Dutchess County Office for the Aging’s
AGING NEWS
For the week of July 31
Golden Living . . . News for Senior Citizens
Todd N. Tancredi, Director
Dutchess County Office for the Aging
YOUR CHANCES TO SPEAK UP
We need your input to help us understand your concerns on aging issues and hear your opinions and feedback on our current services.
To ensure that your voices are part of the discussion on Office for the Aging services, we will hold two Public Hearings this fall. The public hearing is a great opportunity for older adults, caregivers and other interested individuals to ask questions and offer comments on aging services in general. Both public hearings begin at 11:00 AM. Please plan to join us at the one nearest you and help us spread the words to your friends around the county:
Wednesday, September 27th
East Fishkill Senior Friendship Center
890 Route 82, Hopewell Junction
Thursday, October 5th
Interfaith Towers
66 Washington St., Poughkeepsie
If you are unable to attend either Public Hearing, you can email your comments to ofa@dutchessny.gov, or mail written comments to the Dutchess County Office for the Aging, 27 High Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601.
“A MATTER OF BALANCE” FALL CLASSES
The Office for the Aging is now accepting applications for the autumn session of our “A Matter of Balance” falls-prevention program, sponsored by Health Quest. Fall classes begin in September in Dover Plains, Fishkill, Pleasant Valley, Town and City of Poughkeepsie, Rhinebeck and Wappinger Falls, with specific locations and class dates provided to those who are accepted into a class.
Class size is limited to 14 participants, chosen in order of application date. Anyone interested must complete and return an application to the Office for the Aging. You can get an application by calling the OFA at (845) 486-2555, or find a printable version on the web at www.dutchessny.gov/matterofbalance. A winter/spring 2018 series of classes is also in the planning stages. Interested seniors who are not called for the fall classes will be eligible for the winter/spring series. The Office for the Aging encourages seniors to participate in “A Matter Of Balance” if they are concerned about falling, have fallen before, restrict their activities because of concerns about falling, or are interested in improving balance and flexibility. Participants must be age 60 or older, ambulatory and able to problem-solve.
In the meantime, the National Council on Aging recommends six steps seniors can take to prevent falls:
o find a good balance and exercise program;
o talk to your health care professional about your risk for falling;
o regularly review your medications with your doctor or pharmacist;
o get your hearing and vision checked annually;
o keep your eyeglasses’ prescription up to date; and
o maintain a safe home, talking to family members about home safety improvements.
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 8/8, 11 a.m. – Food Safety At The Grill (And In Your House)
Rhinebeck Senior Friendship Center, 1232 NY 308, Rhinebeck
With OFA nutrition coordinator Nimesh Bhargava
(845) 486-2555 to find out more
Thu 8/3, 11 a.m. – Food Safety At The Grill (And In Your House)
East Fishkill Senior Friendship Center, 890 NY 82, Hopewell Junction
With OFA nutrition coordinator Nimesh Bhargava
(845) 486-2555 to learn more
Sun 8/6, 11 a.m.–7 p.m. – OFA booth at the 9th annual “La Guelaguetza” festival
Waryas Park, Poughkeepsie
More info: www.facebook.com/pokguelaguetza
Mon 8/7, 11 a.m. – Food Safety At The Grill (And In Your House)
Pawling Senior Friendship Center, 154 Charles Colman Blvd.
With OFA nutrition coordinator Nimesh Bhargava
(845) 486-2555 to find out more
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
Thu 8/17, 1 p.m. – “Successful Aging” at North East-Millerton Library
75 Main St., Millerton
With OFA outreach coordinator Brian Jones
(845) 486-2555 for more information
Tue 9/12, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. – USA Parties (reservations required)
At all Office for the Aging Senior Friendship Centers
(845) 486-2555 for more information
Sat 9/23, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – The Golden Gathering
Arlington High School
1157 Route 55, LaGrangeville
(518) 455-2945 for vendor participation information
(845) 229-0106 for any other questions
More details: https://go.usa.gov/xNedE
Wed 9/27, 11 a.m. – Office for the Aging Public Hearing
East Fishkill Senior Friendship Center
890 Route 82, Hopewell Junction
(845) 486-2555 for more information
Thursday, October 5, 11 a.m. – Office for the Aging Public Hearing
Interfaith Towers
66 Washington Street, Poughkeepsie
(845) 486-2555 for more information
Mon 10/16, 12 noon – The Senior Prom
This year’s theme: “School Days”
Villa Borghese, 70 Widmer Rd., Wappingers Falls
Details and signup form in the upcoming fall Spotlight on Seniors (out in late August/early September)
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!
“HEAP” COOLING ASSISTANCE SEASON ENDS AUGUST 4 (THIS FRIDAY)
This summer’s Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) cooling benefit season began on May 1, and with six more weeks of summer still to come it’s this year’s last chance to apply for the benefit. To find out if you qualify, check the requirements listed at this link:http://www.ny.gov/services/apply-heap#cooling-assistance
Other aging news online:
Advice for seniors turns out to be a lot like advice for kids – eat right, get off the couch, get good sleep, stay in school, etc…http://www.nextavenue.org/pediatrics-aging-well/
In the UK, more advocacy for Alzheimer’s research: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/19/alzheimers-disease-death-old-people-science#comment-102390218
Windows users, get ready to say goodbye to Paint: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/jul/24/microsoft-paint-kill-off-after-32-years-graphics-editing-program?CMP=twt_gu
Japan’s usual retirement age is in the 60-65 age but there’s a proposal there to raise it to 75: http://ktla.com/2017/07/23/as-aging-population-strains-senior-care-in-japan-the-elderly-take-care-of-each-other/
Chemotherapy has a reputation for causing hair loss – but in this small case, it turned gray hair dark instead: http://www.detroitnews.com/story/life/wellness/2017/07/21/cancer-drugs-hair-color-change/103888048/
If you feel like traveling to check out the total solar eclipse coming up in August, you’ve got quite the drive in front of you from New York (and the hotels were booked ages ago): https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/eclipse-towns-planning/?ex_cid=538fb
This week in senior birthdays:
7/31: Jets defensive lineman Gerry Philbin (76)
8/1: Former U.S. senator Al D’Amato (79)
8/2: Musician/songwriter/Hudson Valley resident Garth Hudson (The Band) (79)
8/3: Singer/actor Tony Bennett (91)
8/4: Mets outfielder Cleon Jones (75)
8/5: Actress Loni Anderson (72)
8/6: Science fiction author Piers Anthony (83)
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
