2014 Senior Picnic

MATURE LIVING Published By: St. Lawrence County Office for the Aging Director: Andrea Montgomery Septe PH: (315) 386-4730 ….website: www.stlawco.org Supported By: Administration for Community Living & NYS Office for the Aging in St. Lawrence County

September 2014

Message from the Director Happy end of summer and early fall! I hope this newsletter finds everyone happy and healthy! My name is Andrea Montgomery and I am the new Director of the Office for the Aging. I began on July 16th and hit the ground running. I have already met many of you and look forward to meeting all of you in the months to come. There is a great staff at the OFA and we will continue to offer you the same vital services; as well as provide more social and recreational opportunities in the future. I would love your feedback as to what types of services you would like to see. Please call me at 386- 4730 or email [email protected] with any thoughts or suggestions! We have created a Facebook page! Please like our page to stay current on all the latest news & events!

2014 Senior Picnic

Seniors Enjoy Food, Prizes, and Music! On Friday, July 11th, approximately 300 senior citizens attended the annual picnic at the Madrid Park. Throughout the day, seniors enjoyed bingo, music, food and door prizes. There was an antique cars display; along with spinning wool. Thanks to the Madrid Marine Corps League for their grilling skills. MidState Golf Car, a division of LeBerge & Curtis, provided golf carts that assisted in transporting seniors around the event. St. Lawrence County Council of Senior Citizens and St. Lawrence County Office for the Aging partnered together for this annual fun filled event. Thanks to all the volunteers who helped make the day a success!

OFA Hours of Operation Change: September 2nd – May 26th The Office for the Aging will be open from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

1 In order to better serve you, please call ahead to schedule an appointment. Don’t Forget…..MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT October 15th - December 7th Medicare Open Enrollment is almost here. This is your opportunity to shop around for a new Medicare Part D Plan or Medicare Advantage Plan. Any changes you make will take effect January 1, 2015. For further information, call 1-800-MEDICARE or go to www.medicare.gov . You may also contact the SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) Coordinator at the St. Lawrence County Office for the Aging at 315-386-4730 with questions or to schedule an appointment. Appointments are strongly encouraged; as walk-ins will be served as time is available.

Upcoming Senior Events (All seniors are welcome!)

Canton Senior Citizen Club: Contact Myrtle Regan 386-8917  Thursday, September 4th at 11:00 am - Travel Presentation on Canadian Rockies o Canton Senior Housing, 35 Riverside Drive, Canton o Information on upcoming trip to the Canadian Rockies and Glacier National Park . July 2 -9, 2015  December 10th – 12th: Christmas Bus Trip to Bethlehem, PA o Includes: Bus Lodging, 4 Meals, Bethlehem by Night Tour, Moravian Church, Christkindlmarkt, Longwood Gardens, Kozlar’s Christmas Village, and more!

North Country Chapter of NY StateWide Senior Action Council o Thursday, September 4th: New Meeting Location: Potsdam American Legion on Rt. 345 o Guest Speaker: Andrea Montgomery, Director – Office for the Aging o 9:30 am – Coffee and Donuts / 10:00 am – Meeting o Lunch Reservations – call Linda at 265-4464 by August 29th. o Next meeting: October 2nd

Ogdensburg Senior Citizens Association: Contact Shirley Todd 344-4007 o Saturday, September 20th: 50th Anniversary Celebration o Featuring: Sit Down Dinner, Dancing, and Music by The Starlighters o Location: Centennial Towers, Ogdensburg

FREE WILL DINNER: September 4th from 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm at Kendrew Grange, Dekalb

Advisory Council Meeting Monday, September 8th, is the next public meeting for Office for the Aging Advisory Council. The meeting will be held at 10:00 am at the Human Services Building in Canton in the 2nd Floor Conference Room. The public is encouraged to attend. The new Director of the OFA, Andrea Montgomery will be the guest speaker.

