Dutchess County Office for the Aging’s
AGING NEWS
For the week of March 19
Golden Living . . . News for Seniors, Their Families and Caregivers
Todd N. Tancredi, Director
Dutchess County Office for the Aging
MARCH 27th IS DIABETES ALERT DAY
March 27th is Diabetes Alert Day, the perfect time to learn more about the symptoms of diabetes, particularly the Type II variety which often arises after age 40, and the lifestyle choices that can put you at a higher risk for developing the disease.
Type II diabetes occurs when your body no longer produces enough insulin to transform the sugar in your blood into energy. This causes a high blood sugar level. Over time, the high blood sugar damages your blood vessels and nerves and can result in severe complications, such as amputations, blindness, stroke, heart disease, kidney failure, and nerve damage. The only way to be certain of your diabetes status is to ask your doctor to order a blood test. If you have already been diagnosed with pre-diabetes or diabetes, there is a wealth of information about living with the disease on the American Diabetes Association website (www.diabetes.org).
As of 2015, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that over 30 million Americans are currently living with diabetes, and another 84 million have a condition known as pre-diabetes. Among the warning signs are: extreme thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, blurry vision, slow healing wounds, tiredness, and numbness or a “pins and needles” feeling in the extremities.
For the first time, the CDC now reports county-level data on diabetes, and our local numbers are not encouraging. In 2004, an estimated 14,000 Dutchess County residents had diabetes, which was approximately 6.6 percent of the adult population. By 2013, the most recent year for which the CDC provides data, the number of diabetes cases in Dutchess had jumped to over 21,000. That’s nearly 10 percent of the adult population. To further illustrate the extent of the diabetes crisis, even this high rate of diabetes is among the lowest 10 diabetes rates in all of New York State’s 62 counties.
On the brighter side, the CDC’s numbers also show that the incidence of diabetes and number of cases peaked in 2010-11 and was trending downward since then. We will be watching the data for more recent years with great interest, when it’s released.
But let’s return to the factors that put you at risk for diabetes, and the factors you can control.
You are at higher risk for developing diabetes if you are over 40; have a family history of diabetes; gave birth to a baby weighing over 9 pounds; or are of Hispanic, Asian, African or Aboriginal descent.
The risk factors you can control are easy to understand – and the time to act is now. The Dutchess County Department of Behavioral and Community Health (DBCH), with HRHCare and Mental Health America of Dutchess County, will offer Diabetes Self-Management Classes on Tuesdays from 1:30 to 4 p.m., meeting weekly from March 20 until April 24th. The classes will be held at the DBCH, 85 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 106, in the City of Poughkeepsie. For further information, or to register, call Marlene Taylor at(845) 473-2500, ext. 1309 or email mtaylor@MHADutchess.org.
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 upcoming events:
Mon 3/19, 10 a.m.-noon –“County Government On The Road”
With County Executive Marcus J. Molinaro (and representatives of many other departments of county government)
Red Hook Senior Friendship Center (59 Fisk St.)
(845) 486-2555 for more information
Wed 3/21/18, 11:30 a.m. – “Successful Aging”
With OFA outreach coordinator Brian Jones
At “Lunch and Learn”, Temple Beth-El
118 South Grand Ave., Poughkeepsie
(845) 486-2555 for details
Thu 3/22, 11 a.m. – “Heart Health”
With OFA nutrition coordinator Nimesh Bhargava
East Fishkill Senior Friendship Center (890 NY 82)
Thu 3/29, 12 noon – “Reversing Heart Disease”
With OFA nutrition coordinator Nimesh Bhargava
Town of Poughkeepsie Senior Center (14 Abe’s Way)
Mon 5/21, 12 noon – The Celebration of Aging
Villa Borghese, 70 Widmer Rd., Wappinger
Tickets $25/person until April 27, $40/person after
Free for all Dutchess residents who will turn 100 or more in 2018, plus one guest
Free for all Dutchess-resident couples married 70+ years in 2018
Call (845) 486-2544 or email bjones@dutchessny.gov to find out more
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 wheelchair-accessible and open to the public, with space to set up a projector and screen. We have our own projector and screen – but if you have those, let us know.
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!
SO WHY’S THE AGING NEWS HERE ON SUNDAY?
We timed the “Aging News” to arrive in your inbox a day early this week, on Sunday the 18th, so that you’ll be better equipped to take advantage of the first County Government on the Road event of 2018, happening on Monday the 19th at the Red Hook Community Center, 59 Fisk St., from 10 a.m. to noon. OFA and many other county departments will be represented there, so if you’re a northern Dutchess resident who wanted to ask questions of county officials face-to-face but were unable to make the drive to Poughkeepsie, this will be your first of many opportunities to advocate for yourself in your own back yard.
At 11 a.m. at this event, you’ll be able to hear an overview of the 2018 State of the County, participate in an open conversation with County Executive Molinaro, and share your feedback about the issues important to you and your family!
Whether you like having the Aging News arrive on Sunday, or whether you prefer Monday delivery…or even some other day of the week…let Aging News editor and OFA outreach coordinator Brian Jones know by responding to this email. We welcome all constructive feedback.
CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP MEETS MONDAY (3/19) IN POUGHKEEPSIE
If you’re a member of the “sandwich generation” – that is, somebody who’s taking care of elderly family member(s) and kids – there’s a support group for caregivers in your situation that meets on the third Monday of every month from 5 to 6 p.m. at the “2 Thorne” conference room at MidHudson Regional Hospital (241 North Rd., Poughkeepsie). The next meeting takes place on Monday, March 19. Register for this free workshop at (845) 483-5551; ask for Dominique Stippa.
