FARMINGTON – A new van purchased by SeniorsPlus will make its premiere in Franklin County at a Spring Benefits Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, April 9, at Franklin Memorial Hospital’s Bass Room.

Use of the van was adopted by SeniorsPlus to extend the organization’s reach into communities of Franklin, Oxford and Androscoggin counties, said Connie Jones, director of community services.

Following Thursday’s event, the van will be in Farmington from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at Old South Church on Main Street. The church has recently agreed to become a regular meal site for SeniorsPlus, she said.

While not visiting every town, SeniorsPlus has chosen towns throughout the area that are places people can get to, she said. The van will regularly visit Livermore Falls, Phillips, Rangeley, Kingfield and Eustis.

The van idea was based on “circuit-riding” preachers or judges who traveled by horse from town to town when towns couldn’t support a church or preacher of their own. Unable to provide a SeniorsPlus office in every town in the three counties, the van carries SeniorsPlus workers to local towns, she said.

During each visit, special workshops on different topics are planned at 11:30 a.m. including one on exercise and nutrition in May and caring for a loved one in June.

For this inaugural visit, the special topic focuses on spring being a time to clean up and organize and that includes organizing important papers, she said. Each person will receive a folder and be given suggestions on what documents should be kept fingertip-accessible, she said.

During the event, someone will be there to help fill out advance directives, Medicare experts will help ensure people have the right coverage and organize necessary papers.

Local health care providers will provide information on what’s needed for a doctor’s visit and a state Department of Health and Human Services representative will help ensure that people have the services they are eligible for, including the food supplement program.

The Healthy Community Coalition will offer some health screenings from its van.

All these events are free and open to the public. Services are available not only for seniors but also adults, 18 and over with disabilities, and family members. Walk-ins are welcome.

No reservations are needed. If someone wants an appointment with a Medicare specialist for information beyond paper organization, they should call 800-427-1241 to schedule an appointment, she said.

While a kitchen and activities are still available at the Wilton site, SeniorsPlus is moving some resources to other community locations. The kitchen will eventually be combined with a permanent kitchen in Lewiston but the agency will continue to provide services in Franklin County, she said.