Dutchess County Office for the Aging’s
AGING NEWS
For the week of July 31
SMALLER SOCIAL SECURITY BUMP PREDICTED FOR 2024
Each year’s Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) roughly tracks inflation. That’s how the 2023 COLA wound up at 8.7%, its largest increase since 1981.
Don’t look for a repeat in 2024, though. With inflation at its lowest rate in two years and measuring at a 12-month rate of 3% in June, various national seniors’ groups are expecting a 2024 COLA close to 3%. The nonpartisan Senior Citizens League found that a COLA of 3% would increase the average 2023 monthly benefit of $1,787 by just over $50 a month. For retired workers, the average monthly benefit is slightly larger: $1,837, rising to $1,892 with a 3% COLA.
Estimates could change, as there are three more months of data coming before the 2024 Social Security COLA is officially announced in October 2023.
While benefits did not keep up with inflation in 2022, it’s possible that this year’s bump will enable benefits to regain lost ground – assuming inflation stays about where it is.
HIGHER MEDICARE PART B PREMIUMS COMING IN 2024?
One key factor that’ll affect your monthly Social Security check is the expected Medicare Part B premium for 2024. The current standard monthly Part B premium of $164.90 may jump by $10-15 a month in 2024, due largely to costs associated with recent FDA approval of the drug Leqembi, a new treatment for early-stage Alzheimer’s disease, according to the Senior Citizens League and nonprofit health research provider KFF.
Part B premiums are typically deducted directly from Social Security checks. In many years, the Part B premium increase has cancelled out that year’s Social Security COLA, leading to net Social Security benefits effectively remaining flat even though recipients are still seeing the same increases in cost of living as everyone else. That said, this year’s Part B premiums did drop by 3%.
LEQEMBI AND ITS PRICE TAG
According to KFF, Leqembi is targeted at patients with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia with confirmed amyloid plaques. Without insurance coverage, Leqembi is priced at $26,500 per year. With Medicare Parts A and B factored in, out-of-pocket costs may still come to more than $5,000 annually, according to KFF.
As always, whether any medication is right for an individual is a cost-benefit discussion to be had with one’s health care providers.
Regarding insurance coverage, the Office for the Aging’s HIICAP (Health Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance Program) offers free and unbiased information to help you make the best choices for your specific healthcare needs. To arrange an appointment with a HIICAP Counselor at OFA headquarters in Poughkeepsie, contact the OFA HIICAP Hotline at 845-486-2566 or email ofa@dutchessny.gov.
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
OFA “A MATTER OF BALANCE” AND TAI CHI SIGN-UPS
One of OFA’s most popular classes is “A Matter of Balance,” an eight-week series of weekly two-hour classes typically held in the fall and spring.
A Matter of Balance is most appropriate for people who: are 60 or older; concerned about falls; and interested in improving flexibility, balance, and strength. Participants learn how to view falls as controllable; set goals for increasing activity; make changes to reduce their fall risk at home; and exercise to increase strength and balance.
We’re accepting reservations for classes beginning in September in your choice of four locations: Beekman, Dover, Hyde Park and Poughkeepsie. Contact OFA during business hours at 845-486-2555 to confirm your registration. Specific class times and locations are provided upon confirmed class registration. “A Matter of Balance” classes cannot accept walk-ins.
Tai Chi for Arthritis and Falls Prevention helps people with or without arthritis to improve balance, both mentally and physically, which helps significantly reduce the rate of falls experienced by older adults. Other benefits include improving relaxation, vitality, posture, and immune system improvement. Studies have shown that tai chi can reduce falls by nearly 70%. The program focuses on confidence building, which is linked closely to a reduced rate of falling.
OFA tai chi classes get underway in September in two locations:
LaGrange Town Hall, Stringham Road, LaGrange
Monday and Wednesday
10 week class, starting September 11th
Town of Poughkeepsie Senior Center, 14 Abe’s Way, Poughkeepsie
Monday and Wednesday
Starts September 11th
The enrollment limit is 15 for both classes. To sign up, contact OFA at 845-486-2555. Class times will be provided upon registration. Printable class registration forms are available at www.dutchessny.gov/SeniorExercise.
LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLD WATER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (Ends August 31)
New York State’s Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) helps low income households pay the cost of water and sewer services. The program can assist households who have past due bills (arrears) for water and/or sewer services.
Benefits are based on the actual amount of water and/or sewer arrears, up to a maximum of $2,500 per water or sewer provider, or $5,000 if water and sewer services are combined, per applicant household. Benefits are paid directly to the household’s water and/or sewer vendor(s).
Contact OFA for information on what qualifies an individual or household for LIHWAP assistance: 845-486-2555 or ofa@dutchessny.gov.
Additional details are available at https://otda.ny.gov/programs/water-assistance/.
VOLUNTEER OFA NUTRITION HELPERS WANTED (Poughkeepsie and elsewhere)
OFA’s Home Delivered Meals (HDM) program serves nutritious weekday meals to about 500 homebound older adults throughout Dutchess County. That’s thousands of meals every week, all year. It’s OFA volunteers who keep the HDM program humming – helpers at the OFA central kitchen in Poughkeepsie, and drivers throughout Dutchess County.
If you are free to help in our kitchen any or all weekday mornings, please email jdennis@dutchessny.gov or call 845-486-2555 during business hours. We’re also interested in hearing from prospective volunteer drivers anywhere in the county. Mileage reimbursement is available for volunteers who use their own vehicles for deliveries.
