SeniorsPlus April calendar includes safe driving, exercise classes

LEWISTON — The SeniorsPlus Education Center has announced the April calendar. Unless stated otherwise, classes are free and located at 8 Falcon Road. Programs are made possible through community and donation supported. Call SeniorsPlus at 800-427-1241 for more information and to register.

Living Well with Chronic Pain: 1 to 3:30 p.m. Fridays though May 4; instructors, Robyn Spugnardi and Cecilia Natale. The workshop is for those who want to learn ways to better manage their pain and health concerns. The workshop is for adults who have long-term or chronic pain lasting longer than six months, or beyond the expected healing time for an injury. Participants learn ways to deal with frustration, fatigue, poor sleep and isolation as well as exercises for maintaining and improving strength, flexibility, endurance, techniques for pacing activity and rest, how to evaluate new treatments and appropriate use of medications. Snacks will be provided and there will be a drawing for a $25 gift card. Limit 16.

Ticks and Mosquitos: 11 a.m. to noon Tuesday, April 3; instructor, Sarah Bly, Maine CDC. The class will highlight tick and mosquito-borne illnesses and what to do to prevent exposures and tick and mosquito biology and ecology (the how and why these pests do what they do where they do it).

Understanding Healthcare Options Part 1: 2 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 3; instructors, Angela Moore, Beacon Hospice, and Dave Bracket, Kindred At Home. They will review Medicare rules and guidelines to help participants be an informed consumer participating in healthcare decisions that impact quality of care.

Safe Driving: 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 10; instructor, George Davis, AARP. Cost: $20, payable to AARP; $15 for AARP members. Drivers 55 and older who complete the class are eligible for discounts on their auto insurance for three years. Those attending should bring their driver’s license, lunch and membership card.

Bates Photo Project: 3:45 to 4:45 p.m. Friday, April 13; instructor, Mark Pechenik, Alzheimer’s Association. For those who love photography and are living with early stage dementia or memory challenges or have a loved one who is. Through the free Bates Photo Project, participants and care partners will be matched with a Bates College student this spring to learn how to take expert nature photographs using smartphones.

Hearing Health: 10 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 17; instructor, Nancy Whittier, Shapiro Hearing Aid Centers. There is a strong correlation between hearing loss and dementia.

Five Wishes: 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 17; instructor, Angela Moore, Beacon Hospice. National Healthcare Decisions Week occurs the week of April 16. The presentation will review Five Wishes, which is the most popular advance directive in the United States. It meets the legal requirements for Maine. The document is easy to understand.

Crafting with Corinne — Flip Albums: 2 to 3:30 p.m. Monday, April 23; instructor, Corinne Saindon. Cost: $5 for supplies. Flip albums are popular now in the crafting world. Grab a few envelopes, scrapbook paper and adhesives and create an album.

Know the 10 Signs: 10 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 24; instructor, Mark Pechenik, Alzheimer’s Association. The workshop will provide a greater understanding of the difference between age-related memory loss and dementia and what to do if they have signs of Alzheimer’s disease.

New to Medicare: 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 25, at 129 Elm St., Mechanic Falls ; instructor, Kerry Faria, SeniorsPlus. Learn the basics and timelines of the complex system, when to sign up for what, and ways to save money. Register with Mechanic Falls Adult Ed at 207-345-3217.

Ongoing fitness programs

Gentle Chair Yoga: 9 to 10 a.m. Mondays, April 2 to June 4 (no class on April 16); instructor, Tisha Bremmer. Cost: $40 for eight weeks; drop-in: $8 a class. 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, March 9 to April 27; instructor, Tisha Bremmer. Cost: $35 for seven weeks; drop-in: $8 a class. 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 and Balance: 11:15 a.m. to noon or or 12:15 to 1 p.m. Mondays (no class on April 16) or 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays; instructor, Linn Morin, certified trainer. Cost: $5 for drop-in, $15 for six classes, $25 for 12 classes. One month passes are nonrefundable.

To register or for more information: Linn, 207-523-9055. The classes are for all — beginner or advanced — who are interested in improving strength, balance and bone density. Some insurance companies offer reimbursement. Call the insurance company to find out if they do.

Ongoing groups

Coffee & Comfort: 3 to 4 p.m. Monday, April 2. For those who have experienced loss and have completed the bereavement group.

Knitting Group: 5 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Work on a project or learn how to knit — bring yarn and knitting needles.

Caregiver Support Group: 5:30 to 7 p.m. Monday, April 9. Offers a safe place for caregivers, family and friends of persons with dementia to meet and develop a mutual support system.

Book Club: 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 11. The group will discuss the book from March.

Franklin and Oxford counties

Living Well for Better Health: 9 to 11:30 a.m. Fridays, March 30 to May 4; instructors, Laure Johnson and Cecilia Natale; Beacon House in Rumford, 20 Congress St. The workshop teaches real-life skills for living a full, healthy life with a chronic condition. Topics include communication, medication usage, talking with a healthcare provider, physical activity, weight management and healthy eating. At the end of the workshop, there will be a drawing for a $25 gift card. Snacks will be provided each week. Limit 16.

Helping Parents as They Age: 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 11; instructor, Valerie Cole, SeniorsPlus; Telstar High School, Bethel. Learn about health and safety issues as well as challenges with communication. Register with Bethel Adult Ed at 207-824-2136.

Coping with Hearing Loss – Sparkes Hearing: noon to 1 p.m. Monday, April 2, at the Farmington Community Center. Tips to the hearing aid wearer and the non-wearer about how to hear the best that they can in different situations. Tips to having conversations with another person who has untreated hearing loss.