About

Who We Are

AgingME is a five-year initiative dedicated to improving health outcomes for older adults. We do this by strengthening the geriatrics workforce through education, training, and system transformation. The University of New England and the University of Maine partner with other key organizations throughout the state.

What We Do

Microcredentials in Geriatrics for Direct Care Workers

AgingME will offer three stackable badges to become a “Geriatrics Specialist.” The badges will be accredited by Southern Maine Community College, recognized by employers, and support career advancement for Direct Care Workers.

Statewide Dementia Inclusion Projects

In partnership with Lifelong Fellows and Community Connectors, AgingME implements dementia inclusion projects to reduce stigma around dementia and promote healthy brain aging.

Social Prescribing & Community Engagement

AgingME promotes Social Prescribing, an initiative to improve health through connection with community and non-clinical approaches. The goal of social prescribing — whether through art, music, movement, nature, or service — is to unite people and their communities, based on strong evidence that connection has direct implications for both physical and mental health alike.

Rural Placements for Health Professions Students

To strengthen the rural workforce, AgingME partners with Lifelong Fellows, Northern Light, and the Area Health Education Centers to offer students more experiential learning opportunities in rural Maine, with the hope that they will return to rural areas upon completion of their training programs.

What is GWEP?

GWEP stands for Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program. Maine’s GWEP — known as AgingME — is one of 42 GWEP programs nationwide funded by the Human Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). GWEP programs aim to educate and train healthcare and supportive workforce members to better meet the needs of older adults. AgingME aims to create a more age-friendly health system by better preparing an age-capable workforce, transforming primary care practices, and engaging and empowering older adults to speak up and advocate for their health care needs.

These efforts are accomplished through various partnerships. AgingME is partnering with academic institutions, health care organizations, and community-based programs to provide knowledge and skills to improve the quality of health care received by Maine’s older adults. In this round of funding, AgingME will be focusing these efforts in rural, underserved, and tribal communities.

What is our goal?

We teach individuals what matters most when caring for older adults.

  1. We develop reciprocal partnerships between academic, primary care sites/delivery systems, and community-based programs to transform clinical training sites to be age-friendly and dementia-friendly.
  2. We deliver knowledge and skills to patients, families, caregivers, and direct-care workers to improve health outcomes for older adults.
  3. We provide immersive learning experiences for current healthcare students in tribal, underserved, or rural communities, with the hope that they will return to work in these locations upon completion of their program.
  4. We develop innovative trainings and curriculum to support career advancement and continuing education.

What are some projects being funded by the grant?

We have a lot going on here at AgingME! Below are some of the projects we’re working on:

PROJECT LIST COMING SOON!

Last updated: 11/13/2025