Dutchess County Office for the Aging’s
AGING NEWS
For the week of August 28
Note: OFA offices and Friendship Centers are closed in observance of Labor Day on Monday, September 4th. Clients of OFA’s Home Delivered Meals programs will receive meals in advance of the date.
YOUR VOICE COUNTS AT OFA PUBLIC COMMENT FORUMS
While you can contact the Office for the Aging at any time with your questions and concerns, the annual OFA Public Comment Forums are unique opportunities to speak directly, in person, to OFA leadership and members of the OFA Advisory Board, at the following dates and locations:
Wednesday, October 4, 10:30 am
OFA Friendship Center
114 Delafield St., Poughkeepsie
Friday, October 6, 10:30 am
The Pavilion at Brookmeade
34 Brookmeade Dr., Rhinebeck
If you are unable to attend a Public Comment Forum, you can mail written comments to the Dutchess County Office for the Aging, 114 Delafield St, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. You can also email comments to ofa@dutchessny.gov
All Public Comment Forum locations are handicapped accessible. Persons requiring special accommodations to take part in a Public Comment Forum should contact OFA by Monday, September 18th.
STILL SOME SPOTS IN OFA “A MATTER OF BALANCE” CLASSES
Three eight-week OFA “A Matter of Balance” classes begin in September, with space still available at classes in Dover Plains, Hyde Park and Poughkeepsie. Classes meet once a week for eight weeks. A fourth class in Beekman is already fully booked.
Walk-ins cannot be accepted, so class participants will be informed of class venues and times once their registration is complete. Contact OFA during business hours at 845-486-2555 to start the sign-up process.
Can’t make an eight-week commitment right now? OFA Exercise classes are available year-round and countywide, with volunteer instructors welcome – training is provided. Contact OFA to find out more; check dutchessny.gov/seniorexercise for a look at the full range of what’s available to help older adults stay active.
For those who prefer exercising solo, consider strength training and its five goals:
Stronger bones. Strength training puts the cells in your bones to work, leading to improved bone strength and density.
More muscle mass. We lose muscle mass as we age, starting in our thirties, but making up for lost time is do-able. Strength training helps you retain muscle mass for longer, leading to improved balance as well as strength.
Better balance and overall function. The activities we take for granted, like getting out of a chair, tying your shoes, opening jars, and reaching an object from a high shelf, require strength, flexibility, and balance. The more you retain your strength, the lower your risk of falls.
You’ll look good. The technical term for this is “improving body composition.” The term the average person is more likely to use is “looking better in the mirror.” Strength training reduces the risk of later-life obesity.
Improved quality of life. Older adults who participate in strength training often report greater psycho-social well-being.
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
LAST WEEK OF OFA PICNIC SEASON – VOLUNTEERS WANTED
Another season of OFA Summer Picnics is drawing to a close, with two picnics on this week’s schedule:
- the regularly scheduled picnic on Wednesday, August 30th for older adults from Beekman and LaGrange, at Freedom Park in LaGrange (212 Skidmore Rd.); and
- a re-scheduled picnic on Friday, September 1st for older adults from the City of Poughkeepsie, at Stitzel Field (10-14 Lincoln Ave.).
We’re looking for willing volunteers to join us at the picnics to help set up picnic tables and chairs, help seniors find seating, food and drink, parking, and direct them to OFA information, and pack up picnic gear afterwards.
If you are free during the midday (10a-1:30p, approximately) on either of the above dates (or both!), please email bjones@dutchessny.gov or call 845-486-2544.
Volunteers under age 18 require a signed parental waiver, which we can provide on request.
DUTCHESS COUNTY PARKS AND OFA HOST BEGINNER PICKLEBALL LESSONS (9/19, 9/26 and 10/3)
Pickleball has become a popular activity for older adults in recent years, combining fun, low-impact exercise and social activity.
If you’ve been curious about getting started, Dutchess County Parks and the Office for the Aging is offering a free, three-day “Learn to Play Pickleball” lesson series at Quiet Cove Park in Poughkeepsie (1 Clearwater Drive), on three consecutive Tuesdays: September 19, 26, and October 3. Classes are open to Dutchess County residents over age 60.
The first class will cover an introduction to the game; the second class focuses on beginner skills; and we’ll play trial games in the third class.
Space is extremely limited and reservations are required. Call 845-486-2555 to make reservations. Players must commit to all three lessons.
Equipment will be provided.
