During the year, Volunteers of America Northern New England sponsors a variety of events that are open to the public.  When events are scheduled, there will be a link to more information and how you may become involved.  We invite you to learn more and join us. 

Volunteers of America brings Young at Heart to Merrill Auditorium in October

Mark your calendar for the October 17 concert by Young@Heart at Merrill Auditorium in Portland, Maine. Young@Heart has become famous for its defiant and moving musical creations—surprising, hilarious works that aren’t about seniors performing, but rather performances that happen to feature very talented seniors.

National Press Club Panel Discussion on Women and Aging
to Be Simulcast at University of Southern Maine May 11th

PORTLAND, ME. — Volunteers of America’s national organization will be sponsoring a panel discussion on women and aging as part of a nationwide initiative on “Aging with Options.”  The program called Women and Aging, America’s Emerging Crisis will take place at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.”
 
Here in Maine, Volunteers of America Northern New England will offer a free simulcast of the event, open to the public, at the Wishcamper Center (home of the Muskie School of Public Service) on the campus of the University of Southern Maine at 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on May 11, 2010. The Wishcamper Center is located at 34 Bedford Street in Portland.

“Maine has one of the oldest populations in America,” says, June Koegel, President and CEO for the northern New England affiliate.  “The topic has proven to be of particular interest to local agencies on aging, policy makers, members of the medical community, caregivers, educators, foundations, and the general public.” 
 
All are welcome to attend and admission is free (although admission is limited and filling fast).  To register for the event, please go to the following website: http://www.sendaninvite.com/1/5113/uem,0/I5113_4132010122713.asp or send an email to joinus@voanne.org and we will contact you.
 
The event will include an opportunity for questions from the Maine audience to be addressed in the National Press Club question and answer session.  After the simulcast, a panel discussion will be held with experts in Maine to provide a local context.
 
“Thanks to our long tradition of serving seniors via affordable housing and social programs,” adds Koegel. “Volunteers of America Northern New England is a leader in senior services in the region. We hope that our Press Club simulcast will help bring focus to the continued growth of Maine’s senior population as baby boomers retire and issues of health care, community connection, encore careers, and more that will put even greater pressure on existing systems.”
 
To become a sponsor of the Maine simulcast, please contact Jacob Roberson at Volunteers of America, at 207-373-1140 ext. 246 or jacob.roberson@voanne.org.

Increasing Awareness about Alzheimer’s Disease 

TOPSHAM, ME. — One of life’s saddest, most frightening moments is looking your parent or grandparent in the eyes and asking, “Do you know my name?”

Volunteers of America and The Highlands retirement community of Topsham, Maine, linked arms recently with Home Box Office (HBO) to host free screenings of their new four-part series The Alzheimer’s Project.

The screenings were held at The Highlands and were open to residents as well as to the general public. Laced with sadness and humor, the series aimed to bring new understanding and hope about the disease and to reveal the human faces behind it. After each screening, experts on Alzheimer’s and aging answered questions and led discussion. The sessions were packed.

Alzheimer’s is a progressive, fatal brain disease, the most common form of dementia. As many as 5.3 million Americans are living with it. Melissa Morrill, Volunteers of America’s Director of Senior Services, said “Alzheimer’s is the second most feared disease after cancer and yet, do few people really understand a lot about it.”

Although there is no cure so far, modern medicines, lifestyle changes and even brain exercises can slow the disease.  And science is making great headway.  However, education and awareness are important, too, because for safety reasons family members need to know when or if their elderly loved ones need help.  “That’s why we wanted to offer these screenings,” adds Morrill. “For education, awareness, and safety.”

To learn more about Volunteers of America programs for senior citizens—and how you can donate or volunteer today—visit our website at www.voanne.org.

During the year, Volunteers of America Northern New England sponsors a variety of events that are open to the public.  When events are scheduled, there will be a link to more information and how you may become involved.  We invite you to learn more and join us. 

Volunteers of America brings Young at Heart to Merrill Auditorium in October

Mark your calendar for the October 17 concert by Young@Heart at Merrill Auditorium in Portland, Maine. Young@Heart has become famous for its defiant and moving musical creations—surprising, hilarious works that aren’t about seniors performing, but rather performances that happen to feature very talented seniors.

National Press Club Panel Discussion on Women and Aging
to Be Simulcast at University of Southern Maine May 11th

PORTLAND, ME. — Volunteers of America’s national organization will be sponsoring a panel discussion on women and aging as part of a nationwide initiative on “Aging with Options.”  The program called Women and Aging, America’s Emerging Crisis will take place at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.”
 
Here in Maine, Volunteers of America Northern New England will offer a free simulcast of the event, open to the public, at the Wishcamper Center (home of the Muskie School of Public Service) on the campus of the University of Southern Maine at 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on May 11, 2010. The Wishcamper Center is located at 34 Bedford Street in Portland.

“Maine has one of the oldest populations in America,” says, June Koegel, President and CEO for the northern New England affiliate.  “The topic has proven to be of particular interest to local agencies on aging, policy makers, members of the medical community, caregivers, educators, foundations, and the general public.” 
 
All are welcome to attend and admission is free (although admission is limited and filling fast).  To register for the event, please go to the following website: http://www.sendaninvite.com/1/5113/uem,0/I5113_4132010122713.asp or send an email to joinus@voanne.org and we will contact you.
 
The event will include an opportunity for questions from the Maine audience to be addressed in the National Press Club question and answer session.  After the simulcast, a panel discussion will be held with experts in Maine to provide a local context.
 
“Thanks to our long tradition of serving seniors via affordable housing and social programs,” adds Koegel. “Volunteers of America Northern New England is a leader in senior services in the region. We hope that our Press Club simulcast will help bring focus to the continued growth of Maine’s senior population as baby boomers retire and issues of health care, community connection, encore careers, and more that will put even greater pressure on existing systems.”
 
To become a sponsor of the Maine simulcast, please contact Jacob Roberson at Volunteers of America, at 207-373-1140 ext. 246 or jacob.roberson@voanne.org.

Increasing Awareness about Alzheimer’s Disease 

TOPSHAM, ME. — One of life’s saddest, most frightening moments is looking your parent or grandparent in the eyes and asking, “Do you know my name?”

Volunteers of America and The Highlands retirement community of Topsham, Maine, linked arms recently with Home Box Office (HBO) to host free screenings of their new four-part series The Alzheimer’s Project.

The screenings were held at The Highlands and were open to residents as well as to the general public. Laced with sadness and humor, the series aimed to bring new understanding and hope about the disease and to reveal the human faces behind it. After each screening, experts on Alzheimer’s and aging answered questions and led discussion. The sessions were packed.

Alzheimer’s is a progressive, fatal brain disease, the most common form of dementia. As many as 5.3 million Americans are living with it. Melissa Morrill, Volunteers of America’s Director of Senior Services, said “Alzheimer’s is the second most feared disease after cancer and yet, do few people really understand a lot about it.”

Although there is no cure so far, modern medicines, lifestyle changes and even brain exercises can slow the disease.  And science is making great headway.  However, education and awareness are important, too, because for safety reasons family members need to know when or if their elderly loved ones need help.  “That’s why we wanted to offer these screenings,” adds Morrill. “For education, awareness, and safety.”

To learn more about Volunteers of America programs for senior citizens—and how you can donate or volunteer today—visit our website at www.voanne.org.