2 Advisory Council meets five times a year to review programs and services provided through the Office for the Aging. The Council advocates for needs of older adults and helps assure the development and continuum of care within communities. For information, call Office for the Aging, 315-386-4730. 2014 Advisory Council Meetings: September 8th and November 10th

Written by Mike Boprey, Director

One of our goals here in the Veteran’s Service Department is to ensure all of our areas veterans and eligible beneficiaries are aware of their benefits. As we deal with advancing age, this often comes with a need for increased medical care. This all too often adversely impacts income, as more and more “disposable” income is spent on healthcare costs. Due to this, I would like to remind all veterans that VA healthcare may be a viable option. My office can assist with determining eligibility for and enrollment into the VA healthcare system.

I would also like to point out that the VA does have a pension program, and can help an eligible veteran or beneficiary, such as a surviving spouse, as a means to addressing their living expenses if their out of pocket healthcare costs are substantial. VA’s pension program provides monthly benefit payments to certain wartime Veterans with financial need, and their survivors. As Veterans and survivors consider applying for these benefits, VA would like to share important information about the pension program and organizations offering assistance with pension applications.

WHAT ARE PENSION BENEFITS?

Pension is a needs-based benefit paid to a wartime Veteran and his/her survivor(s).

A Veteran may generally be eligible if he/she:

o Was discharged from service under other than dishonorable conditions, AND

o Served 90 days or more of active military, naval or air service with at least 1 day during a period of war*, AND

o His/her countable income is below the maximum annual pension rate, AND

o Meets the net worth limitations, AND

o Is age 65 or older, OR is shown by evidence to have a permanent and total non-service- connected disability, OR is a patient in a nursing home, OR is receiving Social Security Disability Benefits

*Veterans who entered active duty after September 7, 1980, must also have served at least 24 months of active duty service. If the total length of service is less than 24 months, the Veteran must have completed his/her entire tour of active duty.

3 Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8 am – 5 pm Phone: 315-386-4754 Location: 80 State Highway 310, Suite 5, Canton NY 13617 Please call to make an appointment. Walk-ins are accepted as time allows.

Aid and Attendance (A&A)

Aid and Attendance (A&A) is an increased monthly pension amount paid to a Veteran or surviving spouse.

You may be eligible for the increased A&A amount if:

o You are eligible for basic pension benefits AND

o You require the aid of another person in order to perform activities of daily living, such as bathing, feeding, dressing, toileting, adjusting prosthetic devices, or protecting yourself from the hazards of your daily environment, OR

o You are bedridden, in that your disability or disabilities require that you remain in bed apart from any prescribed course of convalescence or treatment, OR

o You are a patient in a nursing home due to mental or physical incapacity, OR

o You have corrected visual acuity of 5/200 or less, in both eyes, or concentric contraction of the visual field to 5 degrees or less

Housebound

Housebound pension is an increased monthly pension amount paid to a Veteran or surviving spouse who is substantially confined to his or her home because of permanent disability.

You may be eligible if:

o You are eligible for basic pension benefits AND

o You have a single permanent disability evaluated as 100-percent disabling AND, due to a disability or disabilities, you are permanently and substantially confined to your immediate premises, OR

o You have a single permanent disability evaluated as 100-percent disabling AND another disability or disabilities, independently evaluated as 60-percent or more disabling.

As I have only briefly touched the Pension program, there are other benefits out there for veterans, and again, I urge all to contact my office in finding out, as there are a multitude of programs and stipulations. Regardless, you should always know what your benefits are and to take advantage of each and every one of them.

Outreach Office Hours: Massena VFW – 2nd and 4th Wednesday from 2 pm - 4pm, Gouverneur American Legion – 2nd and 4th Thursday from 12 pm – 2pm, and every 4th Thursday at the Star Lake American Legion from 8:30am – 10:30 am.

Did you know September 23rd is Falls Awareness Prevention Day?

