Rarely used fund can help seniors with dentures, eyeglasses and hearing aids

Applicants must be 65 years of age or older, have a financial need at or below 175 percent of federal poverty level. (Courtesy photo)

LEBANON - Town officials announced on Monday that a little-known town endowment fund is available to help needy seniors with certain health-related expenses like hearing aids, eyeglasses and dentures.

The Virge Atkins Fund was developed through a bequest by Lebanon resident Virge V. Atkins to Home Health Visiting Nurses, now called Maine Health Care at Home. This fund is to be used for the benefit of elderly residents of the Town of Lebanon, "including but not by way of limitation, the purchase of eyeglasses, hearing aids, dentures, and the like."

The fund is administered by Maine Health Care at Home. Applicants must be 65 years of age or older, have a financial need at or below 175 percent of federal poverty leveld, and be residents of Lebanon. Application forms can be found on the town website or at the Town Hall.

For confidential inquiries, call Lynne Davis-Gilmore at the Town Office at 207-457-6082 Ext. 110. Residents may also call Virginia Dohse at Maine Health Care at Home at 800-660-4867. Last year this fund assisted three Lebanon residents with hearing aids, dentures and eyeglasses.

Other health-related services may also be covered.