‘Age in place … at Home’ topic of event in UMA’s Jewett Hall Auditorium

The University of Maine at Augusta Senior College will sponsor a public forum on how older citizens can successfully and safely “Age in place … at Home.” The forum will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1, in UMA’s Jewett Hall Auditorium in Augusta, according to a news release from the Senior College. This is the third of a series of forums.

The panel will include Judith Shaw, securities administrator for the Maine Office of Securities, and co-chairwoman of the Maine Council for Elder Abuse Prevention. Shaw will describe key rules for maximizing your retirement investments, and the many things you must do — or not do — to avoid fraud and deception. She also will talk about whom you can turn to for help if you fear you are being tricked or cheated.

Denis Culley, the second panelist, is Legal Services for the Elderly’s first senior staff attorney. The 2014 recipient of the Thomas P. Downing Jr. Award for outstanding legal service to low income clients, Culley will talk about his practice in representing and advocating for senior citizens. He will describe dealing with the aftermath of financial exploitation of the elderly, including obtaining judgments against, and return of funds and property from relatives who cheated their elders.

And the third member of the panel is Nan Bell, community educator of the Family Violence Project. A fierce proponent for the protection of the elderly from physical and emotional abuse, Bell will describe the extent, circumstances and different aspects of abuse, where you can turn for help and how you can help yourself or someone else you observe being subjected to abuse.

Refreshments will be served during the 3 p.m. break, followed by questions and answers between the panel and the audience.

A snow date will be the same time in the afternoon on Feb. 22.

All Senior College forums are free and open to the public. The UMA Senior college is open to all persons 50 and older, their spouses and partners. For further information about the college or the forum, email umasc@uma.edu, call 621-3551 or visit www.umasc.org.