LEWISTON — SeniorsPlus has announced its Education Center classes for November. Classes are held at 8 Falcon Road, Lewiston, unless noted. Classes are free, unless noted. SeniorsPlus is fully accessible. Hearing Assistive Equipment is available upon request. 

The schedule is as follows:

Technology for Aging — 2 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 6. Instructor: Debra Bare-Rogers, communications technology specialist, Disability Rights Maine. Learn all about CapTel phones, examples of other phones available through the Telephone Equipment Program, the hearing aids and additional resources for people with hearing loss.

Crafting with Corinne — 2 to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8. Instructor: Corinne Saindon. In this class attendees will get a jump-start on some easy-to-create holiday gifts for family or friends. Folks can create an easel calendar and notepad gift. All class supplies provided for $5.

Androscoggin Readers Theater — 2 to 3 p.m. Monday, Nov. 12. Androscoggin Readers Theater will present performances of their original scripts that explore the quirks, peculiarities and idiosyncrasies of senior life from a humorous point of view.

Safe Driving — 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13. Instructor: Donna McGibney, AARP. Cost: $20, payable to AARP; $15 for AARP members. Drivers 55-plus who complete this class are eligible for discounts on their auto insurance for three years. Bring a driver’s license, lunch and membership card.

Living Well with Diabetes — 9 to 11:30 a.m. Fridays, Nov. 16 to Dec. 28 (no class Nov. 23). Instructors: SeniorsPlus staff. Location: DFD Russell Medical Center, 180 Church Hill Road, Leeds. attendees can learn real-life skills for living a full, healthy life with diabetes. 

Retirement 101 — 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 20. Instructors: Jennifer Uwaechia and guest, Banker’s Life. Learn different methods to protect assets against inflation and prevent outliving retirement income and savings. Whether one is retiring from an employer or one’s own business, this class can help navigate fixed income living. Every situation is unique to the individual so they will be answering specific questions after the presentation. Light refreshments will be provided.

Money Saving Tips You Don’t Want to Miss! — 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 29. Instructor: Chloe Giampaolo. Giampaolo is back share more of her wisdom. In this presentation, participants will learn how to save money and even live debt-free.

Honoring Your Wishes for Care in Serious Illness — 2 to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29. Instructor: Elizabeth B. Hart, MD, director of Medical Services, Androscoggin Home Health Care and Hospice. This interactive conversation, led by a physician who specializes in geriatrics, will focus on ways to ensure that one’s wishes will be honored if facing a serious illness or as one approaches end of life. They will explore how meaningful conversations and written advance directives will help loved ones and the health care team to respect one’s preferences for care if a time comes when someone is unable to speak for themselves. They will discuss tools that can communicate wishes so that the care received is consistent with one’s values and goals.

Ongoing fitness classes:

Total Strength and Balance — 11:15 a.m. to noon or 12:15 to 1 p.m. Mondays; 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Wednesdays; 11:30 a.m. to 12:10 p.m. or 12:30 to 1:10 p.m. Fridays (no class Nov. 23). Instructor: Linn Morin, certified trainer. Cost: $5 for drop-in, $15 for six classes, $25 for 12 classes. One month passes are nonrefundable. To register or for more info, call Linn Morin at 207-523-9055.

Gentle Chair Yoga — 9 to 10 a.m. Mondays and Fridays. Instructor: Tisha Bremmer. Cost: $35 for 7 weeks; drop-in: $8 per class. Monday sessions: Oct. 22–Dec. 17 (no class 11/12); Friday sessions: Nov. 2-Dec. 21 (no class 11/23). Designed to increase vitality, gain a deeper sense of balance and find your inner calm. Combines meditation, easy warm-ups, light stretches and gentle yoga postures.

Some insurance companies offer reimbursement for these classes. Folks wanting to attend need to contact their insurance company.

Ongoing groups:

Coffee & Comfort — 3 to 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 5. This group meets on the first Monday of each month. The group is for those who have experienced loss and have completed the Bereavement group at Beacon Hospice. This group is facilitated by Beacon Hospice.

Knitting Group — 5 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Attendees can work on their own projects or learn how to knit — bring yarn and knitting needles. Use back entrance.

Caregiver Support Group — 5:30 to 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 12. Occurs on the second Monday of each month. Offers a safe place for caregivers, family and friends of persons with dementia to meet and develop a mutual support system. Participation in a support group can be an empowering experience, helping members feel better prepared to cope with their unique situation. This group is facilitated by SeniorsPlus staff/volunteers.

Book Club — 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14. This peer-facilitated club meets on the second Wednesday of each month. The book to be read for this month’s group is “Cane River” by Lalita Tademy. A New York Times bestseller and Oprah’s Book Club Pick, this book is the moving saga of four generations of African-American women whose journey from slavery to freedom begins on a Creole plantation in Louisiana.

Vision Support Group — 2:30 to 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 19. This is a peer-facilitated support group for the legally blind and vision impaired to share how this disability affects their daily lives. A safe place to meet and share thoughts and encouragement. Developing a good support system offers empowerment and confidence. Family and friends are welcomed. Meets on the third Monday of each month.

Chronic Pain Support Group — 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 26. This peer-facilitated group for people who have chronic pain was formed by participants of the Living Well with Chronic Pain workshop. This group meets on the fourth Monday of each month.

For Franklin and Oxford counties:

Caregiver Support Group — 3 to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 5. Location: SeniorsPlus, 218 Fairbanks Road, Farmington. Offers a safe place for caregivers, family and friends of persons with dementia to meet and develop a mutual support system. Participation in a support group can be an empowering experience, helping members feel better prepared to cope with their unique situation.

Register for classes by calling 207-795-4010 or 1-800-427-1241. FMI: visit seniorsplus.org/education-center.

Copy the Story Link