We’re all familiar with 911 – the emergency phone number, but do you know what 211 is and when you should use it?

This was one of the questions raised at a meeting held last week at Unity Gardens senior living facility in Windham.

Hosted by Southern Maine Agency on Aging, the focus of the meeting was to get some dialogue going in order to find out a little more about the senior community, what they need and what is available that they may not be aware of. Local town government officials, senior citizens and other interested parties were invited to participate.

Those who did attend included a couple of dozen senior citizens, representatives from Southern Maine Agency on Aging, Sen. Bill Diamond and local pastor Sally Colegrove from Windham Hill United Church of Christ. Several of the town’s churches have a program called Monday Meals, which has become very popular among the residents.

Larry Gross, who heads up Southern Maine Agency on Aging, focused on perceived needs and shared information on the services offered by the agency to senior residents of Cumberland and York counties.

One area those in attendance thought should be publicized more is the nationwide 211 service. This iniative, a collaboration among several agencies, serves the community as a hotline. By dialing 211 in an emergency, the caller will be referred to an agency that will help. This is not a replacement for 911, which is for public safety. Many of those at the meeting were unaware of the 211 service. Gross pointed out that Southern Maine Agency on Aging is the agency of referral for 211 elder issue calls including everything from where to get fuel in an emergency to how to deal with a housing problem.

Some of the other issues that affect the elderly raised by those in attendance included:

• Fuel assistance, including what to do when a person has no fuel and is cold.

• Local disaster plan – is there one?

• How to bring seniors together.

• Programs/activities specifically for seniors.

• Local municipalities plan for future senior needs.

• Is Medicare changing in 2008 and what are the changes?

• Who do you call for help around the house?

• Lack of affordable housing including rentals.

• Lack of housing designed for small households.

• Transportation to and from medical appointments, shopping.

• How to get other information.

Getting seniors to band together and/or form a group, may be the solution to some of these issues. Many communities have an informal group of seniors who plan activities and share information.

In the town of Windham, there are four senior citizen housing sites with a total of less than 150 apartments or units, but most of the senior citizens continue to live in their own home. There is a waiting list for all of the senior housing facilities.

According to Southern Maine Agency on Aging, Windham has 2,000 residents older than 60. More than 450 of these – about one-fourth – have used services provided by the agency.

Statistics show that in the past year, the agency delivered Meals on Wheels to 65 residents daily, served 63 others at the Senior Meal site, provided information, caregiver assistance and advocacy to 318 and provided house repair help, grocery shopping and financial advice (Money Minders) to another 11 people.

Seven senior volunteers spent more than 690 hours providing assistance through the RSVP (Retired & Senior Volunteer Program).

As a result of this meeting, some of the community’s services will be looked into and perhaps some senior forums will be set up to share information.

To sign up for Senior News, a free bi-monthly newspaper from Southern Maine Agency on Aging, contact Bonnie at 396-6526 or bcraig@smaaa.org.

To sign up for the Senior Voice, a free bi-monthly newspaper about Windham’s senior services and issues, contact Sherri Holtan at 892-1905 or e-mail Kay Soldier at kso48@aol.com.