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With you along the journey...wherever it takes you |
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| Interim Executive Director Announced
Eastern Area Agency on Aging (EAAA) has named Tabatha Caso as Interim Executive Director.
"The Board of Directors at a special meeting has unanimously appointed Tabatha Caso as Interim Executive Director," says Board of Director President Ellen Angel. "They are convinced Tabatha has the experience to keep the Agency on a forward path as we consider our options as we look towards the future."
For the last three years, Caso has served as the EAAA’s Chief Program Officer and will continue in the role as well as Interim Executive Director. Caso got her to start working with older adults and caregivers in 2007 at SeniorsPlus Care Coordination. In 2016, Caso left SeniorsPlus as the Quality Assurance and Training Manager to join EAAA as the Director of Community Services.
"I am honored that the Board of Directors appointed me to be the Interim Executive Director," says Tabatha Caso. "It is a wonderful recognition after my years of service at Eastern Area Agency on Aging. We are very fortunate to have great staff, volunteers, board, and community partners who provide support systems and services for older adults, caregivers, and adults with disabilities. I look forward to shifting my responsibilities to focus on furthering the organization's mission with our amazing team.”
Caso graduated from Framingham State University in 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts in Human Services and is a Licensed Social Worker. Caso was born, raised, and resides in Bangor. Tabatha and her husband, Rob, have one son who keeps them actively involved with local sports. When they have a break, they enjoy spending time at their camp on Sebec Lake. |
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| Café Volunteers Needed Volunteer opportunities in Brewer, Milo, Millinocket, and Brooksville
Café Support volunteers are responsible for supporting our Community Cafés through the completion of various tasks. Volunteers will have a task specialty assigned to them and will be cross trained to provide back up support to other areas of the kitchen operation.
The Community Café team works together to provide a safe and sanitary environment for food service while providing a warm and welcoming Café environment for our community to come enjoy a nutritious meal and great socialization. Volunteers are encouraged to serve in a capacity that is enjoyable and utilizes their own skillsets. |
THE IMPORTANCE OF FLEA AND TICK TREATMENT From Furry Friends Food Bank |
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| How do pets get fleas and ticks? Animals are infected by fleas after being in an environment where flea populations can flourish, such as outside in leafy debris piles, underneath decks, as well as inside homes in carpet fibers, and underneath furniture. Animals get ticks after being exposed to an area where ticks live, such as in tall grass or wooded areas, where ticks wait to attach to an animal. What are flea and tick preventatives, and why are they important? Fleas and ticks can carry and transmit diseases. Fleas can cause tapeworm infections and skin infections. Tick-borne diseases include anaplasmosis, Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. What kind of products are available? There are many different flea and tick preventatives including collars, topical treatments, and oral preventatives. The monthly cost will vary by product and may also be a factor to consider when choosing which product works best to match your budget. - Collars will repel fleas & ticks, and prevent ticks from attaching, but they must be applied tightly enough to have skin contact.
- Topical products do not repel or prevent tick attachment, which means you may still see ticks crawling on your pet. It will not
kill ticks until after attachment for 24 hours. - Oral preventatives also do not prevent tick attachment, but they have a relatively fast tick kill time.
Do I need to use flea and tick prevention in the winter? Yes, ticks can be active at 40°F & fleas can thrive indoors, where they are protected from the cold temperatures. |
| HOW DO I SAFELY REMOVE A TICK? Always wear gloves while handling ticks to avoid contact with your skin. Using tweezers: Grasp the tick as close to your pet’s skin as possible. Pull it out slowly in a straight, steady motion. Anything left behind could lead to an infection. Using a tick remover (as seen in photo): Gently press the remover against your pet’s skin near the tick. Slide the notch of the remover under the tick, pulling it free. |
| Coming to the Durgin Center in October:
Journey Through the Chakras: After an introductory first class, each session will focus on the Chakras one by one, going in depth to not only explain the philosophy behind the practice but balance the mind and body as a whole. $77 for the eight-class session.
Mindful Meditation: Begin meditating with an introduction to the basics of a meditation practice and add new techniques and exercises as the class progresses. $59 for the six class session.
Simple Yoga: Enjoy the benefits of traditional yoga with this seated and standing simple yoga program. All levels are welcome. $5 per class.
Yogalates: This fun and dynamic and accessible class offers strength, mobility, balance and range of motion. A Yoga-Pilates fusion. $59 for the six class session. |
| 3 Nutrition Tips for Ages 60+ From your friends at CSFP |
| Eating habits change throughout the life span. Simple changes can help you enjoy the foods and beverages you eat and drink to meet nutrient needs, maintain a healthy body weight, and reduce the risk of chronic disease.
1. Enjoy a variety of foods from each food group to help reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. Choosing foods with little to no added sugars, saturated fats, and sodium can help with this.
