Local Resources for Seniors
Southern Maine Agency on Aging provides many services and programs for seniors on a variety of issues, be they financial, medical, or personal. SMAA offers seminars to help navigate the array of insurance and Medicare options, delivers important dietary and fitness practices, and provides older adults with the opportunity to stay active in the community via participation or volunteer-ism. No matter the reason for your interest, be assured SMAA has the expertise to help find the answers you need.
Portland’s Salvation Army provides a variety of programs, trips, and entertainment every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Seniors ages 55+ are invited to become members of the center and will enjoy making new friends and learning new things! Community Senior Luncheon held each Thursday at noon. The goal of the program is to meet the needs of the whole person, as well as enriching their quality of life.
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide provides in-person and virtual tax assistance to anyone, free of charge, with a focus on taxpayers who are over 50 and have low to moderate income. Tax-Aide volunteers are located nationwide, and are trained and IRS-certified every year to make sure they know about and understand the latest changes and additions to the tax code.
The AARP Tax-Aide program will be at Portland Public Library’s Downtown Branch on Congress Street every Wednesday from February 1 to April 12 – by appointment only (207) 518-8579. For more information, visit the library’s event page for this program.
Maine.gov provides a great list of additional resources that seniors can take advantage of, local and otherwise.
Portland Public Library provides Technology Tutoring to library patrons of all ages. These 30 minute sessions offer a chance to sit down with a staff member for 30 minutes of free technology assistance. Laptops are available for use and the sessions take place in a quiet area of the library. Advance registration is required. For more information, visit the library’s event page for this program.
Talking Books is a Federally-funded program which provides recorded books and special players free to persons who are blind, visually impaired, physically handicapped (cannot hold a book) or who have a doctor-certified reading disability.
This program is administered by the Maine State Library and funded by the federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).