Senior Services
Services & Resources Available to Older Adults in Harpswell
Harpswell is home to many older adults who intend to remain in their homes as they age. We want to make sure older adults can access available supports and services to help them age well at home.
Harpswell Aging at Home programs include but are not limited to, Home Repairs, Resources, Transportation, Lunch with Friends, Meals in a Pinch, and Neighbors Connecting. You can find additional information and help through this community partner, Harpswell Aging at Home.
General
Spectrum Generations – 1-800-639-1553
Our local Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) is Spectrum Generations. Spectrum Generations has experts who provide free answers to questions about aging and disability resources in our area and referrals to home care, home health care, long-term care and family caregiver services. ADRC staff are knowledgeable on a wide range of issues and can help you find the resources you need.
Also, visit www.adrcmaine.org - resource experts have designed this site to help you find your own way to the right home care and long-term care, aging and disability resources.
Transportation
Volunteer Transportation Network (VTN) – 207-729-0757
VTN provides free rides within Brunswick, Harpswell, and Topsham to adult residents of those communities who are unable to drive (temporarily or permanently) and have no other access to transportation. All drivers are volunteers who have clean background and license checks. Rides are available for medical appointments, food shopping, or personal needs, and must be requested at least 3 business days in advance. Riders and drivers must register and receive ID cards.
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation -MidCoast Connector Non-Emergency Transportation broker serves all MaineCare members living in Waldo, Knox, Lincoln or Sagadahoc Counties and in Brunswick or Harpswell. Your broker is MidCoast Connector. You can call them at 1-855-930-7900 and download reimbursement forms from their website.
Food Resources
MidCoast Hunger Prevention Program (MCHPP) – 207-725-1151
MCHPP has many free services available to people who need help accessing food. They bring a mobile food pantry to Harpswell monthly, so folks in need of food can access it right in Harpswell. Anyone who needs food can get it at the mobile pantry, and you can pick up food for an older resident who may not be able to travel. MCHPP also runs a soup kitchen six days a week in Brunswick and has a food pantry in Brunswick that is open four days a week.
Spectrum Generations – 1-800-639-1553
Older residents of Harpswell can also gain access to home delivered meals through the Meals on Wheels program run out of Spectrum Generations. To qualify, you must be 60+ years of age or disabled, and you must be homebound and unable to cook and/or shop for yourself. For older adults getting Meals on Wheels, pet food can also be delivered through their AniMeals Program. Those who do not qualify can purchase home delivered meals from Spectrum. Many other free food services can be accessed through Spectrum as well, including Senior Farm Share, Senior Commodity Supplemental Food Program and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Legal Services
Legal Services for the Elderly (LSE) - HelpLine: 1-800-750-5353
LSE provides free, high quality legal services to low-income adults age 60 and over. They provide free legal advice regarding health care, health insurance, Medicare (including Part D), MaineCare (Medicaid), Social Security and other public benefits, pension and retirement benefits, powers of attorney, consumer matters including creditor and bankruptcy problems, physical and financial abuse, guardianship defense and other issues. Clients call the LSE toll-free number and talk with a Helpline attorney about their problems. If the Helpline attorney is unable to resolve a client's problem, the client then is referred to a staff attorney.
Fuel/Heat Assistance
Opportunity Alliance – 1-877-429-6884
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) provides heating assistance to income eligible households in Cumberland County to pay for a portion of their annual heating expenses. The program provides a one-time-per-season direct payment to heat vendors for homes heated with oil, kerosene, coal, pellets, wood, LP gas or electricity.
Town of Harpswell – 207-833-5771
Harpswell Heating Assistance is for people who are not eligible for General Assistance but who need heating assistance based on 200% of the Federal Poverty level. This program is for heating only from September 15 to April 15.
Help Paying for Basic Needs
Town of Harpswell – 207-833-5771
General Assistance is for immediate aid of persons who are unable to provide the basic necessities. This program is for assistance with rent, food, electricity, fuel and household/personal items based on a 30-day income. All appointments are confidential.
Spectrum Generations – 1-800-639-1553
Call Spectrum Generations to get a free “benefits check-up”! Many older adults are entitled to benefits that would help reduce their monthly living expenses and several pay more than they need to for drug and health care benefits because they’re on the wrong Medicare plan. Call Spectrum Generations to determine if you qualify for the Medicare Savings Program, SNAP, or other programs that may help reduce your overall expenses.
Financial Services
Spectrum Generations – 1-800-639-1553
Money Minders is a program that helps people 60+ manage their monthly bills. Volunteers help sort mail, create a basic budget, prepare (but not sign) checks, and balance the check register to the bank statement. Volunteers are carefully screened, insured, and receive pre-service and on-going training. This service can help someone stay at home independently.
AARP Tax-Aide - 207-775-7774
During tax season, AARP offers free tax preparation help to anyone 50 and older who can’t afford a tax preparation service. IRS-certified volunteers can help older adults navigate through tax challenges.
Daily Safety Check-in Program
Brunswick Police Department - 207-725-5521, extension 1
The Good Morning Program is a FREE daily safety check-in program available to older (60+) or disabled adults in Harpswell. It enables those who have registered to ensure their safety and well-being on a daily basis without jeopardizing their independence, dignity or privacy. The program provides a simple and confidential daily telephone call-in system to ensure the safety and well-being of those participants. Contact Brunswick PD for more info.
Other Important Health Resources
Maine Alzheimer's Association – 1-800-272-3900
The Maine chapter of the American Alzheimer's Association offers information on how to identify signs of these illnesses and where one can turn for assistance.
The Iris Network - 207-774-6273
The organization provides information and resources for visually impaired, including early treatment and prevention and access to adaptive services.