It’s wonderful that Maine is vigorously pursuing a Dementia Inclusivity agenda, many communities across the state beginning projects to enhance the lives of those living with Dementia. The Bethel community is on board, with Chrys Snogren and a team of MMGM (Maine Mineral and Gem Museum) staff members working on a several-pronged approach. A crew is assembling memory kits to be lent out to interested folks. They will also, during off-hours, experiment with creating special museum tours specially tailored for those with dementia. We hope other local organizations will be inspired to explore ways to make the community more aware of helping neighbors and family members who live with dementia.

AFCI’s Neighbor to Neighbor (N2N) Rides Program serves people over 60 who need a ride to activities, appointments and opportunities within a local radius. There are no eligibility requirements (a person’s need, for instance, may be only temporary) and services are free. Our ability to fill requests for rides depends entirely on the availability of volunteers, who have been vetted and trained by AFCI. Want to help? For more information on becoming a volunteer driver or helping with the answering machine and responding to client requests, call our service number and leave a message of interest. For that matter, AFCI could expand our services in several areas if we had additional volunteers – it’s very necessary and rewarding work. Give us a call – 824-4444.

Community
The next Community Supper: Wednesday, August 30, 4:30-6 p.m., Bethel Alliance Church.

From the Bethel Area Food Pantry: this week: “Work continues on getting the Bethel Area Food Pantry up and running at the new location across from the High School. The food pantry will be open this week at its current location at the Nazarene Church on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday from 9-11 and will continue to be open there on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday until the new location is ready. We will post here, the Bethel Area District Exchange page, and Team Bethel, when we have an opening date….stay
tuned!”

For more information on local events: bethelmaine.com and thegemtheater.com.

All AFCI services are free. To request an N2N ride or other service: 207-824-4444. For information, inquiries, and suggestions – email: agefriendlybethel@gmail.com, visit our Facebook page or website, www.agefriendlybethel.org. We love to hear from you!