Dutchess County Office for the Aging’s AGING NEWS For the week of October 10, 2016

 

Dutchess County Office for the Aging’s

AGING NEWS

For the week of October 10, 2016

Golden Living . . . News for Senior Citizens

Todd N. Tancredi, Director

Dutchess County Office for the Aging

 

“HEAP” SEASON GETS UNDERWAY

            When the leaves start changing colors, it’s time to check with your heating vendors regarding any available plans for budget billing, especially since the price of heating fuel has been known to change quickly and significantly in recent years. For seniors who qualify based on income, it’s possible to apply for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP).

HEAP may be able to help if you heat your home by any of the following methods: electricity, natural gas, oil, coal, propane, wood or wood pellets, kerosene, or corn.  You could also be eligible for emergency HEAP benefits if you are in danger of running out of fuel or having your utility service shut off. The intent of the HEAP benefit is only as a one-time supplement to the payment of annual energy costs. It is not a replacement for your regular payment of heating bills.

If you are 60 or over, approved for HEAP in 2015-16, and not on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance, by now you should have received an application for the 2016-17 heating season from the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. If you haven’t already done so, please complete the application and return it to the location printed on the application, so it may be processed in time for heating season.

New applicants can receive information and/or apply electronically after the HEAP program’s official startup date of November 14. You will be able to apply at that time through mybenefits.ny.gov, or get an application from the Dutchess County Office for the Aging at (845) 486-2555. You can also call the Office for the Aging for an appointment for assistance in filling out HEAP applications.

HEAP benefit levels are based on household size, with maximum monthly incomes ranging from $2,300 for a one-person household to $6,671 for an 11-person household, with $520 added to the maximum monthly income for households of 12 or more.

Underway now and continuing until November 4 is HEAP’s “Clean and Tune” benefit, in which eligible homeowners can receive energy efficiency services. This includes the cleaning of primary heating equipment for those whose contract with a heating vendor does not include such services. It may also include chimney cleaning, minor repairs, installation of carbon monoxide detectors or programmable thermostats, if needed, to allow for the safe, proper and efficient operation of the heating equipment. Benefit amounts are based on the actual cost incurred to provide clean and tune services, up to a maximum of $400.

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: http://www.dutchessny.gov/CountyGov/Departments/Aging/AGIndex.htm

ONE WEEK ‘TIL THE SENIOR PROM!

A few seats are still available for the annual Office for the Aging “Senior Prom” taking place from noon to 4:00 p.m. on Monday, October 17 at Villa Borghese, 70 Widmer Rd. in Wappingers Falls.

That’s four solid hours of dancing, food, dancing, prizes, and fun (and did we mention dancing?) for senior prom-goers of all ages, with music provided by the full Bob Martinson Band. Once again, the Senior Prom is sponsored by The Pines at Poughkeepsie.

Tickets are $30 per person, but the deadline for payment is 2 p.m. this Friday, October 14. You can bring your check or cash payment to Dutchess County Office for the Aging, 27 High St., Poughkeepsie. This year’s theme is “Denim and Diamonds” – pair your favorite blue jeans and denim clothing with your best jewelry and hit the town!

Also sponsoring the Prom are Wingate Healthcare, EverCare, Hudson Cadillac Buick GMC, Hamaspik Choice, Prime Health Choice, Zounds Hearing of Dutchess, Avalon Assisted Living and Wellness Center, and Helping Other People Everywhere.

If you can’t make it to the prom, or are not a prom fan but still want to help your senior friends and neighbors enjoy the prom, we’re looking for volunteer set-up assistance for the morning of the 17th as well; contact Office for the Aging outreach coordinator Brian Jones atbjones@dutchessny.gov or (845) 486-2555 to find out more. We will have a LOT of balloons to inflate.

 

DOO-WOP THIS THURSDAY (10/13) AT THE BARDAVON

If you’re of the mind that the music of the 1950’s “doo-wop” era is the greatest ever made, there’s a treat for you coming up Thursday, October 13 at 2 p.m. at the Bardavon (35 Market St., Poughkeepsie) – the “Corvettes Doo Wop Revue” national touring show will be putting their musican and comedic talents on display. Suggested donation is $6. Limited transportation may be available by contacting Tiffany Green at (845) 473-2072 or tgreen@bardavon.org.

The concert is made possible in part through the support of the Dutchess County Office for the Aging and the Ann & Abe Effron Fund through The Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley.

FLU SHOT INFO NOW AVAILABLE

Flu shots are readily available throughout the area, including at local doctor’s offices and pharmacies.  The Dutchess County Department of Behavioral & Community Health Clinic will be offering flu vaccines for the uninsured by appointment on Mondays at 29 North Hamilton Street in Poughkeepsie. To schedule an appointment or for more information, please call 845-486-3535, or emailclinics@DutchessNY.gov. To learn about the flu, or to find a convenient flu vaccination location, visit www.dutchessny.gov/flu

 

 

OTHER AGING NEWS ONLINE

Medicare fraud is still a multi-billion-dollar annual problem, and some members of Congress says there’s been foot-dragging in fraud prevention: http://www.mcknights.com/news/tackle-medicare-fraud-with-data-not-pay-and-chase-lawmakers-urge-cms/article/525663/

 

A medical news watchdog group says a recent NPR story on the benefits of walking missed a key point of caution:http://www.healthnewsreview.org/review/nprs-story-on-benefits-of-walking-for-older-adults-missed-an-important-cautionary-detail/

 

Researchers claim the maximum human lifespan of roughly 122 has already been reached. Challenge accepted?http://medicalxpress.com/news/2016-10-maximum-human-lifespan.html

 

Experts in the field say Silicon Valley is missing a big opportunity to serve older Americans: http://www.politico.com/story/2016/09/insiders-silicon-valley-is-blowing-its-chance-to-ride-the-silver-tsunami-228430

 

Discovering how men and women age differently could lead to some huge findings: http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/09/21/494567746/flabby-and-fertile-why-how-men-age-matters-for-the-rest-of-us

 

Have you heard the one about how laughter helps you live a longer, happier life? http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/laugh-lots-live-longer/

 

The sound of your voice might help doctors diagnose diseases: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-sound-of-your-voice-may-diagnose-disease/

 

Here’s a restaurant in NYC that’s using grandmas as chefs: http://gothamist.com/2016/10/06/enoteca_maria_staten_island.php

 

There are three possible answers to this riddle. No peeking: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/10/03/can-you-solve-the-simple-maths-puzzle-confusing-the-internet/?WTmcid=tmgoff_soc_spf_fb&WT.mc_id=sf37695736

 

Hard as it may be to believe, Daryl Hall turns 70 this week. Here he is a few years back, dueting with Smokey Robinson:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRxCy44zg5M

 

This week in senior birthdays:

Mon 10/10: Singer/songwriter David Lee Roth (62)

Tue 10/11: Singer/songwriter and Hudson Valley resident Daryl Hall (70)

Wed 10/12: Yankees shortstop/sportscaster Tony Kubek (81)

Thu 10/13: Disc jockey “Cousin Brucie” Morrow (81)

Fri 10/14: Actor/producer Sir Roger Moore (89)

Sat 10/15: Actor/director Penny Marshall (73)

Sun 10/16: Actress/singer Dame Angela Lansbury (91)

 

 

Brian Jones
Outreach Coordinator

Dutchess County Office For the Aging

27 High Street

Poughkeepsie NY 12601

Author: Harlem Valley News