Six western Maine towns help seniors remain living at home

BETHEL — An Age-Friendly Community Initiative in six western Maine towns is an all-volunteer organization now in its third year of providing free services to seniors over 60 years of age.
Their mission is to offer the kind of help that will enable seniors to remain living at home.

Programs include transportation (free medical or non-medical rides), communications and information (via newspapers, newsletters and the website www.agefriendlybethel.com), exercise and recreation (fun local classes, walks and exercising), home safety (free smoke alarm installations and tools to make living more adaptable to needs), and morning greeting (a neighbor “check-in”).
AFCI is operating in Bethel, Greenwood, Gilead, Hanover, Newry and Woodstock. The following are key numbers and contact information for anyone living in any of these communities who might be in need of their services.
For neighbor-to-neighbor rides call 207-824-4444 at least three days in advance of your needed ride. For information on exercise programs, call 207-576-5104 or email Bob Oickle at rg0817@gmail.com. For Morning Greeting, contact Brooks Morton at 207-824-2679 or email brooksmorton@gmail.com.
Those senior citizens seeking more information on the program may also stop by the town offices for an AFCI informational flyer and to fill out a survey form. The brief survey will help AFCI learn about an individual’s needs; comments or suggestions will also be forwarded to them.
Volunteers are needed as well. If you can give a few hours of your time, would like to serve on a planning team, or if you have questions about AFCI services please visit www.agefriendlybethel.org or email info@agefriendly@gmail.com.