Dutchess County Office for the Aging’s
AGING NEWS
For the week of September 18th
Golden Living . . . News for Seniors, Their Families and Caregivers
Todd N. Tancredi, Director
Dutchess County Office for the Aging
“GOLDEN GATHERING” COMING SATURDAY 9/23
A “one-stop shop” for the needs of Dutchess County’s older adults and their caregivers is coming to Arlington High School (1157 NY 55, LaGrangeville) on Saturday, September 23rd from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm, in the form of the annual Golden Gathering, hosted by the Dutchess County Office for the Aging and New York State Senator Rob Rolison, with support from the James J. McCann Charitable Trust.
Reaching out to find the services and supports for successful aging can be complicated, but at the Golden Gathering you’ve got a great chance to have your diverse questions about your aging experiences answered in one trip. There will be dozens of service providers and agencies on hand at the Golden Gathering.
Additionally, “high dose” influenza vaccines often recommended for adults 65+ will be available while supplies last. Bring your Medicare and/or insurance card if a flu vaccination is in your plans for the day.
And lest we forget: the Golden Gathering kicks off with live music from OFA Picnic and Senior Prom impresario Bob Martinson!
You can volunteer for the Golden Gathering by emailing bjones@dutchessny.gov, or call 845-486-2544.
AND WHAT ABOUT THE LATEST COVID SHOTS?
A new nationwide rollout of updated vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer is just getting underway, after FDA approval last week. They won’t be available at the Golden Gathering, but soon thereafter. Talk with your health care provider about how best to proceed.
Although the COVID-19 public health emergency expired in May of this year, it’s expected that the cost of the vast majority of COVID vaccinations will be covered by Medicare and private insurers.
FALL THRIVE60+ NEWSLETTER NOW AVAILABLE
OFA’s latest quarterly newsletter THRIVE60+ is being distributed at libraries throughout Dutchess County this week, and OFA volunteers have been busy preparing the newsletter for delivery to households on the OFA mailing list.
You can find the newsletter online at www.dutchessny.gov/THRIVE60.
LAST CALL FOR SENIORS TO APPLY FOR FREE FARMERS MARKET COUPONS
Time is running out for older (age 60+) low-income Dutchess County residents who haven’t yet applied for Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) coupon booklets. Qualifying older adults have until Thursday, September 28th to apply. SFMNP is a win-win for older adults and local farmers, providing nutritious food as well as supporting participating farms and markets. The booklets are comprised of five $5.00 coupons that can be used at any participating vendor.
Walk-in applicants can visit OFA headquarters (114 Delafield St., Poughkeepsie) only between 2:30 and 4 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays to apply, while supplies last. There’s also a “drive-up” application event taking place at OFA on Wednesday, September 27th, from 9:30 to 12 noon.
Not all farmers markets participate in the SFMNP program; to find regularly updated county-by-county lists of participating markets, visit agriculture.ny.gov/farmersmarkets.
SFMNP coupons should be treated like cash. They cannot be replaced if lost or stolen. The coupons are valid at participating markets throughout New York State for as long as the markets remain open this year, or November 30th, whichever comes first.
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 EDUCATIONAL FORUMS (Monday 9/18)
Friday 9/15 is the last chance to register!
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. Friday, September 15th is your last chance to call!
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.
OFA SENIOR PROM – REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
This year’s Office for the Aging “Golden Anniversary” Senior Prom is taking place on Monday, October 16th from 12 noon to 4 pm at Villa Borghese, 70 Widmer Rd. in Wappinger, presented with vital support from The Pines at Poughkeepsie. The prom begins with lunch, then the full Bob Martinson Band will keep the dance floor packed for the rest of the afternoon.
Reservations are now open, and are $20 per person if paid before October 6th, and $30 per person after that date, if any seats are left. A printable reservation form is available in the Fall 2023 OFA THRIVE60+ newsletter and on the OFA website at www.dutchessny.gov/aging; and are available at all eight OFA Friendship Centers.
Each year’s prom has a unique theme, and we’re going with a “golden anniversary” theme to commemorate 50 years since the 1973 founding of the Office for the Aging. It’s optional to dress up; but if you’re planning on being creative with your outfit, you’ll want to incorporate gold into it.
“ADDICTION AND THE AGING” and “SKY BREATHING – A NEW WAY TO MEDITATE” AT BOARDMAN ROAD LIBRARY (Tue 9/26)
Learn about how alcohol and substances affect us as we get older and how to use breathing strategies to cope with life stressors.
Dr. Bina Dani will present on Sky Breathing/Meditation and Christine Groenewegen will present on Addiction and Aging. The event is hosted by the Dutchess County Adult Mental Health Subcommittee.
There is no charge for this event, taking place at Boardman Road Library in the Town of Poughkeepsie (141 Boardman Road), from 2:30-4:30 pm. Registration is not required.
