Dutchess County Office for the Aging’s AGING NEWS

· Exercise Leaders Wanted

· Senior Walking Groups Reforming for Spring

· Last Chance to Nominate a Senior of the Year

· A Physician’s Perspective on Medical Practice (3/25)

· Important Message for SSP Recipients

· Additional Home Heating Help Available

· Town Hall Forum in Pleasant Valley (3/25)

· Rebuilding Together Accepting Applications (3/31)


Golden Living . . . News for Senior Citizens
Mary Kaye Dolan-Anderson, Director
Dutchess County Office for the Aging

EXERCISE LEADERS WANTED

If you have an interest in senior citizens and physical fitness, you might make a perfect volunteer leader for an Office for the Aging Senior Exercise class. Training workshops have been scheduled for those who want to learn more about the program as well as current leaders looking for a refresher class. The workshops for possible new leaders will take place on Tuesday, April 14th at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 55 Wilbur Boulevard in Poughkeepsie and Tuesday, April 21st at St. John’s Reform Church, 126 Old Post Road in Upper Red Hook. Current leaders are invited to join the April 21st training or a separate session on Friday, April 17th at St. John’s in Poughkeepsie. All of the programs will run between 1PM and 3PM. Call 486-2555 to sign up for a workshop or to find out about how to join an exercise class near you as a participant.

Volunteer coaches are also still needed for the new “A Matter of Balance” fall prevention classes. Training is required to co-lead one of the 8 week classes that meet for 2 hours each week. Call us for more information about the program or a brochure.

SENIOR WALKING/BIKING GROUPS FORMING AGAIN

Another great way to increase your activity levels is to join one of the Office for the Aging’s Senior Walking & Biking Groups which will be kicking off again beginning Tuesday, April 14th at 9 AM on the Walkway Over the Hudson. Everyone is invited to join the walk – there is no need to register, just show up and walk or bike at your own pace. Either way you’ll enjoy the many health benefits that come with regular exercise. The walks are cancelled in the event of heavy rain. Volunteers are needed to be co-leaders for walks in other areas of the Rail Trails. If you are interested, please call (845) 486-2555.

SEARCH IS ON FOR SENIORS OF THE YEAR

The window of opportunity to nominate someone for the 2015 Dutchess County “Senior Citizen of the Year Award” is about to close. Nominations are being accepted through March 27th in the categories of senior male, senior female or the senior citizen couple of the year. The awards are presented at the Celebration of Aging held each May in honor of Older Americans Month. The nomination form and more information are available by calling our office at (845) 486-2555 or you can find a copy of the form online at:
www.co.dutchess.ny.us/CountyGov/Departments/Aging/AgingSOY.pdf
The Celebration of Aging also honors residents of Dutchess County who have achieved incredible feats of aging. Please also let us know of anyone who will be turning 100 or older or celebrating their 70th or greater wedding anniversary during 2015 by calling the phone number above or through email at agingservices@dutchessny.gov

Wednesday, March 25, 2015, 11:30am – 12:30pm

“The Doctor Will See You Now: A Physician’s Perspective on Medical Practice”
Dr. Anthony D’Ambrosio, Health Quest family medicine
110 S. Grand Ave., Poughkeepsie, 11:30am – 12:30pm
Free (voluntary donation gratefully accepted); program and lunch afterwards ($5/person).
Please call 845-471-0430 for more info, lunch reservations, and last-minute schedule changes.

Important Message for Recipients Receiving SSP Benefits as a Direct Deposit!

If you receive your State Supplement Program (SSP) benefits via direct deposit, please note that SSP payments for April 2015 will be deposited on March 24, 2015, rather than on April 1, 2015. This one-time payment schedule change is necessary to accommodate State Fiscal Year 2014-15 closeout activities. This does not change the payment schedule for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or any other benefits issued by the U.S. Social Security Administration. Payments for recipients who receive paper checks are not impacted, and SSP checks will be mailed on the regular schedule. Please call the SSP Customer Support Center at 1-855-488-0541 between 8:30 am and 4:45 pm Monday through Friday if you have any questions.

Additional Home Heating Assistance

Applications for HEAP accepted through March 27

Those in danger of running out of heating fuel or having their utility service shut off can now apply for a second emergency benefit through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). The additional assistance is being made available in light of the prolonged cold weather and additional federal funding awarded to the state. Click here for more information: https://otda.ny.gov/news/2015/2015-03-10.asp

Community Conversations and Town Hall Forums

Dutchess County Executive Marcus J. Molinaro invites you to a town hall forum

Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro continues his series of community conversations and town hall forums to discuss the county issues important to you and your family. Please join us at upcoming event for an open dialogue where you can share your questions and offer your feedback .

Wednesday, March 25th, 6pm
Pleasant Valley Town Hall
1554 Main St. Pleasant Valley, NY 12569
Tuesday, March 31st, 6pm

Bowdoin Park Community Center Auditorium
85 Sheafe Rd. Wappingers Falls, NY 12590
Wednesday, April 8th, 12pm

Fishkill Senior/Recreation Center
793 Route 52 Fishkill, NY 12524
Wednesday, April 15th, 6pm

Pine Plains Town Hall
3284 Route 199 Pine Plains, NY 12567
Tuesday, April 21st, 6pm

Pawling Chamber of Commerce at Pawling Town Hall
160 Charles Colman Blvd. Pawling, NY 12564
Wednesday, April 29th, 6pm

Rhinebeck Town Hall
80 E. Market St. Rhinebeck, NY 12572

Please RSVP to cpillus@dutchessny.gov or call 486-2000.

REBUILDING TOGETHER ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

Rebuilding Together Dutchess County is accepting applications for our no-cost critical home repair programs! If you or someone you know may need our assistance, please encourage them to fill out an application. Interested individuals should apply as soon as possible. The deadline for applications to be considered for Fall Rebuilding Day in October is March 31st, 2015! Visit our website to download an application, or call 845-454-7310 to have one mailed to you. Dutchess County homeowners, especially those who are elderly, living with a disability, military veterans or parents with young children are encouraged to apply.

Not sure if you are eligible? View our homeownership and income requirements here. Suggest our program to your neighbors in need, it may be just the helping hand they were looking for!

Author: Harlem Valley News