LEWISTON — The SeniorsPlus Education Center has announced the December calendar of activities. Unless stated otherwise, classes are free and are held at 8 Falcon Road. 

How to Protect Yourself from Fraud & Scams: 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5; instructor, Valerie Cole, SeniorsPlus. Attendees will learn to recognize common scams and what they can do to avoid them and protect themselves.

Hospice 101: 1 to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5; instructor, Danielle Baker, Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice. The program gives  basic overview of the hospice program at Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice. It goes through the stigma that may be associated with hospice, the benefit, what qualifies a patient for hospice services, what to expect while on services, the roles and responsibilities and relationships the care team has with the patient, family and facility.

Haiku for All Seasons: 5:15 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Dec. 6 and 13; instructor, Natalie Ladd, freelance writer and columnist for the Sun Media Group. A traditional Japanese haiku is a three-line poem with 17 syllables, written in a five-seven-five syllable count. Over the two sessions, participants will learn the history of haiku, discuss famous works and the images that inspired then, and write and critique their own haiku poetry. Those attending should bring a notebook and pencil.

Pancreatic Cancer: 10 to 10:45 .m. Thursday, Dec. 7; instructor, Jodi Philippon, senior nursing student, USM-BSN program. The class will cover a basic overview of pancreatic cancer, including risk factors, signs and symptoms, prevention and treatment options.

Make a Mini Terrarium!: 1:30 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7; instructor, Celeste Yakwonis, Party’n with Plants. The class provides everything to make a miniature garden. Start with a glass terrarium and add soil, rocks, moss, and succulent plants. Class size is limited to 15. Cost is $12 for supplies.

Jewelry Making: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12; instructor, Lisa Marshall, 2 Blue Gems. Participants will make their choice of a one- or two-coil bracelet, utilizing varied gemstone, glass and metal beads and charms. Ends will be finished off by the instructor. All materials will be provided, and participants will leave with a wearable piece of jewelry. Cost is $10 for supplies

How Do You Plan to Spend Your Retirement?: 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12; instructor, Chloe JonPaul. This topic will cover the three things retirees spend the most extra time on: popular retirement ambitions, six things to do for a happy retirement and volunteer options in Maine.

Mental Health Awareness: 10 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 14; instructor, Greg Marley, clinical director at NAMI Maine. The training will provide general and basic information on suicide and suicide prevention, with resources available for further training. Additional general mental health resources will be provided.

Properly Storing and Disposing Medications: 11 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Dec. 19; instructor, Corrie Brown, Healthy Androscoggin. Prescription drug misuse is a problem that anyone can help combat. The course will teach steps to take to protect people and things, with proven techniques to store and dispose of medications properly.

Falls Risk: 2 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19; instructor, Nancy Donovan,  Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice. The class will discuss risk factors and causes of falls, preventative measures including home safety tips, and how to get up from a fall safely. Participants will learn the benefits of receiving physical and occupational therapy to prevent falls, make home modifications and/or obtain and use adaptive equipment to ensure safety.

Ongoing classes

Gentle Chair Yoga: 9 to 10 a.m. Mondays, Oct. 30 to Dec. 18; instructor, Tisha Bremner; $40 for eight weeks; $8 drop-in. The class is designed to increase vitality, gain a deeper sense of balance and find inner calm. Combines meditation, easy warm-ups, light stretches and gentle yoga postures.

Gentle Chair Yoga: 9 to 10 a.m. Fridays, Nov. 3 to Dec. 22; instructor, Tisha Bremner; $35 for seven weeks; $8 drop-in. Designed to increase vitality, gain a deeper sense of balance and find inner calm. Combines meditation, easy warm-ups, light stretches and gentle yoga postures.

Total Strength & Balance: 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Mondays, (no class Dec. 25); 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays; instructor, Linn Morin; $5 for drop-in, $15 for six classes, $25 for 12 classes. One-month passes are nonrefundable. Registration can be made by contacting 207-523-9055.

These classes are for all, beginner or advanced, who are interested in improving strength, balance and bone density. Some insurance companies offer reimbursement for the classes. Participants should contact their insurance provider to find out.

FMI, register: 800-427-1241.

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