Southern Maine Agency on Aging

We extended our adult day program for older adults living with memory loss from one to two locations, Biddeford and Springvale. We continued to expand our service delivery offerings for many of our services, including Family Caregiver Support Groups and Training, Health and Wellness Classes, Health Insurance Counseling, Information and Assistance, Money Minders, and Nutrition Counseling.We reintroduced the Independent Housing with Services Program (IHSP). The IHSP provides comprehensive services that are delivered on site to help individuals live as independently as possible. Services include service coordination, care management, housekeeping, chore assistance services, and other services to help individuals maintain independence. Vaccine initiative is a collaboration of the five Maine Agencies on Aging to educate Mainers over 60 years old about the importance of staying up-to-date on immunizations, including COVID-19, Flu, RSV and Pneumonia vaccines. The Agencies on Aging offer clinics in communities across Maine to help Mainers get immunized. This initiative was completed in FY25.Community Connections is a pilot program and is a collaboration of the five Maine Agencies on Aging to support people residing in the community and help prevent or delay use of institutional services. We introduced the Respite Care Companion Program with grant funding from the National Community Care Corps. Volunteers are matched with older adults who have difficulty living independently and their family caregivers. During consistent, weekly visits from the volunteer, care recipients enjoy social connection while caregivers receive respite to improve their mental, emotional, physical, and financial health, and their ability continue supporting their loved ones at home.The Alzheimer's Disease Programs Initiative (ADPI) grant has supported the implementation of several new dementia-focused services at SMAA. The ADPI-funded Compass Program is a new care coordination service providing education, tools, and resource navigation for the caregivers of individuals living with dementia. The grant also funds expanded dementia-competency training for our staff, volunteers, and community partners; these trainings include a 3-part series for Direct Support Professionals serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as Gatekeeper Training for our Meals on Wheels staff and volunteers. Additionally, the ADPI grant has supported the development of a new Adult Day Program at our Portland Campus, which provides structured support and socialization for individuals living with dementia, as well as respite for caregivers.