Senior Links – Connect to Services

The Community Connector provides a link to a comprehensive database of non-profit health and community service resources available in Franklin County, all made possible by the Healthy Community Coalition and the Franklin Community Health Network. From the Community Connector website, click on the Senior Services link for various assistance programs availabe to area seniors. Excellent informational resource to start getting connected with available community support services for seniors living in the Carrabassett Valley area.

Western Maine Community Action in E. Wilton is the primary social service agency in Western Maine providing assistance to low to moderate income residents in Franklin, Androscoggin and Oxford counties. Call them at 1-800-645-9636 for information, direction and assistance.

AARP Webletters provide news and information, and offer product discounts and consumer advice on food, health, money, relationship, work and retirement issues for the 50+ seniors community. AAA Driver Improvement Program – Maine residents who are 55+ can earn 3 safe driving credits on their driving record by taking the AAA Driver Improvement Program on-line by clicking on aaa.com or calling AAA at 1-800-647-4651 for more information..

Seniors Plus  Agency on Aging links to a website whose mission is to “enrich the lives of seniors in maintaining their independence, dignity and the quality of life of older adults.” The site provides information, assistance, referrals and caregiver support programs for seniors living in Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford counties. The main office is situated in Lewiston with a general information telephone line available at 207-795-4010 or toll free at 1-800-427-1241. Click on the link for more information or to read the SeniorPlus Monthly Newsletters.

Elder Independence of Maine is a division of SeniorsPlus, the Area Agency on Aging for Western Maine. Their website can help connect seniors throughout the state of Maine with home care services, to help people stay at home. Click the link or call 1-866-456-2322 for more information.

Medicare.gov and eldercare.gov  (US DHHS) are national website links providing information to help seniors learn about and locate available local health care agencies in order to compare the quality of care and services offered near home. Part D Extra Help is available to lower out-of-pocket prescription drug expenses. Click on the links for more information and income restrictions.

MedicareSolutions.com provides a website for comparing Medicare Advantage and Supplemental health insurance plans offered by Aetna, Anthem, Humana, Mutual of Omaha, United Health Care and WellPoint, all top health insurance companies.

Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice at 15 Strawberry Ave in Lewiston (1-800-482-7412) and Androscoggin Home Health Services, Inc. at 284 Main St. in Wilton (207-645-5334) can provide in-home skilled nursing care and non-medical support care based upon individual needs, with services available in Carrabassett Valley. Click on the site or call for more information.

Beacon Hospice Care, with offices in Auburn, Augusta, Bangor and Portland, is a Medicare and Medicaid certified program providing end-of-life care services at home, or in a hospital, assisted living facility or a nursing home, to meet the needs of terminally ill patients. Beacon Hospice Care also provides a new program called Deep Harbors to support patients, families, nursing home staff and physicians manage end-stage dementia patients at home or within health care facilities. Click on the link or call 1-800-HOSPICE for more information.

Keeping Seniors Home is a program offered through Western Maine Community Action for eligible elder homeowners age 60+ living in Franklin County to assist them to remain in their own homes, as long as they are able to do so. For more information on the program contact WMCA at 207-645-3764 or 1-800-645-9636, or email them at  [email protected].

NorthStar Emergency Services

NorthStar offers a Community Paramedicine program that has emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics making house calls to vulnerable patients to educate them, monitor their condition, and if needed, provide treatment.

Primary care and hospital-based doctors refer individuals to the program. Patients who qualify are generally those who have been newly released from the hospital; those who have had a recent surgery; those who have multiple chronic conditions; and those with safety concerns in the home.

At no cost, specially trained EMTs provide patient care in the home offering services such as: vital signs and weight monitoring, high blood pressure checks, glucose testing and diabetes management, medication assistance, flu shots, and fall prevention and safety education.

EMTs report back to referring providers any issues or concerns that may affect their patients’ recovery.

Let your physician know if you are interested in participating in the NorthStar Community Paramedicine Program. Upon receipt of his or her referral, NorthStar will contact you directly about scheduling an appointment.

