Health, fun, fitness, finances, and more for Maine’s fastest growing population
60+
THE NEW RETIREMENT: WORKING LONGER BY CHOICE AND NECESSITY
LIVING ALONE, LIVING WELL: TIPS FOR SENIORS
The Bishop
OF MOUNT HOPE CEMETERY
A Special Advertising Section of the Bangor Daily News • Friday, October 2, 2026
2 LIVING 60+ • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • October 2, 2026
WILL FULL RETIREMENT SOON BECOME
A THING OF THE PAST? BY WANDA CURTIS
TODAY’S WORKFORCE IS EVOLVING. One of the major changes is the number of people opting to remain in the workforce, or re-enter it, after reaching retirement age. Rather than leaving the workforce completely, many individuals are choosing to remain employed part time. That change is being driven by inflation, rising health insurance costs, increased longevity, a desire to mentor younger generations, a need for socialization, and efforts to stay mentally fit. According to Jessica Rivers, communications director for the Maine Department of Labor, an average of 46,000 workers in Maine were 65 or older in 2024. Nationally, 38% of workers aged 65 and older are classified as part-time employees, she said. “Compared with prime-working-age workers (ages 25-54), workers aged 65 and older are more concentrated in arts, entertainment, recreation, retail trade, transportation, and warehousing,” Rivers said. “They are less concentrated in finance, insurance, manufacturing, accommodation, food service, health care, and social assistance.”
JOB TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR RETIREES There are many opportunities for individuals approaching retirement age to secure job training that can enable them to re-enter or remain in the workforce, Rivers said. The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) provides part-time, community servicerelated training for individuals aged 55 and older who meet certain income guidelines. Through this program, participants can learn new skills, gain valuable work experience, earn a salary, and contribute to the community. Individuals usually work 20 hours per week and are paid the highest applicable state, federal, or local wage. Nina Fearon, a career navigator with Associates for Training and Development, said seniors who participate in SCSEP identify the type of career that interests them. They are then assigned to a position at a nonprofit or public facility, where they earn a salary while learning new skills. Participants are taught skills related to their chosen career field, job-readiness skills such as professionalism and etiquette, digital literacy skills, and soft skills such as maintaining a positive attitude and willingness to learn. Training tracks include retail sales, personal care aide, janitorial services, home health care, general office work, food preparation, and child care. One recent SCSEP graduate was an 85-year-old woman from the Presque Isle area who needed to supplement her Social Security income. She had not worked in more than 20 years and was unsure what type of work she wanted to pursue.
LIVING 60+ • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • October 2, 2026 After learning about an administrative assistant opening at her local town office, she enrolled in the SCSEP administrative and customer service training track. She was placed in an internship at the town office and was hired as a permanent employee within eight weeks of entering the program. “We happily exited her from our program,” Fearon said.
For more information about SCSEP, email info@a4td.org or call (207) 577-6823. Applications are available at a4td.org/application.
A PARTICIPANT IN THE SENIOR COMMUNITY SERVICE EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM COMPLETES COMPUTER-BASED TRAINING DURING AN INTERNSHIP DESIGNED TO HELP OLDER ADULTS DEVELOP SKILLS AND GAIN EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES.
REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIPS According to Rivers, registered apprenticeships also offer a strong opportunity for seniors to train for specific careers. She said individuals can expect four key benefits when enrolling in an apprenticeship: “paid on-the-job work experience, related classroom instruction, alignment of training with skills standards, and a nationally recognized portable credential.”
CAREER CENTER SERVICES Maine Career Center staff provide no-cost, customized services to help people find jobs that interest them and locate resources that can help them acquire skills needed for various careers. Services are available both online and in person, Rivers said. Staff can also assist with resume development and interview preparation. Maine Career Centers have veterans representatives on-site who can assist senior veterans with finding jobs, obtaining new skills, and gaining access to state and federal resources.
VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION The Maine Department of Labor’s Bureau of Rehabilitation offers programs for individuals with disabilities through the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, the Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and the Division for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Late Deafened.
MAINE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR WEBSITE The Maine Department of Labor website features information and resources for older adults seeking employment opportunities.
EVERYTHINGSENIORS.ORG WEBSITE The EverythingSeniors.org website features information about job opportunities, skills training and certification programs, as well as age-discrimination laws and protections.
