News & Updates
December, 2021
Meet Marie-Therese (MT) Connolly
"There’s just so much potential in this work for improving lives and systems...not just in Maine, but across the country. Being pioneers, creating new programs and studying them, is hard and sometimes messy work. It requires creativity, courage, humility, persistence, flexibility and vision from everyone involved. Which is why I’m so grateful to both EAIME and Maine APS.."
Kathryn Harnish, EAIME Advocate based in Aroostook County, recently had the opportunity to inteview one of EAIME's key partners on our most innovative work. Here is her interview:

As a new member of the EAIME team and someone who feels drawn to helping to solve some of the challenges of elder justice at community and policy levels, I was thrilled to have an opportunity to get to know Marie-Therese (MT) Connolly, a self-described policy wonk completing a book about the elder justice movement, her work in the field of elder justice is renowned. A lawyer, writer, and researcher, MT’s work has been recognized with a MacArthur Foundation Fellowship...and has deeply informed the RISE model, the advocacy-based, harm reduction program that is at the heart of EAIME’s Elder Service Connections partnership with Maine’s Adult Protective Services team. I’m incredibly grateful that MT was able to take time for the thought-provoking discussion that follows.

Read the entire interview here
Addressing Ageism
In 2021, the Maine Council on Aging launched the Power in Aging Project, Building an Age-Positive Maine through Conversation and Action.

This project acknowledges the reality that ageism is a significant barrier to older people being seen as valuable contributors to our economy and society, and leads to less support for systems changes needed to support healthy aging. 
 
As a founder of this initiative, Executive Director of the Maine Council on Aging, Jess Maurer notes: “We believe we can build a more equitable and inclusive Maine with healthier people and communities, and a stronger economy by intentionally addressing age-bias in all its forms."
 
To create a Maine without ageism, we must expand the number of conversations and the kinds of people having them. That’s why a key part of the Power in Aging Project is the Leadership Exchange on Ageism, an intensive, participatory, peer-learning-centered leadership development experience for executive, policy, and community leaders. The goals are to change and enhance our understanding of ageism at all levels, change the way we feel, think, and talk about aging and older people, and inspire us to take action to combat ageism in the institutions and systems in which we operate.
 
Click here to learn more.
"The Power in Aging Project helps people understand their own age-bias, and how age-bias operates in our institutions and systems, and ultimately increases support for systems changes that support healthy aging.” Jess Maurer
Romance Scams
"Romance scams are amazingly effective, with reported losses for older adults totaling more than $139 million in 2020, a 40% increase in just one year. Soberingly, people over the age of 70 also have the highest individual median losses at $9,475. In Maine, 57 individuals reported romance scams with a total loss of $1.5 million in 2020 – that's an average of more than $25,000 each! "
While many romance scams start on dating apps, even more begin on social media – targeting people who aren’t even looking for love with an unexpected friend request or message. The scammer uses a fake profile to connect with the target, building trust and, eventually, the illusion of a deep relationship. Very often, the perpetrator wants to move things offline and suggests engaging by telephone, thereby avoiding some of the built-in protections that exist on social networking platforms. Declarations of undying love and marriage proposals typically ensue.

Continue Reading here.
Restorative Approaches to Elder Justice
From Kelsey Park, Consultant, EAIME

What are the unique challenges and opportunities for using a restorative justice approach to address elder abuse? This is one of many questions I’ve been exploring with staff at EAIME and other colleagues reaching as far as Seattle, WA since I began consulting with EAIME in July.

After having done restorative justice work with youth for the past 6 years, I certainly do not have all the answers. I am, however, fortunate enough to co-learn alongside an incredible team that is open to the self-reflection, curiosity, and dedication needed to even begin answering this kind of complex question.

Curious? Please take the time to check out one of our favorite resources (click here) and keep an eye out in the next newsletter for more on how we are using restorative approaches to elder justice in our work.
Please consider making a year-end contribution to our organization. Your donation allows us to continue to provide services and advocacy to individuals often in dire need through our Martha’s Cottage Program, our education and outreach efforts, and through our Elder Service Connections Program.