LEWISTON — SeniorsPlus has announced its Education Center classes for February. Classes are held at 8 Falcon Road and are free, unless noted.
Heart Health for Everyone — Friday, Feb. 1, 2 to 4 p.m. Instructor: Dr. Andrew Eisenhauer, medical director at Central Maine Heart and Vascular Institute. Discuss trends in heart health, the latest innovative treatments in heart and vascular care, warning signs of problems and tips for keeping heart-healthy year-round. There will be plenty of time for questions.
Millennials and Generation Z — Tuesday, Feb. 5, 9:30 to 11 a.m. Instructor: Mary Joan Kozicki LaFontaine, regional director, Southern CareerCenters. The workshop will talk about the newest generations: communication, work, interests, the future. Ways to understand, learn, and communicate more effectively will be explored.
Living Well with Diabetes — Tuesdays, Feb. 5 to March 19 (no class Feb. 19), 4 to 6:30 p.m. Instructors: Kerry Faria and Maija Dyke, SeniorsPlus. Location: Lewiston Adult Ed. This six-week workshop helps participants manage their type 2 diabetes and symptoms. Participants have reported less pain, more energy and fewer hospitalizations. Tools and tips to manage diabetes, live a healthier life, and take back control will be provided. To register, call SeniorsPlus at 207-795-4010 or Lewiston Adult Education at 207-795-4141.
Ibis Program Info Session — Wednesday, Feb. 6, 1 to 4 p.m. Instructor: Brenton Stoddart, Ibis Care Navigator. The Ibis Program will be at SeniorsPlus the first Wednesday of each month demonstrating their new technology designed to help people with chronic illness take the best care of themselves in their home. The program has been shown to reduce hospitalizations, reduce caregiver fatigue, increase coordination amongst physicians, and enhance quality of life. The Ibis Program is almost completely paid for by Medicare.
Paint & Take — Tuesday, Feb. 12, 9 a.m. to noon. Instructor: Yvonne Allen. Cost for materials: $15. Paint your own 11- by 14-inch stretch canvas. The painting will be a scene through a window. Limit 20.
Heart-Healthy Eating — Tuesday, Feb. 12, 1 to 3 p.m. Instructors: SeniorsPlus Nutrition Team. With February being American Heart Month, celebrate by joining the SeniorsPlus Nutrition Team to learn heart-healthy cooking and eating. Learn simple dietary ways to manage overall heart health.
Five Wishes — Thursday, Feb. 14, 10 to 11 a.m. Instructor: Angela Moore, Beacon Hospice. Five Wishes is one an advanced directive in the United States. It meets the legal requirements for Maine. The document is easy to understand. All one needs to do is check the box, circle the direction, or write a few sentences to make one’s needs known. By taking the time to make decisions known, one could living free of the most common fears associated with end of life.
Medicare Made Simple — Friday, Feb. 15, 3 to 5 p.m. Instructor: Kerry Faria, SeniorsPlus. Learn how to navigate Medicare with, this introductory course. Learn about the insurance options with Medicare, when to enroll or change plans, and how state law may affect one’s choices.
Maine Author Series: Titcomb Mountain — Tuesday, Feb. 19, 10 to 11:30 a.m. Instructor: Megan Robert, author. The new book “Titcomb, a Mountain of Ski Memories,” highlights Robert’s love of Maine and skiing. It includes stories from “the friendliest mountain around,” depicting the 80-year history of the Farmington Ski Club’s ownership of the mountain. Roberts will discuss the history of Titcomb, share excerpts from her book, the publishing process, and how participants can preserve their own history. Signed copies of the book will be available for $37.
Legal Planning for Seniors — Tuesday, Feb. 19, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Instructors: Meg Greene, Esq., and Kenleigh Nicoletta, Esq., Brann Law. Learn about financial powers of attorney, advance directives for health care, and planning for the disposition of property after death. Everyone, regardless of age or health, can shoose to have a power of attorney and advance directive, but one size does not fit all. In addition, planning for the transfer of property on death involves more than just signing a will. Careful planning may also allow one to avoid probate, minimizing costs and delays for one’s heirs.
