WILTON — A Franklin County Elder Independence Task Force recently formed to explore new models of elder care service delivery to help senior citizens in Franklin County maintain their independence in their own homes. Western Maine Community Action took the lead in pulling together the task force after recognizing that there are numerous unmet needs in Franklin County.

“Last June we held a community forum and brought in the author of ‘Alone and Invisible: Averting Disaster in Aging America,’ Dr. Allan ‘Chip’ Teel, a Damariscotta doctor, as the keynote speaker,” said Fenwick L. Fowler, WMCA executive director. “Over 55 community members listened to Dr. Teel’s compelling story about the importance of promoting local capacity to help elders age in place, remaining at home, to prevent higher cost alternatives such as residential or nursing home care as long as possible.”

“We’ve been looking at gaps in elder care services in Franklin County for well over a year, and decided it was time to gather providers together to find a way to coordinate our efforts and find solutions that will work in Franklin County,” Fowler said.

WMCA needs to raise $17,500 in matching funds to support its Keeping Seniors Home program, a program it has operated since 2003, focusing primarily on housing safety issues, home repair, energy conservation and falls prevention education for low income elder homeowners. Statewide, the program has helped more than 1,600 low-income seniors remain safe in their homes, and has leveraged more than $8.1 million in home investment.

“The demand for Keeping Seniors Home has increased dramatically over the years, but at the same time, funding to run the program has reduced steadily,” said WMCA Elder Services Program manager Janice Daku. “It breaks my heart to have to tell someone needing our help that they’ll have to be on a waiting list.”

“We’ve already seen some exciting local solutions that might be easy to replicate in towns throughout the county. In the next few months, we plan to hold a series of listening sessions throughout the county to share information and learn what senior citizens need in their community,” Daku said.

Retired physician, Dr. Kim Gooch, chairs the task force. Other members include Dr. Michael Rowland and Tracy Harty, Franklin Community Health Network; Betsy Sawyer-Manter, SeniorsPlus CEO; Julie Shackley, Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice CEO; Darlene Mooar, Pierce House Administrator; Dr. Doug Dunlap; Juanita Bean, Rita Ditata, Gerry Baril, Sugarloaf Area Christian Ministry; and Lorraine LaChapelle.

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