Insurance Bureau advises consumers to prepare for Medicare Advantage Plan changes

AUGUSTA – The Maine Bureau of Insurance advises Mainers enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans to prepare for changes in 2026.

Several health insurers are reducing the number of Medicare Advantage plans they offer in Maine or exiting certain areas of the state.

Insurance companies will notify members about changes, and affected members that receive a notice of termination should keep the document for their records.

Members enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan that will not be offered in 2026 will remain covered under their plan through Dec. 31, 2025. While members of discontinued Medicare Advantage plans have 90 days from the date their plan exits the market to choose a new Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement plan, these members should enroll in another plan during the Annual Open Enrollment period, which runs through Dec. 7, to have coverage take effect on Jan. 1, 2026.

The Bureau of Insurance strongly encourages members of discontinued plans to select a new Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement plan by December 2025, since a plan selected in January 2026 will not begin coverage until February 2026, and a plan selected in February 2026 will not begin coverage until March 2026.

Before selecting a new Medicare Advantage plan, carefully review the details of the plan. Members must make sure their doctors, other health care providers, and hospital are in the health plan’s network, and check to make sure their prescription drugs are covered. Not all Medicare Advantage plans have the same networks of health care providers, and not all plans cover the same prescription drugs. Once that is complete, members should call 1-800-MEDICARE to sign up for the new plan.

Medicare Advantage plan members whose plans are not being terminated, but who wish to change plans, can choose another Medicare Advantage plan during the Annual Enrollment Period.

Members of discontinued plans may also select Medicare Supplement plans, which have no network restrictions and are accepted everywhere Medicare is accepted.

Those members enrolled in a discontinued Medicare Advantage plan have 90 days from the date their coverage ends to choose a Medicare Supplement plan without medical underwriting. If coverage ends Dec. 31, 2025, the affected member has until March 31, 2026 to select a Medicare Supplement plan without a medical history review.

If members decide to leave the Medicare Advantage market and return to Original Medicare with Medicare Supplement for 2026, members should also enroll in Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage. The Bureau strongly advises members to choose a Medicare Supplement plan and a prescription drug plan during the Annual Enrollment Period.

Whether enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare Supplement plan, members are reminded to share information on their new health insurance plan with all of their health care providers.

Need help?

Members can get free, unbiased help from the State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) at the Area Agencies on Aging at 1-877-353-3771 or TTY: 711, between the hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Members can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services, part of the Federal Government) or TTY: 1-877-486-2048 for 24 hours per day, 7 days per week – once the Federal shutdown is over. You can also look online at https://www.medicare.gov/, using the “Find Plans Now” link. <

 

Becky Longacre: Holiday Stress? Here’s What to Do.

By Becky Longacre 

For many of us, the Holidays are wonderful: filled with family/ friend gatherings, goodwill, and gift giving.  For some of us, the crazy schedule, family/ friend expectations, and social appointments may be taxing (introverts and parents: raise your hands!).  So, how do you ENJOY the Holiday season WITHOUT stressing over it? Here are some tips:

1.)    Act with intention. Remember the REASON for your holiday task.  If it’s spending time with family/ friends, remember the special connection you have with these people.  Remember what they add to your life.  You are connecting to them because you love and care about them, right?  Operate from that place instead of “duty”.

2.)    Let go of tasks that serve no purpose.  I ask my coaching clients this often: “Is this task moving you toward your goal?” Around the holidays, when our schedules are jam-packed with more social events, think about how you are spending your day.  Is it benefitting your health/ wellness/ work/ family life?  Or, is it a waste of your time?  A great example of a wasteful time suck is scrolling on social media for hours on end. Ask yourself “What benefit does this task have?” and either let it go or keep it depending on your answer.

3.)    Remember the self care. During the Holidays, people can get so caught up in doing, doing, doing that they stress their bodies and minds right out.  Then, they don’t know why they are anxious, irritable, or even resentful! My challenge to you EVERY SINGLE DAY is to do something healthy and happy for yourself. Do 10 minutes of yoga, take that bubble bath with soft candlelight and healing music, eat your veggies, and talk nicely to yourself. Selfcare may mean hanging out with the guys or the ladies one night per week.  Selfcare may mean reading quietly before bed.  Selfcare may mean going for a walk out in nature.  Identify what you need for selfcare personally and honor that in some way, form, or fashion every day.

