Dutchess County Office for the Aging’s AGING NEWS – 2.2.15

Free Tax Prep
February is Heart Month
Are You Young at Heart?
Home Repair Applications Being Accepted Now
Rogers & Hammerstein Concert (2/4)
Heart Healthy Lunch (2/26)

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Once again this year, the AARP Tax-Aide program in conjunction with the IRS and the Hudson Valley CASH Coalition will be offering a free, volunteer run, tax preparation service for low to moderate income taxpayers, with special attention to those ages 60 and older. You do not need to be a member of AARP or a retiree to use this service. All Tax-Aide sites offer a free electronic filing service for both Federal and New York State returns.

Sites in locations all around Dutchess County are now open and appointments are available through April 15th. Dial 211 (or 1-800-899-1479) for site locations, hours or an appointment. More information about the program as well as 24-hour, year round tax assistance can be found at their website: www.aarp.org/taxaide

Did you know February is National Heart Month? Heart disease is the number one killer of Americans, so we can all benefit from improved heart health. The American Heart Association has identified seven steps called “Life’s Simple 7” that will help you live “heart healthy” and add quality years to your life: Don’t smoke, Maintain a healthy weight, Engage in regular physical activity, Eat a healthy diet, Manage your blood pressure, Take charge of cholesterol, and Keep blood sugar at healthy levels. Learn more on the American Heart Association’s website at: mylifecheck.heart.org.

The Poughkeepsie office of the American Heart Association needs volunteers to help them in their mission by stuffing envelopes, filling “goodie bags” for events, folding and sorting posters/event materials and also as day-of-event volunteers for the Heart Walk and Go Red For Women Luncheon. The office is located on Rt. 55 in Poughkeepsie near Page Lumber. For information, please call Toni Grundig at 845-905-2120.

While taking care of your heart is one of the best things you can do to avoid heart disease, a new survey appears to show feeling you are “young at heart” may also lower your death rate. University of London researchers followed almost 6,500 older adults over eight years and found those who felt older than their chronological age were more likely to have died during the research period.

In a similar study linking psychological well being and physical health, Concordia University in Canada found boosting an elderly person’s self-esteem can buffer potential health problems later in life. Part of the findings showed when self-esteem decreased, the stress hormone cortisol increased – and the opposite was also true. Participants with a history of stress or depression showed a particularly strong association with an increase in harmful cortisol.

Researchers stressed that maintaining or even improving self-esteem and a “feeling of worth” provided a number of health benefits to older adults. Further research is being conducted to study how the link between self-esteem and immune function can contribute to patterns of healthy aging.

Rebuilding Together Dutchess County (RTDC) is accepting applications for their home repair and accessibility modification programs. These services are provided at no cost to qualified homeowners and focus on ensuring that individuals can live independently in safe, warm, dry and healthy homes.

The deadline for applications to be considered for Fall Rebuilding Day in October is March 31, 2015. Income qualified Dutchess County homeowners, especially those who are elderly, living with a disability, military veterans or parents with school aged children are encouraged to apply.

Since RTDC’s founding in 1992, 12,500 volunteers have been engaged, assisting over 450 Dutchess County homeowners with critical home repairs, accessibility modifications and energy-efficiency upgrades valued at over $5 million in market value.

To receive an application or to find out how you can help support RTDC’s home repair program visit www.rebuildingtogetherdutchess.org or call 845-454-7310.

The Northern Dutchess Symphony Orchestra presents classic songs from Oklahoma, South Pacific, Carousel, The King and I, and The Sound of Music. With vocalists Emily Geller and Jeremy Moore, accompanist Valentina Shapalova, and NDSO music director Kathleen Beckmann
110 S. Grand Ave., Poughkeepsie, 11:30am – 12:30pm
Free (voluntary donation gratefully accepted); program and lunch afterwards ($5/person).

Please call 845-471-0430 for more info, lunch reservations, and last-minute schedule changes.

Knowledge about heart disease can be a powerful tool for prevention, detection and treatment. Get the facts that could save a life at the Northern Dutchess Hospital’s Healthy Heart Lunch and Learn event. The community service luncheon will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26 in the cafeteria conference room of Northern Dutchess Hospital, 6511 Springbrook Ave., Rhinebeck.

The program includes a nutritious meal and interactive presentations on how to care for your heart by Dr. Douglas Kroll, a cardiologist at the Hudson Valley Heart Center and director of cardiac rehabilitation at the hospital, as well as Roufia Payman, outpatient nutrition counselor at the hospital.

Seating is limited to 40 people. Advance registration is required before Feb. 19. To register, contact the hospital’s Public and Community Affairs Department at 845-871-1720 ext. 4 or sbradsha@health-quest.org.