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4 LIVING 60+ • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • October 2, 2026
Apartment rental suites available now!
Avalon Village
LIVING 60+ • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • October 2, 2026
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Open a New Doo r at Avalon Village in Hampden Apartment rental suites available now!
DO YOU EVER WONDER how your later years will turn out? Where will you be? What will you be engaged in? Sometimes, opening one door will open many others. At Avalon Village in Hampden, we believe that the simple act of choosing Avalon Village as a home community has opened many doors that our residents weren’t aware of before they moved in. Avalon Management’s philosophy of ensuring that there are ample opportunities for the community to be both physically and socially active is one way that new doors are opened. Activities such as Yoga, Tai Chi, Strong for Life, and bocce are offered on a regular basis. Walking opportunities are available across Avalon's 60 acres as well! We believe that remaining physically active, even with gentle but regular exercise, will help to ensure that folks who choose a cottage at Avalon will remain independent. The physical and emotional benefits of exercise are by now well documented and, if the benefits of exercise could be captured in pill, every American would undoubtedly be taking it. Our community encourages the active choice at every opportunity. The highly cited Harvard Study of Adult Development, in analyzing individuals over an eighty-year span, found that the happiest individuals were those who had
good relationships in their lives. Good relationships not walking paths offer many opportunities to experience only protect our bodies but also our brains. At Avalon the magic of the site. Many of our residents take advanVillage we recognize that you could purchase the most tage of the raised vegetable beds that are made availexquisite home but, if the relationships within the com- able for any interested resident and a drive through munity aren’t nurtured, the life experience will not be our community will reveal the extraordinary gardenall that it can or should be. Accordingly, regular social ing skills that many of our residents possess as Avalon events are scheduled to accommodate a wide variety of Village permits individual modification of vegetative interests — monthly wine and cheese socials, ladies’ cottage plantings. Avalon Village’s pond has been deslunches, first Friday of the month dinners, pub nights, ignated by the National Wildlife Federation as a certivisiting speakers, as well as various other themed lun- fied wildlife habitat area. cheons and dinners throughout the year. Anyone wishing to open a new door and find out Participation in one of Avalon Village Owners As- more about Avalon’s cottages or its apartments can sociation’s standing committees or on the Board of call 862-5100 during the week to arrange a tour. Directors offers the chance to build and nourish quality relationships. At Avalon Village, our neighbors SPONSORED BY really matter! The third critical element in our community philosophy is a deep connection with nature. Avalon Village is blessed with one of the most exquisite natural settings of any retirement community in the northeast. Its central building sits on a high bluff above the Penobscot 50 FOXGLOVE DRIVE, HAMPDEN River and its sixty acres contain a spectacular stand of PHONE: 207.862.5100 white pine over a hundred years old. Almost all our residents express a love for the natural world and our AVALONVILLAGE.COM
EVER WONDER how your later years will turn out? will you be? What will you be engaged in? es, opening one door will open many others. At illage in Hampden, we believe that the simple act of Avalon Village as a home community has opened ors that our residents weren’t aware of before they . Avalon Management’s philosophy of ensuring that ample opportunities for the community to he both y and socially active is one way that new doors are Activities such as Yoga, Tai Chi, Strong for Life, and e offered on a regular basis. Walking opportunities able across Avalon's 60 acres as well! We believe maining physically active, even with gentle but xercise, will help to ensure that folks who choose a
Participation in one of Avalon Village Owners Asso standing committees or on the Board of Directors o chance to build and nourish quality relationships. A Village, our neighbors really matter!
The third critical element in our community philos deep connection with nature. Avalon Village is bles one of the most exquisite natural settings of any re community in the northeast. Its central building high bluff above the Penobscot River and its six contain a spectacular stand of white pine over a years old. Almost all our residents express a love natural world and our walking paths offe opportunities to experience the magic of the site.
Avalon Village
6 LIVING 60+ • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • October 2, 2026
Seniors Can Stay
SATISFY YOUR TASTE BUDS
FRIED CLAM ROLL MEAL AT TAKEOUT FOOD WAGON IN LEE.
I have driven an hour south to Waterville just to dine at an affordable Indian restaurant. Its chef goes light on the curry, just the way I like it, and the staff treats me like the unmarried family they probably never had. Bangor also features two similar downtown ethnic eateries. It is amazing how dreaming of visiting a particular dining spot, such as a seasonal fried clam and lobster shack in Bucksport, can sustain me for days. Good old American meals are also served at many places, often with luncheon specials. Fast-food chains serve grub that is cheap and tasty, but watch the calories.
