LEWISTON — SeniorsPlus has announced classes for January. Classes are held at 8 Falcon Road, unless otherwise noted.
Tips & Tools for Quitting Tobacco — 11 a.m. to noon, Thursday, Jan. 3. Instructor: Maureen Higgins, cancer health outreach educator with Dempsey Center. Learn about resources for quitting, how to prepare to quit, and how to identify and avoid triggers.
Ibis Program Info Session — 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 2, and 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 15. Instructor: Brenton Stoddart, Ibis care navigator. The Ibis Program, a health management program for patients living with complex chronic conditions, will be at SeniorsPlus offices the first Wednesday and third Tuesday of each month, demonstrating the new and easy-to-use technology designed to help people with chronic illnesses take the best care of themselves in their home. The program has been 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.
1-800-HELP-ME-TIM: Windows 10 for Beginners — 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 8. Instructor: Tim Verrill, SeniorsPlus. Learn simple and easy steps so you can understand and use Windows 10 better. Limit 20 people.
Assistive Devices for Independence — 10 to 11:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 10. Instructor: Kathy Adams, Maine CITE Program. Assistive Technology can make a difference in helping people live independently and safely at home. The session will look at AT devices, AT services, resources and funding.
Healthy Cooking Made Simple with Marty — 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 15. Instructor: Martin Raj, The Olive Branch Cafe. Learn how healthy cooking can be easy and fun.
Quilting with Betty — 8:30 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 16. Betty Bell will show how to make a table runner in 10 minutes. Bring 1/3 yard of focus fabric and ½ yard of coordinating fabric, thread, basic sewing supplies, rotary cutter and ruler, batting (optional), two buttons (optional). Participants need to have basic knowledge of using a sewing machine. Limit 10 participants.
Work for Yourself@50+ — 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 16. Instructor: Karleen Andrews, microenterprise specialist, New Ventures Maine. This interactive workshop explores self-employment options and connects people with resources in the community. Develop a business plan, create rock-solid financials, and work closely with a coach to find an approach that meets your needs.
POAs, Advance Directives, & Legal Services — 2 to 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18. Instructor: Wren Saunders, staff attorney for Legal Services for the Elderly. Learn about the benefits and risks surrounding powers of attorney and health care advance directives. Class members will be provided with a blank health care advance directive. Also, attendees will learn about the services of Legal Services for the Elderly, such as assistance with appeals when state or federal benefits are reduced or lost, foreclosure or eviction matters, financial exploitation, and when medications become unaffordable.
Game Day at SeniorsPlus — 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22. Socialization and popcorn. Bring a favorite game to share. All are welcome.
Crafting with Corinne — 2 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 23. Instructor: Corinne Saindon will help each participant create a beautiful Valentine card and a decorative candy holder. Limit 10. Cost $5 for supplies
Is Hospice the Answer? — 10 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 24. Instructor: Angela Moore, Beacon Hospice. Hospice is a Medicare benefit that is often misunderstood. Hospice can offer support for chronically or terminally ill patients who have a goal of care to stay in their home and age in place. The class will discuss what determines eligibility for hospice and identify the focus of the hospice team.
A Memoir of 25 Years with the Maine Warden Service — 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 25. Instructor: Roger Guay with USM Senior College. He will share excerpts from his book, “A Good Man with a Dog: A Retired Game Warden’s 25 Years in the Maine Woods,” and hold a Q&A session.
1-800-HELP-ME-TIM: Windows Malware/Spyware — 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29. Instructor: Tim Verrill of SeniorsPlus. Malware is a malicious software file or program harmful to a computer user. It can execute malicious functions like encrypting, stealing, or deleting sensitive data, hijacking or altering core computing functions, and monitoring computer activities of users without their permission. Spyware is any software that installs itself on a computer and starts covertly monitoring online behavior without the operator’s knowledge or permission. Still unfamiliar and not sure what to do? Verrill will teach more about each for Windows computer users. Limit 20 participants.
Retirement 101 — 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30, Instructors: Jennifer Uwaechia and guest, Banker’s Life. Learn methods to protect assets against inflation and prevent outliving retirement income and savings. Every situation is unique to the individual so they will answer specific questions after the presentation. Light refreshments will be provided.
Living Well with Diabetes — 4 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Feb. 5 to March 19 (no class 2/19). Instructors: SeniorsPlus staff at Lewiston Adult Education, 156 East Ave., Lewiston. This six-week series is focused on helping participants manage their Type 2 diabetes and symptoms. Tools and tips to manage diabetes, live a healthier life and to take back control will be offered. To register, call SeniorsPlus at 207-795-4010 or Lewiston Adult Education at 207-795-4141.
ONGOING CLASSES
Knitting Group: Wednesdays, 5 to 7:30 p.m. Bring yarn and knitting needles, use back entrance.
Book Club: Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2 to 4 p.m. “Gulliver’s Travels” by Jonathan Swift.
Total Strength and Balance: Mondays (no class 1/21), 11:15 a.m. to noon or 12:15 to 1 p.m.; Wednesdays 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.; Fridays 11:30a.m. to 12:10 p.m. or 12:30 to 1:10 p.m. 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: Mondays, Jan. 7 to March 4 (no class Jan. 21 and Feb. 18), 9 to 10 a.m. Instructor: Tisha Bremmer. Cost: $8 drop-ins or $40 for eight weeks. Designed to increase vitality, gain a deeper sense of balance, and find inner calm. Combines meditation, easy warm-ups, light stretches, and gentle yoga postures.
Some insurance companies offer reimbursement for these classes. People must call their insurance companies to find out if they do.
FRANKLIN, OXFORD COUNTIES
Le Mu Eats Cooking Demo: Wednesday, Jan. 9, noon to 1 p.m. Instructors: Sayvepen Sengsavang of Le Mu Eats, SeniorsPlus Office, 9 Marston St., Norway. Learn how to cook stir-fried rice noodles. A tutorial on how to cook a rice noodle stir fry using seasonal vegetables.
Five Wishes: Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2 to 3 p.m. Instructors: Jeffrey Treadwell and Angela Moore, Beacon Hospice, SeniorsPlus Office, 9 Marston St., Norway. A candid conversation about advance directives and how to approach such a delicate topic. Instructors will review Five Wishes, the most popular advance directive in the United States. It meets the legal requirements for Maine. The document is easy to understand.
SeniorsPlus is fully accessible. Hearing assistive equipment is available upon request. Please 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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