4.)    Don’t sweat the small stuff.  If something/ someone/ some situation is driving you crazy, ask yourself: Is this going to have any impact on my life in 1 year? 5 years?  Does this  REALLY matter? Is this a necessary evil (such as tax preparation?) or is this a petty irritation (example: they don’t have the right tint of red decorations for my Holiday party). Keeping things in perspective goes a long way with stress management.

 In the end, act out of self-love and respect. None of us are perfect!  Do the best you can during this holiday season, enjoy your people, and take a breath.  You’re probably doing better than you think you are.  May you be well and happy.

 Columnist Becky Longacre is a Nurse Coach for Health Transformers LLC. Send her questions at becky@healthtransformersmaine.com or call her at 207-400-7897. Visit her website at www.healthtransformersmaine.com <

Holiday concerts set by Lake Region Community Chorus

The Lake Region Community Chorus
will perform two free holiday concerts for
the public at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5 and 3 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 7 at the Lake Region High
School auditorium in Naples.
COURTESY PHOTO

By Ed Pierce  

Some of the most beloved music makers in the Lakes Region of Maine are returning to the stage to perform in a concert of traditional holiday favorites.

Members of the Lake Region Community Chorus are preparing to appear during a joyous celebration of song that expresses the promise, hope and meaning of the season at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5 and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7 at the Lake Region High School auditorium in Naples.

Singing will be enhanced with instrumental accompaniments by Rusty Wiljer (percussion), Rick Gordon (flute), Jacob Kuvaja (electric bass), Adam Quincy (trumpet), Pam Ward and Brian Sprunger (guitar), Glen Jukkola (violin and six bell chime ringers). The concert will conclude with the singing of the Hallelujah Chorus with audience participation.

The chorus is directed by Jan Jukkola and Susan Stockwell and accompanied by Patrick Speckamp. This enthusiastic singing group is made up of 60 members from 12 surrounding towns who will present a varied program made up of traditional Classical pieces, folk songs, show tunes, medleys of hits by The Beatles and John Denver and lots more.

The chorus is a vibrant and dynamic non-profit organization providing choral programs for the Lakes Region of Maine community. Its history is short because it’s a relatively new organization.

The chorus had its first meeting in February 2013 to discuss the possibility of forming a choral group in the Lakes Region. Then it was amazing at how quickly everything seemed to come together, and with Laurie Turley as its original conductor, chorus members performed their first public concert in June 2013.

Since that time, the original Lake Region Community Chorus group of around 36 singers has grown with each passing season, and now features some 60 members from 12 different communities, including singers from Windham and Raymond.

The LRCC is a community of voices joined together in song. Its purpose is to provide an opportunity for individuals with an interest in singing to share their love of choral music through regularly scheduled rehearsals that will culminate in community and outreach performances. It also strives to enhance each member’s ability to sing by teaching vocal exercises and techniques and to enrich their choral experience by providing a wide variety of musical selections that will increase their knowledge and appreciation of choral literature.

Lakes Region Community Chorus performs two concerts each year. The first one falls in early December and features holiday-themed music. The other is a springtime concert generally falling in mid-May.

With the generous support of Bridgton Academy, concerts are performed in the Twitchell Chapel on the Bridgton Academy campus in North Bridgton. Rehearsals are held on Monday nights at Twitchell Chapel. For the December concert, rehearsals start around Labor Day, and for the Spring concert, they start around the end of January.

Chorus members would like to thank Saphrona Stetson and Greg Watkins for all of their help and support and assistance at Lake Region High School. The chorus also would like to thank their enthusiastic audiences and local sponsors for their support. Donations to help cover music and operating costs will be most appreciated.

Each concert is free but donations to help cover the expense of music and operating costs will be gratefully accepted.

If interested, come and join the Lake Region Community Chorus as they lift their voices in beautiful music and song for the public. This year’s holiday concert is sure to kindle the Christmas spirit in everyone who attends.

