For the first time in years, a statewide effort is underway to hear from Maine’s older persons about the issues that are important to them.

The 2006 Blaine House Conference on Aging, coordinated by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Elder Services, has been scheduled for Sept. 21 at the Augusta Civic Center.

According to Brenda Harvey, commissioner of Human Services, “Maine is demographically the oldest state in the nation-and is quickly growing older. By 2020, one in five Mainers will be age 65-plus. We need to continue exploring the best ways to serve our aging citizens, as well as the contributions they offer us.”

With the theme “Re-Imagining Aging,” the conference will include 200 delegates from around the state. At the conference, the delegates will vote on resolutions addressing important aging issues.

The conference is more than a one-day event. It is part of a process designed to actively involve Maine’s older persons. Toward that end, Maine’s five Area Agencies on Aging are hosting 15 regional forums statewide during the month of August.

The purpose of these forums is to hear directly from the grassroots and ensure that their recommendations are considered at the conference in September. Issues such as Healthy Aging, Elder Safety and Protection, Creative Housing/Services, Caregivers of Long Term Care Services, Community Involvement and Volunteerism, Transportation and other important issues will be considered. The regional forums will also select delegates to attend the conference.

The schedule of regional forums is below.

Hosted by Aroostook Area Agency on Aging:

Aug. 21 (Monday), Northern Maine Community College, Presque Isle, 9 a.m. to noon.

Aug. 22 (Tuesday), University of Maine at Fort Kent, 1-4 p.m.

Aug. 23 (Wednesday), Regional Hospital, Houlton 1-4 p.m.

Hosted by Eastern Area Agency on Aging:

August 21 (Monday), Methodist Home, Calais, 1-4 p.m.

August 22 (Tuesday), Dover-Foxcroft YMCA, 9 a.m. to noon

August 23 (Wednesday), Meadow View Apartments, Ellsworth, 9 a.m. to noon

August 24 (Thursday), Freeses Assisted Living, Bangor, 1-4 p.m.

August 30 (Wednesday), Stearns Assisted Living, Millinocket, 9 a.m. to noon

Hosted by SeniorsPlus:

August 15 (Tuesday) Marion T. Morse Community Center, Lisbon, 9 a.m. to noon.

August 22 (Tuesday), SeniorsPlus Community Center, Wilton, 8:30-11:30 a.m.

August 24 (Thursday), Four Seasons Function Center, South Paris, 9 a.m. to noon.

Hosted by Senior Spectrum:

August 15 (Tuesday), William Cohen Community Center, Hallowell, 9 a.m. to noon

August 17 (Thursday), Lincoln Academy, Newcastle, 9 a.m. to noon

Hosted by Southern Maine Area Agency on Aging:

August 22 (Tuesday), York County Community College, Wells, 10 a.m.

August 24 (Thursday), Southern Maine Agency on Aging, Scarborough, 10 a.m.

To RSVP or for more information, please call 1-877-ELDERS1