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Eastern Area Agency on Aging Newletter

🎃 OCTOBER 2026 🎃

 

AGENCY UPDATES

Harvest for Help Honors Caregivers

Eastern Area Agency on Aging's (EAAA) fourth annual Harvest for Help Breakfast was held on September 17 and was a meaningful morning focused on supporting family caregivers. The event featured a personal caregiver story and an engaging panel discussion. The highlight of the event was the recognition of AARP Maine as EAAA's 2026 Helper of the Year. EAAA is honored to recognize AARP for their unwavering commitment and deep dedication to caregivers and older Mainers.

 

Thanks to the generosity of the event's sponsors, attendees, and donors, the breakfast raised more than $16,000. An additional thank you to the Harvest for Help Harvest and Sprout sponsors Maine Savings Federal Credit Union, Holly Taylor Realtor, Epstein Properties, and AARP Maine.

 

Above: EAAA Executive Director Tabatha Caso with Representatives from AARP Maine.

EAAA is Hiring

 

EAAA is hiring! Check out our employment page to view open positions!

Office Closure

 

All EAAA offices and access centers will be closed on Monday, October 12 in observance of Indigenous Peoples' Day.

VOLUNTEER HIGHLIGHTS

Volunteers Needed

 

EAAA is currently seeking volunteers to help support older adults throughout our communities. Current volunteer opportunities include:

If you’re interested in learning more or lending a hand, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Ella Thomason at [email protected] or 207-941-2865, extension 124.

To view additional volunteer opportunities, click here.

EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

View Our October Calendars

Visit EAAA's access centers for resources, activities, exercise, meals, and friendship!

Durgin Center

Calais

Dover-Foxcroft

Ellsworth

Durgin Center Highlights

Zumba Gold is Coming

 

Zumba Gold is coming to the Durgin Center on Thursdays at 4:00 p.m. beginning this November. This low-impact, low-intensity dance class is similar to regular Zumba but is easier on your joints. The class uses easy-to-follow choreography and focuses on balance, range of motion, and coordination.

 

To register or learn more, call the Durgin Center.

October Spotlight Presentation

Join EAAA at the Durgin Center on Tuesday, October 20 at 1:00 p.m. to welcome Verrill for this month's spotlight presentation. Starting your estate planning today helps avoid surprises tomorrow! Taking steps now to simplify and secure management of your affairs can protect your loved ones and ensure your wishes are strictly followed during life's unexpected moments. During this session you'll learn more about wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and why setting these up today will help you in the long term.

 

Register here to reserve your spot!

NUTRITION NEWS

A Kernel of Health

Learn more about the health benefits of corn, which is an excellent source of antioxidants, iron, and fiber. Then try a recipe with fresh or frozen corn.

View the Eat Well, Age Well flyer here

Protect Your Furry Friend

 

Furry Friends Food Bank is sharing ways to keep your pet safe during Halloween. The holiday can often be stressful for your animal.

Click here for tips

Supplemental Food Box Recipe

 

As fall brings colder, darker nights, warm up with this recipe using items from your Commodity Supplemental Food Box.

Click here for the full recipe

 

Hannaford Bags Support Meals on Wheels

 

During the month of October, a purchase of a "Fight Hunger Bag" at the Bangor Mall Hannaford will support EAAA's Meals on Wheels program.

CAREGIVER RESOURCES

Caregiver 101

Learn about EAAA's family caregiver programs and ask any of your caregiver-related questions. View the flyer.

Assistive Devices

Call EAAA at 207-941-2865 and ask if you are eligible to receive FREE assistive devices. Click here to learn more.

Caregiver Support Groups

Caregivers share experiences and learn about resources in a confidential, supportive setting. View the flyer.

Caregiver Training

Join EAAA at 11:30 am on the first Monday of each month to gain skills and build confidence. View the flyer.

MEDICARE INFORMATION

DIY Medicare Open Enrollment Class

Join Certified Medicare Counselors to learn how to use Medicare Plan Finder at the Durgin Center on October 5 and October 7. Registration is required.

View the flyer.

Medicare Summary Notice

 

If you have regular Medicare, you should be receiving your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) every six months.

Here are the four steps you need to follow to understand it.

Dear Marci ...

"How do I compare Part D plans for the upcoming year?"

Read Marci's answer!

Medicare 101

New to Medicare? Attend EAAA's Medicare 101 class!

View the flyer.

WAYS TO SUPPORT EAAA

Community Partner Events

Volunteer for Literacy Volunteers of Bangor

Starting on October 19 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Eastern Maine Community College, 354 Hogan Rd., Bangor

Literacy Volunteers of Bangor is looking for volunteer tutors in the greater Bangor area to work with adults who want to read, write, or speak English better. Certification training for new tutors begins in October. Tutors meet with one student at a time for about one to two hours a week. Registration is required.

 

21st Annual Clinical Geriatrics Colloquium: Solo Aging

October 21 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. - Virtual

Join the University of Maine Center on Aging for their Annual Clinical Geriatrics Colloquium. Throughout the day, experts will explore the health, legal, social, and community dimensions of aging alone and discuss how individuals, professionals, and communities can better prepare for and support solo aging. Registration is required.

 

Fall Festival

October 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 10 Commissary Point Rd., Trescott Township

Celebrate fall with Cobsook Institute. During this free, community event there will be fun activities, music, and food. Make your own pot at the pottery studio open house, browse the markers market, listen to a winter birding talk and more. Find a full list of events.

 

In accordance with federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights 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 state or local agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). 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, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
  2. Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
  3. Email: [email protected].

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.