Dexter Age-Friendly Committee welcomes pair of Lifelong Maine AmeriCorps members
DEXTER – The Dexter Age-Friendly Committee is pleased to welcome two Lifelong Maine AmeriCorps members, Roe O’Toole and Rick McInnis. Dexter first received its designation as an Age-Friendly Lifelong Community in 2018 and has already implemented a variety of programs supporting older adults such as our monthly Tea Talks, Pop-up University programs, a Tablet Program, raised garden beds, benches at Wayside Park, and more.
Through the Lifelong Maine AmeriCorps program, O’Toole and McInnis are working to implement or expand programs identified in the Dexter Age-Friendly Action Plan. McInnis is developing The DART (Dexter Area Regional Transportation), a volunteer transportation program that will be available to Dexter residents beginning this summer. He brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm for this program, having served as a volunteer driver for Penquis Lynx as well as serving as a volunteer for the Food Pantry.
“I have seen first hand the need for this service and am excited by the enthusiasm within Dexter to help me develop this program,” he said.
AMERICORPS MEMBERS – The Dexter Age-Friendly Committee is pleased to welcome two Lifelong Maine AmeriCorps members, Rick McInnis and Roe O’Toole. O’Toole invites community members to come meet her and McInnis on Fridays from 1-3 p.m. at the Abbott Memorial Library to learn more about the committee.
O’Toole recently secured a $2000 grant from Maine Community Foundation’s Home Care for Maine Fund to expand the already successful tablet and technology program. With this grant money Dexter Age-Friendly will be adding additional tablets and is considering expanding this program to include personal assistive devices such as the Echo Dot or the Google Mini. Both devices can be set up and utilized in the homes of older adults to provide reminders, store emergency contacts, turn music and/or news on or off at set times of days and more. Additionally, when paired with a smart plug, lights can also be turned on or off.
According to O’Toole, “Offering devices such as these will allow older adults to live in their homes with an added sense of safety and connectedness to their family and community.”
An active member of the Dexter Age-Friendly since its inception, O’Toole invites community members to come meet her and McInnis on Fridays, from 1-3 p.m. at the Abbott Memorial Library to learn more about the Dexter Age-Friendly Committee, these projects, and more.