LEWISTON — The Education Center at SeniorsPlus has announced the February calendar. Unless stated otherwise, classes are free and located at 8 Falcon Road. Programs are made possible through support from local people. Call SeniorsPlus at 800-427-1241 for more information and to register.
A Pictorial Guide to Egypt: 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 1, with Lucy Bisson. This is a presentation of the monuments of Egypt from the Pyramid at Giza to Abu Simbel as shown through Bisson’s recent trip. Class limit is 30 people. The course is for Senior College members only. Call Senior College at 207-780-5960 to register.
Storing Memories: 2 to 3:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2, with Kathy Baillargeon, Room by Room Organizing. Photos capture life history, are a link to past generations, fun times and major life events. The class will discuss how to organize, protect and enjoy photos for years to come. Those attending should bring 100 unorganized and unsorted photos.
Living Well with Chronic Pain: 8:30 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays, Feb. 7 to March 14, with Robyn Spugnardi and Cecilia Natale, SeniorsPlus. This is a six-week workshop for those who want to learn ways to better manage their pain and health concerns. The workshop is held once a week for two and a half hours for adults who have long-term or chronic pain lasting longer than six months, or beyond the expected healing time for an injury. Participants of this interactive workshop will learn ways to deal with frustration, fatigue, poor sleep and isolation. They will also learn appropriate exercises for maintaining and improving strength, flexibility, endurance, techniques for pacing activity and rest, how to evaluate new treatments, and appropriate use of medications to treat pain. Snacks will be provided and there will be a drawing for a $25 gift card. Class limit is 16.
1-800 Help Me Tim — Tablets: 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8, with Tim Verrill, SeniorsPlus. Students should bring their tablets and questions. Participants may bring a support partner, but there is only one device per sign up. This is a “Me Help You” class. Class limit is 5.
Living Well with Diabetes: 1 to 3:30 p.m. Fridays, Feb. 9 to March 16, with Carmen Carney and Cecilia Natale. In this six-week workshop, participants will learn skills for management of Type 2 Diabetes. This fun and interactive workshop is open to individuals who have Type 2 Diabetes and those who are caring for someone who does. Topics include menu planning, monitoring levels, healthy eating, communication, physical activity and foot care. Snacks will be provided, and there will be a drawing for a $25 gift card. Class limit is 16.
End-of-Life Symptom Management: 1 to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15, with Danielle Baker, Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice. This class focuses on how to maintain comfort during end of life and how to properly palliate symptoms dependent on the disease and the patient.
Dementia Conversations: 10 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20, with Mark Pechenik, Alzheimer’s Association. This program will assist families with difficult conversations related to dementia, including going to the doctor, deciding when to stop driving, and making legal and financial plans. Topics include: tips for having difficult conversations around some of the issues that arise regarding Alzheimer’s or other dementia; the need to plan ahead and build a care team that communicates well in order to reduce stress; resources that enhance quality of life for everyone involved; hearing from people who are dealing with similar issues.
Nutrition 101 — Tips for Eating Healthy on a Budget: 2 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20, with Ellen Shrader, registered dietitian from Central Maine Medical Center. This is a presentation on eating healthy and saving money. Participants will learn about the importance of balanced meals as well as tips to help successfully choose more nutritious items at the grocery store. Shrader will also discuss how to save some money when shopping for healthier items.
Self-Defense: 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20, with Brianne Genschel, The Foundry Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. This workshop will be focused primarily on environmental awareness, identifying dangerous or risky situations, methods of maintaining safety while at home and in communities, and practical self-defense techniques that will minimize injury and maximize survival in an assault style situation. There will be time for Q&A and open discussion.
Facebook for Newbies: 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22, with Tim Verrill, SeniorsPlus. Facebook is a great way to keep in contact with friends and family, and it can also help users stay up-to-date in current events, news and local happenings. This class will walk participants through the steps of creating an account, posting pictures, sending messages, how to set up preferences and more. Class limit is 24.
Chef’s Table: 10:45 a.m. to noon Friday, Feb. 23, at at Mt. Blue High School, 129 Seamon Road, Farmington. Cost is $5.50 a person. Lunch-goers can experience the Mt. Blue campus and its students, as they share the culinary skills they are acquiring. Limit is 60 people.
Crafting with Corinne — Birthday Cards: 1:30 to 3 p.m. Monday, Feb. 26, with Corinne Saindon, local artisan. Cost is $5 for supplies. Participants will learn the basics of card-making and make two birthday cards for family or friends.
Tai Chi for Arthritis: 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, Feb. 27 to May 3 (there will not be class April 10, 12, 17 and 19), at Lewiston High School with Robyn Spugnardi. An approachable program proven to reduce pain, increase balance, and increase general health. All ability levels are welcome. To register, call Lewiston Adult Ed at 207-795-4141.
Ongoing classes
Some insurance companies offer reimbursement for these classes. Participants must call their insurance company to find out if they do. These classes are for all – beginner or advanced – who are interested in improving strength, balance and bone density.
Gentle Chair Yoga: 9 to 10 a.m. Mondays through March 19 (there will not be class on Feb. 19) or Fridays through March 2, with Tisha Bremner. Cost is $45 for nine weeks or $8 drop-in. This class is designed to increase vitality, gain a deeper sense of balance, and find inner calm. It combines meditation, easy warm-ups, light stretches and gentle yoga postures.
Total Strength & Balance: 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Mondays (there will not be class on Feb. 19) and from 11:30 to 12:15 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays with Linn Morin. Cost is $5 for drop-in, $15 for six classes or $25 for 12 classes. One-month passes are nonrefundable. To register or for information, call Morin at 207-523-9055.
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