Please Note: This section is about services available for seniors (55 years and up).  For information on Elder care or for caregivers for the elderly please clink on these links to visit those pages

Bonebuilders: Osteoporosis Prevention and Reversal Program (at Women for Healthy Rural Living in Milbridge): 483-2376

An effective combination of weight bearing, balance and stretching exercises. It also includes nutritional information and support for all stages of osteoporosis. Classes meet twice weekly, once for an hour with the second class having an additional quarter-hour for education. Call for more information or email WHRL

Community Cafes:

Hot nutritious meals in a community setting. More than just a place to go to enjoy a delicious meal.  Many cafes have Bingo games, music, and card games to make the day fun.  People come to the cafes to visit with other diners and catch up on local news.  Families and friends are welcome to enjoy lunch together (low-cost to no-cost for seniors)  Click this link for a list of Community Café locations in Washington County.

DCP Rides Senior Transportation (formerly SunRides): 664-1639 / 877-374-8396

No cost transportation for shopping and other basic needs; handicapped accessible (for seniors age 60 or older).  Monday through Friday 8a – 5p.

Eastern Area Agency on Aging: 1-800-432-7812

Resource center for seniors and their caregivers including: Nutrition information and food programs; Exercise programs; Medicare drug and insurance advice; Home repair assistance; Pet food assistance and much more.

Eastport Area Senior Citizens Center: 853-2364

Socialization, informative presentations and guest speakers, blood pressure clinics, potluck lunches, exercise/balance classes — for anyone in Washington County 55 years plus.
9 Boynton Street, Eastport (call for program times)

Elder Services Navigator (Downeast Community Partners): Machias 610-9432

Support for seniors: The Elder Services Navigator works with seniors and/or their caregivers to help find resources and connect them with services & supports. No fees – MaineCare is not required.

Family Caregiver Support Services—Elder Services: 1-800-262-2232

Programs, resources and support groups

Free Financial Coaching & Advice (DCP): 598-5657

Meet with a financial coach on issues from debt help, to starting up a business, to retirement planning.  Services are free to anyone in Washington County regardless of income. This program is available through Downeast Community Partners. Call or email: joe.connors@downeastcommunitypartners.org

Healthy Aging Programs (through Healthy Acadia): 255-3741 / 412-2283

Healthy Acadia offers community programming and resource connections that support healthy habits and behaviors to ensure that all of us can age well – living active and healthy lives, with strength, dignity, comfort and grace. Healthy aging means actively engaging in activities and adopting or maintaining habits to support your best life, including nutrition and exercise, accessing preventive health services, managing chronic and emergent health conditions, maintaining social connections, and staying involved in your community.

Independent Support Services (through Catholic Charities Maine): 1-888-477-2263 / 454-0492

For seniors and adults with physical disabilities, especially those on a limited income– Homemaking Services include light housekeeping, grocery shopping, essential errands (such as banking and pharmacy), laundry, menu planning, and food preparation.  Call for more information

Legal Services for Maine Elders: 538-8784 / 1-800-750-5353

Free Legal help for seniors (must be a resident of Maine, 60 years or older, low income guidelines may apply)

Maine Seacoast Mission: 546-4466

Community resources for seniors in the Milbridge/Cherryfield and surrounding area including a Senior Companion Program. The Seacoast Mission also hosts free meals and events for seniors to participate in including Game Day, the Senior Café, and Table of Plenty (a Sunday community potluck meal).  The Mission also houses a food pantry and has a van that can deliver food pantry items to homebound seniors.  Email at info@seacoastmission.org

Maine Senior Guide

A comprehensive web resource about all things senior. From reverse mortgages to transportation, from independent living to volunteer opportunities, Maine Senior Guide covers any topic of interest to Maine’s older residents, their caregivers, and families.

Neighbor4Neighbor Fund (Mini Grants for Seniors): 667-7171

Mini grants provide funds for wheelchair ramps or handrails, medical equipment (including eyeglasses, hearing aids, and dentures) and support services that can assist seniors (65 years and up) to maintain quality of life and remain independent in their homes. Email: nina@healthyacadia.org

Resource Advocates Program (DCP): 598-5648

Support for people who need help tackling an issue (filling out paperwork, filing documents, organizing finances, understanding healthcare paperwork, or finding resources that may be available to you). The Resource Advocate can come to your home and help you figure out a plan and see it through. Free service – no age restrictions

Senior Companion Program: 262-7915

Offered through the Washington County Cooperative Extension, this program arranges for senior volunteers to visit and offer assistance and friendship to homebound elders.  To volunteer or to sign up for a companion check out the website link above for more information.

Sunrise Senior College: 255-1384

Learn for fun, with no tests, papers, or grades, no prior college education is required. SSC provides a curriculum of intellectually stimulating programs, practical knowledge, social interaction, and special activities. Classes taught by seniors for seniors (ages 50 and older). Most classes are offered on the UMM campus in Machias.  Some courses are free to the public, some require low fees. Call for more information. You can also check out their Facebook page here.

Other Helpful Links and Resources

Age in Place (from the National Aging in Place Council):

Designed to help seniors make a plan for safely staying in your home as you age.  Practical information and resources as well as a template to fill out and get an assessment from the NIAPC experts

BenefitsCheckUp.org:

A comprehensive website from the National Council on Aging that lets you search for additional financial assistance programs that you or your loved one may be eligible for, such as lower energy bills, discounted prescriptions, help with insurance, transportation, and much more

Emergency Preparedness for Seniors:

This website from the Red Cross walks you through setting up a network of friends, neighbors, and/or family members that will get in touch with you in case an emergency occurs in your community and how to make an emergency plan.

Hear Now (through Starkey Hearing Foundation): 1-800-328-8602

Hear Now is our application-based program that provides hearing help to low-income Americans. Each person we help is fit with new, top-of-the-line digital hearing aids that are customized to their hearing loss

How to Select Medicare & Social Security Guidebook from the National Council for Aging Care

Senior Guidance (Guide of Assisted Living Facilities, Senior Care Homes, and Senior Living Communities):

This organization provides comprehensive lists of Assisted Living Facilities, Senior Care Homes and Senior Living Communities, broken down by state and county.  22 such facilities are listed for Washington County

Seniors’ Health (from Medline Plus):

Resources, information, and articles on staying active, risk factors, treatments and therapies, and much more