Week in Review: September 14th

Firstly, we are saddened to learn of the death of Major General Nelson Durgin who passed away on Friday, September 11th. A strong supporter of “aging in place” and champion of older Mainers in Greater Bangor, AARP Maine was honored to work with Nelson in multiple capacities over many years. Nelson served as a core member of the Bangor Age-Friendly Committee, he volunteered at our local paper shredding events and 2016 “Scam Jam”, and served as a staunch advocate for older adults through his work with AARP Maine, Eastern Area Agency on Aging, and many local organizations. Our sincere condolences to Nelson’s family during this sad time. 

This week we are also mourning the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She demonstrated to us all that, among other things, age is just a number. Thank you for your years of service to our country and may you Rest in Peace.

This week at AARP Maine, we shared new results from AARP survey data, showing that voters 65-plus in presidential and Senate battleground states, including Maine, could decide this year’s election. AARP polling data also shows that despite extreme partisanship, protecting Social Security, Medicare, and lowering prescription drug prices transcend partisan politics. Read our full news release here.

In case you missed it, our State Director, Lori Parham, was on WVOM-FM’s George Hale Ric Tyler Show discussing how AARP Maine’s poll results show that candidates who want to win in the 2020 Election must address the issues that matter to voters 50-plus such as Social Security, Medicare, and lowering prescription drug prices. Visit this link to listen. You can also watch Lori on WMTW TV discussing how Mainers 50-plus can vote safely, the issues that matter, and more, here. 

We here at AARP Maine know that Mainers expect answers during election season. So far, we’ve seen less important policy discussions but plenty of expensive ads paid for by money outside of Maine. We know that more than 80 percent of Maine voters 50-plus from both parties see Social Security and Medicare as priorities for November. How will the candidates protect these vital programs? We don’t know, but it’s time to start asking. Call the candidates today and ask them using our suggested questions here. You can also add your name to our growing team of voters ready to demand answers this election season at action.aarp.org/im-in.

In other election news, if you picked up papers in Aroostook County recently, including from The Piscataquis Observer, Aroostook Republican, Houlton Pioneer Times, and The Star-Herald, you may have noticed our Absentee Ballot Request form insert! AARP Maine is encouraging everyone to vote safely this election, at the polls or from home. For more information on Maine’s 2020 election, visit aarp.org/mainevotes.

We continue to remind Mainers to stand up and be counted in the 2020 Census! The closing deadline on September 30th is fast-approaching and $4 billion in federal funding for Maine is on the line. Visit 2020Census.gov by the 30th to be counted and define your decade.

Lastly, check out this post for our latest scam information, titled “Lottery Scams.”

Events 
AARP Maine announces numerous upcoming events on our social media accounts, including our Facebook page, as well as here on our website.

1) Friday, September 25th: Join AARP Maine, the Maine Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, and Disability Rights Maine for an hour-long event on Zoom where we'll learn about voting rights for residents of long-term care facilities, including those under guardianship, voting safely by absentee, and more. This event is free & there is no need to pre-register! Just go to the Zoom link here (passcode: 675968) or dial in at 1-646-558-8656.

2) Until Saturday, September 26th: AARP is excited to announce that we are partnering with Portland Trails on their "Trail to Prevail" Virtual 10K that is happening now & will be held until Saturday, September 26th! Since Portland Trails can't hold their annual September fundraiser "Trail to Ale 10K Race & Run" this year, their hope is that, if you love the trails and can support them, you'll participate in this new event. All the details, including a link to register, can be found here. 

3) Series: AARP Maine is partnering with Captain Jonathan Bratten, Maine National Guard Military Historian, to host four Maine military history virtual presentations, below. Check out our Facebook page for more information on these events & how to register or visit the links below:

• Sept 29 at 4:00PM: Maine National Guard in WWI
• Oct 6 at 4:00PM: The Maine Nat’l Guard at Luzon, 1945
• Oct 8 at 1:00PM: Maine at Gettysburg (COMING SOON)
• Nov 12 at 7:00PM: The Maine National Guard in the Global War on Terror (COMING SOON)
  

4) Tuesday, September 29th: It’s increasingly difficult to know what’s true. Join AARP New Hampshire for an engaging and informative webinar, “Fact Tracking: Finding Truth in an Infodemic”, on how to better sort fact from fiction. For more information & to register, visit this link.

5) Series: UMaine & the Eastern Area Agency on Aging present a new Health Connection Chats series with LIVE, practical information and tips for staying healthy and engaged for Maine's 60+ citizens and other high risk COVID-19 individuals. Chats will be held by Zoom & by telephone, at no cost to attend. Those joining by phone can send questions to speakers ahead of time. For call-in info or the Zoom link & to submit questions, please contact Kelley Morris at kelley.morris@maine.edu or (207) 262 - 7925.

• Sept 30th – Growing with Maine’s Lifelong Communities
• Oct 7th – The Healthful Benefits of Yoga During the COVID-19 Pandemic
• Oct 14th – AARP's Perspective on COVID-19 and Staying Safe & Well
• Oct 21st – Planning for Retirement in the Age of COVID-19
• Oct 28th – The Importance of Volunteering & Remaining Civically Engaged

6) Oct. 22 from 12-1:15PM: INSIDE THE MIND OF A CON-ARTIST. Join AARP Maine and other states in the region for a rare look inside the mind of a master con-artist, Brett Johnson, and hear what you can do to stay safe from scams and fraud. Learn more and register here for this free webinar!