Dexter Age-Friendly
Contact: Liz Breault (liz@abbott-library.com)
Joined the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities: 2017-03-29
Structure: All-volunteer committee with support from Abbot Memorial Library
Highlight of 2023: We began a program called FurEver Friends to place older (not likely to be adopted) cats into the homes of older residents. These animals bring love and companionship to their new owners. In the past year we have placed 35 cats. It is a joy to see the happiness this brings to both parties. This is a win-win program benefitting both the cats and older people.
Dexter Age-Friendly's Initiatives and Accomplishments:
Communication and Information
Printed and distributed refrigerator magnets listing important contact numbers for town agencies
Purchased and distributed 20 Samsung tablets, 2 echo dots and 2 smart plugs to older residents, along with personal instruction about their use.
Community Supports and Health Services
Arranged for our town to be a drop-off point for surplus food commodities.
Good Morning Neighbor. A daily call to local shut-ins to check on their health and welfare
Provide Meals for Seniors program to replace the defunct Meals for Me. The program provides older residents with the opportunity to purchase a hot lunch at a local restaurant once per week for $4.
Housing
Provided sand buckets and snow shoveling for older residents.
Outdoor Spaces and Public Buildings
Installed a stairlift to the second-floor town office
Installed 8 new park benches in 3 town parks and repaved the entrance to one park for easier access for wheelchairs and strollers
Partnered with the high school to build and distribute Elevated Garden Beds constructed of cedar and filled with potting soil and seedlings for older residents no longer able to garden on their knees. 40 distributed in 2021 and 35 in 2023.
Respect and Social Inclusion
Partnered with an animal shelter to start the FurEver Friends program, which places older cats in the homes of seniors for love and companionship
Social Participation
Coordinate monthly Tea Talks with informational talks and opportunities for socialization
Coordinate Pop-Up U with workshops for craft making, cooking, fly tying, painting, etc.