Dutchess County Office for the Aging’s
AGING NEWS
For the week of June 26th
Note: the Office for the Aging and all OFA Friendship Centers are closed in observance of Independence Day on Tuesday, July 4th.
SUMMER 2023 “THRIVE60+” NOW AVAILABLE
The Summer 2023 edition of the Office for the Aging’s quarterly newsletter THRIVE60+ is now available. You can see the newsletter online, along with back issues, by going to www.dutchessny.gov/aging and clicking on the THRIVE60+ link.
If you would like to become a regular email subscriber to OFA newsletters, sign up via www.dutchessny.gov/DutchessDelivery, which you can also use to subscribe to alerts and newsletters from other Dutchess County Government departments. The Aging News is emailed every Friday. Homebound clients of our Home Delivered Meals program receive weekly print copies.
If you have subscribed to receive a print copy of THRIVE60+ THRIVE60+ through regular mail, you should receive it soon. If you don’t have internet access and want to be on our mailing list, you can request a copy of THRIVE60+ to be mailed by calling the office at 845-486-2555. We do not share or sell our mailing lists.
Newsletters are also distributed at all Dutchess County public libraries. If you manage a senior housing complex or a medical office with a significant senior clientele, we can drop off a supply while they remain available. Email OFA Outreach Coordinator Brian Jones at bjones@dutchessny.gov to find out more.
OFA SPEAKS YOUR LANGUAGE
Speaking a language other than English can often be a burden for an older adult who is looking for assistance. In many cases, the individual in question is a recent arrival in the United States, joining descendants who emigrated to the U.S. generations earlier. At the Dutchess County Office for the Aging, we use a service called Language Line to ensure we can properly assist non-English-speaking and limited-English-speaking seniors, caregivers and others. Language Line offers translators in over 35 different languages.
When someone whose primary language is not English calls or stops by our office, we ask him or her to let us know what language they feel most comfortable speaking. We then set up a conference call with an interpreter who can translate the conversation for both parties. All conversations are held in the strictest confidence.
Non-English-speaking residents may also find assistance through our website, www.dutchessny.gov. Users can translate every page on the website into languages ranging from Afrikaans and Albanian to Yoruba and Zulu – over 100 languages in all. On the top right side of any page on our website, you will find a button that says, “Language and Accessibility Options.” Click it and a menu will be displayed, from which you can pick the language of your choice. All text on the page will be translated into the selected language, with a change in alphabet as necessary.
Please help us spread the word about these two helpful services to any non-English speaking residents or groups with whom you may associate and encourage them to get in touch with us with any follow-up questions.
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
NEW DATE FOR FISHKILL PICNIC
There’s a new date to mark on your calendar for those of you who reserved a seat for the June 7th Town/Village of Fishkill OFA picnic, which was postponed due to poor air quality caused by smoke from springtime wildfires in Canada.
We’ll be back at Geering Park on Wednesday, August 9th. All reservations for the June 7th picnic remain valid.
Car-pooling is strongly suggested for all OFA picnic attendees, especially for those who are meeting up with friends at the picnic.
Many thanks to AccentCare, The Pines at Poughkeepsie, and the Landing of Poughkeepsie for their support of the OFA picnic program.
NEXT OFA FRIENDLY CALLS VOLUNTEER ORIENTATIONS AND INFO SESSIONS
The OFA Friendly Calls program is a great opportunity to help our older adults avoid loneliness and social isolation, with the convenience of volunteering from home if you so choose. The volunteering program is open to ages 18 and above; maybe it’s an option for those who have recently graduated from high school or are home from college for the summer.
Each orientation session lasts 40-50 minutes. Our next orientation sessions will be held at OFA’s City of Poughkeepsie headquarters:
Monday, June 26th – 3:30 pm
Monday, July 10th – 10:00 am
To register for orientation at OFA, or to request a group orientation at your place of business or meeting venue, call 845-486-2555 or email ofa@dutchessny.gov. We’ll schedule additional orientations all summer, throughout the county. We hope your community’s seniors groups can be next! Contact OFA to schedule your orientation.
OFA PICNIC SEASON VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES
OFA Senior Picnic season is underway! We have volunteering opportunities available at all Summer Picnics, which are held on most Wednesdays through August 30th. For volunteers under age 18, a signed parental waiver is required.
We’ll need help on picnic days getting tables and chairs set up, guiding drivers to parking spaces, bringing food and drinks to senior guests, and more. For a picnic schedule, see www.dutchessny.gov/ofapicnics.
For information on other OFA volunteering opportunities, visit www.dutchessny.gov/ofavolunteer or email bjones@dutchessny.gov.
2023 SENIOR FARMERS MARKET COUPONS COMING IN JULY
The Office for the Aging’s 2023 Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) is slated to begin distributing voucher booklets in early July.
SFMNP provides income-qualified older adults with access to locally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs. An official date for the beginning of SFMNP distribution will be announced soon.
Other news:
Worksheets for caregivers. It’s certainly tough to keep track of everything that needs doing.
The median US population is almost 39, up from 30 in 1980. We’re older than we’ve ever been.
A short daytime nap may work wonders for brain health as we age.
Maine’s legendary Lobster Lady is 103 and still plying her trade on the sea.
And here’s a Bad Joke!
My spouse asked me the other day where I got so much candy. I said, “I always have a few Twix up my sleeve.”
