Many of Maine’s older adults are living independently and thriving. They have strong networks of friends, are active in their communities and have trusted family members who offer needed assistance.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the reality for all older Mainers and far too many have no one to help them when they need it. When the need involves managing money, this can leave older adults vulnerable and at risk of losing their independence.

Thanks to a grant by the John T. Gorman Foundation, Maine’s five Area Agencies on Aging have just launched a statewide program called Money Minders, which is aimed at helping older adults maintain their independence and peace of mind.

The Money Minders program matches trained, supervised, bonded volunteers with adults 55 and older who need help establishing a monthly budget and ensuring that all bills get paid in a timely and accurate manner.

The program is free for clients who meet low- to moderate-income and asset guidelines and other eligibility criteria.

In addition to helping people avoid frauds and scams, volunteers help clients connect to other services they need as they age and offer much-needed socialization to those who are isolated.

The Department of Justice has estimated that 1 in 9 adults 60 and older will be a victim of elder abuse and financial exploitation each year. Financial exploitation is the second most common form of elder abuse. Unfortunately, most financial exploitation crimes are perpetrated by family members or caregivers.

The Money Minders program offers older adults an independent tool to use outside of their family structure and may help inoculate them from predatory frauds and scams. Safeguards have been put in place within the program, including no direct access to client funds, background checks and bonding of volunteers and regular audits by other independent volunteers.

Both clients and volunteers are being recruited. Locally, the contact for Cumberland and York counties is Southern Maine Agency on Aging, Paddy Clark, Money Minders coordinator, 136 U.S. Route 1, Scarborough. To find out more, call 800-427-7411 or 396-6500 or visit www.smaaa.org.

In other notes of interest to seniors, the Lakes Region Senior Center is located at Sunset Ridge Golf Links, 771 Cumberland St. (River Road), Westbrook, near the Windham town line. This is a drop-in center for senior citizens. On Monday, April 21 at 11 a.m., several speakers will present a program of interest. Helen Harvie of In-Home Senior Services will speak about so-called “bucket lists”; Vickie Lane of Photo Doctor discusses keeping memories alive with photos and more; and Donna Duffy, an independent legal associate at Legal Shields will speak on inexpensive access to lawyers. This presentation is free and open to the public. A light lunch will be provided by the speakers.

Kay Soldier welcomes reader ideas for column topics of interest to seniors. She can be reached by email at kso48@aol.com, or write to 114 Tandberg Trail, Windham, ME 04062.