You’re 85 years old, and you’ve lived in the Bethel Area for 20 years since you and your late spouse retired here. You love your home and don’t want to have to move as you find it harder and harder to handle simple activities around the house and in town. How can AFCI help you? Give us your ideas. Help us develop the services that can help you and your friends.

You’re 61 years old, nearing the end of your career in Bethel, and beginning to envision your aging years. What a great community the Bethel Area is! It would probably be the ideal place to grow older — if only … well, you can help AFCI fill in those gaps.

You’re 48 years old and have recently changed jobs to be near your parents in Bethel. You’ve loved the opportunity, but now that they’re not as able-bodied as they once were, you’re worried about how you can help them as you negotiate your job, your family, and other demands. Is there an organization in the area that can help? AFCI is here, and maybe you have skills that you could contribute to our work on behalf of older adults.

Community:

Find out what’s going on in the area: Bethel Chamber of Commerce (bethelmaine.com) and The Gem Theater (thegemtheater.com).

At the Bethel Alliance Church, there is conversation, coffee, and a bagel or doughnut, served up every Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; come for one hour or all four.

Next community supper is Wednesday, April 27, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the Bethel Alliance Church. Eat-in or take out.

Bethel Food Pantry is open the first and third Wednesday of each month, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

MSAD 44 Adult and Continuing Ed Tech help is available on Tuesday evenings, with free sessions, but call to reserve a time: 824-2136, ext. 1340.

Announcing a new Age-Friendly Community Initiative service: the first “AFCI Conversations.” We’re hosting a learning and sharing opportunity on “Food and Our Community,” on Tuesday, May 10, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the Telstar library. Come, bring a friend, and help us explore what services and opportunities are available in our community and what needs we might want to try to address.

All AFCI services are free. To request an N2N ride or a Handy Neighbor Household Chore, call 207-824-4444. For information, inquiries, and suggestions, email agefriendlybethel@gmail.com, visit our Facebook page or website agefriendlybethel.org. We love to hear from you, and you’re welcome to visit our monthly board meetings.

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