Dutchess County Office for the Aging’s AGING NEWS For the week of May 6

Dutchess County Office for the Aging’s

AGING NEWS

For the week of May 6

Golden Living . . . News for Seniors, Their Families and Caregivers

Todd N. Tancredi, Director

Dutchess County Office for the Aging

MAY IS STROKE MONTH

May is American Stroke Month, the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association’s annual campaign to increase awareness of the medical condition and to educate Americans that stroke is largely preventable, treatable and beatable. While stroke is the fifth-leading cause of death, the number one cause of disability in the U.S., and the fourth-leading cause of death in women, many Americans do not think of stroke as a major health concern.

Still, there has been a lot of progress. Stroke is a less common cause of death than it was as recently as 10 years ago, but there is still a long way to go to end stroke.

Here are some stroke facts to consider:

Over a quarter of a million residents of New York State have survived a stroke;
African‐Americans have nearly twice the risk for a first stroke, and a much higher death rate from stroke, largely due to high blood pressure. African-Americans with sickle cell disease also carry a higher risk of stroke;
For every person who dies from stroke, more than five times as many will survive. Many survivors improve over time, but it’s a process that can take years;
One in three Americans can’t recall any stroke warning signs;
Hispanic women were less likely than others to know most of the warning signs.

The American Stroke Association (www.strokeassociation.org) recommends you remember the “FAST” acronym if you suspect someone has had a stroke. The faster you get a stroke victim to the hospital, the more likely their recovery will be more successful. Check out FAST for signs of a stroke.

F: Face—Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

A: Arms—Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

S: Speech—Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?

T: Time—If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately.

For those coming back from stroke, the National Stroke Association (www.stroke.org) lists stroke support groups in Dutchess County at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie and Northern Dutchess Hospital in Rhinebeck. The Vassar group meets on the second Wednesday of each month from 11 a.m. to noon; contact them at (845) 483-6319. The Northern Dutchess group meets on the first Thursday of each month from 4 to 5 p.m. and can be reached at (845) 871-4377.

The National Stroke Association website has resources available in both English and Spanish.

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

Unless otherwise indicated, call (845) 486-2555 for more information

Mon 5/7, 1:30 p.m. – “Reversing Heart Disease”

With OFA nutrition coordinator Nimesh Bhargava

King’s Apartments, 20 Pine Dr. (just east of Route 22), Pawling

Tue 5/8, 11 a.m. – “Successful Aging”

With OFA outreach coordinator Brian Jones

Beacon Salvation Army, 372 Main St. (rear of building)

Wed 5/9, 1 p.m. – “Successful Aging”

With OFA outreach coordinator Brian Jones

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 161 Mansion St., Poughkeepsie

Thu 5/10, 3 p.m. – “Diet for a Healthy Lifestyle”

With OFA nutrition coordinator Nimesh Bhargava

IBM Poughkeepsie, building 705 cafeteria

Tue 5/15, 7:30 a.m. – “Successful Aging” with OFA outreach coordinator Brian Jones

Red Hook Rotary breakfast meeting

Murray’s, 73 Broadway, Tivoli

redhookrotary@gmail.com for information

Tue 5/15, 11:00 a.m. – “Preventing and Reversing Chronic Disease”

With OFA nutrition coordinator Nimesh Bhargava

Millerton Senior Friendship Center at Village Hall

Simmons St. and Dutchess Ave.

Wed 5/16, 12 noon – “Preventing Chronic Illness with a Healthy Lifestyle”

With OFA nutrition coordinator Nimesh Bhargava

Horizons at Fishkill, 14 Dogwood Lane, Beacon

Thu 5/17, 11 a.m. – “Preventing and Reversing Chronic Illness”

With OFA nutrition coordinator Nimesh Bhargava

East Fishkill Senior Friendship Center

890 Route 82, Hopewell Junction

Mon 5/21, 12 noon – The Celebration of Aging

Villa Borghese, 70 Widmer Rd., Wappinger

Admission $40/person

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

Wed 5/30 – 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. – 25^th Annual National Senior Health and Fitness Day

St. Simeon Properties, 24 Beechwood Ave., Poughkeepsie

There will be an exciting day of educational programs focusing on health and wellness, a free delicious lunch, and door prizes!

