Senior Talk

Senior Talk Podcast

Eye Care and Older Adults

We discuss common eye issues that many older adults have, including glaucoma, cataracts, and night driving.

Legal Services for Maine Elders

Jaye Martin, attorney and the executive director of Legal Services for Maine Elders, discusses what services her organization provides to Mainers, age 60 and older,

Senior College Spring 2024

Spring is on its way so time to dust the cobwebs off your brain. The Spring term of Senior College starts soon. Learn more about

What We Eat Tells Our Bodies What To Do

Eating a variety of whole, fresh, unprocessed foods is critical to good health. But there are also important dietary supplements that can be very beneficial as

Finding Purpose in Retirement

Today we are talking about retirement and how to find your joy and purpose and navigating the possible sense of boredom and loneliness  in

Benefits of Quitting Smoking

Quitting smoking or tobacco products has significant benefits even if a person has smoked for decades. There are numerous support products available to help

Veteran Directed Care 2023

Veteran Directed Care is funded by the VA Healthcare System. The program VDC allows veterans of all ages to direct their home care and community

Vein Care

This show discusses caring for your veins, specifically varicose veins, and wound care, including risk factors, prevention, and treatment.

Veterans Funeral Benefits

Jim Fernald, Brookings-Smith Funeral Homes, discusses what needs to be done when a veteran passes away and what sort of veteran burial benefits are

Obituary Scams

Beware of obituary scams, also known as bereavement scams. This has been happening in Maine. They typically start when scammers get information from death notices

Powerful Tools for Caregivers

Eastern Area Agency on Aging is offering Powerful Tools for Caregivers, a six week program that gives caregivers the skills to take care of themselves while

Senior College Fall 2023

Senior College is called learning for the fun of it. Today we are discussing Senior College, its courses, cost, and what it means to

Medicare Open Enrollment Scams

The Medicare Open Enrollment period, when you can opt to change your Medicare plans, advantage plans, drug plans if you so choose, is October

The Benefits of Physical Therapy

Physical therapy can help you after surgery or an injury. But there are many more ways physical therapy can improve your overall health and well-being,

Current Trends in Funerals

Funerals these days are very customized based on the deceased person’s personality and desires. They can be a good way to celebrate the person’s

Stories of the Great Depression

Author Ed Linz discusses his compelling book, They Never Threw Anything Away – Memories of the Great Depression by Americans Who Lived It, chronicling what

Spiritual Services of Maine

Spiritual Care Services of Maine Chaplains offer non-judgmental support, respect, loving-kindness, and honesty to people dealing with stress, fear, health issues, and other challenges,

AARP Discusses Scams

Scammers are getting more intrusive and creative everyday. It’s important to protect yourself. AARP has suggestions to help keep you safe.

AARP Livable Communities 2023

Fourteen organizations throughout Maine will receive 2023 Community Challenge grants which support the efforts of cities, towns, neighborhoods and rural areas to become great places

Foot Care and Older Adults

It is very important to take care of your feet especially as you age but that is not always easy for a variety of

State Health Insurance Assistance Program

The State Health Insurance Assistance Program  is a free national program that provides in-depth and objective insurance counseling and assistance to Medicare-eligible individuals and their families

Elder Abuse

Elder abuse can take many different forms, including physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation. Learn the signs.

Cryptocurrency Scams

Cryptocurrency scams are everywhere. Learn what cryptocurrency is, how to spot the scams, and how to protect yourself.

Benefits of Quitting Smoking

Quitting smoking or tobacco products has significant benefits even if a person has smoked for decades. There are numerous support products available to help

Senior Talk AARP Caregivers

AARP Caregivers – AARP Maine discussed caregiving in Maine and new proposed legislation that could impact caregivers.