. The free program, which must first be referred to by your physician,  offers area residents an opportunity to schedule home visits by NorthStar EMTs for health screenings and home safety checks. Click on the link for program information, eligibility and referrals.

Care in Homes links seniors to an informative website that provides estimates of in-home care pricing based upon the specific care needs being sought and the Zip Code where the services will be provided to those seeking care.

WebMD and rxlist.com are websites which allow you to browse all prescriptions, over the counter medications and vitamins by name, (A-Z), and also have links to medical terminologies for better understanding of medical terms and questions about health care needs and prescription drugs.

Drug Watch Public Outreach program informs seniors about prescription drugs and over the counter medications and their side effects and educates seniors about various medical devices. Click on to drugwatch.com for more information.

A Flu Clinic Calendar available at 211maine.org provides a county by county listing of flu clinics and dates they are in operation. Click on the website and the Franklin County button for a date and clinic near home.

The Maine Public Health website provides health related updates and services promoting the health and well being of Maine citizens. Information on personal, home and environmental health concerns and issues can easily be browsed at this user friendly site.

Office of Elder Services in Augusta is a Maine state agency (DHHS) promoting programs and services for older adults and their families. Call the Adult Protection Service Hotline at 1-800-624-8404 to report or arrange for services to protect incapacitated and dependent adults in danger of abuse, neglect or exploitation.

The Office of Financial Protection for Older Americans website, part of the new federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau provides seniors information and tools to navigate safely through a variety of financial challenges. Information may be useful to help prevent scammers from taking your savings or your home. Submit comments or report incidents of financial abuse online at www.regulations.gov or write to Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 1700 G Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20552.

Annoyed with unwanted telemarketing calls? Click on the National Do Not Call Registry link to register and stop getting those calls. From your home telephone you can also simply call toll free 1-888-382-1222 to register. Make certain that you call from the number you want to register.

Bureau of Maine Veterans Services in Augusta along with regional offices in Bangor, Caribou, Lewiston, Machias, Portland, Springvale, Waterville and Togus provide information and program assistance to veterans and their spouses. Veterans seeking information on state and federal benefits they may be entitled to, or wishing to file a VA claim or appeal, or applying for financial aid, are encouraged to call BMVS in Augusta at 207-430-6035 or to click on their website at maine.gov/dvem/bvs/index.htm for more information or to download the Veterans Resource Guide.

Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Maine Healthcare System at 1 VA Center, Augusta, ME 04330, toll free number 1-877-421-8263 or the website maine.va.gov provide information on veterans medical services and healthcare eligibility and enrollment for home based primary care, prescription drugs, mental health clinics and access to several service organizations representing the interests of Maine veterans.

The Defense Finance and Accounting Service now provides a new online form to report the deaths of military retirees by the grieving families. It is hoped that the new form may ease the reporting of a retiree’s death and help eliminate the problem of overpayment of monthly benefits, and the subsequent repayment by the families. Effective March 1, 2013, only direct deposit of DFAS payment services will be allowed. No more checks using regular mail. Click on the DFAS link to download Form 2558 if needed, or to get further information on payment services and TRICARE annual fees.

Maine Senior Guide is a comprehensive web resource geared to Maine seniors and their families.

The Mesothelioma Group is a team of healthcare professionals, patient advocates and communication specialists that provide well-researched and accurate information about mesothelioma and its treatment.  For more information check out their website at  www.mesotheliomagroup.com

asbestos.com  is a site that has comprehensive information on cancers in seniors.

consumerdangers.com is a web site dedicated to keeping the public informed about consumer dangers and safety issues associated with numerous products that can cause the public serious harm.  The website is continuously updated with breaking news from government agencies, watchdog groups, and concerned citizens regarding product recalls and drug medication safety..

americanaddictioncenters is a web site that  helps individuals understand coverage, options and financial planning in the realm of addiction treatment.  This site, compiled by industry experts at an addiction treatment provider, provides answers to the key issues: how and when insurance covers treatment, what types of treatment are covered and the nuances of major insurance providers.

