Dutchess County Office for the Aging’s
AGING NEWS
For the week of November 6
Note: This week the Office for the Aging’s headquarters in the city of Poughkeepsie will be closed on Tuesday, November 8 for Election Day, and Friday, November 11for Veterans Day. We’ll also be closed on Thanksgiving Day, November 24.
The home-delivered meals program will not be running on the 8th, 11th, 24th and Friday the 25th, and all Senior Friendship Centers will be closed on the 11th and 25th.
Golden Living . . . News for Senior Citizens
Todd N. Tancredi, Director
Dutchess County Office for the Aging
BE A “WHEEL” FRIEND
One of the biggest challenges for seniors, especially in the winter months, is transportation. It’s a rare and lucky senior indeed who lives in a community where essentials like health care, grocery shopping and socialization are all within walking distance. For the rest of us, the ability to drive is essential to the ability to age successfully and independently in our own homes.
Still, the time to give up the keys often comes to our seniors sooner or later, and just at the time when they require additional health care and thus more transportation options.
In Dutchess County we are fortunate to have volunteer organizations who can meet seniors’ transportation needs when they’re needed most. Poughkeepsie-based “Friends of Seniors,” partially funded by the Office for the Aging, is one such organization which in many circumstances is able to transport homebound seniors to many non-emergency medical appointments and other destinations both within and outside of the county. If you are able to help your senior neighbors by becoming a “Friends of Seniors” volunteer driver, you can get in touch with them at 845-485-1277. Volunteer as much or as little time as you have available, weekdays or weekends. You’ll be reimbursed for mileage, with a Dyson Foundation grant covering the reimbursement cost. All volunteer drivers are covered by supplemental auto insurance. “Friends of Seniors” is also looking for prospective volunteers who do not wish to drive but can help in their telephone reassurance, caregiver respite and friendly visiting programs.
There are transportation options also outside the “Friends of Seniors” service area, in rural eastern Dutchess. The North East Community Center provides transportation services to residents of the towns of Amenia, Dover, North East (including Millerton), Pine Plains and Stanford. They can be reached at 518-592-1399 extension 5. In the Pawling area, the Pawling Resource Center at 845-855-3459 can provide travel for seniors, including some destinations in Putnam County or Connecticut. The Town of Rhinebeck also provides transportation to senior residents who live independently; they can be reached at 845-876-3409.
The Office for the Aging itself has transportation options available. Our fleet of vans can take seniors to our eight Friendship Centers for socialization and a nutritious midday meal, and there are weekly Friendship Center trips to area grocery stores. For more information, call 845-486-2555.
Additionally, Dutchess County Public Transit’s “Dial-a-Ride” program covers areas outside their fixed mass transit routes in the towns of East Fishkill, Fishkill, Hyde Park, Poughkeepsie and Wappinger, along with the City of Poughkeepsie and other locations according to its schedule. Pre-registration is required for “Dial-a-Ride,” which operates weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Its reservation-only Paratransit service operates in a number of locations, taking riders from their home to their destination. Service availability may be limited. ADA Complimentary Paratransit Service is available for qualified individuals who live within three-quarters of a mile of a regularly scheduled Dutchess County Public Transit bus route. For more information about these programs, call 845-473-8424.
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
UPCOMING OFFICE FOR THE AGING PRESENTATIONS AND SPECIAL EVENTS
Thursday 11/10, 12 noon – “Successful Aging” at North East-Millerton Library
75 Main St., Millerton
Tuesday 11/15, 11 a.m. – “Succesful Aging” at Pleasant Plains Presbyterian Church
2 Fiddlers Bridge Rd., Staatsburg
Thursday 11/17, 2 p.m. – Office for the Aging Services presentation at Clinton Town Hall
1215 Centre Rd. (DC route 18), Rhinebeck (just north of Schultzville)
Friday 11/18, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. – Caregiver Conference at The Grandview
175 Rinaldi Blvd., Poughkeepsie
Registration: 1-800-272-3900 by November 11
Wed 11/30, 1 p.m. – “Successful Aging” at the Fountains at Millbrook
79 Flint Rd., Millbrook
Monday 12/5, 1 p.m. – “Successful Aging” at Kings Apartments, 20 Pine Dr., Pawling
COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING PREPARATIONS IN WAPPINGERS FALLS
The United Methodist Church of Wappingers Falls will again host a free community Thanksgiving Day dinner for anyone who needs an afternoon of food, friends, and fellowship that day. The church is at 9 South Mesier Ave. at East Main St in the Village. The doors will open at noon and will be open until about 3:00pm. This is the fifth annual Thanksgiving dinner, in response to an expressed need of some in the community to be with others in the spirit of Thanksgiving. Church members and friends are doing the work. Members of other congregations are invited to help that Wednesday and Thursday. There are many opportunities for potential donors and volunteers to be of service. Individuals and groups can get in touch to find out how they can help. Reservations are not required but would be appreciated in advance for planning. Contact the United Methodist Church of Wappingers Falls at 845-297-3208 or umcofw@hotmail.com.
OTHER AGING NEWS ONLINE
The world’s oldest person, almost-117-year-old Emma Morano of Verbania, Italy, shares her longevity secrets and it’s…eating raw eggs? https://www.thelocal.it/20161031/emma-morano-worlds-oldest-person-shares-her-secrets-for-a-long-life
Here’s this week’s e-news from the Alzheimer’s Association: http://act.alz.org/site/MessageViewer?autologin=true&em_id=227282.0
If you’re raking your own leaves this fall, here are some tips to make the job a little bit easier and more efficient: https://www.silversurfers.com/lifestyle/garden/do-you-rake-or-vacuum-your-leaves/
A new way for paramedics to treat elderly patients at home: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/08/health/older-patients-community-paramedics.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FElderly&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=collection
If you’re a dad who fathered children later in life, and perhaps you’ve packed on more poundage than you should have…this might be the best news ever:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/10/31/chubby-older-fathers-are-more-attractive-to-women-and-live-longe/
Here’s a letter to the editor of the Albany Times-Union from an 87-year-old man who has chosen a unique way to air his highway maintenance grievances:http://blog.timesunion.com/gettingthere/hilarious-letter-thanks-officials-for-bumpy-delmar-roads/7507/?cmpid=fbsocialflow
This week in senior birthdays:
Mon 11/7: Minister/author Billy Graham (98)
Tue 11/8: World’s oldest working stage and film actor Norman Lloyd (102)
Wed 11/9: Baseball Hall-of-Famer Bob Gibson (81)
Thu 11/10: Singer/songwriter Greg Lake (Emerson, Lake & Palmer) (69)
Fri 11/11: Singer/songwriter/Hudson Valley resident Marshall Crenshaw (63)
Sat 11/12: Actor/playwright Wallace Shawn (73)
Sun 11/13: Yankees pitcher/pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre (75)
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
