Navigator. 633-6272. The Community Navigator’s office offers an entry point into many of the programs available to assist seniors in the area.

Spectrum Generations. 563-1363. Services include health and wellness, nutrition, health insurance counselling, finance management and dementia information.

The Community Center. 633-9876. Staffed, furnished, and run by volunteers. Free tea and coffee, snacks, WiFi, classes and a warm welcome to visitors of all ages.

People Helping People. Contact Rachel Tibbetts at 841-7748. Offered by the Community Center, PHP supports area seniors by providing help with transportation, home maintenance, shopping, errands, pet-walking, bill-paying, companionship, outings and other services.

Fuel Assistance

Community Energy Fund. Lincoln County program. Contact your town clerk to request assistance.

LIHEAP. (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program) Kennebec Valley Community Action Program (serves Lincoln County). 859-1500. Help with heating costs for low-income homeowners and renters.

Fuel assistance program of the Boothbay Region Community Resources Council. Contact Heather Lorrain at 633-4757 or the Community Navigator at 633-6272.

Meals

Meals on Wheels. 633-4370. Home delivery of prepared meals for seniors.

Community lunches:

Free community lunches are offered by area churches throughout the winter months. Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at St. Columba's Episcopal Church. Donations are gladly accepted and go to the food pantry. Contact Tancy Mitchell at 592-0660.

Mondays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church. Donations welcome. Contact Mary Patch at 633-3659.

Boothbay Region Food Pantry. 350-2962. Open Fridays 12:00 - 2:00 pm. Offering food assistance for local residents.

Residential and in-home services

Eldercare Network of Lincoln County. 563-2148. Residential alternatives for seniors, including in-home and day care for seniors in Lincoln County.

Comfort Keepers of Lincoln County. 563-2273. In-home care including homemaker and companionship services for seniors.

Safe Havens memory care at St. Andrews Village. 633-1222. Adult day care services.

Rebuilding Together. 633-4436. Home repairs for home owners on a low, fixed income who are not financially or physically able to make the repairs themselves.

Transportation

Fish (Friends in Service Helping) 633-4357. Free transportation to medical and dental appointments, support groups, laboratory services and therapy.

Visually Impaired

Visually Impaired People (VIP.) Contact Joan Stark at 633-2498 or Mollie Moore at 633-3810. Offers support and encouragement in dealing with vision loss and weekly recording of the Boothbay Register.

Medical

Boothbay Region District Nursing Association. Contact Laurie Andrews at 633-5533. Provides in-home nursing care and help. Slight charge ($10) per visit unless patients are unable to pay.

Medical supplies closet. Contact Shawn Lewin at 478-5874. A program of the Community Center, it provides free medical supplies/equipment.