Holiday Scams with AARP

The holidays are upon us. It is hard to believe but three-quarters of U.S. consumers have experienced or been targeted by at least one

Veteran Services-

This show is all about veterans. We are discussing veterans benefits, specifically Community Adult Day Health Care and Community Adult Day Care, and Veteran

Inflation Reduction Act, Part 1

The new law enables Medicare to negotiate the cost of prescription drugs, put a $2,000 cap on Part D beneficiary out-of-pocket costs, and requires

Elder Program SEARCH

SEARCH helps seniors who live alone feel less isolated and lonely and more connected to a caring community, while also remaining independent in their

Veteran Directed Care

This program provides eligible Veterans of all ages the opportunity to direct their home care and community services. If you are eligible, the program

Funeral Preplanning

Preplanning a funeral can foster peace of mind for everyone that things are in order. There are several ways to do a preplan and

Funeral Trends

Funeral trends are discussed and how saying good-bye to loved ones has changed over the years. Today, there are more options than in the

AARP Topics of Interest

AARP has several topics of interest and today we are going to cover a few of them. We are discussing home improvement scams, some

Maine Senior College

Senior College is called learning for the fun of it. Today we are discussing Senior College, its courses, cost, and what it means to

Oral Health Resources for Seniors

Seniors have unique oral health needs. Dry mouth from medications, chronic illnesses, and the results of years of wear and tear on our teeth

Dental Care and Seniors

Poor oral health has a negative impact on overall health. Today we are going to discuss the biggest myths around dental care and oral

Medicare Advantage Plans Coverage

The Health and Human Services Inspector General’s report recently indicated that Medicare Advantage Plans are sometimes withholding care for beneficiaries even though this care

Maine Elder Justice Roadmap

Research has shown that 1 out of 10 adults aged 60 and older in Maine has experienced elder abuse in the past year. The

LiveSafe Emergency Response Service

LiveSafe personal emergency response is not just for medical emergencies. The service is ideal for seniors, adults and children with disabilities, and those with

Savvy Caregiver Program

Savvy Caregiver Program is a series of classes that teach what dementia is and how it affects people’s behavior. Participants will learn how to

Good News About Medicare

Good news on the Medicare front, including a Senior Savings Model that reduces insulin costs, PA visits, and nutritional therapy covered by Medicare. Learn

MaineCare and Nursing Homes

There are a lot of myths about MaineCare as it relates to nursing homes. Two elder law attorneys answer some commonly asked questions about how

RSVP and a New Walking Buddies Program

RSVP engages people 55 and older in meaningful volunteer work. Walking Buddies volunteers will describe and demonstrate pre and post exercises for stretching in

Proposed expansion of home-based care

The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare discusses President Biden’s proposal to put $400 billion toward expanding services for seniors and people

LiveSafe Emergency Response System

LiveSafe has several products to meet the needs of seniors. These locally based emergency response buttons ensure that help is close by if the

COVID Relief Funds for Seniors 

The National Committee to Preserve Social Security discussed the COVID Relief payments voted on in March 2021 and the impact these funds will have

Quitting Smoking Lisa Dunning

Quitting smoking is tough but it has benefits especially for seniors given the length of time that they have been smoking. Quitting now plays

Successfully Feeding Elders

Hannah Duncan Tays is a trained chef who has written, Back Burner Cooking, a cookbook of simple recipes and easy to prepare yet flavorful,

Telehealth and COVID-19

Androscoggin Home Healthcare and Hospice discusses their remote patient monitoring program which provides clinical oversight of patients to medical professionals. This telehealth system is

Robotic Surgery

Northern Light Health Eastern Maine Medical Center is now home to the largest surgical robotic program in Maine. This means there is less pain,

Funerals and COVID-19

COVID has changed the way we conduct ourselves in our everyday lives including how we handle the death of a loved one. Jim Fernald,

Home Health Care and COVID-19

Androscoggin Home Health Care and Hospice discusses the impact of COVID-19 on the senior population in Maine and offers advice on how to get

Volunteerism

Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center has a vast array of volunteer opportunities. There are numerous benefits to becoming a volunteer. Learn more with

Update on Census

Census counting is almost finished but it is critical that people who still have not been counted to visit the website 2020census.gov or to

Social Security turns 85 years old

Social Security has been providing financial support to seniors for 85 years. Hear where SS stands today and what AARP is suggesting it’s members

Well Water and Arsenic

Residents of Maine and New Hampshire rely heavily on private wells for their drinking water, but how safe is that water? Few have their

Eat less to live longer. Maybe.

