Dutchess County Office for the Aging’s
AGING NEWS
For the week of November 19
Note: The Office for the Aging will be closed for Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 22nd. We will be OPEN with standard hours (9 a.m. – 5 p.m.) on both Wednesday, November 21st and Friday, November 23rd.
Golden Living . . . News for Seniors, Their Families and Caregivers
Todd N. Tancredi, Director
Dutchess County Office for the Aging
The Office for the Aging is now taking applications for its spring 2019 “A Matter Of Balance” classes. Available in Dutchess County since 2015, with support from Health Quest, “A Matter Of Balance” is an award winning, research-based program aimed at helping older adults reduce their risks for falling.
The classes help participants in many ways:
- to view falls and fear of falling as controllable;
- set realistic goals for increasing activity, and
- change their environment to reduce fall risk factors.
The program also promotes exercise to increase strength and balance. Thirty minutes of exercise are included in each class, beginning with the third session. The program is comprised of eight weekly sessions.
Those most likely to benefit from “A Matter of Balance” include older adults who are concerned about falls; have fallen before; restrict activities because of concerns about falling; are interested in improving flexibility, balance and strength; and who are at least age 60, ambulatory and able to problem-solve.
Statistics show that one out of three adults over 65 fall in the course of a year, with the risk of a fall increasing with age. One out of two adults over 80 will fall. In Dutchess County, falls account for more than half of emergency room visits in a year.
If you’ve read this far and are still hesitant about signing up for a class, please remember that the risks of falling increase with physical inactivity – in other words, the less you do because of a fear of falling, the more likely it becomes that you’ll fall. “A Matter of Balance” is designed to address your concerns and improve your confidence.
The spring series of classes will be held throughout Dutchess County. Likely sites will be in the City and Town of Poughkeepsie, Wappingers Falls, Fishkill, Rhinebeck, Pleasant Valley and Dover Plains. Other sites may be added depending on demand. Classes are generally held in the spring and fall, but summer classes may be added if demand is sufficient.
Seniors interested in participating in classes must fill out an application. Applications are available atwww.dutchessny.gov/aging, by email at ofa@dutchessny.gov, or by calling the Office for the Aging at 845-486-2555. Callers should request an application for “A Matter of Balance”. Class space is limited to fourteen participants.
In the meantime, here are a few simple tips to reduce your risk of falling at home:
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- Clear your hallways and walkways of impediments like boxes and electrical cords;
- Move coffee tables and plant stands away from high-traffic areas;
- Immediately clean up spills, especially if they’re greasy or oily;
- Repair any loose carpeting or floorboards;
- Make sure your bathtub includes a non-skid mat, and perhaps grab bars and/or bath seat;
- Light your living spaces well – especially your bedroom, bathrooms, hallways and stairs;
- Have multiple flashlights available in strategic locations in the event of power outages.
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
Unless otherwise indicated, call (845) 486-2555 for more information
All events subject to unannounced schedule changes
Mon 11/19, 11 a.m. – Healthy Eating Through the Holidays
With OFA nutrition coordinator Nimesh Bhargava
Beacon Senior Friendship Center, 1 Forrestal Heights
Tue 11/20, 11 a.m. – Healthy Eating Through the Holidays
With OFA nutrition coordinator Nimesh Bhargava
Pawling Senior Friendship Center, 154 Charles Colman Blvd.
Tue 11/27, 11 a.m. Healthy Eating Through the Holidays
With OFA nutrition coordinator Nimesh Bhargava
Tri-Town Senior Friendship Center, 55 Overlook Rd., Poughkeepsie
Wed 11/28, 9:30 a.m. – Navigating the Medicare Website
Adriance Library, 93 Market St., Poughkeepsie
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED – make them at (845) 486-2555
Tue 12/11, 11 a.m. – Anti-Scam Presentation
With OFA outreach coordinator Brian Jones
The Regency at Fishkill, 100 Regency Dr.
Snow date: Thu 12/13, 11 a.m.
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 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.
We feature presentations on Successful Aging, Office for the Aging services, Medicare/Medicaid, scam prevention, senior housing, a wide range of topics related to nutrition, and more!
NOVEMBER IS DIABETES AWARENESS MONTH
In recognition of Diabetes Awareness Month, Sims and Associates Podiatry (www.simspodiatry.com) is offering free diabetic foot screenings during the entire month of November. Call one of the offices below to schedule an appointment; all numbers are 845 area code:
Poughkeepsie: 471-2243
Fishkill: 897-2735
Pleasant Valley: 723-4857
Highland: 834-3880
Office hours at all locations are Mondays 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays.
ELDER LAW (AND MORE) IN STANFORDVILLE (Sat 11/17)
Residents of rural north-central Dutchess County can get their questions about elder law, wills, trusts, Medicare and more answered on Saturday, November 17th at 10 a.m. at the Stanford Free Library (14 Creamery Rd.,www.stanfordlibrary.org), with attorney Andrew Baffi. Reservations are appreciated – call (845) 868-1341 for details.
