Dutchess County Office for the Aging’s
AGING NEWS
For the week of January 29
Golden Living . . . News for Seniors, Their Families and Caregivers
Todd N. Tancredi, Director
Dutchess County Office for the Aging
FEBRUARY IS HEART MONTH
Every year, the first Friday of February is the American Heart Association’s special day to bring attention to heart disease, which remains the number one killer of women nationwide. It doesn’t have to be that way, because, according to the association’s research, 80% of cardiac events in women can be prevented with a combination of lifestyle changes and education.
The AHA’s Go Red For Women movement can help you inform yourself about the risks of heart disease and stroke. You are encouraged during February, American Heart Month, to make the healthy changes in lifestyle which can prevent heart disease before it starts. Go Red For Women inspires women to make lifestyle changes, mobilize communities, and shape policies to save lives. There are many ways to get involved, including spreading the word. It can be as simple as choosing what to wear on Friday, February 2nd – also known as National Wear Red Day. You can find out more at www.wearredday.org.
When it comes to preventing heart disease, early detection can make all the difference. The Go Red for Women campaign encourages women to take the initiative in their own personal heart disease battle so they won’t be taken by surprise by heart disease later in life. They’re encouraging all women to schedule a “well-woman visit:” an annual check-up that gives a doctor the chance to spot the signs of heart disease while there’s still time to take necessary steps to conquer it. If you go several years between physicals, a serious health problem can go undetected and cause far more damage than if the problem had been caught earlier.
Funds raised by Go Red For Women support educational programs to increase women’s awareness about their risk for heart disease and stroke, as well as critical research on cardiovascular health. Get more information about the program at www.goredforwomen.org
SUCCESSFUL AGING PRESENTATIONS IN FEBRUARY
OFA Outreach Coordinator Brian Jones will be traveling throughout Dutchess County this month, featuring presentations on successful aging and OFA services.
He’ll be in the Town of Poughkeepsie on Tuesday, February 13th at 11 a.m. at Castle Court at Concord Village, 386 Van Wagner Rd.
On Wednesday, February 14 at 10:30 a.m. there will be a presentation at the Pine Plains Library (7775 NY 82); and on Thursday, February 22 at 11 a.m. there will be a presentation at Regency at Fishkill (900 Regency Dr.).
In the event of inclement winter weather, snow dates have been reserved for each presentation. Get the full calendar of OFA events and presentations, or book a presentation for your senior group and/or civic organization. Email bjones@dutchessny.gov to join the OFA email list. Every Monday, you’ll receive a wealth of information on senior-friendly events and activities throughout the county.
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 upcoming events:
Tue 1/30/18, 11 a.m. – “Will Your Resolutions Last Until February?”
With OFA nutrition coordinator Nimesh Bhargava
Rhinebeck Senior Friendship Center
(845) 486-2555 to find out more
Tue 2/13/18, 11 a.m. – “Successful Aging”
With OFA outreach coordinator Brian Jones
Castle Court at Concord Village
386 Van Wagner Rd., Poughkeepsie
(845) 486-2555 for details
Snow date: 3/13/18, same time
Wed 2/14/18, 10:30 a.m. – “Successful Aging”
With OFA outreach coordinator Brian Jones
Pine Plains Free Library, Second Floor Community Room
7775 South Main St. (Route 82)
(845) 486-2555 for details
Snow date: 3/14/18, same time
Tue 3/6/18, 2 p.m. – “Successful Aging”
With OFA outreach coordinator Brian Jones
Blodgett Library, Fishkill
(845) 486-2555 for details
Snow date t/b/d
Wed 3/21/18, 11:30 a.m. – “Successful Aging”
With OFA outreach coordinator Brian Jones
At “Lunch and Learn”, Temple Beth-El
118 South Grand Ave., Poughkeepsie
(845) 486-2555 for details
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 orbjones@dutchessny.gov. All your group needs to provide is a venue that’s wheelchair-accessible and open to the public, with space to set up a projector and screen. We have our own projector and screen – but if you have those, let us know. This time of year, we recommend you come up with an alternate presentation date you can make available in case of inclement winter weather.
