State Plan on Aging offers “Listening Sessions”

Posted on by john in Events and Demonstrations, General News

Woman preparing a mealThe Maine Department of Health and Human Service – Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) wants to hear from older adults, adults with a physical disability, caregivers, pre-retirees, veterans and service providers to learn about their experiences!

As OADS begins to design a strategic plan to address our communities’ needs they are hosting eight sessions around the state (at the local Area Agency on Aging centers) to gather input on the priorities and strategies that are important to Maine citizens.

The Maine State Plan on Aging Listening Sessions are as follows:

Area Agency on Aging Center Date Time Location
Aroostook Agency on Aging 10/02/2019 2:00 – 4:00 PM Ashland Town Office
11 Bridgham St, Ashland
Spectrum Generations 10/08/2019 2:00 – 4:00 PM VFW Hall
50 Mill Street, Waldoboro
Eastern Area on Aging 10/15/2019 2:00 – 4:00 PM Eastern Area Agency on Aging
240 State St, Brewer
Spectrum Generations 10/16/2019 2:00 – 4:00 PM Spectrum Generations Muskie Center
38 Gold St, Waterville
Eastern Area on Aging 10/16/2019 2:00 – 4:00 PM University of Machias, Performing Arts Center
116 O’Brien Avenue Machias
Seniors PLus 10/22/2019 1:00 – 3:00 PM SeniorsPlus Offices
10 Falcon Rd, Lewiston
Seniors PLus 10/23/2019 1:00 – 3:00 PM Comfort Inn & Suites
1026 US-2, Wilton
Southern Maine Agency on Aging 10/24/2019 2:00 – 4:00 PM USM, Glickman Library, 7th Floor
314 Forest Ave, Portland

Questions

Please contact:

James Moorhead
Maine Department of Health and Human Services
Office of Aging and Disability Services

Phone: 207-287-9200
james.moorhead@maine.gov

Educate-2-Cultivate Veteran Farmers

Posted on by john in Events and Demonstrations, Partner News

Maine ArgAbility has made the following announcement:

Educate-2-Cultivate (E2C): Business Development and Assistive Technology Symposium for Military Veterans in Agriculture

Saturday, October 26, 2019
9:00 am – 3:00 pm

Augusta Armory
179 Western Ave.
Augusta, ME 

Maine farmWe’ve updated the registration page for the upcoming Educate-2-Cultivate Veteran Farmers symposium on Saturday, 26 October at the Augusta Armory! Please pass the word to veterans interested in farming/gardening.

Every veteran will have a dedicated one-on-one session with a business mentor in the morning, plus a financial management workshop, a locally sourced lunch, an afternoon filled with assistive technology and mind/body workshops, and throughout the day there will be a veteran-specific source fair. Lots of great opportunity to network with other veteran farmers and learn about how  to make your farming efforts more successful.

Please use this link for more information and to register…

Veterans Adaptive Sports and Training (VAST)

Posted on by john in General News

Images of Vets using AT
The goal of the Veterans Adaptive Sports and Training (VAST) program is to promote lifelong health and well-being of veterans with disabilities through regular participation in a VAST array of physical activities and sports. Any and all veterans are encouraged to volunteer and enjoy some outdoor activities and a sense of camaraderie with fellow veterans.

Located on the beautiful Pineland Farms in New Gloucester, VAST strives to offer year-round activities based on the needs and wants of veterans. Programs are free and equipment is provided.

Current sports include:

  • Archery
  • Cycling (hand and recumbent)
  • Nordic Pole Walking
  • Orienteering
  • Cross-country Skiing
  • Snow Shoeing

Learn a new activity or practice your skills with Army Veteran, Occupational Therapist, and two-time Olympic Biathlete, Kristina Sabasteanski. 

Research shows that daily physical activity for people with disabilities results in reduced stress, depression and secondary medical conditions and increases self-esteem, education success, employment rates and quality of life.

U.S. Paralympics is partnering with community organizations across the country, such as the VAST program at Pineland Farms, to create a network of Paralympic Sports Clubs. Paralympic Sports Clubs are community-based programs developed to involve people with physical and visual disabilities in sports and physical activity, regardless of skill level. With 21 million physically disabled Americans, including thousands of military personnel who’ve sustained serious injuries while on active duty, this is an important community need.

Visit the VAST program website…

Grant funding for this program is awarded by U.S. Paralympics, a division of the U.S. Olympic Committee, through funding provided by Veterans Affairs. The grants are provided to facilitate the growth of Paralympic-sport.