4 The OFA has FREE nightlights to give away!! Please stop by our office in Canton to pick one up today! Supplies are limited, so first come, first served.

There will be informational pamphlets and signs available so you or your family member can learn how to prevent falls in your life.

5 Healthy Eating Tips for Fall (Source: www.healthcarereview.com)

• Buy local, in-season produce at a farmers market to ensure that you are getting the freshest fruits and vegetables around. Keep in mind that farmers markets often accept SNAP benefits.

•Try a new green leafy vegetable. Swiss chard is an excellent source of vitamins A, K and C as well as potassium. Simply sauté with oil and garlic and enjoy as a side or add to casseroles.

•Winter squash is abundant in autumn and is low in calories and high in fiber.

Here are some ways to prepare the different kinds of squash:

• Roast spaghetti squash until soft then shred with a fork to create strands and serve like pasta.

• Stuff roasted acorn squash with wild rice, dried cranberries and other vegetables.

• Make butternut squash into a creamy and warming soup.

From Our Recipe Corner Butternut Squash Soup (www.allrecipes.com)

Ingredients: 1 ½ tablespoons butter, 4 cups chicken stock, ½ onion (sliced), ½ cube chicken 10 Tips for Healthy Living bouillon, 2 cloves garlic, 1 pinch ground cumin, 2 (Source: NHS Health News) sprigs fresh thyme, 1 pinch ground allspice, ½ 1. Get Active butternut squash (peeled and seeded, and cut into 1-inch cubes), and salt and ground black pepper to taste. 2. Give Up Smoking 3. Manage Weight Directions: 4. Ditch the Salt 1. Melt butter in a large pan over medium heat; cook the onion, garlic, and thyme in 5. Get 5 Fruits and Veggies a the hot butter until the onion has Day softened, about 5 minutes. Add the 6. Eat Oily Fish squash and chicken stock; bring to a 7. Walk Off Stress simmer and cook until the squash is tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Crumble the 8. Cut Saturated Fat bouillon into the soup; season with 9. Drink Less cumin, allspice, salt, and pepper; remove 10. Read the Food Labels from heat.

2. Pour the soup into a blender, filling the pitcher no more than halfway. Hold the lid in place with a kitchen towel and carefully start the blender using a few quick pulses. Puree in batches until smooth and pour into a serving bowl. Alternately you can use a stick blender and puree 6 the soup in a pot. Functional Nee d s Emergency Registry Be Prepared!

For individuals with Limited Mobility or Special Needs

Why Should You Register? • To alert emergency personnel of your individual needs • To enable emergency responders to help you

How Do I Register? Go to: www.slccares.com or Call: 386-2325, ask for Brandi

Registry? •free • voluntary • confidential • protects you, family member, or friend

(St. Lawrence County Public Health, 80 State Highway 310 Suite 2, Canton, NY)

(Provided by St. Lawrence County Public Health Dept. and Office of Emergency Services)

OFA News & Events Cyber Seniors: There will be classes scheduled in mid-September at the BOCES location in Canton on Tuesdays from 3:15 pm – 4:45 pm. The start date is to be determined We are looking to hold classes at BOCES locations in Norwood and Ogdensburg if there is interest. Please call Chris at 386-4730 to sign up!

Fit As A Fiddle : Stay tuned for more information about this great class! We hope to get it started again in mid-September.

Farmer’s Market Coupon Booklets: There are still booklets available at the Office for the Aging. Income Eligible applicants who are 60 and above, must come pick them up and sign for them in person.

Office for the Aging - 2014 Public Hearing Notice St. Lawrence County Office for the Aging will be conducting public hearings at 3 locations. These hearings will provide older adults, caregivers, and other beneficiaries an opportunity to comment on proposed program changes and service modifications of Older Americans Act Programs. Your participation and comments are welcome.