INDULGE YOUR HOBBIES
Living Alone STORY AND PHOTOS BY RICHARD SHAW
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olitary living has been my destiny for 50 years. At this stage of life (full disclosure: I was born in 1952), I cannot imagine having a housemate to change my day. Well, a cat or parakeet might possibly help warm Maine’s cold winter nights. I have learned that life alone as a retired septuagenarian doesn’t have to be lonely. Keeping healthy and active and getting out of the house help keep me busy and happy. Also, helping the less fortunate, such as visiting a friend in a nursing facility, does wonders for my self-esteem. Coming home to a warm, brightly lit environment, rather than a dark, unwelcoming dungeon, is comforting. I have even been known to have prerecorded music playing when I walk through the door. Here are some further tips to help maintain your sanity as a single senior. These work for me.
VISITORS ENJOY THE PISCATAQUIS VALLEY FAIR IN DOVER-FOXCROFT.
LOOK FOR LIFE’S FREEBIES
GET INTO A DAILY ROUTINE
AUTHOR RICHARD SHAW AT A FORMER RESTAURANT IN BANGOR.
Call it busywork or falling into a rut, but it is important to have something familiar to do every morning. My day normally begins with a drivethrough stop up the road for hot tea and a pastry. While that is digesting, I check the Bangor Daily News for yard sales, obituaries, and a chuckle to start the day — popular topics for a man of my age. Then I hike around a nearby cemetery to get my heart pumping. Friends often join me on my walks. I return home for a day of news programs and game shows. Yard work and telephone chats with a favorite cousin round out my routine.
Anyone who has visited my home knows that collecting is my passion. I own antique picture postcards, restaurant menus, classic rock albums, and even fortune cookie messages. Other hobbies include meeting book-fair authors and visiting parades and agricultural fairs, including those in Windsor and Blue Hill. I also maintain family burial plots in Corinth and Milo and look for unusual epitaphs. I’m still searching for one that states, “I told you I was sick!” I hope to someday photograph every Maine community. Matinicus Island, in Penobscot Bay, and Estcourt Station, within the Big Twenty Township, up north, are beckoning. They have a combined population of 57.
A BAGPIPING BAND PERFORMS AT THE SCOTTISH TATTOO AT FORT KNOX STATE PARK IN 2012.
To say that most people over age 70 are living on fixed incomes wouldn’t be too far off the mark. Many of us sniff out senior discounts and feel that we have earned the right to a free cup of coffee or discounted hamburger. One week last August, I enjoyed free community band concerts in Bangor, Brewer, Bucksport, and Castine, in addition to library, church, AARP, and museum events. And while they’re not free ($10 is the average price), bean suppers are great places for single people to make friends. The best things in life often are free, so take advantage of the complimentary wall calendars put out during the holiday season.
LIVING 60+ • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • October 2, 2026
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The ‘Bishop’ of Mount Hope Cemetery STORY AND PHOTOS BY BY ANNE GABBIANELLI
JIM BISHOP SITS AT HIS MEMORIAL BENCH.
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otable names associated with Bangor’s Mount Hope Cemetery include Gen. Samuel Veazie, Hannibal Hamlin, and Al Brady. All are interred in the cemetery. But one name remains especially beloved by locals: Jim Bishop. The 94-year-old Brewer resident was above ground greeting people as they drove and walked by the day I met with him and his family at the cemetery. “Jim was my buddy as I would walk through here. He helped me through my journey of being a widow and having cancer,” said Helen, a frequent walker at the cemetery. She was thrilled to see Jim again after he unexpectedly ended his 35-year career as a groundskeeper last year because of declining health. “I went wherever they needed me, from mowing to trimming and flower beds,” said the spry Bishop, whose keen sense of humor remains intact. Scanning the grounds as we sat and talked, Bishop pointed and said, “I see those flowers on the bank finally gave up.” He shared details about the cemetery’s history, from its gardens to the installation of its chimes, and discussed the challenges of planting flowers in the right locations.
