Dutchess County Office for the Aging’s
AGING NEWS
For the week of March 6
Golden Living . . . News for Senior Citizens
Todd N. Tancredi, Director
Dutchess County Office for the Aging
One recurring theme of the concerns we hear from Dutchess County seniors is the potential for losing their independence. Will they be able to continue living in their homes? And in a county like Dutchess, where having a car is helpful to meeting many day-to-day needs, will they be able to continue driving?
Possible answers to their questions about independence are appearing, first in the form of “smart car” technology rapidly becoming standard equipment in new cars, and in the not-too-distant future with the rise of self-driving car technology.
Aging drivers have long had reason for concern. Johns Hopkins University researchers report that drivers over age 70 have the second-highest crash rate of all age groups, except for young male drivers. According to the National Institute for Highway Safety, fatal crash rates per mile travelled start to increase at around age 70, and beyond age 85, fatal crash rates are higher than for any other age group. If only for the prospect of preventing crashes and injuries, we’re watching self-driving vehicle developments with great interest.
For now, research on the topic is scarce. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s AgeLab, though, has surveyed 3,000 driving Americans and found drivers age 45 and up are less comfortable with the idea of turning control over to technology, whether it’s full or partial control. The MIT study indicates that only 13 percent of Americans 75 and older would be comfortable with a fully automated driving experience. The automobile industry, nonetheless, has hopes the senior car-buying public will see the mobility improvement offered by self-driving cars as outweighing their possible wariness of adopting new technologies. They’re even exploring technology that could not only drive you to the grocery store, but could sense puddles in the parking lot and make sure you’re not dropped off in one.
If you’re in the market for a new car right now, you’re likely to see standard features that were limited to luxury cars just a few years ago. The new features are often aimed at enhancing the abilities of mature drivers, keeping them able to travel independently for longer. Keep an eye out for these ten senior-friendly features:
- Smart headlights that adjust in range and intensity to reduce glare and improve night vision;
- Emergency response systems to alert authorities in the event of an emergency behind the wheel;
- Reverse monitoring systems that warn of objects and help drivers judge distance while backing up – a big help if you’re dealing with reduced flexibility;
- Blind spot warning systems;
- Lane departure warning signals that let you know if you’re drifting in traffic;
- Vehicle stability control;
- Assistive parking systems;
- Voice-activated systems that allow drivers to keep both hands on the wheel and stay focused on the road;
- Crash-mitigation systems that can detect when the vehicle may be in danger of a collision;
- Drowsy driver alerts that monitor the degree to which a driver may be inattentive while on the road.
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 events and presentations
Monday 3/6, 12 noon – “Successful Aging” at the Town of Fishkill Recreation Center
793 Route 52
(845) 831-3371 for information
Snow date: 3/13…and it’s not snowing, so come on by today!
Tuesday 3/21, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. – Senior Friendship Center Country & Western Day
All eight Dutchess County Senior Friendship Centers
Reservations required at (845) 486-2555
Monday 4/3, 2 p.m. – “Wills, Trusts and Elder Law” at Pawling Library
With John Wirth, Esq., Office for the Aging Advisory Board
11 Broad St.
(845) 855-3444 for information
Wednesday 4/5, 2:30 p.m. – “Successful Aging” at Parkinson’s Disease Support Group meeting
Starr Library, 68 W. Market St., Rhinebeck
(845) 876-4030 for information
Thursday 4/6, 2 p.m. – “Successful Aging” at Blodgett Library
37 Broad St., Fishkill
(845) 896-9215 for information
Monday 5/22, 12 noon – The Celebration of Aging
Villa Borghese
70 Widmer Rd., Wappingers Falls
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 – and this time of year, an alternate date in case your venue is closed by winter weather.
TAKE THE WHEEL FOR THE OFFICE FOR THE AGING
If you’ve been searching for a way to give of your time, and you enjoy drives in the beautiful countryside of Dutchess County, we have an immediate volunteering opportunity that will allow you to enjoy both. We’re in need of volunteer drivers to make deliveries for our Home Delivered Meal program in southeastern and eastern Dutchess County, including the towns of Pawling, Union Vale and Amenia. The program operates Monday through Thursday, we reimburse for mileage, and we’d love to have your help whether you’re available for only one of those days or all four.
To volunteer, complete the form that’s available at this link: http://www.co.dutchess.ny.us/CountyGov/Departments/Aging/AGvolunteers.pdf and send it to the Dutchess County Office for the Aging, 27 High St., Poughkeepsie NY 12601.
If you have questions, call us at (845) 486-2555. Outside the 845 area code we can be reached toll-free at (866) 486-2555.
BOGUS “OFFICE FOR THE AGING” PHONE CALLS IN NEW YORK
We hope everybody knows the drill by now: if you get an offer over the phone that sounds too good to be true, it’s quite likely to be a scammer and your next moves are as follows:
1) Hang up without saying anything, then
2) Report the scam attempt to law enforcement. You can report fraud attempts at 800-771-7755.
The latest such attempt has been reported to us by authorities in neighboring Columbia County via the New York State Office for the Aging, and here’s what reportedly happened:
An older adult got a call from the fake “Office for the Aging” saying the person was the recipient of a legal settlement (too good to be true), confirmed the individual’s name and cited the individual’s correct Social Security number, then asked for confirmation of the number. The older adult made the correct move and immediately hung up, then reported the scam attempt to the county sheriff’s department, and also reported it to the state Office of the Aging.
