Dutchess County Office for the Aging’s
AGING NEWS
For the week of June 19, 2017
Note: if you’re a northwestern Dutchess resident and would like to volunteer a helping hand for your senior friends and neighbors at this week’s Senior Picnic at Memorial Park in Tivoli, drop a line to outreach coordinator Brian Jones. His contact info is at the end of this email.
Another Note: If you’re a senior who’s made a reservation for the Tivoli picnic, remember that the Broadway (DC route 78) bridge over Stoney Creek is closed for reconstruction. Detours are posted.
Golden Living . . . News for Senior Citizens
Todd N. Tancredi, Director
Dutchess County Office for the Aging
STATE FARMERS MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM RETURNS
Qualifying seniors, including members of the state Senior Nutrition Program, may be eligible this summer to obtain a one-time $20 benefit of New York State Farmers Market Checks, which can be spent at participating farmers markets throughout the state. The benefit comes in the form of five checks worth $4 each, which can be used at markets which have posted signs reading “We Gladly Accept New York State Farmers Market Checks.” The checks will be available in July and can be used until November 30 to buy locally grown fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs from the markets. These include everything from the berries, sweet corn, cucumbers, yellow squash, early peaches and more that are among the many fruits and vegetables starting to come into season now, to the Hudson Valley’s famous apples that come into season in August and the autumn. The checks cannot be used for non-produce items including cider, honey, maple syrup, eggs or baked goods. All qualifying seniors must sign for the checks, which cannot be mailed.
If you have questions about your eligibility, the locations of participating local markets, or how the program works, contact the state’s senior hotline at (1-800) 342-9871 or the Dutchess County Office for the Aging at (845) 486-2555.
SUMMER IS SENIOR SCAM SEASON
Scams involving paving, driveway sealing and other kinds of outdoor work are prevalent at this time of year. They’re just a few of many common scams targeting the elderly population, who tend to be home during the day to answer the door, or the phone when a scammer calls. Traditionally, the perpetrators of the paving scam will show up unannounced and advertise that they can do paving and/or other work at a significant discount. Sometimes they will say they can offer a reduction in cost as they are in the neighborhood working on another job and have “leftover” material. They will usually ask for a cash deposit, and once it has been paid, chances are they disappear with the money.
Another common scam involving fake contractors is the “distraction” scam. This one involves at least two participants: one to lure an unwary senior out of the home to look at supposed areas that need repair, the other to sneak into the home to steal valuables.
These crimes victimize not only seniors, but legitimate contractors as well. If you think a scammer is working your neighborhood, note their vehicle’s plate number and get in touch with local law enforcement. They’re well-versed in identifying scammers and their tactics.
If you’re planning on getting work done at your home to improve your chances of successfully aging in place, check contractors’ references, ask your municipal government about contractors’ licensing necessities…and don’t pay cash, unless perhaps you’ve got a grandchild who mows your lawn.
Golden Living is prepared by the Dutchess County Office for the Aging, 27 High Street, Poughkeepsie, New York 12601, telephone (845) 486-2555, email: ofa@dutchessny.gov website: www.dutchessny.gov/aging
Upcoming Office for the Aging events and presentations:
Tue 6/20, 9 a.m. – Senior Walking Group (Poughkeepsie), weather permitting
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 or to form your own group
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 until the end of August, 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!
SENIOR PICNIC NEWS
As of Friday 6/16, the only Office for the Aging Senior Picnic that’s booked solid is the 6/28 picnic for residents of the Town of Wappinger and Village of Wappingers Falls.
There are only a few spots left for this Wednesday’s (6/21) Senior Picnic at Memorial Park in Tivoli for residents of the towns of Red Hook, Rhinebeck and Milan. If you are a 60+ resident of one of those three towns, or the villages of Red Hook, Rhinebeck or Tivoli, call (845) 486-2555 to reserve a spot.
There are still spaces available for seniors at all subsequent Senior Picnics in July and August:
o July 12 for residents of Hyde Park and Clinton, at Fran Mark Park in Salt Point;
o July 19 for residents of Beacon, at Memorial Park;
o August 2 for residents of Pleasant Valley, at Cady Field;
o August 9 for Town of Poughkeepsie residents, at Bowdoin Park;
o August 16 for residents of Beekman and LaGrange, at Freedom Park;
o August 23 for East Fishkill residents, at the Route 376 town recreation complex;
o August 30 for City of Poughkeepsie residents, at Waryas Park.
Three other picnics have already taken place, in Wingdale, Fishkill and Pine Plains. For more information, call the Office for the Aging at (845) 486-2555.
MEDICAL RESERVE CORPS: LEARN FIRST AID FOR YOUR PET
The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) of Dutchess County will partner with the Dutchess County Animal Response Team (DCART) to offer Pet First Aid training on Thursday, June 22nd, at 7 p.m., at the Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response, 392 Creek Road in Poughkeepsie. The training is free and open to the public, but registration prior to the event is required.
For more information about the Medical Reserve Corps, or to register, please contact MRC Coordinator Joe Ryan at (845) 486-2493 orjryan@dutchessny.gov. For information on upcoming trainings, visit www.dutchessny.gov/mrc. The Medical Reserve Corps of Dutchess County is part of a national network of more than 200,000 volunteers dedicated to supporting public health infrastructure as well as disaster preparedness and response in the community. Both medical professionals and non-medical volunteers are needed.
“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.
Other aging news online:
A bit of running…or even brisk walking…may be good for your back. Consult your doctor before heading out, though: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/07/well/move/why-running-may-be-good-for-your-back.html?emc=eta1&_r=0
It is extraordinarily rare that a nursing home is raided by police, but it happened this past week upstate in Syracuse: http://www.syracuse.com/crime/index.ssf/2017/06/syracuse_nursing_home_raided_by_ny_investigators_was_previously_cited_for_27_vio.html
There’s a very good chance a lot of your recently-born grandchildren will make it to 100. That’s going to mean one very busy Office for the Aging in 2117:https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/jun/04/job-opportunities-should-not-wither-as-we-age
This week in senior birthdays:
6/19: Author/academic Salman Rushdie (70)
6/20: Singer/songwriter Brian Wilson (75)
6/21: Character actor Bernie Kopell (84)
6/22: Singer/songwriter/actor Kris Kristofferson (81)
6/23: US Supreme Court justice Clarence Thomas (69)
6/24: Guitarist/songwriter Jeff Beck (73)
6/25: TV/stage actress June Lockhart (92)
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