“I always got a list of people and a map book to make sure I got it right,” he said, pointing to the site of his first planting assignment. Of all his responsibilities, however, one stood out. “I liked the people the most,” Bishop said. “I could always say ‘Hi’ and chat with them.” His celebrity status was evident during our visit when a driver entering the cemetery spotted him. “It’s so good to see you, my friend,” the driver called from the car window. During his years working the grounds, Bishop referred to nearly every passerby as a “young fellow” or “beautiful lady,” winning people over with his kindness. Later, while visiting a memorial bench dedicated in his honor, another walker stopped and asked to have a photo taken with him. “We miss you around here,” said Greg Black, a frequent walker. “I love seeing him again. He’s always smiling.” “I’ve made a lot of friends because of this job,” Bishop said as he looked over the granite bench bearing his photograph and signature phrase, “By Golly.” “I never expected this. I spent a lot of time in this place, and this bench was a surprise. It’s really something.” Bishop is missed not only by frequent walkers but also by former co-workers. Retired cemetery superintendent Stephen Burrill said, “Everybody liked Jim. He’d come to work in the morning and grab his stuff, and you’d never see him again until 4. He always kept busy. He had the old-fashioned work ethic.” Burrill added, “You never had to tell him what to do, and he’d always bring ideas to the table.” Head groundskeeper Thomas Perkins stopped by during our visit. “Jim was very particular about how he wanted things,” Perkins said. “I’m grateful he took the time to show young people how to weed gardens and trim trees and bushes.” David Hart, who has worked on the grounds for the past 20 years, said, “I like Jim’s jovial personality. Nothing ever bothered him. He taught me a lot, and I really appreciated his patience with me.” As frequent walker Richard Shaw put it, “Jim always had a friendly smile and a ‘Hello, young man.’ Often, he was on his hands and knees, doing his job, not always in the best of weather, but he never complained. He made life better for every life he touched.”
8 LIVING 60+ • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • October 2, 2026
How Does Voting-by-mail Work? COURTESY OF METRO CREATIVE
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ach Election Day, Americans vote and thus take part in a fundamental principle of democracy. Elections take place on various levels, from local governments to presidential elections. Until recently, in order to cast a ballot for a particular election, most voters had to physically appear at their respective polling locations and submit their votes in person. Mail-in voting, also known as absentee voting, was frowned upon and not widely available. It first arose during the Civil War, when soldiers were given the opportunity to cast ballots from the battlefield. Absentee voting later became an issue during World War II, when Congress passed laws in 1942 and 1944 enabling soldiers stationed overseas to participate in elections. More recently, during the 1980s, more states made absentee voting available, and it is no longer uncommon for voters to be mailed ballots and submit them before Election Day. According to MIT, the movement to vote-by-mail reached new levels with the 2020 elections, which occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some attest that mail-in-voting enables many individuals who would not normally be able to physically make it to the polls on Election Day to cast votes. Mail-in balloting works in different ways. The United States has universal vote-by-mail and absentee balloting. With the former, ballots are mailed to all voters. In the latter, voters must request an absentee ballot. In terms of a requested absentee ballot, a voter must write, call or request a ballot online. Upon receipt, the voter will make his or her choice, and then place the sealed ballot in a security envelope provided with the ballot. The voter signs the outside of the second envelope to certify that he or she is a registered voter. When the election authority receives the ballot, it certifies the registration of the voter and that the address matches the one on record with the election authority. On Election Day, the mail ballots are added into the results of the votes with those from people who visited the polls in person. According to the Brookings Institution, a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C. that works to improve policy and governance at local, national and global levels, there is no partisan advantage to either party related to voting by mail. Also, absentee ballots benefit senior citizens as well as low-income people and those without access to transportation. Despite some news stories in recent years that may lead people to believe mail-in
votes come with risk, the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University says there is no evidence that mail balloting increases electoral fraud, as there are several anti-fraud protections built into the process. Mail-in voting is an option for many people across the U.S. It is secure and convenient for many voters.
