Harpswell Aging at Home

We all need a hand at times, no matter who we are or how well we've managed our lives. A ride into town. A meal in a pinch. A break from caregiving. TLC for a cranky laptop or damaged lamp. Someone to talk with when life feels like it's just too much.

Navigating the many changes in technology, devices, software and the cloud can be confusing, even frustrating, for a generation not raised with computers and smartphones. In addition to tech assistance available at Repair Cafe events, members of the Harpswell Aging at Home Tech Assistance Team have been quietly working with residents to help them maintain their devices and safely take advantage of all technology has to offer.

Ah, springtime. It's right around the corner, and for many of us, this time of year evokes a sense of renewal and a fresh start. If you're downsizing or decluttering, you may be feeling overwhelmed. Where can you donate items so they don't end up in a landfill, and so someone else can make good use of them?

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, there were more than 2,000 home fire deaths in 2024. We were saddened to hear the tragic news of a family of four in New Hampshire who succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning during the holidays. Are there actions you can take to prevent such events? Absolutely!

Harpswell Aging at Home can help residents explore a wide variety of assistive and adaptive tools for everyday living. These tools are designed to help individuals with differing abilities or needs perform tasks more easily and effectively, as well as participate in daily life with greater ease.

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."

Since its inception in 2015, Harpswell Aging at Home has been a community-led organization committed to helping people thrive while aging at home. However, recognizing that some people may need or wish to consider different living arrangements, HAH recently added a Home Transitions Program to the litany of services it offers.

Harpswell Aging at Home recently received a grant from Lifelong Maine, a program of the University of Maine Center on Aging. This funding is enabling us to provide more resources to our older neighbors in Harpswell.

September is upon us, bringing perfect tomatoes, cooler nights for sleeping, and perhaps a more welcome, regular schedule of activities. As your calendar empties of family reunions and summer visitors, consider whether you have time to make a positive difference in someone's life by volunteering with Harpswell Aging at Home.

The coronavirus pandemic had very few upsides, but I was lucky — I had one. My 96-year-old mother came to live with me for the last 10 months of her life. That probably would not have happened otherwise, and I learned so much during that time.