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PHOTO: From left, Noël Bonam, AARP Maine state director; Jean Saunders; Carl Bucciantini, AARP Maine volunteer state president; Joyce Bucciantini, AARP Maine advocacy and outreach volunteer. (Submitted photo)
PORTLAND – Jean Saunders, formerly of Winslow, has been named the AARP Maine 2022 Andrus Award.
Named in honor of AARP’s founder Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, the award celebrates and honors those who make a difference in the lives of others, and it is the most prestigious and visible award AARP presents each year.
Saunders’ extraordinary public service actively embodies Andrus’ motto “To Serve, Not To be Served,” AARP said in making the announcement. She was presented the award Oct. 26.
Saunders, who lives in Saco, is a native of Winslow, and started off her career as an RN in Maine, but spent many years in New York as a nursinsg administrator. In 1990, she returned to Maine as a hospital administrator for Maine Medical Center. She and her husband, David, have three children.
Saunders first read about the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities in 2013, specifically, the aging in place work that was just starting to take root. She was interested in learning more about this work and potentially helping Saco become part of the network. With her background in health care, she was particularly interested to learn how to help individuals stay in their own homes and age successfully with support from the community. Her efforts resulted in Saco becoming part of the network and many age-friendly initiatives in that city.
“Age-friendly or livable communities have walkable streets, housing and transportation options, access to key services and opportunities for residents to participate in community activities,” she said. “It is so important to find out from each community what it is they want and what services they need. The age-friendly opportunities in any given community are going to be as varied as the community itself.”
“I am honored to receive the Andrus Award,” she said. “As one of many volunteers working within the AARP Network of Age-friendly States and Communities, it is thrilling to be recognized for the work being done to address the domains of livability. We will continue to strive to develop the supports and services needed that will allow our residents to age in place in their homes and communities.”
Jean Saunders (Submitted photo)