Other aging news online:
Are we ‘overmedicalizing’ things? https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/06/well/live/a-profusion-of-diagnoses-thats-good-and-bad.html
Alzheimer’s researchers are mapping the ways it spreads: https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/researchers-map-how-alzheimers-pathology-spreads-across-brain-networks
For those times when you might think it’s cognitive impairment, but it isn’t: https://health.usnews.com/health-care/patient-advice/articles/2018-11-02/aging-bodies-and-nimble-minds-can-go-together
Some seniors are finding companionship while saving on rent, by living with roommates as they might have done back in the day: http://www.wbur.org/onpoint/2018/11/06/senior-citizen-roommates-rent-companions
Many aging-friendly practices can also be good for business: https://strianews.com/six-age-friendly-practices-proving-to-be-good-for-business/
Is your brain healthy? Here’s one way you could tell: https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/is-my-brain-normal-healthy-how-to-tell-age-health-head-mind-a8433886.html
We share this one every year, because a lot of Dutchess County seniors and their families like to take a trip down to the city for the holidays…it’s a guide to the Metropolitan Museum of Art for people with dementia and their caregivers:https://www.metmuseum.org/events/programs/access/visitors-with-dementia-and-their-care-partners
He’s 69, but he wants to be legally recognized as 49. So he’s going to court: https://www.npr.org/2018/11/08/665592537/69-year-old-dutch-man-seeks-to-change-his-legal-age-to-49
This week in senior birthdays:
11/19: Talk show host Larry King (85)
11/20: Actress/singer Kaye Ballard (93)
11/21: Singer/songwriter-pianist Mac Rebennack (a/k/a Dr. John) (78)
11/22: Director/actor Terry Gilliam (Monty Python) (78)
11/23: Composer/conductor Johnny Mandel (93)
11/24: NBA Hall-of-Famer Oscar Robertson (80)
11/25: NFL coach/racing team owner Joe Gibbs (78)
Thanksgiving Recipes for Seniors
Many thanks to everybody who emailed us their favorite family Thanksgiving recipes. We would not presume to intrude on sacred family turkey recipes, so we’re covering what accompanies the bird (or its vegan equivalent). We’ve collected a few and linked to some others – starting with the iconic green bean casserole recipe created by Dorcas Reilly of New Jersey, who passed away last month at age 92.
Green Bean Casserole: https://www.campbells.com/kitchen/recipes/classic-green-bean-casserole/
Some ideas for holidays where a senior with dementia will be joining you: https://blog.arborcompany.com/diet-nutrition-meal-preparation-tips-for-dementia-care?hsCtaTracking=84e1ad55-198a-4b19-aeec-312b1ae8264c%7C155bc8e5-5a3e-4800-943f-471098da0892
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Pumpkin Pie with Oat-Pecan Crust
Ingredients:
- 2 cups pecans
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter – melted
- 2 Tbsp. granulated sugar
- 3/4 tsp. kosher salt
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 large egg white
- 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
- 1 pinch ground cloves
- Candied pecans for garnish
Directions:
First, heat your oven to 350 degrees and prepare a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
Next, place pecans and oats on the prepared cooking sheet and toast until golden – this should take about 12 minutes. Remove and let cool.
In a food processor, mix the pecans, oats, butter, granulated sugar and 1/2 teaspoon salt until ground – this should take 2 to 4 minutes. Transfer mixture to pie plate and press down to form your crust. Place in the oven for 15 minutes, and then cook on a baking sheet for 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool on a rack.
In the meantime, whisk your pumpkin, cream, brown sugar, milk, eggs, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and 1/4 teaspoon salt until combined. Pour into prepared crust and bake for 45 minutes. Remove, let cool on a rack and chill for at least 2 hours. Garnish with candied pecans and enjoy!
Mashed Potatoes…with Parsnips
You may have a special mashed-potatoes recipe, but if yours could use a boost, boil some chunked parsnips in the same pot where you’re boiling the chunked potatoes. They both take the same amount of time to cook.
Drain, mash, and add your favorite ingredients.
That’s it. Really.
Oven-Roasted Squash with Garlic and Parsley
(this one’s diabetic-friendly and you can make it ahead of time)
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/249971/oven-roasted-squash-with-garlic-parsley/
And now, to prepare you for Thanksgiving with the family, here’s a special assortment of Bad Jokes to share with your loved ones. (Warning: you may be forced to sit at the kids’ table after telling these.)
Q: What did the turkey say to the turkey hunter during Thanksgiving week?
A: Quack, quack!
Q: What’s the difference between a pirate and a cranberry farmer?
A: A pirate buries his treasure and the cranberry farmer treasures his berries!
Q: Can a turkey jump higher than the Empire State Building?
A: Well, sure. A building can’t jump at all.
Q: What sound does a turkey make in orbit around Earth?
A: Hubble, Hubble, Hubble.
Q: How do you keep a turkey in suspense?
A: I’ll tell you on New Year’s Eve.
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
Website: www.dutchessny.gov/aging