Please visit the Lake Region Community Chorus website for more details or call 207-647-2584. <

Another record year in the books for the Windham-Raymond Athletic Boosters Annual Holiday Fair

Photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus are one of the
many highly-anticipated events that happen at
the annual Windham-Raymond Athletic Boosters
Holiday Fair which occured on Nov. 15 and 16 at WHS.
COURTESY PHOTO

By Melissa Carter 

The Windham-Raymond Athletic Boosters celebrated another successful year as their 33rd Annual Holiday Fair filled Windham High School on Nov. 15 and 16 with festive energy, strong community spirit, and record participation. Hundreds of visitors from across Southern Maine and beyond crowded into the high school gymnasium and hallways over the two-day event, browsing the work of more than 140 crafters, local makers, and student-run groups.

This year’s event featured over ten student clubs and athletic teams, including the Classes of 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029, the National Honor Society, Student Council, the Alpine Ski Team, and the Track Team. While final tallies are still being collected, each group took advantage of the weekend’s steady crowds to raise funds through a variety of handmade goods, treats, and creative items.

Santa and Mrs. Claus made their annual appearance at 10 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday, drawing steady lines of excited children. Approximately 90 photos with Santa were taken this year, and families can find the images posted on sgirardphotography.com.

Inside the gym, aisles were shoulder-to-shoulder for much of Saturday, especially between the peak hours of 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Vendors reported strong sales throughout the weekend, while Sunday brought its typical slightly slower but still steady midday rush.

Concessions Alley once again lived up to its reputation as one of the fair’s most popular stops. Families of student athletes donated homemade crockpot meals, desserts, and snacks, nearly all of which sold out before 1 p.m. both days. The fair also featured a vendor raffle with 64 donated items and a busy 50/50 table.

Altogether, the Holiday Fair generates nearly $25,000 annually for the Boosters, making it the organization’s largest fundraiser. Proceeds come from space rentals, raffle ticket sales, concessions, and vendor contributions. The Windham Raymond Athletic Boosters is a nonprofit organization that is independent from the RSU 14 Athletic Department. The proceeds help support the athletic programs helping to cover things like team equipment bags, warm-ups, equipment like nets, goals, mats and more.

The event relies heavily on volunteer support. The Boosters Board, which includes 12 members and two craft fair co-chairs, is involved in year-round planning, but as many as 20 additional volunteers assist on both Saturday and Sunday of the fair. “As early as 2 p.m. Friday, we have people mapping the gym floor while others unload tables and chairs from the delivery truck,” said co-chair Ernesta Kennedy. Volunteers help crafters unload, serve as “table watchers” so vendors can take short breaks, staff concessions, sell 50/50 tickets, and oversee the raffle area. This year’s setup and cleanup numbers were the strongest ever, thanks especially to student participation.

Interest from crafters remains incredibly high. The fair fills quickly every year and maintains a waitlist of nearly 50 vendors. Once a crafter secures a booth, they seldom give it up, making the rotation limited. Kennedy noted that the team is exploring options for expanding in future years to accommodate the growing demand.

Planning for next year begins almost immediately. For those hoping to get involved next year, whether as a volunteer, planner, or vendor, the Boosters encourage reaching out. The best point of contact for the holiday fair is windhamboosters@yahoo.com. For other Booster related inquiries please email athleticboosters@rsu14.org

 

Windham resident looks to Shine with new album release

Munye Mohamed, who goes by the stage name
'Shine' recently moved to Windham and is releasing
his latest album at the end of this month. Here he is as
featured in his music video for 'Aspirations' in 2015.
SUBMITTED PHOTO

By Erin Rose 

 A new star is on the rise in Windham and is looking to connect with audiences through his latest album. 
Munye Mohamed, who goes by the stage name Shine, will be releasing “Aspirations 3” on Thursday, November 27. It marks the third and final installment of the series and is a culmination of the project. 
“The vision is only getting better” the rapper said. “I’m trying to always progress.” 

“Aspirations 3” follows two previous albums, “Aspirations” and “Aspirations 2”. Released in 2015, the initial album found incredible success on YouTube and amassed more than 1.6 million views on the video streaming site. 

Shine spent more than a year working with an artist in California to craft the video for the album’s “Lifeless” track. He also spent a significant amount of his own funds to support the visual release, including renting a private plane and Lamborghini.

“It was a lot, but that’s what I have to do,” he said. “People are going crazy for the new video!” 
The video features futuristic themes, including AI-generated content, and is meant to be looking towards Shine’s future success in life and the music industry. 

“People have never seen anything like this in Maine,” Shine noted. 

Admitting to making some mistakes in the past, Shine is looking to be an example for older teens as they transition into adulthood, pointing to alcohol as a contributing factor to poor decision-making. 

