In May 2023, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy called attention to “our epidemic of loneliness and isolation.” Locally, Gayle Hays, chair of Harpswell Aging at Home’s Health and Wellness Committee, noted that “many older people in our community live with loneliness and are isolated from others their own age.” Harpswell Aging at Home prioritizes social connection through a variety of programs, including its newest offering, Harpswell ROMEOs — Retired Older Men Eating Out.
“The folks who were delivering Meals in a Pinch found that many of the recipients were single men living alone and not connected to the community,” said Tom Mahoney, Harpswell Aging at Home’s new community connector and resources team coordinator.
Supported by a grant from Hannaford, ROMEOs offers opportunities for retirees to connect through food and events, such as an antique car show and cookout at Mitchell Field. More than 40 people attended a lunch at Merriconeag Grange featuring former New York Yankees manager Carl “Stump” Merrill.
“This isn’t a therapy group,” Mahoney said. “It’s just an opportunity for us to come out, enjoy a meal, and socialize.”
Neighbors Connecting, started in 2017, matches volunteer callers with residents for check-ins and conversation. Twenty-two residents currently receive these calls, which vary in frequency.
“We let people decide where the conversation will go,” said Hays, noting that many matches have developed into lifelong friendships. “So many connections have been made from neighbors calling one another.”
When the pandemic forced the shutdown of joint cooking activities, Cooking at 43° North was formed to provide a connection for cooks who provided food for Harpswell Aging at Home programs.
Originally a combination of Zoom get-togethers with an occasional gathering outdoors, Cooking at 43° North has evolved into an opportunity for anyone interested in cooking or food to come together. Events, now held in person, have ranged from making cider to highlighting the fishing community through programs on lobsters and oysters.
“We realized during COVID that our cooks wanted and needed to connect,” said LeAnne Grillo, chair of Cooking at 43° North’s planning team, the Kitchen Cabinet. “Our programs now include many others from our community, and with winter coming, these gatherings become even more important.”
Meals In a Pinch, which delivers four meals to recipients every other Tuesday, has also been instrumental in keeping people connected. The operation, which involves more than 40 volunteers cooking, packaging and delivering meals, allows drivers to check in with recipients.
“The meals can be for someone on a short-term basis — maybe they broke an arm and can’t cook — to folks who need a hand to eat consistently healthy meals,” said Surrey Hardcastle, chair of the Food Committee. “The drivers know the people on their routes, and many have become good friends.”
Those connections can prove valuable in helping to provide other assistance.
“If a driver notices, for instance, that a mailbox is falling down, that information can be brought back to see if there is a way for HAH to help out,” Hardcastle said. “The program is a real community connector and where magic happens.”
Lunch with Friends started in the winter of 2017 with 20-25 people in attendance. Last month, 110 lunches, prepared by a variety of community groups, were served. The gatherings, held once a month, are a great way for people to come out and socialize.
“It’s all about community, community, community,” Hardcastle said.
Information about Harpswell Aging at Home and dates for upcoming events can be found on HAH’s website, hah.community.