2. Get enough protein throughout your day to maintain muscle mass!
3. Drink water often. With age, you may lose some of your sense of thirst. Low or fat-free milk, lactose-free alternatives, and 100% juice can help you stay hydrated. Limit beverages that have lots of added sugars or salts. |
| | Dear Marci,
I just enrolled in Medicare a few months ago, and now I am hearing about Fall Open Enrollment coming up. What is Fall Open Enrollment, and what should do I do during this time? -Patty (Providence Forge, VA) |
| Dear Patty,
What an important question! Fall Open Enrollment begins October 15 and ends December 7 each year. (You also might hear it be called Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period or Annual Election Period.) During this time, you can make changes to your health insurance coverage, including adding, dropping, or changing your Medicare Advantage and Part D coverage for next year. Even if you are happy with your current health and drug coverage, Fall Open Enrollment is the time to review what you have, compare it with other options, and make sure that your current coverage will meet your needs for the coming year. You can make as many changes as you need to your Medicare coverage during Fall Open Enrollment. The changes you can make include: - Joining a new Medicare Advantage Plan
- Joining a new Part D prescription drug plan
- Switching from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan
- Switching from a Medicare Advantage Plan to Original Medicare (with or without a Part D plan)
You should consider: - Your access to health care providers you want to see
- Your access to preferred pharmacies
- Your access to benefits and services you need
- The total costs for insurance premiums, deductibles, and cost-sharing amounts
If you have Original Medicare, visit www.medicare.gov or read the 2023 Medicare & You handbook to learn about Medicare’s benefits for the upcoming year. You should review any increases to Original Medicare premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance charges. If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan or a stand-alone Part D plan, read your plan’s Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) and/or Evidence of Coverage (EOC). If you do not receive these notices by the end of September, contact your plan to request them. Review these notices for any changes in: - The plan’s costs
- The plan’s benefits and coverage rules
- The plan’s formulary (list of drugs your plan covers)
Additionally, make sure that your drugs will still be covered next year and that your providers and pharmacies are still in the plan’s network. If you are unhappy with any of your plan’s changes, you can enroll in a new plan. If you want assistance reviewing your options, contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for unbiased counseling. Even if you are happy with your current Medicare coverage, consider other Medicare health and drug plan options in your area. For example, even if you do not plan to change your Medicare Advantage or Part D plan, you should check to see if there is another plan in your area that will offer you better health and/or drug coverage at a more affordable price. Research shows that people with Medicare prescription drug coverage could lower their costs by shopping among plans each year; there could be another Part D plan in your area that covers the drugs you take with fewer restrictions and/or lower prices. You can use Medicare’s Plan Finder tool to compare your options and call your SHIP for assistance. Best of luck to you this Fall Open Enrollment Period! Following the advice above, you can make sure your health coverage will meet your needs in 2023. -Marci
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| | It's time for the 2023 BRCC Non-Profit of the Year Award Nominations!
This award is given to a non-profit organization that has made a notable difference in the lives of the people who live in the Bangor Region. Has Eastern Area Agency on Aging made a difference in your life or the life of someone you love? We would appreciate your support by nominating us here! |
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| Starting Monday, October 3rd, Eastern Area Agency on Aging will begin scheduling Open Enrollment appointments.
Call us at 941-2865 to review your 2023 prescription drug plan options. You don't want to wait, appointments fill up quickly. |
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| | Eastern Area Agency on Aging and the Durgin Center will be closed October 10th for Indigenous Peoples' Day. |
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| | | Not only is Eastern Area Agency on Aging passionate about fighting Medicare fraud, but also about Caregivers. Sometimes in the midst of caring for others, your own needs take a back seat. Make sure you are staying healthy and reaching out for resources to help you along the way. EAAA provides not only Medicare services, but also Caregiver services. Call EAAA for more information and learn more on how we can help! |
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Caregiver Respite Programs Governor Janet Mills announced today“Respite for ME”, a $5.1 million initiative of her Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan that will provide grants of up to $2,000 to Maine families who are caring for a family member at home. This two-year pilot program, developed in partnership with five of Maine’s Area Agencies on Aging, begins on Monday, October 3. Also available is Eastern Area Agency on Aging's Caregiver Respite Program, which supports family caregivers by helping to pay for someone else to provide care for the person with dementia. Caregivers can utilize agencies, friends, relatives, or day programs to provide care. Respite gives caregivers a chance to take care of their own needs while knowing that their loved one is safe and being cared for. Respite funds are currently available, click here to learn more. |
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| | Caregiver Support Group
Are you caring for a loved one and would enjoy the opportunity to share your experience with others who are facing the same obstacles and challenges within a confidential and supportive setting?
Once a month, Eastern Area Agency on Aging offers an in-person Caregiver Support Group at our Durgin Center. The support group helps caregivers gain skills, build confidence, and learn helpful resources available within the community. We would love to see you there!
Call EAAA for more information. |
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| Milo Café Thursdays 11:30AM - 1:00PM 15 Harris Pond Rd Milo, ME 04463 Call (207)-943-2488 to reserve. |
| | Millinocket Café Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10:30AM - 1:00PM 80 Maine Ave Millinocket, ME 04462 Call (207)-723-2045 to reserve. |
| | Brooksville Café Thursdays 12:00PM - 1:00PM 1 Townhouse Rd Brooksville, ME 04617 Call (207)-326-8864 to reserve |
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Coming Soon to the Durgin Center: |
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| Community Café Dates October 3 - Chicken Tetrazzini October 4 - Ham with Apricot Glaze October 10 - Café Closed October 11 - Beef Steak with Mushroom & Onion Gravy October 17 - Turkey with Cranberry Gravy October 18 - Pork with Apple & Onion Sauce October 24 - Pasta Primavera October 25 - Chicken & Rice Casserole October 31 - Tilapia with Hollandaise Sauce |
| | Ask A Librarian
Pottery Workshop
Patchwork Pillows
Tai Chi 2
Coffee and Board Games
Yogalates
Journey Through the Chakras
Mindful Meditation |
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We are so excited to share that Eastern Area Agency on Aging's Meals on Wheels program has been selected to benefit from Hannaford’s Fight Hunger Bag Program, which makes it easy for customers to contribute to their local communities. For the month of October, whenever a $2.50 reusable Fight Hunger Bag is purchased at the Hannaford located at the Airport Mall or on Stillwater Avenue in Bangor, $1 will be donated to EAAA. |
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*In accordance with Federal Civil Rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Civil Rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior credible activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. |
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