LIVING 60+ • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • October 2, 2026
Maine Voters 50+ Have the Power to Shape Our Future COURTESY OF AARP MAINE EVERY ELECTION MATTERS, but the 2026 elections may be especially important for older Mainers and their families. Across our state, people age 50 and older are caring for loved ones, managing household budgets, planning for retirement and working to build secure futures for themselves and future generations. The decisions made by elected officials in the years ahead will directly affect many of the issues that matter most to them, particularly Social Security and support for family caregivers. That is why staying informed and participating in elections is so important. Maine voters age 50-plus have long been among the most reliable voters in the country. In fact, they made up over 59 percent of the electorate in the 2024 general election, and their influence is even greater during midterm elections. When older voters show up, elected leaders pay attention. One issue that continues to unite Americans across party lines is Social Security. Over 300,000 Mainers rely on the Social Security payments they’ve earned, and countless others are paying into the system today with the expectation that it will be there when they retire. Social Security remains a cornerstone of retirement security and a critical source of income for millions of older adults. Congress will need to take action in the coming years to strengthen the program and ensure it continues meeting its commitments. AARP believes Americans have earned these payments and opposes proposals that would reduce Social Security. Another issue deserving attention is family caregiving. More than 324,000 Maine residents care for and provide essential support to aging parents, spouses and other loved ones, often while balancing jobs and personal responsibilities. Their contributions help loved ones remain independent and save families and taxpayers billions of dollars. Yet caregiving can bring significant emotional, financial and physical challenges. Family caregivers need practical solutions, resources and support that help them continue this vital work. As voters evaluate candidates and prepare to cast their ballots, understanding where candidates stand on issues affecting older Mainers has never been more important. Whether your top concern is protecting Social Security, strengthening support for family caregivers or simply ensuring your voice is heard, being an informed voter is the first step. AARP remains strictly nonpartisan. We do not endorse candidates or political parties. Our goal is to provide trusted information that helps voters make informed decisions and participate fully in our democracy. Before Election Day, take a few minutes to learn about the issues, check your voter registration status and review important voting deadlines and options. AARP Maine is in your corner. To learn more about voting in Maine and the issues that matter to voters age 50-plus, visit www.aarp.org/votesME. Your vote is your voice, and this year, it has the power to help shape Maine’s future.
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10 LIVING 60+ • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • October 2, 2026
How to Maintain
Balance COURTESY OF METRO CREATIVE
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ostering good balance is crucial for maintaining independence, staying active and preventing falls. According to West Hartford Health & Rehabilitation, falls are a leading cause of injury among older adults. By building better balance, seniors can ensure that a minor trip or stumble will not turn into a serious fall. Balance training involves building strength in the lower back, core and legs. Should a fall occur, having stronger muscles and more nimble reflexes can help protect bones and joints. The following exercises courtesy of the Mayo Clinic are some activities that can improve balance and reduce falls.
SINGLE-LEG
STANCE: While standing near a counter, lift one foot two to three inches off the ground and hold for 10 to 30 seconds. Then switch legs and repeat. This can be done while brushing teeth to build it into a daily routine.
SOBRIETY TEST: Much like a police officer will conduct a sobriety test on a suspected offender, place your right heel directly in front of your left toe so they touch. Walk forward for 10 to 20 steps, focusing on a fixed point ahead.
SHIFT WEIGHT: Stand with feet shoulder-width apart and slowly shift all weight to one foot, lifting the heel of the opposite foot. Hold this for 10 seconds and then switch sides.
TREE POSE: Many yoga poses strengthen balance. Poses like the “tree pose” can train the center of gravity and improve flexibility.
WATER EXERCISES AND SWIMMING: Swimming and pool exercises are great ways to build core and leg strength without straining the joints.
PILATES AND TAI CHI: These structured activities are good for building strength and improving flexibility, which can facilitate balance.
LIVING 60+ • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • October 2, 2026
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Moving Better After 60: How the Neubie Can Enhance Your Physical Therapy BY DR. RENEE MORAN, PT, DPT, CLINICAL DIRECTOR, FYZICAL THERAPY & BALANCE CENTERS EASTERN MAINE
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ne of the things I hear most often from patients in their 60s, 70s, and beyond is, “I know I’m getting older, but I don’t want to stop doing the things I love.”
