SOUTH PORTLAND – The Maine Gerontological Society, a consortium of professionals working in diverse areas significant to elder concerns, invites any person working in a field related to senior needs to join. The society is also seeking nominations for its board of directors among members.

Maine’s older citizens are being served by the efforts of diverse agencies, individuals and research centers. The society was formed to create a statewide consortium of professionals providing brokerage for the various resources, including best practice information, educational forums, research agendas, advocacy and networking.

With those over age 65 comprising 15 percent of Maine’s population, and the percent rising, elder needs are increasingly a concern. Those over 85 years of age comprise the fast growing population in the state. Housing, community planning, financial planning, social services, health issues, rural issues, ethnic or specific populations issues, health insurance, employment, legal issues and bioethics responsive to elders are areas of interest.

A September member meeting was held using four video-telecommunications sites across Maine. It enabled those from across the state to share ideas. At the Jan. 29 annual meeting in South Portland, a board of directors will be announced. Two key speakers are expected to give presentations.

Those interested in joining or for more information should contact Deb Chapman, director of community services for the Eastern Agency on Aging, for a membership application. She may be reached at dchapman@eaaa.org or 941-2865, extension 125.