Call for more information: 845-471-0171

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 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!

HEAP COOLING ASSISTANCE IS OPEN

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Cooling Assistance Program is open for the summer season, and will remain open until the end of August (8/31). Low-income seniors with medical conditions impacted by the heat may be eligible for a new air conditioning unit paid for by the HEAP program if they do not have AC already, or if their air conditioning unit is more than five years old. Anyone interested in the program may contact the Office for the Aging for more information, or to request an application.

SITUATIONAL AWARENESS EVENT(S) IN POUGHKEEPSIE (AND GARDINER) (Thu 5/10)

City of Poughkeepsie resident Jackie Emslie knows what it is like to be a victim. In her teens, she was subjected to progressively aggressive stalking and harassment from a former boyfriend. After the case was closed, she made the decision to use her experience as an opportunity to teach others about situational awareness and how to develop their own personal protection and security strategy.

Situational Awareness is exactly what it sounds like – being aware of your surroundings and any potential threats to your safety.

The Mid-Hudson chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America is hosting two situational awareness events on Thursday, May 10^th. There’s a 1 p.m.meeting at the Gardiner Library (Ulster County) (133 Farmers Tpke.) and a 7 p.m. meeting at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Poughkeepsie (67 Randolph Ave.).

For information, email or call Alice Tenuto at atenuto@optonline.net, 845-489-7008, or Florence Butler at florencebutler@gmail.com, 845-255-6128.

COMMUNICATION DISORDERS PROGRAM AT THE LANDING OF POUGHKEEPSIE (Wed 5/16)

And

MAY CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP MEETING (Mon 5/21)

If you or somebody you care for is having difficulty with hearing, or has issues with speech, language and/or swallowing, a free presentation at The Landing of Poughkeepsie (251 Boardman Rd.) may interest you.

NYC licensed audiologist Kimberly Newkirk-Lozier and NYC licensed speech-language pathologist Elizabeth Wikane will be the speakers. There will be a Q&A session after the presentation.

On Monday, May 21 from 5 to 6 p.m., a Caregiver Support Group will hold its monthly meeting at MidHudson Regional Hospital (241 North Rd., Poughkeepsie) at the 2 Thorne Conference Room. These support groups meet on the third Monday of every month.
Registration is required for either event, and can be done by calling (845) 483-5551. The events are presented by MidHudson Regional Licensed Home Care with funding in part from the U.S. Administration on Aging, New York State Office for the Aging and Dutchess County Office for the Aging.

BALANCE DAY AT NDH CENTER FOR HEALTHY AGING (Thu 5/17)

Northern Dutchess Hospital’s Body in Harmony balance day returns on Thursday, May 17, at the hospital’s Center for Healthy Aging, 6529 Springbrook Ave. (a/k/a Route 9).

Private appointments can be made between 10 a.m. and noon. Each personalized evaluation includes a physical examination by a physician who specializes in geriatric medicine, Dr. Jodi Friedman. Attendees will also receive a medication review by a pharmacist and a balance and gait test with a physical therapist. Licensed social worker Allison Gould will be available to discuss how to cope with fears about falling. By evaluating body mechanics, medications, as well as physiological and psychological health in one visit, the team can better identify which factors may be causing balance problems, and make recommendations for changes and treatments.

Registration is required. Please call 845-876-4745 (TTY: 800-421-1220). For information on the Center for Healthy Aging, visit www.healthquest.org/CHA

DRIVE FOR SENIORS EVENT (Mon 6/11)

Golfers, get a round in for a good cause on Monday, June 11^th at the McCann Memorial Golf Course (Wilbur Blvd., Poughkeepsie) for “Drive for Seniors,” proceeds from which will benefit Friends of Seniors, which provides telephone companionship and non-emergency medical transportation for seniors throughout Dutchess County.

The cost is $125 per golfer before May 12 and $150 after that date, and includes a continental breakfast, lunch at the turn, and dinner afterwards at Christo’s.

One lucky golfer will get a chance to try for a Hole-in-One Shot for one million dollars.

