Dutchess County Office for the Aging’s AGING NEWS For the week of June 26, 2017

Dutchess County Office for the Aging’s

AGING NEWS

For the week of June 26, 2017

NOTE: If you would like to volunteer to help seniors at this week’s Senior Picnic for residents of the Town of Wappinger and Village of Wappingers Falls, let us know by calling (845) 486-2555 or emailing bjones@dutchessny.gov. This week’s picnic takes place onWednesday, June 28 at the town’s Robinson Lane athletic complex.

If you can’t make it that day, we’re also looking for assistance at Office for the Aging headquarters (27 High St., Poughkeepsie) on Monday and Tuesday of this week, and all the picnic weeks, to call senior guests and remind them that their picnic’s coming up!

Golden Living . . . News for Senior Citizens

Todd N. Tancredi, Director

Dutchess County Office for the Aging

WARNING SIGNS

With school wrapping up for the summer and vacation season getting underway, many of us plan family get-togethers or trips to visit loved ones. If it’s been a while since you’ve seen an elderly relative or friend, it may be the first time you notice they’re having difficulty taking care of themselves.

Bringing up the subject of a senior’s possible need for assistance can be tricky, because seniors are understandably afraid to lose their independence. Still, your elderly loved one is most likely to maximize their independence by facing the issue directly, rather than ignoring or denying it.

There’s a distinct difference between a senior needing a little extra help around the home, and needing 24/7 care at a nursing home or assisted living facility. A few hours of home care or other assistance goes a long way to keeping them safely and happily at home, and as independent as possible. The important thing is to address the issue quickly and map out a plan of care.

Here are a few of the most common warning signs a senior may need help:

Poor Eating Habits: This can include not eating regular meals, weight loss, lack of appetite, or spoiled foods not thrown away. Consult with their physician first; depression can often be the cause of poor eating habits.
Poor Hygiene: Unpleasant body odor, infrequent showering or bathing, poor grooming, neglected nails and teeth, and wearing dirty clothes are hallmarks of poor hygiene.
Neglected Home: A dirty living space, extreme clutter, dirty laundry piling up, a strong smell of urine in the house, and partially eaten food left out are all signs an elder needs assistance.
Changes in Behavior: Watch for out-of-character behavior like unusual loudness or quiet, paranoia, agitation, repeated phone calls at all hours or extreme mood swings. Be on the lookout for uncertainty or confusion when performing once familiar tasks.
Isolation: Be aware if your normally socially active older adult has suddenly lost interest in keeping in touch with family or friends, or in social, religious, recreational and/or civic activities.
Unexplained Injuries: Burns or injuries from weakness, forgetfulness, or misuse of alcohol or medications should concern you. If they still drive, look for unexplained dents or scratches on their car.
Forgetfulness: Are bills piling up without getting paid or being paid twice? Are prescriptions remaining unfilled, or are they taking more than prescribed? Is mail left around unopened? Newspapers unread or appointments missed? Be watchful for other signs like buying more than one magazine subscription, entering an unusual amount of contests, or increased purchasing from TV advertising.
Mobility Issues: Are they having trouble getting up from a seated position or having difficulty with walking, balance or getting in or out of the car?

If you aren’t sure where to turn for help, the Dutchess County Office for the Aging may be able to assist you. Visit our website atwww.dutchessny.gov/aging for a comprehensive list of resources, or call us at (845) 486-2555.

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: www.dutchessny.gov/aging

Upcoming Office for the Aging events and presentations:

Tue 6/27, 9 a.m. – Senior Walking Group (Poughkeepsie), weather permitting

Meet at the Washington St. entrance to the Walkway over the Hudson

Walkers step off at 9 a.m. sharp every Tuesday

Call (845) 486-2555 for more information or to form your own group

Tue 6/27, 11 a.m. – Losing Weight and Keeping It Off

With OFA nutrition coordinator Nimesh Bhargava

Rhinebeck Senior Friendship Center, 1232 NY 308, Rhinebeck (Rock City)

(845) 486-2555 for information

Mon 8/7, 2 p.m. – “Successful Aging” at Pawling Library

11 Broad St., Pawling

With OFA outreach coordinator Brian Jones

(845) 486-2555 for more information

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. Keep in mind that until the end of August, most of our Wednesdays are occupied with Summer Senior Picnics.

We feature presentations on Successful Aging, Office for the Aging services, a wide range of topics related to nutrition, and more!

