Dutchess County Office for the Aging’s
AGING NEWS
- Overnight Respite Available
- NYS EPIC Works With Medicare Part D
- Town Hall Budget Forum Tonight (12/14)
- Senior Prom Airing on Local Cable
- Senior Housing Applications Being Accepted
- More Aging News Online
Golden Living . . . News for Senior Citizens
Mary Kaye Dolan-Anderson, Director
Dutchess County Office for the Aging
OVERNIGHT RESPITE AVAILABLE
Last month was National Caregiver’s Month, but the demanding role of being a caregiver continues every month of the year. The Dutchess County Office for the Aging’s Family Caregiver Support Program has a limited amount of funding available to assist caregivers of older adults to access and pay for overnight respite at the Vassar-Warner Home Adult Home in Poughkeepsie. This program allows a caregiver to take time off to take care of their own needs, while still feeling assured their loved one is being attended to 24 hours a day.
The Vassar-Warner Home is licensed by the New York State Department of Health to provide respite services at its adult home. They provide 24-hour supervision, three meals a day and an evening snack, some assistance with personal care including bathing and dressing, assistance with medications, laundry and housekeeping services, as well as group and individual activity programs.
To be eligible for this program, the client should be 60 years of age or older, ambulatory with or without the use of a cane or walker, continent or able to manage incontinence, able to make their needs known and not need continual medical or nursing care supervision.
Prior to admission, the client must undergo an assessment of their physical and mental health needs and abilities, as well as an evaluation by a primary care physician to assess the individual’s ability to function in an adult home. If they qualify, they could be eligible for up to 14 days of care in a one year period. Call for more information: (845) 486-2555.
EPIC WORKS WITH PART D
Now that the open enrollment period for Medicare Part D has closed, there is another way to save money on your prescription drug coverage you should explore. EPIC (Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage), is a New York State program that provides supplementary drug coverage and premium assistance for seniors with Medicare Part D. As an added benefit, EPIC enrollees are able change their Part D plan outside of the open enrollment period one time during the year.
EPIC is open to any NYS resident who is age 65 or older and has an income up to $75,000 if single or $100,000 if married. To receive EPIC benefits, you must be enrolled in a Part D plan. EPIC may even help pay the Medicare Part D drug plan premiums for members with income up to $23,000 if single or $26,000 if married. Higher income members are required to pay their own Part D premiums, but EPIC provides premium assistance by lowering their EPIC deductible.
It is very important to show both your EPIC ID card and the Medicare Part D plan card at the pharmacy to receive the maximum prescription benefits.
You can find the application (in many different languages), as well as more information about the program, online at https://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/epic/application_contact.htm or by calling EPIC toll free at 1-800-332-3742. No documentation is required. EPIC verifies information with the Social Security Administration and the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.
Golden Living is prepared by the Dutchess County Office for the Aging, 27 High Street, Poughkeepsie, New York 12601, telephone 486-2555, email: agingservices@dutchessny.gov website:http://www.dutchessny.gov/CountyGov/Departments/Aging/AGIndex.htm
BUDGET FORUM TONIGHT
Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro invites you to his third town hall forum to discuss the 2016 budget and other topics of interest to you, tonight, Monday December 14th at 6 p.m. This free event will take place at Clinton Town Hall, located at 1215 Centre Road (County Rte 18) and is open to the public.
SENIOR PROM ON PUBLIC ACCESS CHANNEL 23
The Office for the Aging’s 20th annual Senior Prom is currently being broadcast on Time/Warner’s Poughkeepsie Public Access Channel 23 throughout the month. Produced again this year by True Video Productions, the program runs two hours long and includes highlights from the October 19th event, including the crowning of the 2015 Duke & Duchess of Dutchess County. Airings will include everyWednesday at 6:30 PM, Fridays at 12 noon, Saturday & Sundays at 11 AM and Mondays at 4PM though December 21st. Watch the Channel 23 schedule for more airings throughout December.
The Senior Prom will also be broadcast on Public Access of Northern Dutchess Area (PANDA) channel 23 during the month and can be live streamed from their website (www.pandatv23.org/ ).
Public Notice of 2015 HCV Waiting List Opening
The City of Poughkeepsie Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program announces the acceptance of pre-applications for housing assistance during the dates of December 14th, 2015 at 9:00 am throughFebruary 29th, 2016 at 11:59 pm. ET.
Applicants can apply at https://www.waitlistcheck.com/NY618
Applications will only be accepted online. Preference will be given to applicants who live or work in Dutchess County.
The Housing Choice Voucher Program assistance covers the rent portion that exceeds approximately 30% of an eligible family’s monthly income. Any and all income-eligible households may submit a pre-application. Acceptance and/or assistance are based on income verification, eligibility requirements and preference factors. Maximum income levels, based on family size are as follows:
| Family Size | Income Limit |
| 1 | $30,350 |
| 2 | $34,700 |
| 3 | $39,050 |
| 4 | $43,350 |
| 5 | $46,850 |
| 6 | $50,300 |
| 7 | $53,800 |
| 8 | $57,250 |
The Housing Choice Voucher Program
The Housing Choice Voucher Program provides tenant-based assistance, in the form of a voucher, to low-income families, seniors and persons with disabilities for rental units chosen by the tenant in the private market. The Housing Authority provides payment directly to participating property owners to offset the cost difference between tenant payments and unit rent. Program applicants choose from a variety of housing options, ranging from apartments, duplexes, single-family homes to townhomes.
Reasonable Accommodation
If you are a person with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation in order to submit an application, please contact the Housing Authority at 845-451-4020.
MORE AGING NEWS ONLINE:
Slowed Walking in Seniors May Signal Alzheimer’s Danger
12/02/2015 04:00 PM EST
Study found higher levels of beta amyloid in brains of those who didn’t move as fast as their peers. Source: HealthDay
Smog Linked to Heart Disease in Seniors
12/01/2015 07:00 PM EST
Study shows higher levels of coarse particulate matter are a problem. Source: HealthDay
Genes May Help Shield Seniors from Mental Decline
11/30/2015 04:00 PM EST
Researchers suggest this allows older adults to continue to contribute to society. Source: HealthDay
Tylenol Is Ineffective Against Flu Symptoms
NICHOLAS BAKALAR
Tylenol had no discernible effect on reducing fever or other symptoms of flu, researches found.
These Stress Management Strategies May Help Prevent Cognitive Impairment Later …
| Tech Times |
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Stress is connected to the progression of mild cognitive impairment, which then increases the risks of developing later life Alzheimer’s disease.
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