LEWISTON — SeniorsPlus has announced its classes for December. Classes are held at the Education Center, 8 Falcon Road, and are free unless otherwise noted.
Medical Marijuana — 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4. Instructors: Danielle Miller and Marissa Martin. This presentation will cover how cannabis works in the body, ways to ingest it and how each method takes effect, how to track what you are trying and the success of your results, and how to make your own cannabis remedies.
Ibis Program Information Session — 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5, and 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 18. Instructor: Brenton Stoddart, Ibis Care Navigator. The Ibis Program will be here on the first Wednesday and third Tuesday of each month demonstrating their new technology designed to help people with chronic illness(es) take the best care of themselves in their home. The program has shown to reduce hospitalizations, reduce caregiver fatigue, increase coordination among physicians, and enhance quality of life. The Ibis Program is almost completely paid for by Medicare. Refreshments will be served.
Coping with Holiday Stress and Winter Blues — 1:30 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5. Instructor: Angela Moore, Beacon Hospice. The holidays are a time of family, friends and celebration. However, for some, it can be a time of stress and loneliness. The holidays and cold winter months can represent memories of loved ones lost or times of isolation. There are some things that can help. There will be discussion about ways to support family and friends, create new memories and look forward to winter again.
Crafting with Corinne — 2 to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6. Instructor: Corinne Saindon. Supply fee: $5. In this class you will create a couple of holiday cards for family or friends. Limit 10 participants.
Living Well with Diabetes — 9 to 11:30 a.m. Fridays, Dec. 7–Jan. 11. Instructors: SeniorsPlus staff. Location: DFD Russell Medical Center, 180 Church Hill Road, Leeds. In this six-week workshop, learn real-life skills for living a full, healthy life with diabetes. A former participant of this workshop told us that she lost 40 pounds, her A1C dropped to 5.4, her doctor took her off Metformin, and she is feeling so good she has returned to work. To register, call SeniorsPlus at 207-795-4010.
Options for Caregivers of Individuals with Dementia — 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 10. Instructor: Albert L’Etoile, Woodlands Memory Care of Lewiston. Join Albert in an open discussion. He has been working with the senior population for over 30 years and has been assisting families and older adults in finding the appropriate living situation for nearly 20 years. This open forum is an opportunity to “pick his brain” about options for the caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.
“We Need to Talk’” Seminar — 10:30 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Dec. 11. Instructor: Court Dryer and Donna McGibney, AARP. “We Need to Talk” is a program developed by AARP based on information created jointly by The Hartford and the MIT AgeLab. The AARP Driver Safety Program is offering the free seminar to the public to better meet the growing needs of adults who are caring for aging parents and are concerned about making a smooth transition for the older person from driving to not driving. This seminar is designed to assist family and friends to have successful conversations about how an older person can stay mobile when it is time to limit or stop driving.
1-800-HELP-ME-TIM with my Android Smart Phone — 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13. Instructor: Tim Verrill, SeniorsPlus. Folks should bring their Android smartphones and any questions or problems they need help with to ask Verrill. Limit 10 participants.
Medicare 101 — 2:30 to 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14. Instructor: Melissa McCarthy, UNE graduate student, and Carmen Carney, SeniorsPlus. Get the basics of Medicare in this introductory course. This presentation is designed for people new to Medicare or for anyone looking to brush up on their knowledge.
Healthy Living for ME — 10 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 18. Instructor: Nate Miller, LMSW, SeniorsPlus. Healthy Living for ME is a network of providers across the state that deliver evidence-based education. Miller will explore the context of aging and health in which preventative and self-management resources are needed. Participants will also learn about workshops that focus on improving health, caregiving, and reducing the risk of falls.
Game Day at SeniorsPlus — 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 19. Come to this event at SeniorsPlus for an afternoon full of fun, socialization and popcorn. Bring your favorite game to share with others, whether you enjoy cribbage, board games, or cards. All are welcome.
Living Well with Chronic Pain — 1:30 to 4 p.m. Thursdays, Dec. 27–Jan. 31. Instructors: SeniorsPlus staff/volunteers. This is a six-week long workshop for those who want to learn ways to better manage their pain. Participants of this interactive workshop learn ways to deal with frustration, fatigue, poor sleep and isolation. Folks will also learn appropriate exercises for maintaining and improving strength, flexibility, endurance and techniques for pacing activity and rest.
Ongoing groups:
Knitting Group — 5 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Folks can work on their own projects or learn how to knit — bring yarn and knitting needles. Use back entrance.
Book Club — 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12. This peer-facilitated club meets on the second Wednesday of each month. The book to be read for this month’s group is “Homegoing” by Yaa Gyasi. This New York Times best seller begins with the story of two half-sisters, separated by forces beyond their control: one sold into slavery, the other married to a British slaver. “Homegoing” paints an unflinching portrayal of the slave trade and explores its impact down the generations, from 18th-century West Africa to the present day.
Ongoing fitness:
(Note that some insurance companies offer reimbursement for these classes. Interested parties should contact their insurance companies to find out if they do.)
Total Strength and Balance — 11:15 a.m. to noon or 12:15 to 1 p.m. Mondays (no class Dec. 24); 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. 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 at 207-523-9055.
Gentle Chair Yoga — 9 to 10 a.m. Monday sessions: now—Dec. 17 and Jan. 7–March 4 (no class Jan. 21 and Feb. 18). Friday sessions: now–Dec. 28 (six weeks, $30 this session). Mondays only during winter months. Instructor: Tisha Bremmer. Cost: $8 drop-in, $40 for eight weeks. 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.
SeniorsPlus is fully accessible. Hearing Assistive Equipment is available upon request. Register for classes by calling 207-795-4010 or 1-800-427-1241. For more information, visit seniorsplus.org/education-center.
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