Dutchess County Office for the Aging’s AGING NEWS For the week of November 20

 

Dutchess County Office for the Aging’s

AGING NEWS

For the week of November 20

 

Note: the Office for the Aging will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday on 

Thursday, November 23. We will be OPEN our usual hours (9 a.m. – 5 p.m.) on Friday, November 24.

 

Note for Snowbirds: We’re about to mail the Winter edition of the Spotlight on Seniors, but if you’re not going to be around to read the print edition, please respond to this email and let us know when you’ll be back so we can temporarily suspend delivery until then. As always, the electronic version of the Spotlight (and seven years of back issues) will be available at www.dutchessny.gov/aging.

Golden Living . . . News for Senior Citizens

Todd N. Tancredi, Director

Dutchess County Office for the Aging

MAKE 2018 A “BALANCED” YEAR

An average of 900 New York State seniors over age 65 die every year from fall-related injuries. Additionally, 128,000 older New Yorkers require hospital care due to injuries sustained in a fall, and Medicare officials that their cost for treating falls is $31 billion as of 2015. The average hospital cost for a fall-related injury is $30,000, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These are costs that do not account for the long-term effects of fall-related injuries such as disability, dependence on others, lost time from work and household duties, and reduced quality of life.

The more promising news is that you can reduce your risk for falling, with the help of one program based in Dutchess County.

Since February 2015, the Dutchess County Office for the Aging has offered “A Matter of Balance” (MOB) to the community at eight locations countywide. MOB, sponsored locally by Health Quest, is an evidence-based program that addresses fall risk. Each eight-session series helps participants view falls and the fear of falling as something they can control. It also sets realistic goals for increasing activity and changing their environment to reduce fall risk factors.

The program also promotes exercise to increase strength and balance. 2013 research from the Centers for Disease Control has shown participants in “A Matter of Balance” have seen improvement in fall management, fall control, exercise levels and a reduction in monthly falls.

The Office for the Aging is currently taking reservations for MOB classes beginning in the late winter and early spring of 2018. To reserve a space, or to get on a waiting list if the class location you seek is at capacity, call (845) 486-2555.

2018: YEAR OF THE VETERAN

            The Dutchess County Historical Society (DCHS, www.dchsny.org), working with Bard College and their Mobile History Van, will be collecting the thoughts and experiences of the veterans of Dutchess County. These stories are an important part of our shared local history, and will provide invaluable insights into the contributions and sacrifices made by the men and women who have served our country.

            The Historical Society, in partnership with the County Executive’s office, the Division of Veterans Services and Department of History, has begun a yearlong series of events and programs to honor veterans’ service over the past two centuries. They’ll also be working with local municipal historians and historical societies to research the stories of those who served in World War I.

            If you’re interested in participating in the Veterans Oral History program, email bill.jeffway@dchsny.org or mail to DCHS, PO Box 88, Poughkeepsie NY 12601.

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

 

Office for the Aging calendar of events:

Thu 11/30, 11 a.m. – “Enjoying the Holidays Without Weight Gain”

                        With OFA nutrition coordinator Nimesh Bhargava

                        Beacon Senior Friendship Center, 1 Forrestal Heights

                        Call (845) 838-4871 for details

Fri 12/8, 1:30 p.m. – “Enjoying the Holidays Without Weight Gain”

                        With OFA nutrition coordinator Nimesh Bhargava

                        King’s Apartments, 20 Pine Dr., Pawling

                        (845) 486-2555 for details

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 orbjones@dutchessny.gov. All your group needs to provide is a venue that’s accessible and open to the public, with space to set up a projector and screen.  This time of year, we recommend you come up with an alternate presentation date you can make available in case of inclement winter weather.

We feature presentations on Successful Aging, Office for the Aging services, Medicare/Medicaid, senior housing, a wide range of topics related to nutrition, and more!

HELP SENIORS FOR THE HOLIDAYS

            The homebound seniors of Dutchess County need our help more than ever during the winter, and you can do your part to help by volunteering to join our Home Delivered Meals program. The program provides nutritious hot midday meals for homebound seniors on weekdays, along with shelf-stable meals for weekends and emergencies like winter weather preventing our drivers from getting out on the road. We’re in particular need of volunteer delivery drivers on Fridays throughout the county, and any day of the week in eastern Dutchess from Millerton south to Pawling, along with LaGrange, Pleasant Valley and Poughkeepsie. For more information, call (845) 486-2555 or emailnbhargava@dutchessny.gov.

Other aging news online:

 

What you should know about the new shingles vaccine: https://www.consumerreports.org/shingles-vaccine/new-shingles-vaccine-shingrix-what-you-should-know/

The differences between Medicare and Medicaid: https://blog.socialsecurity.gov/is-it-medicare-or-medicaid/

Bill Gates has thrown $100M of his own money into the fight against Alzheimer’s disease: https://www.alz.org/documents_custom/welcome-Bill-Gates.pdf

Maybe you know a way to incorporate mushrooms into a healthy Thanksgiving feast: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/shortcuts/2017/nov/14/can-a-mushroom-a-day-keep-the-doctor-away

Higher levels of glucose in the brain may be connected to more severe dementia: https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/higher-brain-glucose-levels-may-mean-more-severe-alzheimers

Know anybody who’s 106 or older? (We have at least two in Dutchess County, by our most recent educated estimate.) A geneticist is looking for their DNA:https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/13/health/supercentenarians-genetics-longevity.html

A farewell to baseball’s oldest Hall of Famer, Red Sox second baseman Bobby Doerr – who was also the first Hall of Famer to make it to age 99, and the last surviving MLB player from the 1930’s: http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/red_sox/clubhouse_insider/2017/11/bobby_doerr_red_sox_hall_of_fame_second_baseman_dies_at_99?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=socialflow

This week in senior birthdays:

11/20: Actress/singer Kaye Ballard (82)

11/21: Singer/songwriter-pianist Mac Rebennack (a/k/a Dr. John) (77)

11/22: Director/actor Terry Gilliam (Monty Python) (78)

11/23: Composer/conductor Johnny Mandel (92)

11/24: NBA Hall-of-Famer Oscar Robertson (79)

11/25: NFL coach/racing team owner Joe Gibbs (77)

11/26: Comedian/impressionist Rich Little (79)

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

Author: Harlem Valley News