Dutchess County Office for the Aging’s
AGING NEWS
For the week of November 21
Reminder: the Office for the Aging’s headquarters in the City of Poughkeepsie will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, but open on Friday, November 25.
The Office for the Aging’s home delivered meals program will not operate on the 24th and 25th.
Golden Living . . . News for Senior Citizens
Todd N. Tancredi, Director
Dutchess County Office for the Aging
HELP MAKE TAXES LESS TAXING
While most of us may be busy this weekend preparing for end-of-year holidays, the AARP Tax-Aide program is getting ready to help thousands of Dutchess County seniors, low-income families and individuals with free tax preparation. Volunteer tax-prep helpers are needed to step up now, so they’ll be trained in time for the peak of tax season from February through April.
AARP Tax-Aide assisted over 4,800 residents in Dutchess County with free tax preparation last year. Almost four out of five people who turn to AARP Foundation Tax-Aide are 60 or older, and in Dutchess County, individuals who used the Tax-Aide program saved an estimated $971,000 in tax-preparation fees. Without a preparer’s help, most seniors would not take full advantage of the credits and deductions they’ve earned, just when their finances may be becoming more complex because of retirement and other aging-related issues. For many seniors, getting the maximum tax refund they deserve under the law could mean they won’t have to choose between paying for groceries and keeping the lights on.
If you’re nimble with numbers, somebody with tech abilities who wants to help your neighbors, or skilled in the nuances of state and federal tax code, lend a hand to AARP Tax Aide and the Hudson Valley CA$H (Creating Assets, $avings and Hope) Coalition, which is dedicated to helping families and individuals in the Hudson Valley save money and improve their financial stability. There are many roles to fill, with volunteering opportunities that fit your abilities and interests. The ideal volunteer for tax preparation is computer literate, well organized, enjoys interacting with others and has some knowledge of personal tax preparation. All volunteers receive training from the AARP Tax-Aide program that is administered through AARP Foundation, in conjunction with the Internal Revenue Service.
Volunteers will:
- Use skills to make a difference to those in need;
- Receive IRS Certification;
- Learn new skills and take advantage of free training;
- Join others in our community making a difference;
- Enjoy flexible days, times and locations throughout Dutchess County and the Hudson Valley.
If you’re not so sure about your skills with taxes, there are still satisfying opportunities for you; AARP Tax Aide also needs client facilitators, technology help, communications assistance, and site coordinators. They’re also seeking volunteer help from bilingual speakers, and from interpreters who can work with preparers and filers at the same time.
Tax preparation training begins in the late fall and winter of 2016-17. For more information, contact Linda Eddy at 845-475-7500 orleddy@dutchesscap.org.
Remember also that you do not have to be a senior or AARP member to volunteer or to access the service.
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
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
To request an Office for the Aging presentation for your senior, social and/or civic group, get in touch with outreach coordinator Brian Jones at (845) 486-2555 or bjones@dutchessny.gov. All you need provide is a venue that’s accessible and open to the public, and a space to set up a projector and screen.
AN OPPORTUNITY WITH THE OFFICE FOR THE AGING
Our contractor who has managed the growth of our Matter of Balance, Senior Exercise and Brain Games programs is stepping down from the position at year’s end, and so we’re looking for somebody to continue building upon our success. The ideal candidate will have great organizational skills, love working with seniors, and be articulate and comfortable with some evening phone and computer work. The deadline to apply is 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 23.
We are currently accepting proposals for # RFP-DCP-70-16 for Aging Health Promotion and Development Contractor.
To obtain the official bid documents, go to www.BidNetDirect.com/new-york to login and download the bid documents. If you are not registered, you may register for free (Search Registration) or pay the annual fee (automatic notification); in either instance, you have the same capability to download the bid documents.
If you have registration inquiries or if you do not have Internet access, you may call BidNet at 1-800-835-4603 and then press option #2 for their Vendor Support Department.
In addition to obtaining the official bid documents, any and all addendum pertaining to a particular bid or RFP are posted on the same website that the official bid documents are obtained: www.BidNetDirect.com/new-york.
For any additional questions, contact Dutchess County Division of Central Services Contract Administration at 845-486-3613.
Once again: the deadline to apply is 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 23.
CITIZEN’S PREPAREDNESS TODAY (11/21) IN POUGHKEEPSIE
This past weekend’s snowy and windy weather is yet another reason to get ready for emergencies, and tonight (Monday) the Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response and the Poughkeepsie Public Library district invite you to a Citizen’s Preparedness Forum at the library’s Boardman Road branch (141 Boardman Rd.). Doors open at 6:30 tonight and the event begins at 7:00. You’ll learn how to prepare for and respond to disasters and acquire the tools to be ready before potential life-threatening situations arise. For more information on this and future preparedness events, go to dutchessny.gov or call 845-486-2080.
WINTER “SPOTLIGHT ON SENIORS” COMING SOON
We’ve “put the paper to bed”, as they say in journalism, and we’ll be including a link to the winter version of our quarterly publication “Spotlight on Seniors” in next Monday’s (11/28) Aging News. For your aging friends and neighbors who do not have Internet access and want to get the Spotlight in the mail, please contact the Office for the Aging at 845-486-2555 as soon as possible to be added to the list in time for our planned early-December mailing.
TALENTED SENIORS SOUGHT IN RHINEBECK
Have you got a talent for singing, musicianship, poetry, dance, art or anything in the creative realm? The Center for Healthy Aging at Northern Dutchess Hospital is looking for seniors who have talents, who would be willing to perform them at a talent show at 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12. For more information, contact Sarah Bradshaw-Colomello at 845-876-4745 or sbradsha@health-quest.org. The registration deadline is Monday, November 28. Non-performers are certainly welcome – it’s not a show without an audience, right? Register by calling the number above or online at www.healthquest.org/wellness.
OTHER AGING NEWS ONLINE:
More research pointing to the benefits of exercise for seniors – including those with Parkinson’s: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/11/161115083921.htm
The proportion of homeowners of 55 with mortgage debt is going up: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/22/health/new-old-age-mortgage-debt.html
Legendary singer/songwriter Leonard Cohen died at 82 earlier this month, reportedly of a cause that’s becoming all too common, but still preventable – complications from a fall: http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/medical_examiner/2016/11/leonard_cohen_died_from_falling_a_common_cause_of_death.html
Some senior centers are going in for speed dating and wine tasting: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/12/your-money/new-senior-centers-offer-baby-boomers-speed-dating-wine-tasting.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FElderly
Here’s the story of a woman in England (Worcestershire, to be specific) who turned 110 recently and says the secret to her longevity is…you’ll have to read it: http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/14748399.VIDEO__Oldest_person_in_Worcestershire_celebrates_110th_birthday_with_friends/
This week in senior birthdays:
Mon 11/21: Singer/songwriter-pianist Mac Rebennack (a/k/a Dr. John) (76)
Tue 11/22: WWII veteran/professional tennis player Gardnar Mulloy (103)
Wed 11/23: Composer/conductor Johnny Mandel (91)
Thu 11/24: NBA Hall-of-Famer Oscar Robertson (78)
Fri 11/25: NFL coach/racing team owner Joe Gibbs (76)
Sat 11/26: Comedian/impressionist Rich Little (78)
Sun 11/27: Fashion designer Jil Sander (73)
Questions, comments, and Thanksgiving green bean casserole recipes can go to our Outreach Coordinator, Brian Jones, whose contact information is listed below.
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
