For Karen, volunteering with Southern Maine Agency on Aging has become a natural extension of the values that have guided her throughout her life. As both a volunteer and a caregiver, she was looking for a way to stay involved in her community while still having the flexibility to care for her mother. 

“I’ve been impressed with Southern Maine Agency on Aging (SMAA) from the start,” Karen said. “The commitment of staff and other volunteers to SMAA’s mission is outstanding, and aligns with my own values. I’m proud to contribute.” She also appreciated that volunteering fit her life as a caregiver. “When I first started, my mother was living with me. The flexibility of being a volunteer was greatly appealing to me as a caregiver.” 

Today, Karen volunteers with SMAA’s A Matter of Balance program, leading classes that help older adults reduce their risk of falling through practical exercises, home safety strategies, and group discussion. Just as importantly, the classes help participants build confidence, stay socially connected, and maintain their independence. 

“I think most older adults hope to remain independent and age well in their own homes. I know I do,” she said. “A Matter of Balance is an excellent class that makes those goals more feasible.” Watching participants become more confident is one of the most rewarding parts of volunteering for Karen. “All it takes is some simple exercises, a home assessment, and interaction with other people in the class. Peer-to-peer interaction helps people find solutions and not feel alone.” 

She credits SMAA’s training with preparing her for the role. “It helped confirm that it was a good fit for me and gave me the opportunity to interact with other volunteers and SMAA staff.” 

One participant’s transformation has especially stayed with Karen. 

“She had a fall, and she felt she was just lucky to not be injured and didn’t feel like she had the power to change that,” Karen said of a woman who joined the class after several falls. “But today in class she talked about gaining her confidence back. She learned how to change things in her house, gain assertiveness, and manage family expectations. We helped her with that, helping her take back her own power and agency.” 

Moments like these are what Karen finds most rewarding. “I find it gratifying to help folks learn to look at things differently. It’s an important step in managing risks related to aging,” she said. “Especially for someone who’s had a fall or near-fall, actively making simple changes to minimize the risk of another fall can help them become more confident in their own agency.” 

Karen believes that giving back doesn’t have to be complicated. 

“Sometimes simple things have a large impact,” she said. “Take the time to really engage with someone in your neighborhood. So many older adults are isolated. It’s important, and easy, to let them know they’re seen and heard.” 

Karen has always looked for small ways to help the people around her. When she retired to care for her mom, she enjoyed walks through her neighborhood and often found opportunities to lend a hand to older neighbors. 

“I’d see someone struggling to scrape their windshield and I’d say, ‘Hey, can I give you a hand with that?’ You can give the gift of time, which is so precious.” 

Whether she’s leading an A Matter of Balance class or helping a neighbor with a simple task, Karen believes everyone has something to give. Through her volunteer work, she continues to share her time, encouragement, and experience with older adults, helping them build confidence, connect with others, and discover practical ways to remain safe and independent.