Dutchess County Office for the Aging’s
AGING NEWS
For the week of June 18
(Note: There’s still time to sign up to volunteer at the June 20 OFA Senior Picnic coming up in Tivoli, or for any of the other eight picnics still to come on the schedule. Emailbjones@dutchessny.gov or call (845) 486-2555 to find out more.)
Golden Living . . . News for Seniors, Their Families and Caregivers
Todd N. Tancredi, Director
Dutchess County Office for the Aging
SUMMERTIME SKIN AND EYE CARE TIPS
This is the time of year when the sun’s rays can do the most damage to our skin and eyes, because the sun’s rays come at us most directly during the summer. Knowing this, what can we do to ensure that we get the outdoor activity we need while also keeping our eyes and skin protected?
The steps to take are easy to understand:
Stay hydrated. This one comes first because proper hydration is key to so many vital functions in addition to skin health. If you drink coffee, tea, or other caffeinated beverages, you’ll have to drink that much more water to compensate for the other beverages’ dehydrating properties. Some medications also list dehydration as a side effect, so take that into account as well when heading outside.
Don’t skimp on the sunscreen. When it comes to being out in the sun, we’re all the same color. While people with medium and dark complexions naturally have somewhat more protection from the sun’s ultraviolet (UVA and UVB) rays, nobody is fully immune to potential damage from the sun. University of Cincinnati researchers report that the palest skin has a natural sun protection factor (SPF) of about 3, while the darkest skin’s SPF is about 13 – and the American Academy of Dermatology recommends a minimum SPF of 30. Potential skin cancers can show up in different locations, depending on skin tone. The Cincinnati researchers note that fairer-skinned people may notice a problematic change to an exposed mole anywhere on the body, while darker-skinned people might develop melanomas in areas usually shielded from the sun. Perhaps the most well-known case of melanoma is that of Jamaican music legend Bob Marley, who died of malignant melanoma in 1981 at age 36. Marley’s melanoma was discovered in a location often shielded from the sun – under a toenail – and was first thought to have been a bruise he picked up playing soccer.
Do your research before shopping for sunscreen; there are even sunscreens tailored to particular skin tones. When applying sunscreen or shielding skin from the sun, remember to cover the surfaces that often get overlooked, like the ears, the tops of feet, and areas of the scalp where hair might have thinned. For those situations, a wide-brimmed hat or at least a baseball cap is called for.
“Sunburn of the eye” can happen. Your eyes don’t have to be in the sun’s direct path to be injured. A condition called photokeratitis can occur when sunlight reflects off water, sand, or other light-colored surface into your unprotected eye. Look for sunglasses marked “100% UV protection.” The wide-brimmed hats we just mentioned also help protect your eyes.
Protect the eyes when you’re in the yard. It’s great to stay active by mowing the lawn, trimming the hedges or clipping weeds, but keep in mind that over half of all eye injuries happen at home, so wear the proper protective eyewear.
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 6/18, 12 noon (NEW TIME) – Office for the Aging Services presentation
With OFA outreach coordinator Brian Jones
Horizons at Fishkill, 14 Dogwood Lane, Beacon
Tue 6/19, 7 p.m. – Successful Aging, with OFA outreach coordinator Brian Jones
Catholic Widows and Widowers of Dutchess and Putnam meeting
St. Kateri Tekakwitha Church, 1925 NY 82, LaGrangeville
Sat 9/22, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – at the Golden Gathering
Arlington High School, 1157 NY 55, LaGrangeville
(845) 229-0106 or email goldengathering41@gmail.com for information
Mon 10/15, 12 noon – 4 p.m. – Office for the Aging Senior Prom
Villa Borghese, 70 Widmer Rd., Wappinger
This year’s theme: “The Big Game” – dress as a spectator or participant in your favorite sport or athletic activity. Any other questions? Emailbjones@dutchessny.gov.
(We’ll have prom entry forms in future issues of the Aging News coming up later this summer.)
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!
CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP MEETS AT MIDHUDSON REGIONAL HOSPITAL (Mon 6/18)
Trained social workers will be on hand for the Caregiver Support Group meeting taking place at MidHudson Regional Hospital’s 2 Thorne Conference Room from 5-6 p.m. on Monday, June 18. Call (845) 483-5551 and ask for Dominique Stippa to register for this free workshop.
Funded in part by the U.S. Administration on Aging, the New York State Office for the Aging, and Dutchess County Office for the Aging.
RED HOOK SENIORS PLAN SUMMER FOOD DRIVE FOR KIDS (Tue 6/19)
The Town of Red Hook Senior Services Committee is doing their part to reduce hunger among families in the school district who rely on the school breakfast and lunch program during the school year.
They’ll be hosting a food drive at the Red Hook Fire House (42 M.M. Ham Memorial Drive) on Tuesday, June 19th from 1-3 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.
All donations large and small are greatly appreciated. No time to shop? Financial contributions are directly passed on to the CAP (Community Action Partnership), and 100% used to purchase food for these families, at wholesale prices. All food donations are distributed to these families through CAP.
For more information, email arubin@redhook.org.
LEARN AND LUNCH, RECYCLING EDITION (Wed 6/20)
Join Kerry Russell from the Dutchess County Division of Solid Waste for a discussion of recycling, at the June 20 edition of “Learn & Lunch” at Temple Beth-El, 118 South Grand Avenue in Poughkeepsie. The program takes place at 11:30 a.m. with lunch at 12:30 p.m. The price for lunch is $6 but no one is turned away due to lack of ability to pay. For more information, call (845) 471-9817.
YOGA FOR RELAXATION WORKSHOP AT MIDHUDSON REGIONAL HOSPITAL (Thu 6/21)
Join certified yoga instructor Amy Bopela for a gentle yoga practice for relaxation and stress reduction, at the Sister Ann Elizabeth Conference Center, on the first floor of the Atrium at MidHudson Regional Hospital (241 North Rd., Poughkeepsie). Exercises can be modified to suit any level, and no prior yoga experience is required. Space is limited for this free workshop, so register in advance by calling (845) 483-5551.
Other aging news online:
Some low- or no-cost ideas for staying active: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/infographics/get-fit-free?utm_source=freefit_shareline3&utm_medium=socialmedia&utm_campaign=infographic
New scams, old scams…the crooks never give up, so be watchful: https://seniorplanet.org/new-scams-on-the-horizon/?mc_cid=5c7b39f915&mc_eid=4149ad7bda
The latest on poison ivy, so that you don’t need an ocean…of calamine lotion: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/06/08/616595496/dont-touch-a-scientist-s-advice-for-spotting-poison-ivy-before-it-ruins-your-sum?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=20180608&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=20180608
(Video) How Alzheimer’s changes the brain: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GXv3mHs9AU
This week in senior birthdays:
6/18: Singer/songwriter Paul McCartney (74)
6/19: Author/academic Salman Rushdie (71)
6/20: Singer/songwriter Brian Wilson (76)
6/21: Character actor Bernie Kopell (85)
6/22: Singer/songwriter/actor Kris Kristofferson (82)
6/23: US Supreme Court justice Clarence Thomas (70)
6/24: Guitarist/songwriter Jeff Beck (74)
This week’s Bad Joke might not be so bad. We promise next week’s joke will be worse.
A grandfather was delivering his grandchildren to their home one day when a fire truck zoomed past. Sitting in the front seat of the fire truck was a Dalmatian dog. The children started discussing the dog’s duties.
“They use him to keep crowds back,” said one child.
“No,” said another. “He’s just for good luck.”
A third child brought the argument to a close. “They use the dogs,” she said firmly, “to find the fire hydrants.”
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
