Welcome to the Skill Building Series!

Please bookmark this page so you can easily come back to it without filling in the registration form. 

Note: If you are interested in the certificate of Age-Friendly Community Development, you will need to submit your reflections for ten chapters. If you do not want a certificate, we hope you will browse the chapters that are relevant to you.
For more information or to report a technology glitch, email lifelong@maine.edu. 

communication skills

The fundamentals  of ageism. Mary Lou Ciolfi

This chapter explains the basics of ageism and offers definitions and insight into how detrimental it is to our individual and collective health and wellbeing. Information and resources essential for recognizing and reflecting on ageist attitudes towards yourself and others will help you take steps to be less ageist! Topics include: 

Diversity and creating a sense of belonging: Understanding our unique Selves and What we each bring to the table to create community. Arabella perez

This chapter will guide you through an enriching learning experience designed to enhance your understanding of culture, diversity, and the impact these concepts have on our daily lives. The activities are carefully crafted to help you reflect on your own identity, biases, and how they shape your interactions with others. Topics include:

dementia - inclusive communities: What it is. why it matters. how to be it. susan wehry

Dementia inclusion is vital for people living with dementia to live with purpose and meaning in our communities.  In this chapter, you will explore what dementia is, why dementia inclusion matters, and how to become a community where people experiencing cognitive changes can thrive. Topics include: 

helping conversations

Coming soon!

capacity building skills

advocacy - Proactive Action for Change. Mary Krebs

This chapter emphasizes the key role of advocacy in age-friendly.  We explore three key strategies—relationship building, power mapping, and effective messaging—to help you influence policies, programs, and societal attitudes. Topics include:

aging and Mental health - Honoring personal Narratives & Needs. Tom Meuser

Mental health is vital for healthy aging, affecting overall well-being and resilience to age-related challenges. This chapter promotes understanding and support for older adults, emphasizing potential for growth throughout life. Topics include:

To enhance your knowledge about structuring conversations with older residents seeking resources and support, explore "Interviewing for Advocacy: Purposeful Engagement, Respecting Boundaries, & Creating Mutual Direction." Note: Both the Aging and Mental Health and Interviewing Chapters count as one unit to the required 10 chapters to achieve a certificate of completion. 

elder abuse: Awareness, response, action. Elder abuse institute of maine

Elder abuse is a growing yet often invisible problem. The National Council on Aging reports that nearly 1 in 5 older Americans experience some form of abuse. Despite its prevalence, our communities often struggle to acknowledge and address this issue. Topics include: 

Building community muscle - Engaging VOlunteers. Anna Guest

In this chapter you’ll learn about essential components of volunteer engagement, age-friendly strategies for recruitment, and explore a variety of topics to help you strengthen your retention of volunteers.  We’ll discuss how to have difficult conversations, and how to measure and celebrate volunteer impact. Topics include: 

resource coordination

your local Area Agency on Aging - A Collaborator for Aging Well. Carly Williams

This chapter covers Maine's five Area Agencies on Aging (AAA), detailing their services, and how age-friendly communities can tap into these resources. Learn how you can collaborate with your local AAA to enhance the lives of older residents in your community. Topics include:

Resources in Action. Patricia Oh

Unlock the hidden potential of your community! Learn to identify and tap into local resources to create a more age-inclusive community. We will also explore strategies to link older residents with resources that are tailored to the individual's unique goals and preferences. 

partnering & Keeping the energy flowing. Patricia Oh

Partnering in age-friendly communities requires navigating diverse interests, aligning goals, and overcoming resource constraints while maintaining open communication and trust. In this chapter we describe how to identify and engage partners and how to keep collaborations energized. Topics include:

Professional skills and conduct

Boundaries - Honoring Autonomy Between People. Anna Guest

This chapter examines boundaries: their definition, importance, and maintenance in age-friendly communities. Discover resources for self-reflection and boundary-setting, and practice skills to navigate real-life situations effectively. Topics include:

confidentiality - Respecting our Neighbors. Anna GuesT

In this chapter, we’ll explore how to build trust and honor our neighbors’ dignity by practicing confidentiality.  Learn about privacy, protected information, and the importance of confidentiality. Discover strategies to safeguard sensitive information and practice through real-world scenarios. Topics include:

By the Numbers - Data to Show Outcomes and short-term impact. Patricia Oh

Discover the power of data to showcase impact. Learn the different kinds of data that can demonstrate progress and short-term impact, ensuring your efforts are both measurable and meaningful. We will also explore effective data collection methods and introduce logic models as strategic planning tools. Topics include:

Introduction to grant Writing. Mary Krebs

Grant writing is a powerful tool for funding age-friendly programs, services, activities and operational costs. Grants can be leveraged to pilot new ideas and strengthen the work you have already started. Are you new to grant writing? We will explore all the basics and offer some pro-tips!