OFA EDUCATIONAL FORUMS (Monday 9/18)
The Dutchess County Office for the Aging and County Executive Wiliam F.X. O’Neil are offering two free Educational Forums for older adults in Dutchess County, in conjunction with Fishkill Endovascular, on Monday, September 18th, 10 am to 1 pm, at Coppola’s in Hyde Park (4167 Albany Post Rd.).
Our presenters are OFA Nutrition Services Coordinator Nimesh Bhargava, who will discuss diet and prevention of chronic disease; and vascular specialist Dr. A. Ramsey Abadir of Fishkill Endovascular, with a discussion of interventional radiology as it relates to benign prostatic hyperplasia (a/k/a enlarged prostate) and peripheral artery disease (PAD).
A complimentary lunch is provided for all who attend the forums. Seating is limited to 50. Please make reservations by contacting OFA during business hours at 845-486-2555.
“A MATTER OF BALANCE” CLASSES FILLING UP FOR SEPTEMBER START
Falls are not inevitable as you age, and if you’re concerned about your prospects for falling and how to prevent it, OFA can help guide you.
One excellent preventive step you can take is to sign up for an OFA “A Matter of Balance” classes, now registering older adults for eight-week sessions, with classes held once a week at locations in Dover, Hyde Park and Poughkeepsie. Only a few spots are left, so sign up soon by contacting OFA at 845-486-2555 during business hours.
The evidence based “A Matter of Balance” program is ideal for you, if you are a resident of Dutchess County, age 60 or more and ambulatory, and you’d like to maximize the likelihood that you’ll be able to live independently, in your own home, for as long as possible.
You can sign up for “A Matter of Balance” and other OFA exercise classes by calling the Office for the Aging at 845-486-2555. Outside the 845 area code, our toll-free number is 866-486-2555. Classes fill up quickly.
If it turns out that your preferred “A Matter of Balance” is fully booked, try a different venue that still has space, or visit www.dutchessny.gov/seniorexercise to see OFA’s other fitness options.
FAMILY CAREGIVERS’ RESPITE VOUCHER PROGRAM
Are you a caregiver for a relative or friend who has a disability or chronic condition, and is over the age of 60? Or are you yourself over the age of 60 and caring for a child that is not your own? Learn how to apply for up to $600 in reimbursement for respite services.
The New York State Caregiving and Respite Coalition (NYSCRC), managed by Lifespan of Rochester, Inc., is offering respite vouchers for up to $600. Caregivers may use the voucher for respite services that include:
- In-home care
- A center-based program
- Assisted living or nursing home programs
- Summer camp
While NYSCRC supports caregivers statewide, this program is for Dutchess, Putnam, and Westchester County residents only. You must be the primary caregiver and provide a referral — a doctor, social worker, or other professional who knows you and your family. You cannot be in another respite program at the same time.
You may not use voucher funds to reimburse household expenses, like rent or food. Vouchers are good for 90 days.
For more information about NYSCRC and its programs, or to apply for a respite voucher, contact Rebecca at (585) 287-6391 or send an email to rhyde@lifespan-roch.org.
(Made possible by the Field Hall Foundation)
“REBUILDING DAY” DEADLINE EXTENSION
Rebuilding Together Dutchess County (www.rebuildingtogetherdutchess.org) has extended the deadline for its Rebuilding Day Program applications to be submitted for consideration of service in 2024, to September 30th.
This program focuses on critical repairs necessary to maintain a safe and healthy living environment, including, but not limited to: major accessibility modifications; plumbing, heating, cooling, and electrical system repairs; stair, roof, porch and other critical structural repairs. Please note that mobile homes are only eligible for accessibility ramps through this service.
Visit the Rebuilding Together website or call 845-454-7310 for more information.
Other news:
Most people with ALS (a/k/a Lou Gehrig’s disease) don’t live anywhere near as long as Robert Paulson did.
Do you qualify for Social Security spouse’s benefits?
1 out of 15 cases of dementia may be attributable to physical inactivity.
Something for the music fans: Chuck Berry and the Bee Gees performing together.
This week’s birthdays:
8/26: Singer-songwriter Valerie Simpson (78)
8/27: Actress/singer Tuesday Weld (80)
8/28: Yankees outfielder/manager Lou Piniella (80)
8/29: Actor/producer Elliott Gould (85)
8/30: Businessman/philanthropist Warren Buffett (93)
8/31: Singer/songwriter Van Morrison (78)
9/1: Comedy legend Lily Tomlin (84)
How about a Bad Joke? No? Too late.
I went to the store to buy a pair of camouflage pants, but I couldn’t find any.
