TOWN OF SURRY, ME

Mission: To insure that every Surry resident has a neighbor to call on if/when physical, social, or environmental conditions affect their quality of life.

Overview: Thanks to a team of our neighbors, Surry has become a part of the Age-Friendly Coastal Communities initiative. The intent is to match available resources and neighborhood volunteers with members of our community who can benefit from services such as:

• Regular check-in calls. For community members who may feel somewhat isolated and possibly concerned about health or safety, especially during the winter months, this program will allow you to check-in regularly by phone with the Town Office or a neighborhood volunteer.
• Transportation for health care needs. Individuals unable to drive themselves can arrange for neighbor drivers to take them to medical, rehab appointments or pharmacy trips.
• Minor repairs, weatherizing, or chores. For those who need help with activities such as weatherproofing, installing smoke detectors, tweaking plumbing, changing lightbulbs, lifting, minor household repairs, etc.,
• Sand/Salt Bucket delivery During the icy winter season, request a bucket of sand to insure a safe walkway to your mailbox, car, etc…

Volunteer: The NHN planning team is in place to plan and implement some Age-Friendly programs in Surry but residents are needed to connect to their neighbors. If you currently monitor the security of your neighbor, you are a Neighbor Helping Neighbor. Those residents with additional time or talent to share with the community are invited to add their names to the list of us able to provide occasional tasks.

You can help – by joining the team to volunteer as a contact for a friend or neighbor, driving another resident to important health care appointments or using your skills to solve household or outdoor challenges for someone in our community who might benefit – please leave your information with the Town Office at 667-5912 or e-mail agefriendlysurry@gmail.com.

if you are currently in need of check-ins, a ride, or emergency assistance, contact Town Office at 667-5912 or e-mail agefriendlysurry@gmail.com.

Survey Results

• Neighbors Helping Neighbors
• Survey Highlights
• Nearly 10% of adult residents (per 2010 census) completed the survey
• Survey respondents:
• Demographics & Home Issues

1. 62% female / 38% male
2. 49% are 66-79 years of age; 13% are 80 or older
3. 25% live alone
4. 30% need help with minor home chores or repairs
5. 30% know someone who could use services such as household chores and repairs, social calls, food shopping
6. 10% have drafts from windows and doors
7. 60% don’t have backup heating during power outages

• Getting Around

1. 9% use a walker or wheelchair
2. 15% sometimes depend on family, friends or service providers like FIA for transportation
3. 9% cite lack of transportation as reason for not going places they need or want to go
4. 15% stay home because they don’t like going out alone

• Connections

1. 20% of respondents want more interactions with friends and neighbors
2. 3-4% of respondents feel isolated or lonely
3. 13% said they don’t know their neighbors at all
4. When asked to choose top three preferences for interacting with friends and neighbors, a great majority chose in-person contact (92%), followed by social gatherings (61%), phone (36%), email/text (31%) and social media (14%)
5. 5% of respondents don’t have anyone to call in a personal emergency

• Surry’s Future

1. 60% interested in volunteering to help provide services such as check-in calls, transportation and doing minor home chores and repairs
2. 53% would like to see Fitness for Seniors
3. 38% interested in more Lectures/Classes
4. 60% curious about BHHT nature trails in Surry
5. 29% would like to see more accessible walking trails