We’ll continue to follow developments in this case. In the meantime: Never give out personal information to people you do not know. Likewise, do not confirm personal information to people you do not know.
MARCH IS THE MONTH FOR 2017 “SENIOR CITIZEN OF THE YEAR” NOMINATIONS
The window of opportunity to nominate someone for the 2017 Dutchess County “Senior Citizen of the Year Award” is still open – but only through the end of March.
Nominations are being accepted through March 31st in the categories of Senior Male, Senior Female and Senior Citizen Couple of the Year. The awards are presented at the Celebration of Aging, held each May in honor of Older Americans Month. You may nominate as many seniors as you wish, in as many categories as you wish. Nomination forms and more information are available by calling our office at (845) 486-2555, or you can find a copy of the form online at: http://www.co.dutchess.ny.us/CountyGov/Departments/Aging/AgingSOY.pdf
The Celebration of Aging also honors residents of Dutchess County who have achieved incredible feats of successful aging. Please also let us know of anyone who will be turning 100 or older or celebrating a wedding anniversary of 70 years or more during 2017 by calling the phone number above, or through email at bjones@dutchessny.gov.
MILLERTON-AREA GROCERY SHOPPERS REST EASIER
Last month’s closing of the Grand Union in Millerton left residents of the area needing to drive to Amenia, Pine Plains, Millbrook, or even farther to find a full-service grocery store – but it appears their wait for a new store won’t be long, with a new store scheduled to open today (Mon 3/6) at the Grand Union location. More information here: http://eastdutchess.dailyvoice.com/business/new-supermarket-opening-in-millerton/701710/
For seniors in northeastern Dutchess, the Millerton-based North East Community Center (www.neccmillerton.org) has help available for seniors who don’t drive. Call (518) 789-0135 for more specific information.
DRUG DROP-OFFS THIS SATURDAY (3/11) IN AMENIA, DOVER, MILLBROOK
If you missed last Saturday’s opportunity to safely dispose of your unwanted, outdated and unneeded prescription drugs, there are three more opportunities this coming Saturday:
- 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – Amenia Town Hall (Winter Farmer’s Market), 4988 Route 22, Amenia
- Noon to 1:30 p.m. – Dover Fire House, 3122 Route 22, Dover Plains
- 2 p.m. to 3:30 pm. – Millbrook Fire House, 20 Front Street, Millbrook
A full list of drug drop-box locations is available at this link: http://www.co.dutchess.ny.us/CountyGov/Departments/STOPDWI/DWPrescriptionDrugTakeback.pdf
Most drop-box locations are available 24/7 with the exception of locations in Millerton, Red Hook and Pawling.
STATE OF THE COUNTY FORUM AT TOWN OF POUGHKEEPSIE SENIOR CENTER
Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro will be talking with Town of Poughkeepsie seniors in a State of the County forum on Tuesday, March 14 at 1:00 p.m. at the Town Senior Center (14 Abe’s Way, 462-0265 and www.poughkeepsietownrec.com). Hear an overview of the 2017 State of the County, participate in an open conversation with County Executive Molinaro, and share your feedback about the issues important to you and your family!
There are three other Town Hall Forums on the calendar:
- Thursday, March 9, 6 p.m. at Beekman Town Hall (4 Main St., Poughquag);
- Wednesday, March 22, 6 p.m. at Tivoli Village Hall (86 Broadway);
- Wednesday, April 5, 6 p.m. at American Legion Post 178 (155 Route 44, Millerton).
All forums are open to the public and all are welcome.
Other aging news online:
Many retiring farmers are apprehensive about what the future holds for them: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/01/business/retirement/for-many-farmers-retirement-is-a-source-of-dread.html?mabReward=A7&recp=2
Frequent brisk walks may help those with mild cognitive impairment, often a precursor to dementia and Alzheimer’s. And a bit of movement can’t hurt: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/01/well/move/frequent-brisk-walks-may-aid-those-with-early-alzheimers.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fhealth&action=click&contentCollection=health®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=sectionfront&_r=0
Colorectal cancers are generally thought of as affecting those over 50, but incidence of those cancers is trending upward among those younger than 50 although overall numbers are still small: http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2017/02/28/517563769/why-are-more-young-americans-getting-colon-cancer?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=20170228
You may have heard testosterone supplements widely advertised for men suffering from a range of age-related ailments – now, the first major study of the supplements finds the claims are largely hype although it did help men with anemia and low bone density:http://www.philly.com/philly/health/Major-study-finds-testosterone-therapy-is-no-fountain-of-youth.html
For those with the means: retirement at sea? https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/24/business/retiring-on-a-cruise-ship.html?rref=collection%2Fcolumn%2Fretiring&_r=0
She’s 99 and being arrested was on her “bucket list”, so… http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/03/01/99-year-old-grandmother-arrested-police-complete-bucket-list/
This week in senior birthdays:
3/6: Actor/director/producer Rob Reiner (70)
3/7: TV personality Willard Scott (83)
3/8: Writer/Yankees pitcher Jim Bouton (78)
3/9: Former New York US senator James Buckley (94)
3/10: World’s second-oldest living person Violet Brown (117)
3/11: Journalist Sam Donaldson (83)
3/12: Computer pioneer Mary Lee Woods (93)
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