Game Day at SeniorsPlus — Wednesday, Feb. 20, 1 to 4 p.m. All are welcome for an afternoon full of fun, socialization and popcorn. Bring a favorite game to share with others, whether it’s cribbage, board games or cards.
1-800-HELP-ME-TIM: Windows 10 for Beginners — Thursday, Feb. 21, 10 a.m. to noon. Instructor: Tim Verrill, SeniorsPlus. Windows 10 can get confusing, even if one is familiar with it. Learn steps for better understanding and usage. Limit 20.
“Big Sonia” film and discussion — Tuesday, Feb. 26, 1 to 4 p.m. Presenter: Barbara Merson, executive director, Maine Jewish Film Festival. “Big Sonia” is a film about Sonia Warshawski, a diminutive Holocaust survivor who motivates people to take action and make a difference. Directed by Sonia’s granddaughter, the film is a portrait of an incredible, tough nonagenarian and a reflection on how a difficult past can be transformed into a positive present and future. Attendees will be entered into a raffle to win two free passes to a Maine Jewish Film Festival program at Bates College on March 10.
Fraud & Scams — Wednesday, Feb. 27, 9 to 10:30 a.m. Instructor: Valerie Cole, SeniorsPlus. Find out what people can do to protect themselves against fraud and the latest scams, and where to report incidents so others don’t become the next victim.
Crafting with Corinne — Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2 to 3:30 p.m. Instructor: Corinne Saindon. Cost for materials: $5. Create an all-occasion card and gift card holder. Limit 10.
ONGOING FITNESS
Some insurance companies offer reimbursement for these classes. People can call their insurance companies to find out if they do.
Total Strength and Balance — Mondays, 11:15 a.m. to noon or 12:15 to1 p.m.; Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.; Fridays, 11:30 a.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 11 (session is full), 9 to 10 a.m. Instructor: Tisha Bremmer. Cost: $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.
Chair Yoga — Fridays, Feb. 1 to March 22, 9 to 10 a.m. Instructor: Mary Bishop. Cost: $8 drop-ins or $40 for eight weeks. Due to participant request, a Friday yoga class has bene added to the schedule. Join Mary in this class that is designed to help with ease of movement and breathing, finding stability and strength through yoga poses with variations for every ability.
Ongoing groups
Knitting Group — Wednesdays, 5 to 7:30 p.m. Work on a personal project or learn how to knit; bring yarn and knitting needles.
Book Club — Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2 to 4 p.m. This peer-facilitated club meets the second Wednesday of each month. The book this month is “Gulliver’s Travels” by Jonathan Swift. It tells the story of Lemuel Gulliver, a practical-minded Englishman trained as a surgeon who takes to the seas when his business fails. This is the same book as January due to a storm cancellation.
Franklin and Oxford counties
Fraud & Scams — Thursday, Feb. 14, 10 to 11:30 a.m. Instructor: Valerie Cole, SeniorsPlus. Location: SeniorsPlus Norway, 9 Marston St. This workshop will provide the information to determine what is real and what is a scam. What does fraud look like? What are the latest scams? How to you recognize fraud? Find out what people can do to protect themselves and where to report incidents so others don’t become the next victim.
Living Well with Diabetes — Tuesdays, Feb. 26 to April 2, 1:30 to 4 p.m. Instructors: SeniorsPlus staff/volunteers. Location: Greenwood Town Office Conference Room, 593 Gore Road, Greenwood. The six-week workshop is focused on helping participants manage their type 2 diabetes and symptoms. The workshop is facilitated by trained community members, many of whom have diabetes. Participants have reported less pain, more energy and fewer hospitalizations. Tools and tips to manage diabetes, live a healthier life, and take back control will be provided. To register, call SeniorsPlus at 207-795-4010 or SAD 44 Adult & Community Education at 207-824-2136.
Living Well with Diabetes — Tuesdays, March 5 to April 9, 3:30 to 6 p.m. Instructors: SeniorsPlus staff. Location: Franklin Adult Education Conference Room, 129 Seamon Road, Suite A, Farmington. The six-week workshop will help provide the strategies needed to enjoy life to its fullest.
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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