The risk of injury is one of the major factors when seniors and their families decide it is no longer safe for seniors to stay at home, particularly when they live alone.  Efficient medical alert systems can help extend that time and keep seniors out of nursing homes as long as possible.  ConsumerAffairs has a web site dedicated to providing seniors and their families with all they need to know about medical alert systems.  The site includes thousands of unbiased, verified consumer reviews on the top national providers in the industry, expert reviews and breakdowns of different features and a video to help caregivers talk to elderly loved ones about using a medical alert device.

Recall Report is a website dedicated to informing the public about dangerous medications and medical devices.  There is a great deal of valuable information available on their website at  recallreport.org.

Rxdangers.com is a resource dedicated to providing consumers the latest information regarding defective medical devices and harmful drugs.  This site provides information about the medical industry and news about FDA and manufacturer recalls to help consumers make informed decisions based on the current information.

Administration for Community Living

ACL advocates across the federal government for older adults, people with disabilities, and families and caregivers; funds services and supports provided by primarily by states and networks of community-based; and invests in training, education, research and innovation. We manage a variety of programs (authorized by several statutes), providing assistance on health and wellness, protecting rights and preventing abuse, supporting consumer control, strengthening the networks of community-based organizations, funding research, and much more.  Check out their website at www.acl.gov/programs

Sleep Help is a site devoted to spreading awareness of sleep health and wellness particularly as we age.

The National Institute on Aging provides information on health topics related to aging.  The NIH is part of the U.S.Dept of Health and Human Services and is the nation’s medical research agency-making important discoveries that improve health and save lives.

Retirement Living is a national resource for consumer information related to retirement, aging, and senior care.  The site provides access to an array of resource materials, including reports on the best places to retire, tax information on each state and buyers guides about special products and services.  These resources are available to use and share at no cost.

In order to achieve a healthy, active lifestyle for the remainder of your years, you have to keep up a consistent exercise regimen. In some ways, exercising as a senior is more important than in any other time in your life. Senior exercise should be different than how you used to work out when you were middle aged and vastly different than when you were a child. In order to strengthen your balance, to avoid a senior falling down and then be able to get back up, you have to find exercises that target strength training, endurance, balance and your flexibility.  This website offers some exercises designs especially for seniors. https://www.medicalalertadvice.com/resources/simple-exercises-for-seniors/

Smart Tech for Seniors

router-network.com Certain gadgets can enhance senior’s lives by helping them stay independent. Here is a link to a number of smart tech gadgets that can help seniors age in place happily and safely in today’s digital world.

Caregivers Guide to Elder Abuse

Here is a link to a Caregivers Guide to Understanding, Recognizing and Preventing Elder Abuse https://online.maryville.edu/blog/caregivers-guide-to-understanding-recognizing-and-preventing-elder-abuse/

nursinghomesabuse.org exists to inform families about the risks of nursing homes abuse, and helps people take legal action if a loved one has been injured.

Senior Advice.com is a website dedicated to connecting seniors to affordable housing, home care and other senior resources.

Vision Center is a web site dedicated to providing medically accurate information for all things related to vision.

Rider University has offered information on this page that helps find reliable health and medical information online including a list of reliable health resources. Check it out.

New Mouth As the body continues to age, new oral challenges present themselves. This web site offers medically accurate content in the dentistry field. They offer information to keep the aging mouth healthy.

Online Therapy with Covid-19, people are more isolated than ever before. This adds another layer of complexity for those struggling with anxiety or depression. This site offers a guide to resources for isolated Americans to access professional care online.

https://www.payingforseniorcare.com/maine This webpage will help Maine residents understand assisted living, home care, and adult day care costs throughout the state. It also explores the payment options and financial assistance programs available to assist in caring for the elderly, be that in residential care or for aging in place at home.

A Guide to Christian and Catholic Senior Living Christian senior living communities typically offer several services and amenities to ensure residents have plenty of opportunities to practice their faith. This is what differentiates them from standard senior living communities. The services and amenities available will depend on which type of community you select and which form of Christianity you practice.

A Senior’s Guide to Budgeting and Couponing is a budgeting guide for seniors which covers a wide variety of financial management topics.