Financial difficulties can be overwhelming for older people, especially if they are dealing with other challenges at the same time. In October 2003 the Corporation for National and Community Service awarded a generous three-year, $1.3 million grant to the University of Maine Center on Aging to operate t he Senior $ense Program.

The Corporation for National and Community Service provides funding for AmeriCorps* VISTA programs throughout the United States . Senior $ense is the second largest AmeriCorps* VISTA program in Maine . We are recruiting 30 people to serve at 17 host sites located from Scarborough to Presque Isle.

The Senior $ense program is focused on developing innovative ways to make customized community resources and services, that respond to the difficulties associated with living on limited and fixed incomes, available to Maine’s poverty level elderly. Some of the issues our VISTA members are working on are: job skills development, discounted prescription drugs,minor home repair, personal financial management education, transportation, and consumer protection.

From the beginning of the program on February 2, 2004 all of our VISTA members have been hard at work identifying the issues that need to be addressed in order to improve the quality of life for Maine's seniors who are living in poverty.

The Senior $ense program will also use technology to expand its reach to all people who might benefit from it. We have developed a comprehensive, interactive, and user friendly web site where financial, consumer, and job resources will be easily available to all older adults, their families, and the health and human services personnel who work with them.

For more information please contact:

UMaine Center on Aging,
5723 D.P. Corbett Building,
Orono, ME 04469-5723
207-262-7920
vista@mainecenteronaging.org

 or visit the senior sense website at:

www.seniorsenseforme.org