Every player will the opportunity for a Hole-in-One Shot for $25,000, and other valuable prizes are also available.

For more information, call 845-485-1277.

WORLD ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS DAY 2018 (Fri 6/15)

This annual event had been held in Poughkeepsie for many years, but it has drawn attention from around the Hudson Valley. Organizers say a larger venue was needed to host this year’s event – therefore, it’s been scheduled for Friday, June 15, at the Aquinas Theatre at Mount Saint Mary College in the City of Newburgh (330 Powell Ave.). According to organizers, in future years, the event will be held in rotating locations including Dutchess County, and the event remains open to all guests from any county who register in advance while there’s space.

Dutchess County will be represented at the conference by Patricia Sheldon, Director of Adult Protective Services. Additionally, Dutchess County Executive Marcus J. Molinaro will join Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus at the conference for opening remarks. The event is presented by EverCare with cooperation from St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital and Mount Saint Mary College.

Space will be limited, so register by emailing weaad2018@evercare.org, or by calling the Orange County Office for the Aging at (845) 615-3700.

Additional information: https://www.evercare.org/know-more-age-loudly-against-elder-abuse/

Other aging news online:

TrialMatch is a free Alzheimer’s Association service that aims to bring more people into the process of finding an Alzheimer’s cure. Check it out and let us know what you think: https://www.alz.org/research/clinical_trials/find_clinical_trials_trialmatch.asp

It’s the season for ticks…and for tick-removal home remedies that might make the problem worse. Here’s what to do (and not to do): https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/removing_a_tick.html

Five habits that can add a decade to your life, even if you’ve used up some of your decades already: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/apr/30/the-five-habits-that-can-add-more-than-a-decade-to-your-life

An advance directive for patients with dementia: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/30/well/live/an-advance-directive-for-patients-with-dementia.html

If you have a PC that runs Windows, you may soon see (or have already seen) a major Windows update. Here’s what that is/was all about:https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/apr/30/windows-10-april-2018-update-microsoft-task-management-cortana-edge-sharing

If you have a brain implant and your home is hit by lightning, unusual malfunctions can take place: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/03/health/lightning-brain-implants.html?rref=collection%2Fcolumn%2Ftrilobites

After helping his wife recover from non-Hodgkins lymphoma, musician Peter Gabriel is starting an effort to adapt streaming technology to medical treatment:https://bit.ly/2red0FO

Can’t make it to the Museum of Natural History in the city? There’s a little bit of the museum that features Pine Plains in northern Dutchess County, and the exhibit is almost completely unchanged since it was installed in 1951. Prepare to step into the time capsule: https://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/permanent-exhibitions/biodiversity-and-environmental-halls/felix-m.-warburg-hall-of-new-york-state-environment/rotation-of-farm-crops-in-dutchess-county-new-york

If you’re more a fan of watching enormous objects float down the Hudson, the Port of Coeymans just upriver from us indicates that a massive generator will be making a downriver trip in the next week or so. You can follow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PortOfCoeymans/photos/a.1547956515444507.1073741830.1536926583214167/2024144687825685/?type=3&theater

Whaaaat? Swedish meatballs are actually Turkish? https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/03/my-whole-life-has-been-a-lie-sweden-admits-meatballs-are-turkish?CMP=fb_gu

This week in senior birthdays:

5/7: Jets quarterback Babe Parilli (88)

5/8: Singer/songwriter Philip Bailey (Earth, Wind & Fire) (67)

5/9: Actors Albert Finney and Glenda Jackson (both 87)

5/10: Singer/songwriter Donovan (72)

5/11: Oldest living American man and oldest living American veteran Richard Overton (112)

Here’s what he’s been up to lately: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/inspired-life/wp/2018/04/08/on-the-cusp-of-turning-112-a-whirlwind-life-for-the-oldest-living-world-war-ii-veteran/?utm_term=.3259ff0f2a7a

5/12: Singer/songwriter/guitarist Steve Winwood (69)

5/13: Singer/songwriter/pianist/drummer/producer Stevie Wonder (68)

And now for your weekly bad joke:

Q: What’s blue and smells like red paint?
A: Blue paint.