Dutchess County Office for the Aging’s AGING NEWS

If you’re single, and your monthly gross income is less than about $1,345, you may be eligible for the Medicare Savings Program which will pay your Medicare Part B premium. Depending upon your income level, you may also be eligible for other benefits. Married couples are eligible for the MSP with a monthly gross income of less than about $1,813. If you make more than these income limits, but pay for health insurance, you may still qualify.

Most people automatically receive Medicare Part A (hospital coverage) at age 65 or older, at no cost. The premium for Medicare Part B (outpatient care) costs $104.90 monthly and is automatically deducted from your Social Security check. If you are eligible for the Medicare Savings Program, you will no longer have to pay that premium.

The Office for the Aging has Community Service Workers who can help you determine if you are eligible for the Medicare Savings Program or other benefit programs like Medicaid and Food Stamps (SNAP). They can even assist you in filling out the application. Call (845) 486-2555 for more information.

Rebuilding Together Dutchess County (RTDC) is accepting applications for their home repair and accessibility modification programs. These services are provided at no cost to qualified homeowners and focus on ensuring that individuals can live independently in safe, warm, dry and healthy homes.

The deadline for applications to be considered for Fall Rebuilding Day in October is March 31, 2015. Income qualified Dutchess County homeowners, especially those who are elderly, living with a disability, military veterans or parents with school aged children are encouraged to apply. To receive an application or to find out how you can help support RTDC’s home repair program visit www.rebuildingtogetherdutchess.org or call 845-454-7310.

Do you know a Dutchess County resident who will be turning 100 or older anytime this year or celebrating 70 or more years of marriage? If so, please call our office at (845) 486-2555 and let us know. We would like to send them a personal invitation to our annual Celebration of Aging luncheon which is held each May, Older Americans Month. All honorees and their guest are admitted free. Last year, 23 centenarians ranging in age from 100 to an incredible 110 were able to join us at this truly inspiring event.

Also honored at the Celebration of Aging are the Dutchess County Senior Citizens of the Year. Awards are given out in the categories of Senior Male, Senior Female and Senior Couple. Generally these are residents over the age of 60 who make a difference in our community through volunteerism, civic engagement, etc. If you know of a senior citizen who deserves this very special recognition, please fill out a nomination form which you can obtain from our office or on Page 6 of the winter edition of the Spotlight on Seniors newsletter, found on our website:
www.co.dutchess.ny.us/CountyGov/Departments/Aging/agSpotlightWinter1415.pdf.

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.

This will be a preview of his State of the County address, which is scheduled to take place on February 25 at the Culinary Institute of America. It’s a great opportunity to meet our County Executive in a less formal, more relaxed setting, so please come prepared to not only listen but also to share questions and concerns about issues important to you.

Percussionist Brian Melick and Flamenco guitarist Maria Zemantauski will blend their talents in an exciting musical performance on February 26th at 2:00 p.m. Melick is a Percussionist, Educator, Author and Designer has been professionally involved in music since the age of 13. Zemantauski is one of the world’s few heralded female flamenco guitarists, and one of even fewer female flamenco composers. The duo has been creating and presenting music together for 20 years. This performance, which is free and open to the public with advance reservations, will take place in the auditorium at The Fountains at Millbrook, 79 Flint Road. To request reservations, please call 845-677-8550.