BETHEL — To Your Health, of Western Mountains Senior College, will present “Aging in Place” from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m Thursday, May 21, in the Bethel Congregational Church Hall, 32 Church St. Aging in place refers to seniors remaining independent in their homes as they age.

This program is a follow-up to one held recently, “End of Life Care: Having the Conversation,” which was attended by about 55 people from Bethel and the surrounding areas. Statistics cited during the program indicate that 70 percent of people would prefer to die at home, but 70 percent die in hospitals, nursing homes, or long-term care facilities. There is a movement across the U.S. and here in Maine to create the kind of support that will permit people to stay in their own homes, even as they come to the end of their lives.

AARP has created a network of “Age-Friendly Communities.” Peter Morelli, consultant for AARP Maine, will present an overview of this model at the Aging in Place program. 

Several places, among them the Ellsworth area and Kennebunk, have created “village” models that provide formal support networks for senior citizens. Representatives will explain the process used for starting their villages. These include Joe Perkins who will discuss “At Home Down East,” and Julie Allaire who will discuss “Kennebunk: No Place Like Home.” A third presentation by Patricia Oh will review the Bowdoinham Project, which is in the development stage. These possibilities will be explored with how they could be implemented in the Greater Bethel area.

To Your Health is sponsored by Western Mountains Senior College with the collaboration of the Bethel Family Health Center and SAD 44 Continuing Education. The program is open to the public and admission is free. Light refreshments will be served.

FMI: 207-824-2053.