Dutchess County Office for the Aging’s
AGING NEWS
For the week of January 11th
Note: the Office for the Aging is closed on Monday, January 18th, for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day national holiday. Clients of our Home Delivered Meals program will receive their meals in advance of the holiday.
Golden Living . . . News for Seniors, Their Families and Caregivers
Todd N. Tancredi, Director
Dutchess County Office for the Aging
SUCCESSFUL AGING IN WINTER…DURING A PANDEMIC
Staying mentally and physically active during winter can be a challenge for seniors; but staying physically safe while maintaining good activity levels doesn’t have to be as difficult as one might assume. That’s because many recommended winter activities already come with the added benefit of maintaining safe social distancing. In some cases, you don’t even have to leave home. Let’s start with what you can to do stay active under your own roof. Remember, any level of physical activity is better than being sedentary.
Just move around your home. When you get to the end of a chapter in a good book (reading is a fine mental exercise, by the way), get up and do a bit of stretching or go for a quick walk, even if it’s only a few laps around the kitchen or a journey up and down the stairs. Take care on the stairs, as always, and observe whether your stairs need any precautionary maintenance.
Cleaning, organizing and de-cluttering your home counts as exercise, and it comes with the added benefit of improved home safety.
For those looking for a more structured way to get started, the Office for the Aging has a sample senior workout available online at www.dutchessny.gov/aging. Look for the “Senior Recreation” link and you’ll find all kinds of useful information, including details on OFA’s own exercise program. The COVID-19 pandemic has made it necessary for many OFA exercise classes to transition to virtual set-ups, but applications are still being accepted. Those are also on the website; if you can’t get online, call OFA at (845) 486-2555 and an exercise application can be mailed to you. Keep in mind that exercise classes are all remote for now; however, it’s possible that future classes could also be held in-person if pandemic restrictions allow it by then.
Also coming in Spring 2021 are two returning popular OFA wellness programs: Tai Chi, and “A Matter of Balance.” Contact OFA to learn more.
Another key to successful aging is getting out of your “comfort zone” by learning something new, and there are plenty of ways to do that while staying physically safe. Maybe winter is the right time to finally learn a new language, musical instrument or new kitchen skills. Don’t worry about becoming an expert. It’s the engagement in a new activity that will do you good. Your mind will stay sharp and your hand-eye coordination will improve with practice.
Golden Living is prepared by the Dutchess County Office for the Aging, 114 Delafield St., Poughkeepsie, New York 12601, telephone (845) 486-2555, email: ofa@dutchessny.gov website: www.dutchessny.gov/aging
VETERANS WEEKLY ZOOM SUPPORT GROUP
Mental Health America (MHA) of Dutchess County and the Dutchess County Division of Veterans Services are hosting weekly Zoom support group meetings on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.:
1/13: Special Guest Speaker from the American Red Cross, on disaster preparedness
1/20: Special Guest Speaker from the American Red Cross, on resiliency
Contact acarrion@mhadutchess.org for the zoom link.
NYS COVID RENT RELIEF EXTENSION THROUGH FEBRUARY 1ST
The COVID Rent Relief Program has reopened. It is accepting new applications through Monday, February 1, 2021.
The program’s eligibility criteria have been expanded to provide rent relief to more New Yorkers. Individuals, who applied during the previous application window and were denied, do not need to apply again. Those applications are being reevaluated. Applications from individuals who have not received a response from the Division of Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) yet are being reviewed under the new criteria.
Eligible households can receive a one-time rental subsidy that covers the DIFFERENCE between their “rent burden” on March 1, 2020 and their “rent burden” for the months they are applying for assistance.
Renters may apply for up to four months of assistance during this period.
The program provides a one-time rent subsidy paid directly to landlords of applicant households. Applicants will not be required to repay this assistance. For assistance, eligibility details and to access the application, visit the HCR website:
Other aging news online:
Starting on Monday, January 11th, hospice and home care workers will be eligible to join the pool of people who can receive a COVID-19 vaccine: https://nystateofpolitics.com/state-of-politics/new-york/ny-state-of-politics/2021/01/04/hospice–home-care-workers-eligible-for-covid-vaccine-next-week
What’s “crisis competence”? You may not know just yet, but for seniors it could be extremely useful: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/01/nyregion/85-and-up-oldest-old-ruth-willig.html
Follow Dutchess County Parks on Facebook. There’s plenty to do year-round, and you’ll be seeing the Office for the Aging there later this year when it’s warmer: https://www.facebook.com/DutchessCountyParks
Consumer goods shortages during the pandemic have been common, but it’s not always the items you think of first that are in short supply: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/01/realestate/pandemic-home-furnishings.html
This list of most common winter insurance claims may come in handy when it comes at evaluating risks to avoid: https://magazine.northeast.aaa.com/daily/money/homeowners-insurance/common-winter-insurance-claims/?mqsc=ED4116063&utm_source=AdobeEmail&utm_medium=Daily&utm_campaign=210104_YourAAADaily&cid=DM176509&bid=86831626&hme=f0cf0a8a5b7325e0660e56c41aa6b7ce5658c27c483fece30d7a8bcf02463554
The last documented widow of a Civil War veteran died last month at age 101. Follow the link for the explanation of how that’s possible: https://kottke.org/21/01/the-last-documented-widow-of-a-civil-war-veteran-has-died
This week in senior birthdays:
1/11: Singer/songwriter/actress Naomi Judd (75)
1/12: Magician the Amazing Kreskin (86)
1/13: Actor Richard Moll (78)
1/14: Drag racing legend Don Garlits (89)
1/15: Guitarist/actress Charo (70)
You didn’t know she played guitar? Time to catch up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R31wu_FBfqU
1/16: Journalist/author William Kennedy (93)
1/17: Actress/comedian Betty White (99)
She plans a “low-key” birthday celebration: https://www.closerweekly.com/posts/betty-whites-99th-birthday-plans-are-low-key-details/
And a Bad Joke to pass along on a cold winter’s day…
Q: What’s the opposite of a croissant?
A: A happy uncle.
