communities in action!

This free in-person conference brings Lifelong Maine's age-friendly leaders, partners, and other community volunteers together for a day of inspiration, connection, and resources to change the narrative on aging in your community.

Schedule

8:30 - 9:00 Light breakfast and networking

9:00 - 9:15 Welcome, Noël Bonam – AARP Maine State Director

9:15 - 9:45 Keynote - stay tuned!

9:45 - 10:30 Panel - From Awareness to Action: Unlocking Statewide Resources 

Details coming soon!

10:45 - 11:30 Round Table Discussions

11:00 - 3:00 Assistive Device Petting Zoo

Explore assistive technology with Maine CITE, AllTech, and Disability Rights Maine. Try out devices available to people in your community and visit our Tech Corner to get your technology questions answered. 

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. Hear from an osteoporosis/osteopenia expert about the causes of falls and find out how to respond when someone falls. Then, we will explore options for promoting or starting community programs—from walking groups to exercise programs.

• • • 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, 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 comfortable living at home.

• • • Riley Albair, 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