“For young adults, I feel like alcohol is a problem,” he said, adding that young kids struggle with their emotions but do not reach out for suitable help instead of using alcohol to cope. “My music, it’s for the people out there that have been through what I’ve been through.” 

The shift away from that lifestyle even shows in Shine’s name, as he originally used the moniker “Moonshine”, but no longer wanted the tie to alcohol in his brand. 

“As I moved out of a scene that included heavy drinking, I slowed down,” he said. “I don’t want to portray that image. I took out the moon, and now I shine.” 

His upbringing experiencing poverty in Portland has helped shape his music and is empowering the artist to push and strive for better things.

“I came up from the projects,” he said.  “I’m the people that people look up to. It’s not easy.” 
The artists recently moved to Windham after spending his life in Portland, seeking the peace and quiet of the community to lay down roots.  

“Portland is a lot of noise, a lot going on,” he noted. “Windham is peace of mind.” 

His high school English teacher encouraged him to compete in the Maine Poetry Out Loud competition in 2011, which started Shine’s journey to discovering the power of words. That competition even features in the music video for “Aspirations.” A two-year trip to Kenya then helped inspire the artist to shift into music. 

“Africa got me on track and made me humble,” he said, adding that “the sky’s the limit.”

While pursuing music, Shine also works at the Oakhurst Dairy in Portland and recently graduated from the Northeast Technical Institute with a degree in HVAC. 

Shine’s music can be found on Spotify, Soundcloud, and YouTube Music. The video will also be available on YouTube once released. <

Windham High School student wins pie contest at Fryeburg Fair

By Masha Yurkevich

WHS sophomore Ava Blanchard
with her award-winning Two
Crusted Apple Pie at the
Fryeburg Fair.
SUBMITTED PHOTO

 It is now officially sweater weather, which means that it is also officially pie season, and Windham High School (WHS) sophomore student Ava Blanchard took pie season very seriously this year. The Katahdin Program at WHS, which Blanchard is a part of, has been participating in pie contests at the Fryeburg Fair, and this year, Blanchard entered and won the junior division of the Two crusted Apple Pie contest.

Blanchard is part of Christine Fredette’s class, who is the STEM teacher at the Katahdin Program, as well as the WHS Alpine Coach and WHS cooking club co-advisor. The Katahdin Program provides alternative education programming for students grades 9-12 enrolled in the RSU14 school district. It is a small, community-focused school dedicated to addressing the social emotional and academic needs of all students, integrating outdoor adventures, service-learning, and restorative practices to meet the social, emotional, and academic needs of students. The program is designed to help students build critical thinking skills and a sense of community by customizing their path to graduation. 

“Years ago, we helped students enter the Whoopie Pie contest at the Fryeburg fair and won a few times,” says Fredette. “The apple pie contest is the one the students chose to do this year.”

Fredette says that having students bake pies not only teaches them a new skill, but also gives them a chance to risk entering the Fryeburg fair contest.

“I do not know any other teenagers who would take a risk and try to win,” she says. “By giving them the resources and time to do this at school, it lowers the risks, but the benefits are still great!”

In preparation for the pie contest, students baked for the two weeks leading up to the fair.

“The students had to find a pie recipe and write it out to submit it with their pie,” says Fredette. “We arrived at the fair and brought our pies to the exhibition center and entered them into the Two Crusted Apple Pie contest. Judging started at 1 PM, results were in by 2PM, and Ava had her blue ribbon by 2:30PM.

The pies were judged on appearance, taste, and ease of preparation (recipe write up). The Katahdin program entered five pies in the junior division. For several students, this was their first time baking an apple pie.

WHS sophomore Ava Blanchard comes from a very big line of bakers and cooks in her family.

“I thought to myself that I would not get this opportunity again, and I have never made an apple pie before, so I thought I would just go for it,” says Blanchard. “We were working and talking about pie making for about two weeks before the contest and I decided that I wanted to make a test pie myself a couple days before the fair.”

Out of about 20 other pies that competed in the Two Crusted Apple Pie contest, the pie that Blanchard made was the winner.

“I was very shocked and mind blown,” said Blanchard. “I was not at all expecting to win; I was really just competing for the fun of it.”

As a prize, Blanchard received $75 and a Blue Ribbon.

