Dutchess County Office For the Aging’s
AGING NEWS
- Happy 112th Birthday, Vera!
- June Means Luaus At Dutchess Senior Friendship Centers (6/7, reservations by 5/31)
- Free Stretching Class in East Fishkill
- Home Preservation Expo in Red Hook (6/19)
- Office For the Aging Volunteers Sought
- New Parkinsons Newsletter
- What To Do About That Baby Animal In Your Yard
- Overtesting For Prostate Cancer Continues In Men 75+ Despite Advisories
- OTHER AGING NEWS ONLINE
Golden Living . . . News for Senior Citizens
Dutchess County Office for the Aging
HAPPY 112TH, VERA!
Vera Van Wagner of Rhinebeck is in one of the world’s most exclusive clubs – the one belonging to the handful of people around the world who’ve reached 112 years of age. Vera passed her latest milestone on May 24 and was congratulated at her residence at the Baptist Home in Rhinebeck by friends, family and dignitaries, including Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro. Vera, who lived independently until a few years ago, is currently the oldest living person in New York, the ninth-oldest in the United States and, as of May 30, according to the Gerontology Research Group, the 44th-oldest in the world. Louis Epstein of the Gerontology Research Group tells us Vera is also close to becoming one of the 200 oldest people in recorded history. She was one of eleven centenarians honored by hundreds of guests this month at the 18th annual Office for the Aging “Celebration of Aging” in Wappingers Falls.
HO’OLU KOMO LA KAUA
That’s Hawaiian for “please join us.” Dutchess County’s Senior Friendship Centers will have a theme luncheon on Tuesday, June 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., to celebrate the Hawaiian Luau – reservations are required and should be made by Tuesday, May 31. A donation is suggested to cover the costs of lunch and decorations. There will be Hawaiian decorations and music, and the menu will consist of Hawaiian ham, sweet potatoes, green beans and cookies. Dutchess County Senior Friendship Centers are located in eight communities throughout the county. Call the Office for the Aging at (845) 486-2555 to find out more. If you’ve got a Hawaiian shirt, this is definitely the time to wear it. Hele mei hoohiwahiwa (come celebrate)!
FREE STRETCHING CLASS IN EAST FISHKILL
Former dancer and exercise enthusiast Brigitta Mueller leads a free hour-long stretching class on Tuesdays at 3 p.m. at the East Fishkill Community Library, 348 Route 376 in Hopewell Junction. Stretching is of particular usefulness for senior citizens who want to maintain their strength, coordination and balance. Chairs will be used for support and safety. Class space is limited to 25, so call the library to reserve at (845) 221-9943.
HOME PRESERVATION EXPO IN RED HOOK
Come to the Elmendorph Inn, 7562 N. Broadway, Red Hook on Sunday, June 19 at 11 a.m. for the 2016 Preservation Expo: a free “info fair” about how to preserve, restore and re-use your old house, barns or outbuildings. There will be hands-on demonstrations, presentations by people who have done it before, and useful takeaways. Drop by any time with your questions and photos for “show and tell” with the experts – who are experienced artisans, designers, planners and preservationists. No reservations required. There’ll be live music and tasty food, too.
Golden Living is prepared by the Dutchess County Office for the Aging, 27 High Street, Poughkeepsie, New York 12601, telephone 486-2555, email:ofa@dutchessny.gov website: http://www.dutchessny.gov/CountyGov/Departments/Aging/AGIndex.htm
Whether it’s summer Senior Picnic season or the middle of winter, the Office For the Aging is always buzzing with volunteer activity both at its headquarters in Poughkeepsie and at the events it presents all around the county. If you’d like to volunteer with us, or if you’ve volunteered for us in the past and want even more ways to help, you can call the offices (9-5 Mon-Fri) at (845) 486-2555 or email any time at ofa@dutchessny.gov.
We’ve already had some hot, sticky days this spring and summer is still a few weeks away – that’s what the calendar says, at least. Research indicates a lot of seniors may not be aware of the heat’s effects until they fall ill. Here’s some advice on prevention and assistance with heat-related issues:http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/older-adults-heat.asp
The Office For the Aging also has its own page on heat-related illnesses: http://www.co.dutchess.ny.us/CountyGov/Departments/Aging/AGheat.htm
The latest newsletter from the Parkinson’s Disease Support Group of the Mid-Hudson Valley is out: https://goo.gl/pGe4MO
Over-testing for prostate cancer in men age 75 and up is continuing despite advisories that such tests are often unnecessary:http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/24/health/older-men-prostate-cancer-testing.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FElderly
It’s the season when a lot of wildlife are raising new young, and occasionally you’ll see a baby animal that looks like it was abandoned – but chances are it was not abandoned, and “leave it alone” is the best advice in most cases. Details at http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/6956.html
MORE AGING NEWS ONLINE
Federal nutrition guidelines for older adults have changed: http://health.usnews.com/wellness/articles/2016-05-25/myplate-for-older-adults-adjusts-eating-guidelines
Researchers in Massachusetts have found that that the amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease also have a positive function elsewhere in the body: http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/46164/title/Amyloid-Thwarts-Microbial-Invaders/
Scientists are exploring why sea urchins don’t seem to age in the conventional sense of the word. Other factors eventually end a sea urchin’s life, but aging doesn’t seem to be one of them: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/05/160525132556.htm
A look back at the fascinating life of Jane Fawcett, one of the legendary World War II code-breakers of Bletchley Park: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2016/05/25/jane-fawcett-bletchley-decoder-obituary/
Famous birthdays this week:
Sun 5/29: New York Knicks star Richie Guerin (84)
Mon 5/30: NFL legend Gale Sayers (73)
Tue 5/31: Actor/director Clint Eastwood (86)
Wed 6/1: Singer/actor Pat Boone (82)
Thu 6/2: Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts (75)
Fri 6/3: Game-show icon Chuck Barris (87)
Sat 6/4: Therapist/writer Dr. Ruth Westheimer (88)
Sun 6/5: Journalist Bill Moyers (82)
Brian Jones
Outreach Coordinator
Dutchess County Office For the Aging
27 High Street
Poughkeepsie NY 12601
Phone: (845) 486-2555 Fax: (845) 486-2571
Email: bjones@dutchessny.gov