We feature presentations on Successful Aging, Office for the Aging services, Medicare/Medicaid, senior housing, a wide range of topics related to nutrition, and more!
CAREGIVERS MEET AT MIDHUDSON REGIONAL (Tue 1/30)
MidHudson Regional Hospital in Poughkeepsie (241 North Rd.) is hosting a Caregivers Workshop at the hospital’s Sister M. Ann Elizabeth conference room on Tuesday, January 30 from 2:30-4 p.m. This workshop’s theme is “Understanding and Responding to Dementia Related Behavior.” It’s presented by the Alzheimer’s Association, the conference will focus on behavior and communication with Alzheimer’s patients. For more information, call (845) 483-5551 or email dominique.stippa@wmchealth.org.
SKILLED VOLUNTEER LISTENERS WANTED
The Dutchess County Department of Community and Family Services (DCFS) is looking for volunteers to help them with a situation that has risen to crisis level with the SNAP (food stamps) program. The department has been inundated with phone calls (sometimes over 1,700 a day!) and their staff is unable to keep up. Some clients may be forced to go without food if they are unable to obtain these benefits. DCFS is looking for volunteers with people skills who would be willing to answer phones and take messages from the clients, thereby freeing up staff members to perform the actual work involved in assisting clients. Volunteers should be willing to do at least 5 three-hour shifts over the next 6 weeks as part of this program. Shifts are Monday through Friday from 8:30am until 11:30am or 12:30pm until 3:30pm through Friday, March 16th. You will be provided with training and orientation upon arriving for your first shift. To register for this volunteer program, or for more information, email: jryan@dutchessny.gov
SPEEDING OBSERVATION RESULTS RELEASED
The Dutchess County Transportation Council this past week released the 2017 update to the results of its ongoing study of “high-end speeding” on County and local municipal roads – in other words, all the roads that AREN’T state roads, U.S. highways, interstates or parkways. For the first time, this year’s report includes data on high-speed crashes. Check it out here: http://www.dutchessny.gov/ConCalAtt/67/Report%20Update%202017_Revised%20Final_01222018357.pdf
Other aging news online:
New York’s had the worst flu season since the state started keeping track 14 years ago: http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/story/news/politics/albany/2018/01/22/flu-everywhere-ny-had-worst-week-ever/1054647001/
Even in a relatively compact country like the UK, isolation of seniors is a major concern. They’ve even created a “Ministry of Loneliness”: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/jan/22/1m-uk-older-people-risk-withering-away-hunger?CMP=fb_gu
A new type of advance directive aimed at those concerned about dementia: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/19/health/dementia-advance-directive.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FElderly
Fight off dementia with…video games? Run this one by the grandkids, and maybe you can school them at NBA Jam (which was released 25 years ago):http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/12/25/super-mario-helps-prevent-dementia-scientists-say/
Parkinson’s disease has brought a sudden end to Neil Diamond’s touring career, though he says he still plans to continue songwriting and recording:https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/neil-diamond-retires-from-touring-due-to-parkinsons-disease-w515759
The “tiny house” craze may have something to it – for seniors: http://www.courierpress.com/story/news/local/2018/01/22/usi-add-new-magic-housing-option-students-older-adults/1052855001/
This week in senior birthdays:
1/29: Actor/businessman Tom Selleck (73)
1/30: Singer/songwriter/drummer Phil Collins (67)
1/31: Actress/singer/dancer Carol Channing (97)
2/1: Actor/comedian Garrett Morris (81)
2/2: Baseball Hall of Famer Red Schoendienst (95)
2/3: 1930’s/40’s film star Mary Carlisle (104)
2/4: Former vice president Dan Quayle (71)
Brian Jones
Outreach Coordinator
Dutchess County Office For the Aging
