I am 79-year-old veteran and I hope that Question 1, the Universal Homecare Initiative, passes in November. I want to age at home, like any Maine veteran, or senior. I don’t want to end up in a nursing home; they are lonely, dismal places to live. I know that everyone in Maine would rather age in place, at home, among their things and with their family. I believe everyone should have that opportunity.

I have some health issues at my age. I’m on Coumadin, a blood thinner. I had an operation in 2015 when I had a growth inside on my stomach and intestine and my pancreas. It was the Veterans Administration that discovered it and I almost died. I was in the hospital in the intensive care recovery for 12 days longer than they said. I also have a heart with an irregular beat so I have a monitor in my chest that activates an alarm; and I take heart medication. I also have high blood pressure.

I have never been married and I don’t have any children of my own, but I live with a woman who is like my granddaughter. She said she would do anything to make sure that I don’t end up in a nursing home and for that I am very thankful.

There are a lot of responsibilities with my home and I fear the day when it becomes too much for me to manage. I know the Universal Homecare Initiative would help me and others.

Edward Fallon, Lewiston