PICNIC VOLUNTEERS ALSO WANTED (THIS WEEK IN PLEASANT VALLEY)
We have volunteering opportunities available at all Summer Picnics. There are picnics on the calendar every Wednesday through August 30th. For volunteers under age 18, a signed parental waiver is required.
This week’s picnic is taking place on Wednesday, August 2nd, at West Road School in Pleasant Valley (181 West Rd.).
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. If you can help, contact OFA Outreach Coordinator Brian Jones at bjones@dutchessny.gov.
August picnics take place in Pleasant Valley (8/2), Fishkill (8/9), the City of Poughkeepsie (8/16), East Fishkill (8/23) and LaGrange (8/30).
For a picnic schedule with maps to each venue, see www.dutchessny.gov/ofapicnics.
For information on other OFA volunteering opportunities, visit www.dutchessny.gov/ofavolunteer or email bjones@dutchessny.gov.
SENIOR FARMERS MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM CONTINUES
Qualifying older adults have an opportunity to improve their nutrition while supporting local farms this summer, thanks to New York’s Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP).
Qualifying for SFMNP is straightforward: be a Dutchess County resident at least 60 years of age and receiving benefits through Social Security, public assistance, SNAP, HEAP, or Section 8 housing. Alternately, an older adult may qualify if household income is below 185% of US poverty guidelines. Older adults living outside Dutchess County should contact their home county’s Office for the Aging.
To find out more about qualifications, call OFA during business hours at 845-486-2555 or email ofa@dutchessny.gov. Residents of low-income housing complexes may be able to find out more about SFMNP from their residence manager.
We will distribute a limited number of SFMNP booklets across the county from our main office in Poughkeepsie, and to qualifying participants of our OFA Friendship Center and Home Delivered Meals programs throughout the County.
SFMNP booklets are distributed from the OFA main office only on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Distribution hours at OFA Friendship Centers are available on request. OFA Friendship Centers are in Beacon, East Fishkill, Millerton, Pawling, Pleasant Valley (Tri-Town), Poughkeepsie, Red Hook, and South Amenia.
Each booklet contains five checks valued at $5 each. Treat the checks like cash to avoid loss or theft. They cannot be replaced if lost or stolen.
Customers redeeming SFMNP checks will not receive cash change, so use the whole check whenever possible. SFMNP checks cannot be exchanged for cash.
Distribution will continue throughout the 2023 growing season for as long as supplies last. SFMNP checks can be used until November 30th or a participating market closes for the season, whichever comes first. Leftover checks from 2022 or earlier years are no longer valid.
The most recent available list of participating markets in Dutchess County is available at www.dutchessny.gov/OFAnutrition. For a statewide list, go to www.agriculture.ny.gov/farmersmarkets. New markets often enter the program in the summer and fall, so check back regularly.
Eligible recipients must personally sign the Statement of Eligibility Form to receive SFMNP checks. Checks cannot be mailed to eligible older adults. A valid Power of Attorney (POA) may sign for checks and pick up books for an eligible older adult.
A variety of fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables, herbs, and honey may be purchased with SFMNP benefits. “Locally grown” produce can be grown within State borders but may also include areas in neighboring States.
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:
Mon 7/31, 10:00 am
Thu 8/3, 3:30 pm
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. Contact OFA to schedule your orientation.
“THE GOLDEN GIRLS GONE WILD” IN POUGHKEEPSIE (Thursday 10/5)
If you spent any time watching TV in the late 80s and early 90s, you’ve heard of “The Golden Girls,” the two-time Emmy-winning show featuring the adventures of three older widows and a divorcee in Miami. 30-odd years later, the show still has a massive following…and one significant spinoff with audience participation, coming to the Majed J. Nesheiwat Convention Center in Poughkeepsie (14 Civic Center Plaza) this fall.
Manhattan Murder Mystery presents “The Golden Girls Gone Wild,” 12-2pm on Thursday, October 5th. The premise: Dorothy is celebrating her birthday, and Sophia is throwing a surprise birthday party for her pussycat. Sophia is also arranged for a “dating game” event at the party.
(This is where any single men in the audience will want to watch out, because they may become one of the contestants.)
Dorothy’s ex-boyfriend Phil has been invited. Hilarity ensues, as it turns out Phil’s not the only ex at the party. Meanwhile, Blanche is on the prowl (as usual).
Does Phil survive the afternoon? If not, the ladies will be solving the crime.
$35 per ticket includes lunch and the show. Parking tickets at the attached Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel Parking Garage will be validated.
For individual and group ticket sales information, reach out to Rebecca Kozuck at 845-454-5800 extension 1202 or email events@mjncenter.org.
Other news:
Older adults may have to make their homes more accessible as they age. Here’s some good tips for starters.
Tips on talking about pain with your doctors.
The ideal breakfast for somebody who’s aging? Sorry, not pancakes or bacon or… but you are allowed a bit of maple syrup.
A promising new book on why we fall for scams – even those of us who like to tell ourselves we won’t.
This week’s birthdays:
7/29: Canadian musician Geddy Lee (Rush) (70)
7/30: Singer/songwriter Paul Anka (82)
7/31: Jets defensive lineman Gerry Philbin (82)
8/1: Blues musician Robert Cray (68)
8/2: Songwriter/musician/Hudson Valley resident Garth Hudson (The Band) (86)
8/3: Actor/producer Martin Sheen (83)
8/4: Former Mets outfielder Cleon Jones (82)
Bad Joke ahead!
What did the zebra say the first time he saw a piano?
“Dad?”
