Contact: René Colson (healthyislandproject@gmail.com)
Joined the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities: 2016-09-15
Structure: Part of the Age-Friendly Coastal Communities Regional initiative with staff support and leadership from Healthy Island Project (health care organization)
Deer Isle and Stonington's Initiatives and Accomplishments:
Communication and Information
Island Digital Inclusion Initiative - assistance by appointment with Island Fellow Hallie Lartius, available through August Tech Tuesdays at Chase Emerson Library, Deer Isle, at 2 pm
Community Supports and Health Services
HIP LunchBox meals, delivered - Thursdays, $5 donation requested if able
Healthy Peninsula’s Magic Food Bus (facilitated by HIP on Deer Isle) - Mobile farm stand with free locally-grown seasonal produce and books. Open to all. Thursdays, 3:00 stop at Deer Run Apartments, 4:00 at Island Community Center parking lot. End of June -
mid-September.Senior Food Boxes (facilitated by HIP) - 4th Wednesday of the month, must be income eligible and complete application with EAAA. Includes: shelf-stable pantry items, ready-to-eat meals, frozen veg, frozen meat, and fresh dairy.
Senior Farm Share (facilitated by HIP)- Summer, must be income eligible and complete application in April/May. $50 of freshly harvested produce selected by the farmer or self-selected at Stonington Farmers Market. The farm is Northern Bay Organics in Penobscot.
HIP Pantry - supplemental food, order through HIP (can be delivered with HIP LunchBox)
A Matter of Balance - Eight-session fall prevention and movement program. HIP-trained coaches, in collaboration with Healthy Peninsula, EAAA, and AARP Maine. Next group TBA
Social Participation
HIP Coffee Socials - Wednesday at 9 am - Community of Christ Church, Stonington
Salt Air Seniors - Thursdays at 1:00 pm, occasional programs and outings, twice monthly - Community of Christ Church, Stonington, and Deer Run Apartments
Successful Aging Creativity Circle - Fridays at 10 am, beginning April 14 for 8 weeks, contact René at HIP to sign up. Future dates tbd. Group experience to help overcome loneliness and process challenges of aging and social isolation with topics such as ‘What does it mean to be ‘healthy’?”, resilience, overcoming challenges from COVID-19, friendship, brain health, etc. Each gathering incorporates group discussion, simple art, mindfulness, and social-emotional learning.