Dutchess County Office for the Aging’s – AGING NEWS

· A Matter of Balance – Fall Prevention Series

· Volunteer Coaches Needed

· Navigating the Healthcare Maze Lecture (2/11)

· Heart Disease & Stroke Prevention Talk (2/20)

Golden Living . . . News for Senior Citizens
Mary Kaye Dolan-Anderson, Director
Dutchess County Office for the Aging

A MATTER OF BALANCE

Beginning this spring, the Office for the Aging will be offering an award winning, evidence based program called “A Matter of Balance” which is specifically designed to help seniors reduce the fear of falling and increase their activity levels. Participants who attend the eight two hour sessions will learn to:

· view falls and fear of falling as controllable
· set realistic goals for increasing activity
· change their environment to reduce fall risk factors
· promote exercise to increase strength and balance

According to statistics provided by Dutchess County Medical Examiner’s office, deaths from falls trail only overdoses in causes of accidental deaths in Dutchess County. Motor vehicle accidents come in at number three on the list. Not surprisingly, the over 60 age group accounts for almost 90% of the deaths from accidental falls over the past 5 years.
“A Matter of Balance” is designed to benefit older adults who:

· are concerned about falls
· have sustained a fall in the past
· restrict activities because of concerns about falling
· are interested in improving flexibility, balance & strength
· are age 60 or older and able to problem solve

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports seniors have a one in three chance of experiencing a fall each year. Falls in older adults are a leading cause of injuries, hospitalizations, decreased quality of life and decreased independence. Falls also increase the fear of falling, causing less use of the muscles which prevent falling, a lack of balance and a higher likelihood of falling again. Once a senior has experienced a fall, they are more likely to isolate themselves and avoid social activities that are actually healthy for them. The “A Matter of Balance” program is designed to help address all of these issues.

VOLUNTEER COACHES URGENTLY NEEDED

Each “A Matter of Balance” class is lead by two volunteer coaches who must first take two coach training classes which are being scheduled for next month. All materials for the classes are provided by the Office for the Aging. The goal is to train as many people as possible to be coaches so that we can offer classes in a number of different locations.

The “A Matter of Balance Program” is funded in part by the U.S. Administration on Aging, the New York State Office for the Aging and Dutchess County Government.

To learn more about the “A Matter of Balance” program, you are welcome to attend one of the upcoming information sessions during the week of March 2nd. Sessions will be held on Monday of that week at 1:30 PM at the Northeast Community Center, 51 S. Center Street in Millerton; on Wednesday and Thursday at 10:30 AM at the New Hackensack Reformed Church, 1580 Route 376 in Wappingers Falls; on Friday at 1 PM in Rhinebeck at the Starr Library, 68 W. Market Street. The Pawling Library will hold a info session on Tuesday, March 10th at 10 AM in the Community Room Annex. To register for an information class, volunteer to be a coach, or to receive more information about the “A Matter of Balance” program, please call the Office for the Aging at (845) 486-2555.

Golden Living is prepared by the Dutchess County Office for the Aging, 27 High Street, Poughkeepsie, New York 12601, telephone 486-2555, email: agingservices@dutchessny.gov website: www.dutchessny.gov/CountyGov/Departments/Aging/AGIndex.htm

“Navigating the Healthcare Maze: A Guide to State and Federal Programs”

Wednesday, February 11, 2015, 11:30am – 12:30pm
Susan Koppenhaver, CEO, Always There Home Care
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.

Heart Disease & Stroke Prevention

February 20, 2015 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Saint Simeon Saint Anna Community Room 12 Woody’s Way, Poughkeepsie

Presented by Kimberly Brown, RN, BSN, Stroke Coordinator, Vassar Brothers Medical Center
Come and learn about preventing heart disease and stroke.
How do I know if I am having a heart attack or stroke? What are the warning signs and symptoms? Who is most at risk? When should I call 911? Join us for the answers to these and other critical questions on heart health.

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.

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Author: Harlem Valley News