Dutchess County Office for the Aging’s AGING NEWS

Dutchess County Office for the Aging’s

AGING NEWS

  • Successful Aging Presentation (7/14)
  • Summer Skin
  • Eyes Need Protection Too
  • Drink Fluids
  • July Events at the Fountains
  • Care for the Caregiver for Veterans
  • More Aging News Online

 

If you hope to live independently for as long as possible, don’t miss the Successful Aging presentationtomorrow, Tuesday, July 14th at the Tri-Town Senior Friendship Center at 11 AM.  The center is located at the American Legion Hall, 1302 Overlook Rd in Poughkeepsie.  The talk is free and open to the public.

 

Golden Living . . . News for Senior Citizens

Mary Kaye Dolan-Anderson, Director

Dutchess County Office for the Aging

 

SUMMER SKIN

Summer is here, a time when the direct rays of the sun are stronger than at any other time of the year.  Most skin cancers are caused by the sun’s harmful UV (ultraviolet) rays.  This is the same powerful radiation that causes sunburn in most fair skinned people who have been exposed to the sun for as little as 20 minutes.

Northwestern University researchers found most people do not understand there are actually two different types of ultraviolet rays:  UV-A rays cause aging of the skin, and UV-B rays cause sunburn.  Both types cause skin cancer.  Most basic sunscreens only protect against UV-B rays.

Your best bet is to try and avoid the sun, especially between the hours of 10 AM to 4 PM, when the rays are the strongest.  If sun exposure is unavoidable, slather on a water-resistant or water-proof “broad-spectrum” sunscreen which protects against both types of UV rays (and use a lip balm) with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher.  Loose-fitting, lightweight, long sleeved shirts and pants can help shield your skin as well.  Don’t forget to put sunscreen on your face, ears, hands, arms, and if you don’t have much hair, wear a wide-brimmed hat.

Check your skin at least once a month in a well-lit room in front of a full length mirror for any changes to the size, shape or color of moles, blemishes or freckles and watch for any new or unusual spots on your skin.  Your doctor should examine your skin on a regular basis (at least once a year) as part of your routine check-up.  For more information on skin cancer, contact the American Cancer Society atwww.cancer.org .

EYES NEED PROTECTION, TOO

Your skin is not the only part of your body that needs protection from the sun’s damaging rays.  Long-term exposure to UV rays can also lead to problems with your eyes, including cataracts and macular degeneration.  If you’re planning to be outside in the sun for any length of time, wear a pair of sunglasses that block at least 99% of UV rays.  Remember, some medications and certain eye surgeries can make your eyes even more sensitive to sunlight.  Aging eyes can also be slower to adjust to dramatic changes in light, so be careful when you are first heading outside into the sun (or inside after being in the bright sunlight).

DRINK FLUIDS

Seniors, in general, are more susceptible to the effects of extreme temperatures as their bodies do not cool as efficiently as younger people.  They may also not “feel” thirsty even when their body is already dehydrated.  If you take certain medications that lead you to lose water (or drink a lot of caffeinated beverages) you start at a disadvantage.  In extreme heat, be sure to drink non-caffeinated beverages throughout the day and try to stay in air-conditioned areas when possible.  If you don’t have air conditioning at home, a trip to the mall, library, or other public building may help keep you cool.

 

Golden Living is prepared by the Dutchess County Office for the Aging, 27 High Street, Poughkeepsie, New York 12601, telephone 486-2555, email: agingservices@dutchessny.gov website:http://www.dutchessny.gov/CountyGov/Departments/Aging/AGIndex.htm

 

July Events Open to the Public at The Fountains at Millbrook

The public is invited to enjoy the following educational and cultural offerings at The Fountains at Millbrook, 79 Flint Road. The events listed are free and open to the public with advance reservations to845-905-8014.

 

Ice Houses of the Hudson River

Monday, July 13th at 2:30 p.m. in the Auditorium

Environmental Educator, Fran Martino, will present “Ice House,” the second in a series of three lectures on the Hudson River. Learn how ice was harvested before the days of refrigeration. Sometimes called the first crop of the season, ice harvesting brought community members together to harvest tons of Hudson River ice that was then stored at the ice house where it stayed frozen for months. This is an interactive lecture where participants will be challenged to try to keep their ice from melting!  Cool refreshments will also be served.

 

Enterprise & Courage: The Civil War Years at Mohonk Lake

July 15th at 2:00 p.m.  in the Auditorium

While tensions brew between north and south during the 1850’s, an idea brews in the mind of an Ulster County farmer. His idea is simple, yet grand: establish a must-see destination at a remarkable lake high atop the Shawangunk Mountains. Visitors to Mohonk Lake saw a very different place during the Civil War. Find out how different as local author, Robi Josephson, traces the earliest days of the mountain house tradition there during this fascinating illustrated program.

 

Comets, Asteroids, and other Space-Rocks

Wednesday, July 22nd at 2:00 p.m. in the Auditorium

Do near Earth objects pose a serious threat to Earth? Are we due for another major cosmic collision? Can we take steps now to avoid such a disaster? Raj Pandya Director, John R. Kirk Planetarium and Lecturer, Department of Physics and Astronomy State University of New York at New Paltz, returns to The Fountains for another fascinating journey into the world of space.

 

Care for the Caregiver:  “Starting the Conversation: Advance Care Planning” a telephone education group facilitated by the VA Caregiver Support Line:  Tuesday, July 14th at 10am, or Wednesday, July 15th at 7pm or Wednesday, July 22nd at 3pm. This is open to Family Caregivers of Veterans of all eras. Call Caregiver Support Coordinators three to five business days ahead to register for a call at 845-831-2000:  John Imundo, RN, ext. 5487, or Anne Milliken, SW,  ext. 5122 . Transcripts and handouts from past groups can be found on the website: www.caregiver.va.gov.

MORE AGING NEWS ONLINE:

 

SENIOR ID CARDS: http://www.co.dutchess.ny.us/CountyGov/Departments/Aging/AGcard.htm

 

SENIOR WALKING GROUPS: http://www.co.dutchess.ny.us/CountyGov/Departments/Aging/22653.htm

 

HOW TO CUT YOUR HEART RISK IN HALF: http://consumer.healthday.com/senior-citizen-information-31/misc-aging-news-10/better-diet-exercise-can-cut-heart-failure-risk-in-half-701031.html

 

CAREGIVERS GETTING OLDER: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/07/health/more-caregivers-are-no-spring-chickens-themselves.html?_r=0

 

HOW TO HANDLE THE FINANCIAL ASPECTS OF CARING FOR ELDERLY PARENTS: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/how-to-handle-the-financial-challenges-of-caring-for-aging-parents-2015-07-09

 

ALZHEIMER’S NEWSLETTER: http://act.alz.org/site/MessageViewer?autologin=true&em_id=193745.0&dlv_id=222443&utm_campaign=enews-2015-07-13&utm_medium=email&WT.mc_id=enews2015_07_13&utm_source=enews-aff-118

 

Author: Harlem Valley News