Speakers Series 2026
Welcome to our 2026 Speaker Series where you can learn more about our professional speakers i.e. area of expertise, topics, bios and more.
Fall 2026 Speakers
Coming later this year! Watch our social post, blog and newsleteer for updates.
Spring 2026 Speakers
We are excited to share our 2026 lineup of speakers for the ASuccessful Aging events. We hope you will find them interesting and join us. REGISTER ONLINE for SPEAKER SESSIONS or CALL 207-205-3727 Maine Health – Matter of Balance Program
Maine Health / Healthy Aging
Paving the Way to Fall Prevention w/ Maureen Higgins, Maine Health, Project Manager
Falls are a major concern for adults age 65+, with one in four experiencing a fall each year. Not only can falls be physically and emotionally devastating, they can be costly. The U.S. healthcare system incurs over $80 billion annually in costs associated with fall-related care for older adults. Caring for someone who falls can put strain on family caregivers. Adding to this, Maine ranks highest by percent of its population, age 65 and older at 22%, and is the second most rural state in the nation. The good news is that many falls are preventable! By fixing things we can change, we can lower the risk of falling. There are many factors that can contribute to a person’s fall risk, including concern about falling. Being fearful of falling can cause a person to reduce their activity level and increase social isolation which is also a significant public health concern. Learn more about ways to reduce your fall risk, ideas to think about and resources to consider, including A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns about Falls. Learn how virtual programming is increasing access across Maine. About Presenter: Maureen received her Masters in Social Work at the University of Michigan. She has extensive experience in oncology both in-patient and out-patient, as well as community outreach and program development. She is a Project Manager with Maine Health/Healthy Aging, responsible for implementing and growing a Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns about Falls throughout the health system and community. She has presented at a variety of professional conferences and community meetings and enjoys providing education and facilitating discussion.
Time: 10am-11am Location: Italian Heritage Center, 40Westland Ave,Portland , ME Raffle/Give Away: Yoga Mat or Gift CardPleaseregister to attend Paving the Way to Fall Prevention Sign-Up Here
Happy at Home Seniors
Home Safety Tips and Making Your Home Age Friendly w/ Sherry Boothby, Aging Life Care Professional. Senior Home Safety Specialist Nearly 90% of seniors want to stay in their own homes as they age, yet less thsn 10% are “aging ready”. Aging in place promotes life satisfaction, a positive quality of lif are needed to remain happy, healthy, and well. Falls and subsequent injury a on older adults and their families, as well as on the health care system. Home place information are essential to meet the need of our aging population.
Join Sherry to learn how to improve home safety as well as making your home age-friendly. Yuou will discuss the many options that exist to make your home a safer, more accommodating place. With a few adjustments, you can gain a sense of security and peace of mind while continuing to live independently. A home safety check along with some low-cost modifications can serve to effectively reduce falls and injury in older adults.
You will review home safety tips, including special considerations for a person living with dementia. Participants will also receive the AARP HomeFit Guide to use for assessing their own homes for aging in place.
About Presenter
Sherry Boothby is the founder and owner of Happy at Home Seniors, providing aging in place, wellness, care management, and dementia education for seniors and their families in Maine. Her professional background includes being an Occupational Therapist for over 30 years, plus additional specialty certifications, including: Certified Senior Home Safety Specialist™,Aging Life Care Professional®, Certified Dementia Practitioner, Dementia Connection Specialist Certified Trainer, and Certified Low Vision Therapist. She has provided education and presentations to individuals, families, agencies, community groups locally, as well as nationally.
