Dutchess County Office for the Aging’s
AGING NEWS
For the week of August 21, 2017
Golden Living . . . News for Senior Citizens
Todd N. Tancredi, Director
Dutchess County Office for the Aging
OFFICE FOR THE AGING “SENIOR PROM” RETURNS
The Senior Prom has been an Office for the Aging tradition for more than 20 years, and regular prom-goers have been asking about the 2017 prom since the 2016 prom. Now the wait is over. This year’s 22nd Annual Senior Prom takes place on Monday, October 16 fromnoon to 4 p.m. at Villa Borghese, 70 Widmer Rd. in Wappingers Falls, and is again co-hosted by the Pines at Poughkeepsie. The prices are the same as last year: $20 per person if your entry is received by Friday, September 15; after that date, the price is $30 per person. A printable entry form is available at the Office for the Aging website, www.dutchessny.gov/aging. The entry form will also be printed in the fall issue of the Spotlight on Seniors, which is due to hit mailboxes in early September.
The theme for this year’s prom is “School Days.” Prom guests are encouraged to dress up in their school colors and/or uniforms, either high school or college.
If you’re getting a group together to go to the prom, here’s some important information: Each table seats 10 people; if you’d like to sit together it is imperative you get your full list of group members together before sending your entry and payment.
Many thanks to the prom’s sponsors: Wingate Healthcare, EverCare At Home, Hudson Cadillac Buick GMC, Hamaspik Choice, MVP Health Care, and the Dutchess County Department of Community and Family Services.
If you have any questions about the prom, if you represent a business that would like to provide a door prize or similar gift, or you’d like to volunteer to help with behind-the-scenes work on the prom committee, get in touch with Outreach Coordinator Brian Jones, atbjones@dutchessny.gov or (845) 486-2555.
The prom often sells out, so we hope to hear from you soon!
SENIOR (65+) DISCOUNT ADMISSION AT THE DUTCHESS COUNTY FAIR
If you didn’t get around to picking up advance-admission tickets to this week’s Dutchess County Fair (Aug. 22-27 in Rhinebeck), there’s a discounted $10 admission available during the Fair for senior citizens, ages 65 and up, at any Fair entry gate. Specifics on all ticket sales can be found at http://dutchessfair.com/dutchess-fair/tickets.
According to the Fair’s website, parking, entrances and aisles are accessible for guests using wheelchairs. Accommodations have been made on the grounds, in buildings, the grandstand and restrooms for individuals with disabilities. More information is available at the Fair website or by calling (845) 876-4000. The Dutchess County Agricultural Society, an independent organization, operates the Dutchess County Fair and does not receive funding from County or local governments.
The Fair’s a great place for seniors to socialize, and walkers can get in their exercise while enjoying the sights and sounds.
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
OFFICE FOR THE AGING CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Tue 9/12, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. – USA Parties (reservations required)
At all Office for the Aging Senior Friendship Centers
Call your local Senior Friendship Center or (845) 486-2555 for more information
Fri 9/22, 10 a.m. – Office for the Aging Services presentation
At the September meeting of the Parkinson’s Disease Support Group
Unitarian Unversalist Fellowship, 67 S. Randolph St., Poughkeepsie
With outreach coordinator Brian Jones
nredkey@aol.com for more information
Sat 9/23, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – The Golden Gathering
Arlington High School
1157 Route 55, LaGrangeville
(518) 455-2945 for vendor participation information
(845) 229-0106 for any other questions
More details: https://go.usa.gov/xNedE
Wed 9/27, 11 a.m. – Office for the Aging Public Hearing
East Fishkill Senior Friendship Center
890 Route 82, Hopewell Junction
(845) 486-2555 for more information
Thursday, October 5, 11 a.m. – Office for the Aging Public Hearing
Interfaith Towers
66 Washington Street, Poughkeepsie
(845) 486-2555 for more information
Mon 10/16, 12 noon – The Senior Prom
This year’s theme: “School Days”
Villa Borghese, 70 Widmer Rd., Wappingers Falls
$20/person before September 15
$30/person after September 15
Printable entry form here: http://www.co.dutchess.ny.us/CountyGov/Departments/Aging/prom17.pdf
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 your group needs to provide is a venue that’s accessible and open to the public, with space to set up a projector and screen.
We feature presentations on Successful Aging, Office for the Aging services, a wide range of topics related to nutrition, and more!
A FEW “MATTER OF BALANCE” SPOTS LEFT
Seniors who are 60+, ambulatory, can problem-solve, and who have concerns about falling still have a few spaces left to sign up for our autumn session of “A Matter of Balance” classes. We still have a few openings left for classes in Dover Plains and Pleasant Valley. If you had your heart set on a class in a different location but it’s full, get in touch with us regardless at (845) 486-2555. We’ll do our best to get you into our next available classes, coming up in the spring of 2018. We typically have eight locations for classes countywide, but are open to hosting more if there’s enough interest.
