"There will be something for everyone, education, exercise and hobbies,” AFW Community Coordinator, Erica Bell-Watkins said. “It is important to stay active during the long winters in Maine to maintain social connections.”
The Tea, Connections, and Learning discussion will include an introduction to Techno Wednesday learning sessions and are a result of a grant provided to Windham Public Library (WPL).
“The Libraries Transforming Communities grant from the American Library Association (ALA) provided $10,000 in funding to increase accessibility to library facilities, services, and programs to better serve people with disabilities,” WPL Director Jennifer Alvino-Wood said. “Our focus is on increasing digital literacy skills for community members who are unable to visit the library due to mobility challenges or other issues. We are grateful for the support from ALA to help us provide these important services to our community.”
Guest speakers at this kick-off event include Tom Meuser, Ph.D., Founding Director of the Center for Excellence in Aging and Health, and Jason Adout, Physical Therapist and President of Maine Strong Balance Center. They will discuss upcoming classes that will begin in late January 2025.
Classes that will be introduced at this event include the following:
Pathways for Life Review: Exploring Personal Narratives for Healing & Growth. Taught by Tom Meuser, participants will discover the developmental benefits of life review while exploring their own narratives and (optionally) sharing them with others. Course materials will be accessible via Google Classroom. Class will be held at WRAE in person, unless weather conditions necessitate a switch to Zoom. Classes will meet from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Mondays Jan. 27 to March 3. The cost of this class is $50.
AARP Smart Driver class taught by Andrew Grant is specifically designed for drivers aged 50 and older to brush up on their driving abilities and knowledge of traffic regulations in order to help lower accidents and traffic penalties. This two-session class will be provided from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday April 9 and Wednesday, April 16. The cost of this class $19.
Assisted Living: Finding the Right Fit For Your Family. Kaitlyn Cunningham Morse will lead this program, taking a practical in-depth look at what assisted living truly entails and what to consider when exploring this option for yourself or a loved one. Participants will gain valuable insights to recognize quality care, ask the right questions and make choices that align with each family’s unique needs and values. This class is offered from 6 to 7 pm. Wednesday, March 26. The cost of this class is $25.
Grief, Loss, and the Holidays: Getting through that first year after loss with all the “anniversaries” of time spent together. Winter doldrums set in and we’ve got a “recipe” for darkness and depression. This class will offer a compassionate and uplifting conversation with steps for helping you to process grief. Join us on Friday, Jan. 24 from 10 to 11:30 am. The cost of this class is $10.
Techno Wednesday sessions will cover subjects such as telehealth, cyber fraud, freezing your credit report, computer basics, social media, and much more. These classes will be held on Wednesdays with dates to be determined and are free.
Echo Dot smart speakers, smart plugs, and some tablets will be given out to attendees of these classes who are in need so that they may be used to turn lights on in their homes, know the weather, and be connected with contacts outside their homes.
“Technology such as this can assist community members stay safely in their homes and remain connected to family and the community at large,” Alvino-Wood said.
Representatives from the organizations will be in attendance to help sign people up and share more information. Register for the Jan. 7 event online at https://windham.coursestorm.com/course/techno-wednesday
If you need a ride to this kick-off learning event on Tuesday, Jan, 7, or to learn more and RSVP, please call Age Friendly Windham at 207-892-4649. <
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