Andrea Montgomery / Director, Office for the Aging, will be presenting program information. 1) Tuesday, October 7 th: 11:00 am – Clifton-Fine Community Center, Star Lake Lunch follows at noon for nominal fee. If staying for lunch, please reserve by Thurs., Oct. 2nd, 848-2390 Suggested lunch contribution age 60 and over is $3; Under 60 is $5.

2) Wednesday, October 8 th : 1:30 pm - Massena Community Center, 61 Beach Street 7 3) Thursday, October 9 th : 10:00 am – County Council Meeting, Potsdam American Legion Lunch follows at noon for nominal fee. If staying for lunch, please reserve by Mon., Oct. 6th, Sylvia 384-3155 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 9/1 Labor Day! 9/2 Chicken Parmesan 9/3 Sloppy Jo’s 9/4 Savory Pork 9/5 Tuna Salad Cold Plate Pasta with Sauce Parsley Potatoes Mashed Potatoes and Pickled Beets County Offices and Italian Style Green Beans Brussel Sprouts Gravy, Peas Macaroni Salad Friendship Centers Italian Bread Milk Dinner Roll, Milk Wheat Bread, Milk Closed Fresh Fruit Ambrosia Assorted Cake Cookie

9/8 Stuffed Peppers 9/9 BBQ Pork on a Bun 9/10 Herb Chicken 9/11Seasoned Baked Fish 9/12 Cook’s Choice Potatoes Coleslaw Winter Mixed Potato Yellow Beans Baked Beans Vegetables, Mashed Spinach Muffin, Milk Milk Potatoes and Gravy Muffin Pudding No Bake Cookie Dinner Roll, Milk Milk Assorted Fruit Fruited Jell-O 9/15 Chicken Patty 9/16 Goulash 9/17Roast Turkey/Gravy 9/18Swiss Steak over Rice 9/19 Lemon Baked Fish on Bun Green Beans Mashed Potatoes/Gravy Corn Home Fries Italian Mixed Muffin Stuffing Dinner Roll Baby Carrots Vegetables, Potato Milk Peas/Carrots Milk Whole Wheat Bread Milk Cream Pie Dinner Roll, Milk Melon Milk Fruit Salad Assorted Pie Fruit Crisp 9/22 Spaghetti with 9/23 Meatloaf and Gravy 9/24 Meat/Cheese Subs 9/25 Chicken and Biscuits 9/26 Cook’s Choice Meat Sauce Mashed Potatoes and with Lettuce, Pickles, Harvard Beets Mixed Vegetables Gravy, Green Beans Tomatoes and Onions Milk Italian Bread, Milk Dinner Roll, Milk Chips Ice Cream Fresh Fruit Assorted Dessert Milk

9/29 Fish and Cheese 9/30 Salisbury Steak 10/01 Baked Ham 10/02 Beef Stew over 10/03 Chicken Tenders Filet on a Bun Mashed Potatoes and Scalloped Potatoes Biscuit With BBQ Sauce Hash Browns Gravy, Stewed Tomatoes Broccoli Escalloped Apples Macaroni and Cheese Prince William Mixed Dinner Roll Dinner Roll Milk German Blend Vegetables Vegetables, Milk Milk Milk Assorted Pie Muffin, Milk Cookie Apricots Fresh Fruit Fruited Yogurt

ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY OFFICE FOR THE AGING NUTRITION PROGRAM FOR SENIORS Food & Friendship Centers Located in Brasher, Canton, DeKalb, Edwards, Morristown, Ogdensburg, Potsdam and Star Lake Suggested Donation: $3.00(age60+) guest Fee $5.—(Under 60) MENU IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT ADVANCE NOTICE. For more information, contact DIANA McCORMICK (386-4730) 8 Did you know the Office for the Aging is now on Facebook?!

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St. Lawrence County Office for the Aging

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ST LAWRENCE COUNTY OFFICE FOR THE AGING 80 STATE HIGHWAY 310, SUITE 7 CANTON, NY 13617-1497