Dutchess County Office for the Aging’s
AGING NEWS
For the week of May 24th
Note: the Office for the Aging will be closed for the national Memorial Day holiday on Monday, May 31st. Clients of our Home Delivered Meals program will receive their May 31st meals in advance of the holiday.
OFA REMOTE AND LIVE PRESENTATIONS
A growing number of groups of Dutchess County seniors and caregivers, whose members are fully COVID-vaccinated, have begun holding socially-distanced in-person meetings this spring. That’s encouraging to see, and the Office for the Aging is available countywide to deliver presentations on subjects of compelling interest to seniors: successful aging, scam prevention, OFA services, Medicare/Medicaid, NY Connects, and much more. For more information, email bjones@dutchessny.gov or call 845-486-2555.
We’re continuing remote presentations as well. “Medicare 101 on Zoom” takes place on the fourth Monday of every month, at 4:00 p.m. Space is limited to 20 participants per session, so reserve your spot by calling the Office for the Aging at 845-486-2555.
OFA LEGAL ASSISTANCE
Being able to advocate for yourself is a key part of successful aging, but sometimes that advocacy requires professional legal assistance. For seniors 60 and older who would otherwise be unable to afford such assistance, the Office for the Aging contracts with a local attorney through our Legal Services for the Elderly program. No fee is charged, although contributions are welcomed whenever possible.
Potential legal situations affecting seniors can include housing rights, Medicare and/or Medicaid, health issues, and consumer or property issues. Preparation of simple wills is also available.
Because our contract attorney works part time, and because the pandemic has added a layer of complexity to providing services, it’s best to contact OFA sooner rather than later if you can anticipate certain legal needs.
Please contact OFA to learn more.
SENIOR TAI CHI CLASS STARTING IN DUTCHESS IN JUNE
Looking for a safe and socially-distanced senior exercise class? There’s a senior tai chi class starting in the Poughkeepsie area in late June. Register by calling the Office for the Aging at 845-486-2555, and we’ll let you know the specifics about the venue and the date(s) the classes happen.
WHY DID THE TURTLE CROSS THE ROAD?
“To get to the other side” doesn’t tell the full story of why we’re likely to see so many turtles crossing Dutchess County roads in May and June. The state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) reports that all 11 species of turtles native to New York are in decline and can use all the help they can get. Turtles migrate to their nesting areas in May and June, and their trips take them across Dutchess County’s roads and highways – even the Taconic Parkway.
If you see a turtle on the road, the DEC recommends slowing down to avoid hitting the turtle. If it’s safe for you to pull over and stop, think about moving the turtle to the shoulder it’s heading toward. If it’s a snapping turtle, you may want to steer clear and let it continue crossing on its own.
For picking up smaller turtles, use both hands and grasp them on either side of the shell behind the front legs. Carry it low to the ground across the road before gently setting it down to resume its mission. You can also place the turtle on a car’s floor mat and slide it to safety.
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
CHILD SAFETY SEAT CHECKS COMING UP IN PINE PLAINS, FISHKILL
(Sat 5/22, Sat 6/12)
It can be tricky to install a child safety seat in a car correctly, especially for grandparents who may not necessarily travel with young children regularly – but free professional help is available.
New York State Police Troop K and the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office will be hosting a Child Passenger Safety Seat Check Event on Saturday, May 22nd at the Pine Plains Fire House, 7 Lake Rd, Pine Plains from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Additionally, the State Police, Sheriff’s Office and Town of East Fishkill Police Department will be supporting another child safety seat event Saturday, June 12th at the Knights of Columbus Hall, Rt 82, East Fishkill, from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
At both events, trained technicians will ensure that a child’s car seat is properly installed and in good condition. They will also offer vital information to parents and caregivers regarding making the transitions between car seats, booster seats and regular seat belts.
For more information, contact the Dutchess County Traffic Safety Board at 845-486-3602.
“WELCOME TO MEDICARE” VIRTUAL FAIR
The New York State Office for the Aging is partnering with the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) National Technical Assistance Center on Wednesday, June 23, from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m., for a free “Welcome to Medicare” Virtual Fair.
There is no cost to attend, and Medicare beneficiaries can participate in all or part of this event. There will be general sessions with expert presenters on Medicare eligibility, enrollment, costs, and coverage options. In the general sessions, SHIP TA will offer subtitles in English and a live transcript in Spanish. Beneficiaries can visit state-specific virtual exhibits at any time during the event to answer individual Medicare enrollment questions. This event can be accessed from a computer or mobile device anytime between 3:00 and 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time on June 23rd.
Visit www.shiphelp.org for more details, to see the agenda, and to register.
Other aging news online:
The Office for the Aging took part in a May 12 pop-up vaccine clinic in Millerton: https://tricornernews.com/millerton/millerton-american-legion-post-178%E2%80%99s-pop-covid-19-clinic-success
There’s a lot of social-media misinformation on the best way(s) to remove a tick that’s gotten itself latched on to you, and a lot of the “remedies” can do more harm than good. Forget about using fire, ice, Vaseline, nail polish and so forth. Here’s the right way to remove a tick (also available in Spanish, within the link): https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/removing_a_tick.html?fbclid=IwAR1d8yuUCYR6dsvPk55OVGYDsHOoEbpBAFo7dDzTfV4LyPHKHCQGZ45ZH_o
When it comes to revealing his secrets for living to age 111, Australia’s oldest man may be messing with us just a little: https://news.sky.com/story/dexter-kruger-australias-oldest-man-111-reveals-secrets-of-long-life-are-eating-chicken-brains-and-living-simply-12309060?utm_source=fark&utm_medium=website&utm_content=link&ICID=ref_fark&fbclid=IwAR0opwIIb6pR5cEAGX8y7Rikj4ebQZUkn8_M8hVtFq0Sbm1I289il6pk2Mw
And a Bad Joke:
Somebody once asked me to name a structure that holds water.
I said “Well….”
