Dexter Age Friendly group receives grant for town office stairlift
DEXTER — “The Dexter Age Friendly Community Committee is focused on improving access, safety, and social interaction for the aged and aging residents of Dexter as well as working to enable people of all ages to actively and safely participate in community activities.” That is the committee’s mission statement.
It came to the committee’s attention that many people seeking social resources on the second floor of the Dexter Town Office building are challenged by the long set of stairs to access those services. Although, in the past, the Human Services Director, Jean Jacobs, would meet people downstairs in a “borrowed” office for some service, such as paper work, physically challenged folks were unable to climb the stairs to avail themselves of the clothes closet, the emergency food closet, and the hygiene closet. They were unable to interact independently or confidentially with the tax assessor, code enforcement officer, the Partners for Peace advocate and the utility district officer because the offices for those services are also on the second floor.
Contributed photo
MUCH EASIER ACCESS — Richard Pfirman, Plummer Memorial Foundation president, tests the new stairlift at the Dexter Town Office. The foundation granted $4,600 for a stairlift to improve the safety of those trying to access second floor services.
The services are important. So, too, is maintaining the dignity, independence and confidentiality of those in need. The opportunity to browse in the free clothing closet fosters the ability to obtain needed clothing as well as the chance to connect with other people reducing isolation, a significant problem for people of all ages.
Following application in March, the Plummer Memorial Foundation in Dexter granted $4,600 for a stairlift to improve the safety of those trying to access second floor services in the town office. The money was quickly granted, and the stairlift was installed on March 27.
The mission of the foundation states, “The Plummer Memorial Foundation is a non-profit entity that provides grants aimed at improving the health and well-being of residents served by the former Plummer Memorial Hospital.”
Grants are made only for the “common good” since the foundation’s charter does not permit direct payment to individuals in need. The stairlift is for the common good of many in the community. Within the guideline of “health and well-being,” grants are made to area organizations that serve a significant number of residents who used or would have used Dexter’s Plummer Memorial Hospital, if the hospital were still in existence. Following the hospital’s closing, the Plummer Memorial Foundation was formed using the existing endowment and ongoing contributions to meet today’s mission.
The Dexter Age Friendly stairlift project is consistent with the Plummer Memorial Foundation’s mission. The Plummer Memorial Foundation celebrates its 28th anniversary this year.
People started to use the stairlift almost immediately following installation. As more folks learn about the stairlift, Jacobs expects that it will be used frequently.
The Bruno Electraride Elite Stairlift, purchased and installed by Maine Accessibility Corporation in Hermon, is a heavy-duty commercial unit with a weight capacity of 400 pounds. The sturdy, vinyl covering makes the chair easy to clean and sanitize.
The stairlift is stored at the top of the staircase. There is a doorbell downstairs where you enter the building to alert those upstairs that the stairlift chair is needed at the bottom of the staircase for use.
The Dexter Age Friendly Community Committee is grateful to the Plummer Memorial Foundation for its concern for physically challenged citizens of all ages in Dexter.