Dietary restriction and intermittent fasting have been demonstrated to prolong lifespan and delay the onset of age-related degenerative diseases in model animals. Learn more

Caregiving

Caregiving can be doing a few tasks for an aging or ill loved one or it can be all encompassing if the person requires

Stroke

About 750,000 people have a stroke in the United States each year. But, stroke is one medical event that can be prevented. Learn how

Coronavirus and mental health 

These are crazy times. With so much terrifying information about coronavirus, it is easy to have anxiety or depression. This show will give you

SCAMS and COVID-19

There is never a shortage of scams and the current pandemic is not exception. Scammers are out there taking advantage of the public’s fears.

Importance of 2020 Census

The Census count affects your representation in government and determines how much funding your community receives. It is almost time to be counted. It

Proposed Changes in SSI

Changes are proposed to Social Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance that would require Continuing Disability Reviews to occur more often which would

Saving for Retirement

AARP discusses LD 594 which proposes a statewide program that gives Mainers the ability to save for retirement through their paychecks when their employers

I Care Pharmacy – Meds By Mail

I Care Pharmacy is a Maine owned and operated company that has been providing people with their prescription via mail since 2007. Learn the

Falls Prevention

Every 11 seconds, an older adult is seen in the emergency room for a fall-related injury. Many people think falls are a normal part

AARP Driver Safety Course

Available online, the Driver Safety-Smart Driver course covers safe driving strategies, effects of medication on driving, and how to navigate the changing highway environment.

Alzheimer’s disease – Part 2

We will briefly list the 10 warning signs for Alzheimer’s disease and discuss when to see a doctor, what to expect at that appointment,

Home Healthcare

Home healthcare offers a multitude of services. From chronic care management to telehealth monitoring, have a home healthcare agency can increase independence and well-being.

Caregiving

Caregiving can be doing a few tasks for an aging or ill loved one or it can be all encompassing if the person required

Seniors and Diabetes

Diabetes is a serious disease but with a little work and the help of a Certified Diabetes Educator it can usually be managed. Carbs

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is not just for rehabilitation of an injury or a joint replacement. Working with a physical therapist can help prevent falls by

LiveSAFE

LiveSAFE is an emergency response system which is part of Northern Light Health. One press of the button and you are connected within seconds

Bone Builders

It is important for seniors to maintain or increase muscle mass to aid with balance and strength. Bone Builders is a program of RSVP

Home buyers free guide

This new free guide from the Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection offers warning about scams such as Robocalls offering refinancing, Recorded deeds Scams,

Palliative Care

Palliative care is a team approach that supports the physical, emotional, and psychological aspects of a serious illness. It provides people who are living

Kidney Disease

One of the major risk factors for kidney disease is diabetes. Others include heart disease and high blood pressure. Hermann Haller, MDI Biological Laboratory

Prescription Drug Legislation

AARP is launching a campaign, Stop Rx Greed, to lower prescription prices. The campaign is designed to convenience federal and state lawmakers to curb

Romance Scams

There are more and more people meeting online so scams related to online relationships are also on the rise. The FBI reports that reports

Prescription Drug Legislation

Prescription drug costs are out of control and forcing some seniors to make dangerous decisions. Currently there are three bills in the pipeline that

The Latest from AARP

Amy Gallant, Advocacy Director with AARP Maine discusses their 2019 Legislative Agenda, Tuesdays at the State House for volunteers and how anyone can be

