This free in-person conference brings together Lifelong Maine's age-friendly leaders, partners, and community volunteers to share ideas, build skills, and discover new ways to change the narrative on aging where you live.
Statewide resources to support healthy, engaged aging
Assistive devices that make meetings more accessible
The Civic Academy approach to community advocacy
Ready-to-launch programs like Death Cafés, Happiness Cafés, and evidence-based fall prevention
Sign up for free volunteer liability coverage
Get hands-on with new technology at our Tech Corner
Explore our Assistive Device "Petting Zoo"—try out devices that help community members live independently
Pick up a book to read - and share with a friend or neighbor! -- at our "Little Free Library" Table
8:30 - 9:00 Light breakfast and networking
8:30 - 4:00 Little Free Library, Living Room
8:30 - 4:00 Tom Meuser Senior Companion Program Portrait Exhibit, Hall
9:00 - 9:15 Welcome, Noël Bonam – AARP Maine State Director
9:15 - 9:45 Keynote - Ryan Fecteau, Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives
9:45 - 10:30 Panel - Strong Foundations: Housing, Benefits & Economic Security
Learn about statewide programs helping residents afford home repairs, reduce healthcare costs, and access tax relief. Equip yourself to share these resources throughout your community, supporting affordable aging at home.
Victoria Forkus, MeCAP Managing Director
Amanda Burke, USDA Rural Development - Maine, Housing Program Director
Vanessa DeWitt. Maine State Office of Family Independence, Associate Director of Communications
Additional Presenters Coming Soon
10:30 - 11:30 Round Table Discussions
11:00 - 4:00 Assistive Device Showcase
Explore assistive technology with Maine CITE, AllTech, and Disability Rights Maine—try out devices and get your tech questions answered at our Tech Corner.
11:30 - 1:00 Networking lunch
1:00 - 2:30 Workshops
Falls: Prevention and Response for Healthy Aging
This interactive workshop covers fall prevention essentials: understanding causes, risk factors, and evidence-based strategies. Pat Fitzgerald will share information about osteoporosis and osteopenia and the importance of physical activity for building strong bones and preventing fractures. Then, Pat Saunders will describe her experiences promoting and starting community programs—from walking groups to exercise programs. Finally, Martina will tell us how to get up after a fall and what to do when someone falls and can't get up themselves.
Pat FitzGerald, Health and Wellness Educator
Pat Saunders, Age-Friendly Surry & Bone Builder Instructor
Martina Gerald, PT, DPT, Northern Light EMMC
Facilitator: Tara Mozdziez, Director, RSVP-UMaine Center on Aging
Conversations That Matter: Launching a Community Café.
Death Cafés and Happiness Cafés offer welcoming spaces where people gather to discuss life's big questions—from the six evidence-based Happiness Habits to death and dying. These simple yet powerful gatherings build community connections and reduce social isolation.
In this interactive workshop, you'll learn how to launch your own café and leave with a clear roadmap and ready-to-use resources.
Gail Platts, Rec. Director and Coordinator, Age-Friendly Scarborough
Lisa White, MSW-CC, Founder, Mourning Ventures
Facilitator: Jennifer Jain, Director, SCP-UMaine Center on Aging
From Awareness to Action: Building Your Community's Advocacy Power
Learn how to strengthen grassroots advocacy for age-friendly policies. Get a legislative update from the Maine Council on Aging and AARP Maine. Then, discover the Civic Academy – a proven program that builds community confidence in engaging policymakers. Leave with practical tools to launch effective advocacy initiatives in your community.
Jess Faye, Policy Director, Maine Council on Aging
Ginny Joles, Volunteer Coordinator, Aroostook Civic Academy
Joe Moreshead, Community Connector, Age-Friendly Saco
Facilitator: Noël Bonam, Director, AARP Maine
2:45 - 3:30 Hidden Treasures: Discovering Resources for Independence and Inclusion
Discover statewide resources to transform community accessibility. Learn how to make meetings more inclusive while connecting residents with assistive devices that enhance independence, safety, and comfort.
Lisa Penney, TEP Program Director Disability Rights Maine
Lani Carlson, Maine CITE
Darren Smart, AllTech
Facilitator: Kathy Adams, Age-Friendly South Portland
3:30 - 4:00 Volunteer Recognition and Wrap up, Noël Bonam – Director, AARP Maine