VILLAGE OF MILLBROOK HYDRANT FLUSHING THIS WEEK (6/26-30)

The Village of Millbrook will be flushing fire hydrants throughout the Village during the week of June 26th. Flushing is essential for pipe maintenance. However, it is common to experience turbidity (cloudy water) following the procedure. Run your faucets for a few moments to clear silt from your lines and check your washing machine and shower before using. Any questions can be directed to the system operators, VRI Environmental Services, Inc. at 845-677-3839.

TICK FORUM THIS WEEK (WED 6/28) IN HYDE PARK

If you participate in social media like Facebook, Twitter and the like, you know that it can be hard to tell what’s legitimate health advice and what’s nonsense. With regard to ticks and the diseases they carry, there’s a forum this Wednesday evening at the Wallace Center in Hyde Park aimed at helping you learn the difference. Details from Senator Sue Serino’s office here: https://www.nysenate.gov/calendar/events/task-force-lyme-and-tick-borne-diseases/sue-serino/june-28-2017/think-you-know-ticks

BEFORE IT WAS ROUTE 199

The Little Nine Partners Historical Society invites you to a presentation and conversation on “The Evolution of Roads To and Through Pine Plains” on Saturday, July 1 from 3:00-4:00 p.m. at the Pine Plains Community Library (7775 South Main St. (a/k/a Route 82), Pine Plains) with Bill Jeffway, Town of Milan Deputy Historian, executive director of the Dutchess County Historical Society, trustee of Historic Red Hook and founder of History Speaks, an effort to make local history more relevant, engaging, and appreciated. Bill will give guests a look at the newly-restored 1802 map of the Salisbury Turnpike, an early thoroughfare between Salisbury, Connecticut and Bainbridge, New York, which entered Dutchess County at Millerton, then continued through Pine Plains, Milan and Rhinebeck to the ferry landing at Rhinecliff that took travelers to and from Kingston and points west.

More information at www.historyspeaks.us.

RELATIVES-AS-PARENTS PICNIC IN JULY

The Family and Consumer Education division of Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County is holding a picnic for its Relatives as Parents Program, Friday, July 14^th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Bowdoin Park in the town of Poughkeepsie. The Relatives as Parents Program is a community based program that works with families throughout Dutchess County, providing educational workshops, support groups, respite events, inter-generational activities, referrals and resources for caregivers raising their relative children. RAPP staff works with relative caregivers and their children to provide a fun, safe, welcoming space for them to connect with other families in similar situations to their own.

For more information: jmc646@cornell.edu, or (845) 677-8223 x137

THIS WEEK’S SENIOR PICNIC NEWS

As of Friday, June 23, there were fewer than five seats available at the Office for the Aging Senior Picnic for residents of the Town of Wappinger and Village of Wappingers Falls, coming up on Wednesday, June 28.

Also as of Friday the 23^rd there were still spaces (again, sometimes only a few!) available for seniors at subsequent Senior Picnics in July and August. If you’re a Dutchess resident age 60 or over, call (845) 486-2555 to reserve a spot at the picnic that matches where you live:

o July 12 for residents of Hyde Park and Clinton, at Fran Mark Park in Salt Point;

o July 19 for residents of Beacon, at Memorial Park;

o August 2 for residents of Pleasant Valley, at Cady Field;

o August 9 for Town of Poughkeepsie residents, at Bowdoin Park;

o August 16 for residents of Beekman and LaGrange, at Freedom Park;

o August 23 for East Fishkill residents, at the Route 376 town recreation complex;

o August 30 for City of Poughkeepsie residents, at Waryas Park.

If you don’t see your community listed here, chances are that’s because your community’s senior picnic has already happened.

More aging news online:

Yes, walking the dog counts as exercise: http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2017/06/12/532625213/dog-owners-walk-22-minutes-more-per-day-and-yes-it-counts-as-exercise

Skepticism from the experts after word of a new incontinence treatment makes news: http://www.philly.com/philly/health/health-news/the-o-shot-incontinence-fix-or-empty-promise-20170618.html

Some insect repellents work – and some don’t. Here’s how to tell the difference: http://www.consumerreports.org/insect-repellent/five-insect-repellent-products-to-avoid/?EXTKEY=I175E000&utm_medium=paid_social&utm_source=keywee&utm_campaign=health&utm_content=giving-birth-what-to-do-right-away&utm_keyword=desktop&kwp_0=428498&kwp_4=1597314&kwp_1=690168