Dutchess County Office for the Aging’s AGING NEWS

· May is Older Americans Month

Each May, the nation celebrates Older Americans Month to help recognize older Americans for the contributions they make to our communities. This year’s theme is: Get Into the Act. The theme is in honor of the upcoming 50th anniversary of the Older Americans Act. It celebrates how older adults are taking charge of their health, are engaged in life, and making a positive impact in the lives of others.

To honor the outstanding contributions made by older adults locally, the Dutchess County Office for the Aging hosts our annual “Celebration of Aging” which honors the Senior Citizens of the Year, residents age 100 or older, and couples married 70 or more years. Awardees this year are Violet Dunkley of Rhinebeck, R. Murray Suggitt of Wappinger, and Paul & Mary Lou Roggemann of Hopewell Junction. In addition, Linda Thomas of Fishkill was selected to receive a Senior Achievement Award. They will all be honored by County Executive Marcus J. Molinaro at the annual “Celebration of Aging” luncheon on Monday, May 18th at 12 noon at the Villa Borghese, 70 Widmer Road in Wappingers Falls. For ticket information, visit www.co.dutchess.ny.us/CountyGov/Departments/Aging/agCelebration2015.pdf, or call (845) 486-2555.

The Celebration of Aging is proudly sponsored by Wingate Healthcare, Prime Health Choice, Toll Brothers, Elant Choice, CDPHP, Hudson Cadillac Buick GMC, the Pines at Poughkeepsie, Zounds Hearing, and Hamaspik Choice.

The Center of Lifetime Studies at Marist College member Ellie Charwat will give a presentation on Bootlegging the Hudson Valley at the Vassar-Warner Home, 52 S. Hamilton St. in Poughkeepsie, on Monday, May 4th at 10am. The program is open to the public and refreshments will be served. Parking is available across from the home on S. Hamilton Street. Please call (845) 454-3754 x26 for more information.

Lifetime learning is an important aspect of brain health as you age. Studies have shown the most effective learning techniques for creating new brain cells in older adults is by introducing them to unfamiliar ideas and concepts that they find difficult or challenging. Learning a foreign language or a musical instrument are often highlighted as two of the most beneficial ways to challenge your brain as an adult.

Thanks to a grant from the Family Dollar Literacy Foundation and the American Library Association, patrons of the Poughkeepsie Library District now have free access to the Rosetta Stone Library Solution. Rosetta Stone is a proven, award-winning foreign language immersion method. This digital resource includes instruction in over 30 languages and can be accessed in the library or through a mobile app that enables learners to reinforce their language skills wherever they may be. For more information, contact the Poughkeepsie Public Library District at (845) 485-3445 x3702 or visit www.poklib.org.

There will be a Brain Game Workshop, Thursday, May 14, from 1:30 – 3:30 at the Pleasant Valley Town Hall for anyone interested in starting a new Brain Game class, and current leaders. Current leaders are asked to bring some of their favorite games or activities and demonstrate at least one. Call (845) 486-2555 to register.

Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro continues his series of community conversations and town hall forums to discuss the county issues important to you and your family. Join us this Wednesday, April 29th at the Rhinebeck Town Hall, 80 E. Market Street at 6 PM for an open dialogue where you can share your questions and offer your feedback . Please RSVP to cpillus@dutchessny.gov or call 486-2000.

Health Quest’s Fitness Challenge on the Walkway Over the Hudson runs from May 1 to June 13 as people are asked to walk, bike, run, skate or stretch out for at least 30 minutes as many times as possible during the six-week challenge.

Participants can post a #hqhealthyselfie taken during their activity and post it on Instagram or Twitter for a chance to win some great prizes. Other ways to log your activity include checking in with the Health Quest U app (available free on ITunes or Google Play), online submission via getfithv.com and a paper form. There are different prize levels as the number of entries increase.

There are several community events scheduled in connection with the challenge:

Walkway Over the Hudson

· Moon walk heart health talk by cardiologist Dr. Ethan Gundeck of The Heart Center.

Monday, May 4th 8:30 – 10:30 p.m.

Entrance to Walkway will be only from the West side (Highland).

· Walkway Over the Hudson Marathon pre-training events

– Podiatrists Dr. Daniel Longo and Dr. Douglas Tumen of Hudson Valley Foot Associates will offer running evaluations and answer your questions about foot pain.

– Health and fitness instructor Lori Cassia-Decker, co-owner of Forza Fitness in Millbrook, will lead runners on a warm-up with proper stretching techniques followed by a two-mile run. Water bottle, towel and proper attire are advised.

Sunday, May 17, podiatry clinic at 2 p.m.; run at 2:30 p.m.
Entrance on West side of Walkway.

· Yoga with Yona Schurink from Mike Arteaga’s Health & Fitness Centers.

Saturday, June 6, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Walkway West Overlook; West Walkway Entrance

For more details on entering, prizes and special events, please visit www.getfithv.com

Thursday, May 7, 2015
1:30 to 3 p.m.
Wingate at Fishkill 3 Summit Court Fishkill, New York

Presented by Chris Dayger, PT, ATC Specializing in outpatient and sports medicine, Chris Dayger is the balance and vestibular specialist at Therapy Connection, the Hudson Valley’s most technologically advanced provider of services for balance issues. Therapy Connection’s Center For Balance and Mobility at MidHudson Regional Hospital offers comprehensive and effective care for individuals at risk for falls. For more information, call 845.431.8159
This balance and prevention program will cover:
· Defining Balance
· Identifying risks for falls
· Effects of aging on balance
· Ways to improve balance and prevent falls

This is a FREE presentation; however, space is limited. Please reserve by calling 845.483.5551. This program is funded in part by the U.S. Administration on Aging, New York State Office for the Aging and Dutchess County Government.

Maureen White, Hamaspik Choice, Managed Long Term Care Plan
Hudson Valley Community Center
110 S. Grand Ave., Poughkeepsie, 11:30am – 12:30pm
Free (voluntary donation gratefully accepted); program and lunch afterwards ($5/person).
Please call 845-471-0430 for more info, lunch reservations, and last-minute schedule changes.