And you shouldn’t have to. As we age, arthritis, previous injuries, joint replacements, muscle weakness, and changes in our nervous system can affect how we move. At FYZICAL, one tool we can use alongside traditional physical therapy is the Neubie. WHAT IS THE NEUBIE? The Neubie is an FDA-cleared electrical stimulation device that uses direct current and can be incorporated into exercises and movements during physical therapy. It can be used for neuromuscular reeducation, maintaining or increasing range of motion, preventing muscle atrophy, increasing circulation, and managing pain. What makes it exciting is that we can use it while you’re actively working toward a functional goal. WHAT COULD THAT LOOK LIKE AFTER 60? For someone with knee osteoarthritis, pain may lead to less walking and, over time, weaker muscles. We may incorporate the Neubie into strengthening exercises to improve muscle activation and reinforce better movement. For recurring back discomfort and stiffness, the goal isn’t necessarily to change what an X-ray shows. It’s to help you bend, walk, and perform everyday activities more comfortably. The Neubie may complement treatment focused on mobility, strength, and movement patterns. After a knee or hip replacement, swelling, pain, and decreased activity can make it difficult to get certain muscles working normally again. Neuromuscular
re-education can help rebuild strength and confidence as you return to walking, climbing stairs, and daily activities. We also see adults with shoulder pain who struggle to reach into a cupboard, put on a jacket, or sleep comfortably. In appropriate patients, the Neubie can complement hands-on treatment and therapeutic exercise as we work to restore strength and movement. For adults experiencing peripheral neuropathy, including numbness, tingling, pain, or altered sensation in the feet, Neubie-specific research involving participants with diabetic peripheral neuropathy has shown promising results when combined with physical therapy. TECHNOLOGY IS ONLY PART OF THE TREATMENT. The Neubie isn’t a magic wand, and it doesn’t replace good physical therapy. Your therapist still evaluates what’s causing your difficulty and develops an individualized treatment plan. For some patients, the Neubie may help us get more out of those exercises. My goal isn’t simply to help you hurt less. It’s to help you maintain your independence and keep gardening, golfing, traveling, playing with your grandchildren, walking the dog, or confidently navigating the stairs. Whether you’re already receiving PT or dealing with everyday aches, stiffness, or changes in mobility, you don’t have to wait for things to get worse. SCHEDULE A PHYSICAL THERAPY EVALUATION AT FYZICAL TODAY. We’ll identify what may be contributing to your symptoms, develop a plan around your goals, and discuss whether adding the Neubie as an optional enhancement may be appropriate for you.
12 LIVING 60+ • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • October 2, 2026
Woodlands Senior Living First in Maine to Earn Accreditation for Assisted Living at All Ten Locations COURTESY OF WOODLANDS SENIOR LIVING DEAR FELLOW MAINERS, I have some exciting news to share with you! Woodlands Senior Living is proud to announce that we are the first Assisted Living organization to have earned the Gold Seal of Approval from the Joint Commission in the state of Maine! Now, what does this mean? The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval is earned by demonstrating continuous compliance with its rigorous performance standards. The Gold Seal is a symbol of quality that reflects a health care organization’s commitment to providing safe and quality resident care. To receive this reputable accreditation, we invited surveyors from The Joint Commission’s esteemed surveyor force into each of our 10 Assisted Living and specialized Memory Care communities across the state of Maine. While present in our communities, the surveyors observed and evaluated compliance standards focusing on resident safety and quality, while evaluating actual care
processes and technology. The Joint Commission reviewers are highly experienced Masters and PhD prepared RNs and administrators who have careers that have focused on Senior Care in the healthcare continuum. They are informed by scientific literature and expert consensus to help health care organizations measure, assess and improve performance. After careful review, the surveyors were able to recognize that our Woodlands Senior Living organization was going above and beyond the state and federal standards in providing a safe, engaging and comfortable environment for the residents in our communities! I am thrilled to share that after a year of diligent work by all our community leaders, direct care staff and managing members, all TEN of our Woodlands Senior Living communities have received the official Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval – The FIRST Assisted Living community in the state of Maine to do so! While this accolade helps us to tell the story of the work that we do, it also provides us an opportunity to
confidently state that Woodlands Senior Living and our team of committed staff members, work hard to live our mission of making each day the best day possible for the residents we serve, while helping to bring peace of mind to those who love them. I welcome you to visit any of our communities, in Brewer, Bridgton, Cape Elizabeth, Farmington, Hallowell, Lewiston, Madison, Rockland or Waterville, to experience our commitment of providing excellent service to your loved ones. For more information, visit our website at www.woodlandsmaine.com. We are Mainers taking care of Mainers and we couldn’t be happier to share this exciting accomplishment with you! As always — If you need us, we’re here. Best, Leann Sebrey, RN, MSN-NEL, CPN, RCA Chief Operating Officer Woodlands Senior Living LLC