Time: 11am-12pm Location: Italian Heritage Center, 40Westland Ave,Portland , ME Raffle/Give Away: Gas CardPlease register to attend Home Safety Tips and Making Your Home Age FriendlySign-Up Here
Hannaford
Meal Planning and Shopping on a Budget w/ April Byron, MS, RDN, LDN Looking to become better at meal planning and creating meals with less effort and on a budget? Interested ordering groceries online but don’t know where to start? Reading all the labels but still unsure how to select groceries that fit your needs? Join Hannaford dietitian, April Byron to learn which foods to buy and shopping habits to practice saving you time and money. Learn how to improve our meal plans, develop dishes with fresh flavor and keep them balanced, nutritious and within your budget. In this class we will cover a number of nutrition topics.
- Meal planning – We will review methods for developing meal plans that fit your schedule and your budget. In particular, we will look at methods repurpose ingredients for a variety of unique meals to save time and avoid food waste.
- Online groceries – Still haven’t tried online grocery shopping? We will visit Hannaford.com to learn how tools like Hannaford To-Go, Guiding Stars and more, can help support your nutrition needs.
- Label reading – Discover the fast and easy way to narrow down the most nutritious choices, plus increase your skills at label reading. Learn more about how Hannaford Dietitians and the Guiding Stars can take the guess work out of groceries.
- Cooking for 1 or 2 – Change how you feel about cooking for 1 or 2 with meal planning strategies that simplify your week and recipe hacks to right-size any dish without sacrificing variety or health.
About Presenter:
April is a registered dietitian. She joined the Hannaford Dietitian program in 2018 and currently works in the Forest Ave. store. April has partnered with community groups and organizations to offer store tours, classes and one-on-one guidance to people throughout the greater Portland area. She approaches nutrition education and counseling with compassion, creativity, and laughter.
In addition to her position with Hannaford, April works in a variety of community nutrition roles. She has counseled families of young children, guided seniors with diabetes, and supported workplace and community wellness programs throughout New England.
Outside of her work, April continues to study dance, including a handful of amateur performances in the local area. She also enjoys spending time with her husband, two kids, and their rescue pup.
Time: 12pm-1pm Location: Italian Heritage Center, 40Westland Ave,Portland , ME Raffle/Give Away: Crock Pot or Hanaford Gift CardPlease register to attend Meal Planning and Shopping on a BudgeSign-Up Here
Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home
Understanding Funeral Pre-Planning and End of Life Choices w/ Kennedi Shields, Director of Advance Planning / Funeral Director Educational presentation iwill provide practical, consumer-focused information that emwill powers you to make confident end-of-life decisions while reducing emotional and financial stress for your loved ones. While end-of-life planning is often avoided, it is one of the most meaningful ways individuals can protect their families and ensure their personal wishes are honored. This presentation will offer a compassionate, educational, and pressure-free discussion about funeral preplanning, focusing on how advance planning supports successful aging by promoting preparedness, independence, and family peace of mind. Attendees will learn:
- What funeral and cremation preplanning involves
- How documenting wishes helps eliminate uncertainty for family members
- The emotional benefits of planning ahead for both individuals and loved ones
- Financial advantages of preplanning, including protection against inflation and flexible funding options
- How preplanning supports legacy building and personal storytelling
- Practical steps individuals can take to begin the planning process
The presentation will follow an easy-to-understand framework highlighting the Four Steps of Preplanning:
- Reflecting on personal wishes and legacy goals
- Recording important information and service preferences
- Securing funding options and locking in pricing
- Sharing plans with loved ones to reduce future stress
About Presenter: Kennedi Shields is a Preplanning Advisor with Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home and Lindquist Funeral Home, part of the Dignity Memorial® network. She is a licensed funeral director and embalmer in three states, a Certified Crematory Operator, and a former mortuary school professor. Kennedi has extensive experience educating both families and future funeral professionals, bringing a unique combination of technical expertise, compassionate guidance, and educational clarity to her presentations. Her approach focuses on helping families feel informed, supported, and confident in their end-of-life planning decisions. Time: 1pm-2pm Location: Italian Heritage Center, 40Westland Ave,Portland , ME Raffle/Give Away: Gas Card
Please register to attend Funeral Pre-Planning and End of Life Choices Sign-Up Here