“A Matter of Balance” is brought to Dutchess County with help from Health Quest.
TEN-DIGIT TIME HAS ARRIVED IN THE 518
If you’re a northeastern Dutchess resident whose phone number has a 518 area code, remember that as of this past weekend, you’ll need to dial a full ten-digit phone number to reach people – including those who are also in the 518 area code.
This has happened because after 70 years, 518 is finally running out of phone number combinations this year. It was one of the last area codes in the country that had retained its original configuration from the 1947 establishment of the area-code system. A new “838” area code now covers the same area as 518. The two area codes extend northward from the Pine Plains/Millerton area, up the Hudson Valley from Columbia and Greene counties to the Canadian border.
Regardless of what area code you’re in, the Office for the Aging can still be reached toll free at (866) 486-2555.
TOWN OF RED HOOK WORKING ON SENIOR TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS
Town officials sent along this public notice, in hopes that transportation providers with an interest in helping the town’s seniors will step up:
“Transportation providers and other interested parties are hereby notified that the Town of Red Hook is applying for a federal grant of up to $150,000, under Section 5310 of Chapter 53 of Title 49, United States Code, for two electric vehicles of up to 16 passenger capacity and wheel chair capacity to provide transportation to community activities, opportunities and programs within the Town of Red Hook to meet the needs of elderly individuals and individuals with disabilities.
The purpose of this notice is to invite private for-profit bus, taxi, ambulette operators and other interested parties to participate in the development of proposed grant project(s) and in the provision of enhanced transportation services to elder individuals and individuals with disabilities. Please contact Town Supervisor Robert McKeon at (845) 758-4622 within 15 days of this public notice to request a copy of the project(s) proposed. Comments on proposed projects must be submitted to Supervisor McKeon within 15 calendar days after receipt of the proposed project information.”
Other local governments making similar requests regarding services and/or events for their community’s seniors can pass the information along to Office for the Aging outreach coordinator Brian Jones: bjones@dutchessny.gov.
FREE ICE CREAM! (Thu 8/24)
That got your attention, right?
The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) of Dutchess County is hosting an ice cream social from 6 to 7 p.m. at 230 North Rd. in Poughkeepsie, across from MidHudson Regional Hospital (formerly St. Francis), between AllSport and the Palace Diner. The event is open to anyone who wants to learn more about the MRC (please help us spread the word). Please register by emailing MRC coordinator Joe Ryan: jryan@dutchessny.gov.
ONE KNIGHT IN BANGKOK (AND TIVOLI)
Starting on Saturday, September 9, northern Dutchess chess buffs can head for the Tivoli Free Library (86 Broadway) for a gathering of the “Tivoli Knights” chess club. They’ll meet every other Saturday at the library’s East Room from noon until 1:00 p.m. All ages are welcome and chess boards will be provide; for more information, call (845) 757-3771.
Other aging news online:
We’ve known for a while that exercise can help reduce frailty in older adults, and now we’re filling in the blanks on what kinds of exercise are most helpful: http://www.rochesterfirst.com/news/local-news/ub-researchers-may-have-found-the-key-to-reverse-aging-in-older-adults/788657415
If you live in the 518 area code (in Dutchess, mainly the Pine Plains/Millerton area), remember that 10-digit dialing started over the weekend:http://www.timesunion.com/7day-business/article/Using-518-area-code-starts-this-weekend-get-11820863.php?Cmpid=nzltr_tu_cc
Questions have arisen about Medicare spending on wound treatment – specifically the scientifically-questionable nature of some treatments (available in English/disponible en español): http://khn.org/news/when-wounds-wont-heal-therapies-spread-to-the-tune-of-5-billion/
This week’s scams:
1) Fake emails claiming to be insufficient-funds notices from Wells Fargo are making the rounds. If you get one, report it toreportphish@wellsfargo.com.
2) Here are seven internet scams that even snag people who think they’re too smart to fall for scams: http://mentalfloss.com/article/503107/7-internet-scams-even-smartest-people-fall?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=KWP&kwp_0=490571&kwp_4=1788632&kwp_1=761634
A 90th-birthday interview with former First Lady Rosalynn Carter: http://www.myajc.com/news/rosalynn-carter-ready-add-great-life-with-90th-birthday/vCfxxgnmpa5enIVNCvan9I/
This week in senior birthdays:
8/21: Actor/director/screenwriter Melvin Van Peebles (85)
8/22: Former Giants/Jets coach Bill Parcells (76)
8/23: Actress/singer Barbara Eden (86)
8/24: Author/poet A.S. Byatt (81)
8/25: Actor Sean Connery (87)
8/26: Musician/songwriter Leon Redbone (68)
8/27: Actress/singer Tuesday Weld (74)
