Dutchess County Office for the Aging’s
AGING NEWS
For the week of June 12, 2017
Golden Living . . . News for Senior Citizens
Dutchess County Office for the Aging
THE HEAT IS ON (PART 2 OF 2)
It pays to be prepared for the heat of summer, even if you think you’re accustomed to it. The heat can get to any person of any age, but older people are more susceptible to heat’s effects for many reasons. Older people generally do not adapt to sudden changes in temperature as well as younger people, and here in Dutchess County this spring we’ve had our share of cool, wet days followed quickly by temperatures in the 90s.
Additionally, some medications may affect your body’s temperature regulation, also known as thermoregulation. Some chronic health conditions, especially thyroid disorders, also interfere with thermoregulation. Even the process of digesting food can affect thermoregulation.
If you don’t have air conditioning at home, it will be helpful if you can get to an air-conditioned place like a movie theatre, shopping mall, senior center, or library. A house fan offers only partial respite from the heat, because it’s simply moving hot air from place to place unless cooler air is somehow being brought inside. If your home is as hot inside as it is outside, a fan will not help prevent heat-related illnesses. Opening windows at night and closing them in the early morning will prevent some hot air from getting into your house, but that’s also only a partial solution. More helpful are cool baths or showers, or even a tub full of cool water to soak your feet in. Cool water removes heat 25 times faster than cool air. If your grandchild wants to go down to a stream and wiggle his toes in the mud with you, take advantage of the opportunity!
If your home has an attic exhaust fan, run that as well. Attics can heat up to well over 120 degrees in the mid-summer, and the attic fan will move this extremely hot air out of your house. In much the same way, a box fan placed in an upstairs window with the fan blowing out will draw cooler air up from downstairs and force warm air to the outside.
When you go outside, wear light and loose-fitting clothing. Light-colored clothing reflects sunlight away from you. Drink plenty of fluids, but stay away from alcohol and caffeine, both of which have dehydrating properties. Take frequent breaks in a cool or shady area, and hold off on more strenuous outdoor activities until it’s cooler, especially if the heat comes with humidity.
The Office of the Aging is doing its best to minimize the effects of heat at our summertime Senior Picnics. All our picnics take place under the shade of tents or pavilions. This year we scheduled the picnic at Waryas Park for City of Poughkeepsie seniors to be held in late August rather than late July as in previous years. Our check of weather records indicates Poughkeepsie temperatures in late August average six degrees cooler than late July.
For more information on all the Senior Picnics, call the Office for the Aging at (845) 486-2555.
Golden Living is prepared by the Dutchess County Office for the Aging, 27 High Street, Poughkeepsie, New York 12601, telephone 486-2555, email: ofa@dutchessny.gov website: http://www.dutchessny.gov/aging
“ORGANIZING 101” AT MIDHUDSON REGIONAL HOSPITAL (FRI 6/23)
There’s a “secret” to getting organized, strategies to get you started organizing, and myths to dispel…find out more about all that at a free educational program at MidHudson Regional Hospital (241 North Rd., Poughkeepsie), Friday, June 23 from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m., presented by Collen Ashe of Ashe Organizing Solutions. The program will be held at the Atrium at the hospitals Sr. M. Ann Elizabeth Conference Center. It’s a free presentation but space is limited, so reserve a spot by calling (845) 483-5551.
Upcoming Office for the Aging events and presentations:
Mon 6/12, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Health Fair at Tally Ho Estates
Tally-Ho Drive (off Route 22), Dover Plains
OFA will be there 9 a.m. – noon
(845) 486-2555 for information
Tue 6/13, 9 a.m. – Senior Walking Group (Poughkeepsie)
Meet at the Washington St. entrance to the Walkway over the Hudson
Walkers step off at 9 a.m. sharp every Tuesday
Call (845) 486-2555 for more information
Thu 6/15, 11 a.m. – Losing Weight and Keeping It Off
With OFA nutrition coordinator Nimesh Bhargava
South Amenia Senior Friendship Center, 229 South Amenia Rd., Wassaic
(845) 486-2555 for information
Friday 6/16, 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. – World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2017
(booked solid, but with waiting list spots available)
Poughkeepsie Elks Lodge #275, 29 Overocker Rd., Poughkeepsie
weaad@evercare.org or (845) 485-1277 for information
Tue 6/27, 11 a.m. – Losing Weight and Keeping It Off
With OFA nutrition coordinator Nimesh Bhargava
Rhinebeck Senior Friendship Center, 1232 NY 308, Rhinebeck (Rock City)
(845) 486-2555 for information
Mon 8/7, 2 p.m. – “Successful Aging” at Pawling Library
11 Broad St., Pawling
With OFA outreach coordinator Brian Jones
(845) 486-2555 for more information
To request an Office for the Aging presentation for your senior, social and/or civic group, get in touch with outreach coordinator Brian Jones at (845) 486-2555 or bjones@dutchessny.gov. All you need provide is a venue that’s accessible and open to the public, and a space to set up a projector and screen. Keep in mind that during the summer, most of our Wednesdays are occupied with Summer Senior Picnics.
We feature presentations on Successful Aging, Office for the Aging services, a wide range of topics related to nutrition, and more!
Other aging news online:
Phil Collins is healing up after a fall last week, in which he hit his head, forced the postponement of two concerts. Think of this as a reason to look into our “A Matter of Balance” classes, Phil. And the rest of you, too, if you’re concerned about falls: http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/7825423/phil-collins-postpones-royal-albert-hall-head-injury
This week in senior birthdays:
6/12: Singer-songwriter Vic Damone (89)
6/13: Actor/comedian Tim Allen (64)
6/14: Brooklyn/LA Dodgers pitcher Don Newcombe (91)
6/15: Actor/singer Jim Belushi (63)
6/16: Writer Joyce Carol Oates (79)
6/17: Singer/songwriter Barry Manilow (74)
6/18: Singer/songwriter Paul McCartney (74)
Brian Jones
Outreach Coordinator
Dutchess County Office For the Aging
27 High Street
Poughkeepsie NY 12601
Phone: (845) 486-2555 Fax: (845) 486-2571
Email: bjones@dutchessny.gov
