Despite competing with other events around the Boothbay area, the first Changing Aging event, on Sunday, Sept. 22 was well attended by visitors and providers. About two dozen organizations came together at the YMCA to talk to peninsula residents.

The focus of almost all vendors was to inform residents how to enjoy a better quality of life and level of independence in their later years.

As well as giving practical assistance – flu shots provided by Lincoln Family Health and blood pressure readings from Boothbay Region Ambulance Service – information was offered by vendors ranging from Comfort Keepers of Damariscotta, LincolnHealth, St. Andrews Village, the Elder Care Network of Lincoln County, to Spectrum Generations, Anchor Church, Rebuilding Together, New Hope for Women, the Attorney General’s office, the American Legion, the Veterans Association, optometrist Dr. Thomas Nadeau, Catholic Charities Maine SEARCH Program and more.

Part way through the three-hour event, Sue Burge, one of the prime organizers and well known for her Set for Success event at the beginning of the school year, said, “We’ve probably already had more than 150 visitors and I’m very happy with how it’s going. There are some other things going on this weekend but still people are coming here. It’s encouraging.”

Kathleen Arabasz of Boothbay Region Community Resource Council agreed. “I’m hearing lots of really good comments.”

Another organizer, Anni Pat McKinney, also of BRCBC and program manager at Coulombe Center for Health Improvement, was buoyant. “Everything came together. We have about 24 vendors, many people have volunteered their time, and we’ve got some great topics being covered in the breakout sessions.”

“The Importance of Planning Ahead” was presented by medical social worker Brenda Hamilton of MaineHealth Care at Home, attorney Chip Griffin and Jason Guest, senior director of Hall Funeral Homes and Cremation Services. Their message was the importance of planning and talking, with families and care providers. “Healthy Aging and the Brain” was presented by Cathy Cole, director of education at LincolnHealth, who talked about the importance of staying involved and adopting healthy habits. And “How Seniors Can Prevent Scams” was presented by Tracy Thomson of the Attorney General’s office and looked at the ever-increasing dangers of scamming and fraud.

Boothbay Harbor Rotary Club donated refreshments. Officers from the U.S. Coast Guard were on hand to help set up and break down the event and, throughout the afternoon, a group of students from Boothbay Region High School helped and guided visitors around the venue.