The Katahdin program is now baking pies for an Age Friendly Event that will happen on November 17th at Windham Town Hall, where Age Friendly Windham and Windham Parks and Recreation will be holding a Thanksgiving Community meal for residents 55+.

Windham High School student shares story of adversity to resilience on the TEDx Talk stage

By Lorraine Glowczak

WHS senior Kendra Eubanks spoke at
TEDx on Saturday, Nov. 8 at UNE in
Portland. SUBMITTED PHOTO

 Being invited to speak at a TEDx Talk is a rare honor, especially at just 17 years old. For Windham High School (WHS) senior Kendra Eubanks, that honor became reality on Saturday afternoon, November 8 at the TEDxDirigo event on the UNE Portland campus, speaking openly about overcoming adversity, embracing resilience, and discovering the strength that comes from self-advocacy and community.

Eubanks’ story began at a Portland middle school, when bullying left her anxious and isolated. “As a biracial person from white and black backgrounds, I wasn’t Black enough for the Black students,” she told the audience. “Their resentment grew into intimidation.” The harassment became so severe that school administrators asked her to eat lunch in the teachers’ lounge for her safety, away from peers in the cafeteria.

Although the bullying often left her in tears, Eubanks still considered the Portland middle school her community. She had attended there since kindergarten, surrounded by familiar teachers and classmates. But one afternoon, everything changed.

“I was in woodshop class when I got called to the principal’s office,” she said. “That wasn’t unusual because I was often called to the office regarding the harassment, but when they told me to bring all my belongings, my heart started racing. When I walked in, not only was the principal there, but my parents were too.”

The principal explained that the school could no longer protect her and it was recommended that she attend another school. Fearing for their child’s safety, her parents agreed and removed Kendra from the school.

When it came time to choose a new environment, Eubanks, who felt discouraged that she didn’t get a choice to stay at the Portland school, wanted her voice to be part of the next decision. “I wanted to advocate for myself,” she said. Since one of her parents lived in Windham, she chose Windham Middle School.

At first, adjusting wasn’t easy. “I wasn’t white enough for the white community,” she said. But unlike her previous experience, her “Blackness was appreciated”. She found support from teachers, administrators and a growing sense of belonging among other students of color.

This acceptance boosted her confidence to become more involved. During her freshman year at WHS, Eubanks co-founded the Black Student Union (BSU), which has since grown into a space for students of color to share experiences, build connections, and foster inclusivity.

Her leadership has expanded beyond BSU, by joining the JMG (Jobs for Maine Graduates) Leadership Team and participating in volleyball and track and field. As Eubanks’ passion for change grew, she was inspired to speak at the annual New England Youth Identity Summit, hosted by Waynflete in Portland. At last year’s summit, during her second appearance, a TEDxDirigo organizer who attended her session was moved by her story and invited her to bring her message to a larger audience.

Eubanks accepted this opportunity because she wanted people to hear her story. “I don’t want people to feel bad for me but to see how I overcame my challenges and how much good came out of everything.”

WHS staff were not surprised by her invitation to speak.

“When I first heard that Kendra was giving a Ted Talk, I was incredibly excited for her,” JMG Specialist and Teacher, Jen Dumont said. “But, honestly, I wasn't all too surprised. Kendra has an effervescent personality combined with an earnest passion for justice and equity. Her willingness to step outside of her comfort zone has afforded her so many wonderful opportunities to develop her leadership skills and make an impact on our community and beyond. Kendra is a bright light in our school community. Beyond her leadership skills and compassion for the underrepresented, Kendra is a constant source of kindness, inspiration, and hope. As her teacher and advisor, I couldn't be more proud of her.” 

Beyond her leadership at WHS, Eubanks has continued to be involved in youth events, including Seeds of Peace and other leadership summits, experiences that have shaped her as both a student and a changemaker.

As she looks ahead to college, Eubanks is considering several offers but remains focused on her long-term goal: pursuing a degree in political science and continuing to make a positive difference in the world.

Hundreds turn out to celebrate ‘The Magic of RTT’

By Kelly Johnson

This year Riding To The Top’s annual Triple B
event in Windham featured speakers Rianna Keegan,
Jack Murdoch and Dave Murdoch.
PHOTO BY HANNAH CORMIER,
RIPTIDE PHOTOGRAPHY

Special to The Windham Eagle

On Saturday, Oct. 18, more than 325 people attended the 17th Annual Triple B ~ Boots, Band & BBQ and raised a record-breaking amount, over $280,000, to benefit the clients, horses and programs of Riding To The Top Therapeutic Riding Center (RTT) in Windham.

