Age-Friendly pioneer series
Age-Friendly Readfield
as told by romaine turyn

The Town of Readfield was ready. The Select Board—particularly one dedicated member—at its planning retreat made older residents a priority for the coming year, just as I approached them with a germ of an idea to make Readfield Age Friendly. In 2016, without a formal plan, but with commitment and vision, they passed a resolution to establish an exploratory committee. The Readfield Select Board established an Ad Hoc Age Friendly Committe, “…creating an inventory of possible desirable resources and services, identifying best methods to communicate the preceding to older citizens in our community, recommending future courses of action they deem desirable, and pursuing in conjunction with the town manager any grant offerings that may be available…”We became a five-member volunteer group, officially appointed by the Select Board.

With startup funding from AARP Maine, we completed a needs assessment. While we began with no town funding, we had a clear mandate to report regularly to the Select Board. Their support, especially from the Town Manager, was essential—after a year, he even added a budget line item to support our work.

Of course, there were challenges. Even with shared enthusiasm, our small team of five had differing perspectives. We did not have a clear consensus on what an Age-Friendly Community even entailed!  Some wanted to focus on supporting frail community members, while others aimed to change town policies to create a more livable, all-ages-friendly community. We had different levels of experience, knowledge, and availability. But we shared a deep commitment to Readfield and to getting something done.

We studied and borrowed ideas from other age-friendly communities, adapting programs to fit Readfield’s unique character. Over time, we:

• Created a Resource Guide for older adults.

• Launched the Handy Helper Program.

• Partnered with the Red Cross to install smoke alarms in homes.

• Wrote grants and collaborated with town committees—Trails, Comprehensive Plan, and Recreation—to integrate age-friendly principles into their work.

• Built a strong connection with the Readfield Community Library.

• Cultivated a partnership with Neighbors Driving Neighbors, who—after years of conversations—agreed to expand their services to include Readfield.

• Supported people living alone during the height of the COVID pandemic

One of our most creative initiatives was “Readfield U.” Beginning in 2020, we created a lighthearted, pop-up community “university” during the long winter month of March. Classes are held at local venues and taught primarily by Readfield residents, who share their skills, hobbies, or knowledge. It’s become a way for neighbors to connect, discover hidden talents in the community, and enjoy a lively break from winter isolation.

Leadership transitions are never easy. As I prepared to move to a new community, we faced the challenge of leadership change. Earlier attempts to pass the Chair role to other members were not successful. Fortunately, we were awarded a year-long fellowship which gave us time to restructure leadership into a co-chair model and supported new leaders as they stepped into their roles with confidence and energy. Today, the Committee is stronger than ever, with vibrant new initiatives and a renewed sense of mission. 

None of this would have been possible without the guidance and unwavering support of Patricia Oh. From the beginning, Patricia was a steady and generous presence—offering resources, ideas, and encouragement whenever asked. She helped us grow without ever imposing or judgment.  

Being part of Age-Friendly Readfield allowed me to continue the work I loved—being an advocate for improvement. Working to establish Readfield as a livable community allowed me to contribute to making my already wonderful hometown even better for residents of all ages.