ALSO…
MidHudson Regional is hosting a free educational program on back health on Wednesday, March 21 at the hospital’s Café Conference room, from 2:30-4:00 p.m., with Chris Dayger, the balance and vestibular specialist at Therapy Connection’s Center for Balance and Mobility.
Reserve a spot at (845) 483-5551, as noted above.
DUTCHESS PUBLIC TRANSIT SCHEDULE UPDATE
A new Dutchess County Public Transit bus schedule went into effect this past Saturday, March 17. The schedule for City of Poughkeepsie routes has been updated:http://www.dutchessny.gov/CountyGov/Departments/PublicWorks/PLLoopbus.htm
SPRING HEALTH TALKS IN RHINEBECK
Men’s health, graceful aging and genealogy will be topics covered during this spring’s Wellness Series hosted by The Center for Healthy Aging at Northern Dutchess Hospital. All educational talks are from 2 to 3:30 p.m. the second Monday of April, May and June in the hospital’s cafeteria conference room, 6511 Springbrook Ave. Valet parking is available.
There is no cost to attend, but seating is limited. Registration is required. Visit www.healthquest.org/wellness or call 845-876-4745 (TTY: 800-421-1220).
The schedule:
Care and Maintenance Manual for Men (model years 1922-1952)
2-3:30 p.m., Monday, April 9
Dr. Peter Fish, medical director of the Thompson House skilled nursing center, will address medical issues of concern to men age 64 and older. Those include prostate cancer, high blood pressure, preventive medicine, sexual problems and urinary dysfunction.
Embrace the Aging Experience
2-3:30 p.m., Monday, May 14
Dr. Jodi Friedman, medical director of the Center for Healthy Aging, will discuss the misconceptions about aging and what we can do to age with grace and dignity.
Know Your Roots: Genealogy and Family History Research
2-3:30 p.m., Monday, June 11
Historian and genealogist Melissa Betts will discuss her work as a family history researcher and share the many ways that exploring the past may enhance your well-being, sense of satisfaction and interpersonal relationships.
SPRING REALLY IS COMING
If you’ve been wondering when you’ll be able to get out and do some walking, there’s an opportunity coming in Millbrook next month.
On Sunday, April 29 at 10 a.m. join the Cary Institute’s Vicky Kelly for a guided walk exploring the life cycles of plants and animals. Have you wondered what determines when flowers bloom? When butterflies emerge from their cocoons? Or when trees drop their leaves? Answers can be found in the science of phenology.
Vicky will showcase the Phenology Trail in the Institute’s Fern Glen, a unique landscape devoted to the preservation and enjoyment of native plants, and talk about citizen science opportunities.
The program will begin at the main campus auditorium, 2801 Sharon Turnpike (Rte. 44) in Millbrook. Register online at www.caryinstitute.org/events. For more information, call (845) 677-7600 x 121. Please wear sturdy footwear. Reservations are limited.
Other aging news online:
Older people are said to be more susceptible to scams and fraud, but only recently has there been research on whether that’s true…and if so, why:https://news.usc.edu/135031/senior-scams-and-fraud-due-to-aging-brain/
Trying to reduce the amount of added sugars you eat? Here’s a way to start: https://www.nytimes.com/guides/smarterliving/how-to-stop-eating-sugar
There’s Greek yogurt, Icelandic yogurt, French yogurt, Australian yogurt, Martian yogurt…okay, that last one’s not real, but the variety of yogurts at your local supermarkets can be confusing. Here’s an attempt to sort it all out: https://thetakeout.com/whats-the-difference-between-all-those-international-yo-1823593841?utm_content=Supper&utm_campaign=SF&utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=SocialMarketing
State environmental officials will soon be looking for your thoughts on the state’s deer population: https://www.dec.ny.gov/press/112958.html
Exercise means a “younger” heart, even for those of us getting up there in years: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/03/12/591513777/hearts-get-younger-even-at-middle-age-with-exercise
Given just a few years to live when diagnosed with ALS at age 21, astrophysicist Dr. Stephen Hawking lived for another 55 years before passing away last week:https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/14/obituaries/stephen-hawking-dead.html?utm_source=email&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=Timesunion_Capcon
And here’s the oldest person to ever ride a roller-coaster. He’ll be 106 next month: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/mar/09/oldest-person-world-ride-rollercoaster-experience
This week in senior birthdays:
3/22: Cartoonist/illustrator Mort Drucker (89)
3/23: Singer/songwriter and Hudson Valley resident Ric Ocasek (The Cars) (69)
3/24: Fashion designer Bob Mackie (78)
3/25: Film critic Gene Shalit (92)
3/26: Singer/songwriter Diana Ross (74)
3/27: NASCAR driver Cale Yarborough (79)
3/28: TV theme composer Alf Clausen (77)
Congratulations – you’ve completed another issue of the Aging News, and for your reward, here’s a bad joke:
A man who ordered a thesaurus from Amazon opened the book and found that all the pages were blank.
He had no words to describe his anger.
Brian Jones
Outreach Coordinator
Dutchess County Office For the Aging
Phone: (845) 486-2555 Fax: (845) 486-2571
Email: bjones@dutchessny.gov
Website: www.dutchessny.gov/aging