This year’s event paid homage to all who make up “The Magic of RTT” – RTT’s clients, horses, volunteers, long-time supporters, staff, and the evening’s guests and sponsors. Eric Schildroth of Schilly’s Catering created another delicious and abundant barbeque to the hungry crowd, The record-breaking mission-based auction was led by auctioneer Elizabeth Holmstrom, and the evening was capped by live music and dancing to the popular local band, Under The Covers.

Phil Smith of Abracadabra Productions added some table magic for the guests and the event emcee, Nancy Marshall of Marshall Communications, kept the program running on schedule.

The true MVPs, of course, are the courageous clients and the horses they team up with at the center. RTT client, Jack Murdoch and his mother, Rianna Keegan, teamed up to share their story and what their time at RTT means to them.

As Rianna put it, “While RTT is here to serve its riders, I cannot tell you how special this place has been to our entire family. There’s something about coming here after a stressful day that brings such peace – being at a beautiful stable with such amazing volunteers and staff, where there is a quiet and often unspoken comradery between the riders.”

Jack felt the same, saying, “We love every last bit of all of the horses. Some people might say one horse makes RTT what it is. But they couldn’t be more wrong. Every last horse, rider, volunteer (and annoying fly that sits on every horse’s face and never dies) makes RTT exactly what it is.”

As the event’s auction bidding got underway, Art Girard, of Delta Realty stepped forward with a special matching challenge of $25,000 for both the Ridership and Horse Funds, which helped to get the bidding off to a great start. An anonymous donor then added an additional $25,000 challenge to the Horse Fund, making for even more excitement in the crowd.

Sarah Bronson, RTT Executive Director, said the Triple B has become an amazing community event.

“Year after year, we bring new people to the farm to learn about the power of equine assisted services offered by RTT,” Bronson said. “And every year, our community steps up to support our work, ensuring that financial aid is available to all who need it and that our horses receive the highest quality care so that they can be our partners in this work. We are so very grateful to everyone who contributed to the success of this year’s event—our sponsors, table hosts, generous guests, volunteers, and RTT’s Board and staff, they all truly embody the Magic of RTT.”

This year IDEXX, UNUM, Bangor Savings, Martin’s Point Healthcare and Stone Coast Fund Services employees joined with RTT volunteers to help with set up and then again with post event “take-down.” During the event, the Saint Joseph’s College baseball team members returned to help with food service, the auction and recycling efforts. In total, over 100 volunteers contributed over 700 hours during various stages of the event including pre-event planning, set up, night of and cleanup days following the event.

The Triple B event is RTT’s largest and most important fundraiser of the year, funding nearly a third of the organization’s annual expenses. Since its inception, this event has raised over $2.5 million dollars, while introducing the healing power of horses to thousands of community members.

This year’s event was supported by many local business partners led by Grand Champion Sponsors, Portland Volvo and UNUM, and Reserve Champion Sponsors, Norway Savings Bank and Headlight Audio Visual. 

About Riding to the Top

Riding To The Top Therapeutic Riding Center (RTT) was founded in 1993.  RTT’s mission is to enhance health and wellness through equine assisted services. It is the state’s only PATH International (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International) Premier Accredited Center solely dedicated to equine- assisted services. More than 250 participants are impacted annually, assisted by certified instructors, a herd of 17 horses and more than 70 volunteers, all specially trained to assist with therapeutic riding, carriage driving and hippotherapy. Riding To The Top is a community-based nonprofit, receives no federal or state funding and provides scholarships to over 60 percent of its clients. For further information about client services, volunteering, or making a gift, please visit www.ridingtothetop.org or call 207-892-2813. <

End-of-life options to be discussed at Windham Library

By Erin Rose 

The Windham Public Library will be hosting a discussion of end-of-life options for residents from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. on Friday, November 14.

Allison Osgood, Hospice Liaison with Beacon Hospice, will provide more details about hospice care and how it can help patients live out their lives comfortably, and Bob McCown, a volunteer with Maine Death with Dignity, will present information about Maine’s Death with Dignity law and how terminally ill Mainers can choose to end their lives through aid in dying medicine.