Well Water Dangers

Residents of Maine and New Hampshire rely heavily on private wells for their drinking water, but few have their wells tested and some standard

Hospice Explained

There are many myths surrounding hospice. This show will look at what hospice is, what it isn’t and what it can do for individuals

Grief and the holidays

Grief is difficult any time of year but the holidays can be especially stressful when dealing with loss. But there are things you can

Reverse Mortgages

Reverse mortgages can give seniors extra income but there are many misconceptions surrounding them. Learn how they work and if a reverse mortgage is

Dementia and safety

Living with someone who has dementia can be a challenge, especially if they wander. Keeping them safe is the main concern. Holden Police Chief

Protection from Identity Theft   

There is no shortage of scammers and they are getting smarter every day. David Leach, Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection discusses ways to

Seniors and Oral Health

Numerous studies show a link between oral health and overall health. Especially for older adults, it is important to know the right things to

A Risky Mix – Seniors and Alcohol

Alcohol use impacts a growing percentage of the older adult population. It is important to understand the risks of drinking, how alcohol effects an

AARP Mid-Term Election Survey Results

Lori Parham, state director of AARP Maine, discusses the 2018 Survey Insights from Maine’s Voters Age 50-plus, conducted in August. The survey collected the

Heart Valve Replacement

EMMC structural Heart Center announces that a new, more minimally invasive procedure is available at EMMC. The Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement is a procedure

Senior College

Senior College is a program where people 50 and older can learn just for the fun of it. There are about 16 senior college

MaineCare Expansion

In November 2017, Maine voters passed a law requiring the state to expand Medicaid, MaineCare in ME, under the Affordable Care Act. Nearly, 70,000

2019 Medicare and You Book

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released the draft of the annual Medicare and You book for review in advance of mailing a

When someone dies…

When a loved one passes away, it is extremely stressful. There are many arrangements that need to be made, at a time when emotions

Common Conditions as We Age

There are certain conditions that can come with aging. Elizabeth Dragatsi, pharmacist, discusses some of them, including restless leg syndrome, painful leg cramps, sleep

Seniors and sleep

Sleep quality is an important component in pain management, weight gain, blood pressure stability, and more. Seniors often have trouble getting quality sleep for

Overview of a stroke

Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the US. A stroke is a brain attack and can happen to anyone at any

Regeneration of human tissue

For decades, scientists have been defeated in their attempts to find a treatment that effectively reverses the life-threatening damage caused by heart attacks. MDI

Controlling aging and degenerative disease

MDI Biological Laboratory is pioneering new approaches to regenerative medicine focused on developing drugs that slow age-related degenerative diseases and activate our natural ability

12th Annual Senior Expo

Eastern Area Agency on Aging’s Senior Expo is May 17, 10:00 to 2:30 at Husson University. There are more than 70 vendors, screenings and

Anemia and Seniors

People who have anemia have a decreased in the normal level of red blood cells in their bodies. These red blood cells are vital

MEMA Maine Preparedness Conference

The 10th Annual Conference will have more than 40 individual workshops and meetings over two days in April. The workshops offer everything from learning

Science and Aging

Dr. Aric Rogers, MDI Biological Laboratory, is working to identify therapies to extend lifespan in humans. Scientists are finding that pathways that control aging,

Peripheral Neuropathy

Dr. Sandra Rieger, MDI Biological Laboratory, has identified two drugs that could potentially be used to reverse peripheral nerve damage, or peripheral neuropathy, caused

Foster Grandparent

The Foster Grandparent program is operated by Penquis. Volunteers 55 and older spend time in schools tutoring and assisting children in essential skills such

Get moving as you age

Val Sauda, RN, has worked in the aging industry for years. She is an assistant professor of nursing at Husson University and an expert

When should you collect SS?

The earlier you file for Social Security, the lower your monthly payment for the rest of your life. The longer you wait to file