Mission and History
Mission:
Promoting life-long learning, health, wellness, nutrition, community engagement and social well-being of older adults.
Key Milestones:
One of the founders, Laurence Bagley, participates in a research project, Project Late Start, a research project to determine the needs of older adults for transportation and nutrition.
| 1965 | Older Americans Act passed by Congress. |
| 1972 | Five Area Agencies on Aging designated by Governor. We are the Central Senior Citizens’ Association with services for transportation and take out meals. |
| 1977 | We begin Meals on Wheels, using volunteers only - the first in the state to use this method. |
| 1979 | The Muskie Center developed with a major emphasis on Adult Day Care. |
| Advocacy efforts on the part of the Aging Network and 1,000 older adults results in support for Home Based Care and later Medicaid Waiver home care. Area Agencies administer both of these programs. | |
| Our name is changed to Central Maine Area Agency on Aging to reflect the increased visibility of Area Agencies. | |
| Strategic Planning efforts resulted in decentralized model and community center development | |
| 1988 | Name change to Spectrum Generations reflecting our Strategic Planning response; we need a new easy name reflecting our need for increased visibility as a “one stop resource”. |
| 1992 | Winslow Place began for housing adults with moderate needs. |
| 1996 | Won bid on statewide Assessment project |
| 1996 | William S. Cohen Center opened. |
| Began Senior Connections dba Bridges, offering services for a fee. | |
| 1998 | Assessment Project ends. Benefactor’s generous gift assists in the purchase of One Weston Court as permanent site for the home office. |
| 1999 | Launched Maine’s most prestigious senior show – The Mature Lifestyle EXPO. |
| 2000 | Developed Housing Referrals of Maine under Spectrum Housing. |
| 2001 | Development of the federally mandated Family Caregiver Support Program. |
| 2003 | Bridges merges with Spectrum Generations. |
| 2006 | Strategic Plan approved, assuring our vision and goals through 2010. |
| 2006 | The Muskie Center in Waterville is donated to the organization |