The hospice program overall is misunderstood, Osgood said, adding that many patients don’t take advantage until their illnesses are advanced, to where they’re no longer able to enjoy the time they have left with their families and loved ones.

“I want to change the stigma around hospice care,” she noted, saying that many people do not think to take advantage of the six months of benefits that are available to patients. “We can keep you home where you can do what really matters to you.”

A patient is eligible for hospice care once they receive an order from their doctor that states if their disease follows the normal course, the person will likely pass away in 6 months or less. Once the hospice provider completes an evaluation to ensure the patient meets the Medicare guidelines, a team of people are engaged to provide care for the patient and their families. A nurse and aide will each separately visit the home several times a week to check on the patient’s wellbeing, ensuring their comfort.

“One patient just wanted to play cribbage with their aide, so they set a date every week,” Osgood said. “It made his day. He looked forward to it every single week.”

Hospice also helps beyond just patient care, as being a caregiver and managing a patient’s medical care can be difficult and overwhelming. The team from hospice can help alleviate those worries and concerns to allow families and friends to enjoy whatever time they have left with their loved ones.

“We’re there to walk you through the process so we can tell you what is happening and what to expect and be that communication liaison between the families and doctors, so everyone is on the same page” Osgood said. “Sometimes we get these families on, and you can just see the wave of pure calm come over them. We’re taking those little things away so that they can be family members instead of just caregivers.”

Hospice does not preclude a patient from seeking aid in dying medicine. Frequently, patients are on hospice at the time they choose to take the medication, and the hospice care team can be present to help at the end, as they would for an unexpected death. While the hospice personnel cannot be present in the home when the patient is taking the medication, after it’s taken, they will provide the patient with any care they need in their final moments.

“As soon as meds are taken, they can go in and provide support, including to the family sitting vigil and make sure that the patient is comfortable while waiting for the medication to take effect,” Osgood explained. “It’s incredible. I think it gives a sense of control back to these people.”

“When you’re losing your independence, going through serious illness, you lose a part of yourself, so having that option of Death with Dignity gives them a measure of control,” she added. 

Aid in dying medicine is “an emerging field of palliative medicine,” noted Reverend Valerie Lovelace, Executive Director of Maine Death with Dignity, a nonprofit organization that provides services, education and advocacy for patients. “It’s just one more tool in the end-of-life toolbox for patients and physicians, if those patients are seeking that kind of support.”

Lovelace explained that in Oregon, one of the states with the oldest aid in dying laws, 90% of patients were on hospice at the time they chose to take the medications. Patients find comfort in having the medication and having a sense of control when their disease has dramatically reduced the control patients have over their lives.

“Not everyone dies well. There’s this idea out there that end-of-life care is sufficient and that it meets everyone’s needs. And the truth is, it doesn’t,” she said. “You only have to work in hospice for a short time to see the other side of things. And so, this meets the needs of people who want to have some control, some say in how long it takes for them to die. There are some patients who say it is palliative just having it. Even if they don’t use it, it’s plan B.”

She added that “a number of patients here in Maine have felt so relieved once they are through the qualification process and they know they can use the medication if they need it. It brings so much relief.”

Maine’s Death with Dignity Act was adopted into law in 2019. It allows terminally ill patients, in conjunction with their physician and a consulting physician, to request medication that would end their life. There are considerations and requirements in the Act, ensuring that patients are appropriately screened so that the decision is being made while the patient is of sound mind and capable of considering the grave consequences.

To qualify for the medication, terminally ill patients whose condition will likely be fatal within six months must make two oral requests to their physician for the life-ending medication, separated by a 15-day waiting period, during which the patient must also submit a separate written request, appropriately witnessed by two others. Some patients may be required to undergo psychological examination as well, to ensure their competence and ability to make a rational decision.

The Maine Death with Dignity Act Statistical Report, an annual report required by the law, reported that while 66 state residents applied to the program in 2024, 48 of those residents died by “patient choice”. Thirteen of the applicants passed away due to their illness before receiving the medications. Applicants represented all 14 Maine counties and were aged from 53 years old to 101 years old. Most of the applications were from patients diagnosed with cancer, while others suffered from ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), heart disease, and COPD. 

For more information about Maine’s Death with Dignity Act, visit www.mainedeathwithdignity.org