LEWISTON – With the rising cost of home heating fuel and food, winter is going to be particularly difficult for many Maine older adults this year. In an effort to prepare older adults ahead of time, SeniorsPlus is inviting seniors across Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford counties to attend one of their Winter Survival Fairs.

The events will be held in Oxford, Rumford, Fryeburg, Rangeley, Farmington, Livermore Falls and Lewiston throughout October and November.

SeniorsPlus, Community Concepts, Western Maine Community Action, the Public Advocates Office, Department of Health and Human Services, Central Maine Medical Center, Healthy Maine Community Coalition and the Franklin County Emergency Management Agency will be on hand to assist older adults in finding cost savings and hidden money available to them to help pay for food and fuel this winter.

“The main goal of this fair is to give attendees a benefits check-up; make sure they are getting all the benefits they are entitled to like heating assistance, food stamps and MaineCare. We’ll also have staff on hand to help complete tax and rent rebate forms for the Maine Circuit Breaker program,” said Connie Jones, director of community services at SeniorsPlus.

Attendees will learn how to winterize their home and be trained on what to do in the event of an emergency and/or evacuation.

Fairs will be held as follows: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9, Oxford Town Hall; 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, Rangeley Church of Good Shepherd; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, SeniorsPlus Lewiston Office; 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, Fryeburg American Legion Hall; 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, Rumford American Legion Hall; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 10, Franklin Memorial Hospital; and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14, Murray Hall, Livermore Falls.

All events are free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. To RSVP call SeniorsPlus at 1-800-795-4010.

For more information, visit www.seniorsplus.org or call 795-4010 or 1-800-427-1241.