MARIST CENTER FOR LIFETIME STUDY SEEKS NEW MEMBERS
The Marist College Center for Lifetime Study (CLS), having just completed its thirtieth year of service to seniors, has embarked on a campaign to attract new members.
CLS is a volunteer organization operating under the auspices of Marist College. Its primary purpose is to provide opportunities for the educational, intellectual and cultural growth for persons age 55 and older. CLS does this by offering classes to its members at the Locust Grove Estate on Route 9 in Poughkeepsie.
There is a wide range of courses offered in eight-week sessions in the spring and fall. Classes in the past have included such topics as art, computers, current events, economics, gardening, history, healthcare, law, literature, music, poetry, politics, religion, science and travel. Classes are taught by knowledgeable individuals including college faculty, CLS members, community leaders and professional experts.
CLS not only offers classes but also plans trips to places of interest, social activities and events as well as access to various Marist College events and programs. Anyone interested in learning more about CLS are invited to browse the CLS website at https://www.marist.edu/professional-programs/cls or by calling the CLS office at 845-575-3902.
“BOOTS BY THE BANDSHELL” AT BOWDOIN PARK (Saturday 10/14)
Join Dutchess County Parks and 97.7 “The Wolf” radio for “Boots by the Bandshell,” a free country music event with line dancing, food trucks, family activities and fireworks.
It takes place on Saturday, October 14th from 3:30 to 8:00 pm, at the bandshell pavilion at Bowdoin Park (85 Sheafe Rd., Wappingers Falls). CJ and Jess from The Wolf’s morning show will be on hand from 3:30 until 5:00, followed by a performance from Thunder Ridge from 5:00 until 7:30, capped off with a 7:45 fireworks show. For more information, see www.dutchessny.gov/parks.
TWO DEFENSIVE DRIVING COURSES (October 1 and 2-3)
Older drivers looking to refresh their skills and save on insurance costs have an opportunity to sign up for one of two six-hour defensive driving courses, held at Nubian Directions (248 Main St., Poughkeepsie). The NYS DMV-approved classes take place on Sunday, October 1 from 10 am to 4 pm; and a class consisting of two 3-hour sessions on Monday and Tuesday, October 2 and 3, from 3-6 pm both days.
Drivers who successfully complete the class can save up to 10% on vehicle liability, collision, and personal injury protection insurance premiums for three years, and may reduce the number of points on an individual’s driving record by up to four.
The fee for senior drivers is $35, and $40 for all others. For more information, contact Michael Sweeting at 845-407-1378.
MATH AND PHYSICS EXPLORATION FOR OLDER ADULTS
Many older adults may recall having “math anxiety” during their younger years; but even so, wouldn’t it be fun to help your grandchildren learn, love, and enjoy math?
We may not have had the time to learn and practice math when we were younger, but there’s an opportunity to catch up. Math and Physics Exploration provides a course for older adults that will not only help them overcome anxieties but will also enable them to become exponentially better grandparents. You’ll learn why math works and how to use patterns to make math easier and faster to use. On a practical level, you may be able to help children who fell behind in mastering basic computational skills during the COVID-19 pandemic.
After that, you’ll learn how to teach math to your own grandkids, and master math along with them. Dutchess County’s Dr. Irvin Miller is looking for volunteers to take the course and perhaps teach other children. Reach him by email at immiller1@juno.com.
Other news:
Scientists have known for a while that exercise cuts the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, but haven’t been able to find out why until recently.
Blanking on the name of someone you’ve met before is fairly normal and not necessarily a sign of dementia.
What’s the lipidome? And why is it important to aging?
The ingredient phenylephrine that’s included in many cold medications has been found not to work…at all, according to the FDA. While the ingredient was found to be safe and may still be effective in nasal sprays, and other ingredients in the same medications are effective, a lot of common cold medicines may need to be reformulated before they can be sold again.
A traffic note for those of you who use the Mid-Hudson Bridge at night – there’s overnight work happening through the morning of Sunday the 17th.
He’s a 102-year-old Royal Air Force WWII pilot and this week he abseiled (rappelled) down the side of the highest elevated helipad in Europe. Read the article to find out his secret for long life.
This week’s birthdays:
9/16: Drummer Kenney Jones (Small Faces/Faces, The Who) (75)
9/17: Mets pitcher John Franco (63)
9/18: NHL Hall of Fame coach Scotty Bowman (90)
9/19: Singer/songwriter/guitarist Lita Ford (66)
9/20: Actress/singer Sophia Loren (89)
9/21: Author/screenwriter Stephen King (76)
9/22: Singer/songwriter/guitarist Joan Jett (65)
The Bad Joke!
I have a pet termite named Clint.
Clint eats wood.
