August 9, 2021
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Dutchess County Office for the Aging’s AGING NEWS For the week of August 9th Golden Living . News for Seniors, Their Families and Caregivers Todd N. Tancredi, Director Dutchess County Office for the Aging Every summer, the New York State Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) provides farmers market coupons for qualifying low-income seniors. The coupons can be exchanged for locally grown fruit and vegetables at participating farmers markets in Dutchess County and elsewhere in New York State. The purpose of the program is twofold: to promote improved nutrition through increased consumption of local, fresh fruits and vegetables; and to expand sales at farmers markets and farm stands. There’s an additional benefit for seniors shopping at farmers markets: increased social activity, far more than might happen at a typical supermarket. This year’s coupons are now available to eligible seniors in Dutchess County, and must be picked up in person at OFA or an OFA Senior Friendship Center. Before visiting, call OFA during business hours at 845-486-2555 for eligibility and distribution information. Coupon books will be distributed at OFA from 1 to 4 p.m. only on Tuesdays and Thursdays, while supplies last. Friendship Center distribution hours are available upon request. Seniors with residences in low-income senior housing in Dutchess County may be able to find out more from their residence administrator. The coupons will be valid through the 2021 growing season, until November 30th, or a participating market closes for the winter, whichever comes first. Treat coupons like cash; they cannot be replaced if lost or stolen. Look for vendors that display the sign, “We Gladly Accept NYS FMNP Checks.” Participating farmers may only accept coupon program checks for fruits, vegetables and culinary herbs that are fresh, local and unprocessed. Below are the 13 participating markets and stands in Dutchess County. An asterisk (*) indicates the market also accepts SNAP benefits. Arlington Farmers Market Vassar College Alumni Lawn, 123 Raymond Ave., Poughkeepsie Thursdays 2-6 p.m. until October 28th • 914-474-7533 www.arlingtonhasit.org Beacon Farmers Market * 223 Main St., Beacon • Sunday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. until November 21st 845-231-4424 Dykeman Farm Stand 31 Dykeman Lane, Pawling • Daily 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. through October 31st 845-832-6068 Hyde Park Farmers Market 4390 Albany Post Rd. (Route 9) at East Market St. (County Route 41) Saturdays 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. • 845-229-9336 Judson Farm Market Farm Stand Route 22, Wingdale • Daily 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. through November 5th 845-832-6286 Millerton Farmers Market * Millerton Methodist Church, 6 Dutchess Ave. Saturdays 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. • 518-789-4259 www.millertonfarmersmarket.org Obercreek Farm Stand * 81 New Hamburg Rd., Wappingers Falls Wed-Fri 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Sat-Sun 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. • 845-298-0888 Pawling Farmers Market Pawling Village Green, Charles Colman Blvd., Pawling Saturdays 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. until September 25th • 914-941-8762 Poughkeepsie Plenty Fresh Market Farm Stand * 29 North Hamilton St. (Family Partnership Center), Poughkeepsie Tue-Thu 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. through November 26th • 845-454-3792 Poughkeepsie Waterfront Farmers Market * 75 North Water St. Mondays 3:00 - 6:30 p.m. through October 25th • 845-471-0589 Rhinebeck Farmers Market * Municipal Lot at 61 E. Market St. Sundays 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. • 518-821-1481 www.rhinebeckfarmersmarket.com Share the Bounty Farm Stand Sun River Health Amenia (formerly Hudson River Healthcare) 3360 NY 343, Amenia Tuesdays 9 a.m. 1 p.m. until October 30th • 845-206-7526 Z Farms Farm Stand * 355 Poplar Hill Rd., Dover Plains • Daily 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. (closed Wednesdays) 845-877-0024 Golden Living is prepared by the Dutchess County Office for the Aging, 114 Delafield Street, Poughkeepsie, New York 12601, telephone 845-486-2555, email: [email protected] website: www.dutchessny.gov/aging “A MATTER OF BALANCE” SIGNUPS NOW TAKING PLACE Space is limited for OFA “A Matter of Balance” classes beginning in September; for additional information and to lock in your spot in a class, call the Office for the Aging at 845-486-2555. If “A Matter of Balance” is new to you, here’s a description: “A Matter of Balance is specifically designed to reduce the fear of falling and improve activity levels among community-dwelling older adults. The program includes eight two-hour classes presented to a small group of 8-12 participants led by trained coaches. The program enables participants to reduce the fear of falling by learning to view falls as controllable, setting goals for increasing activity levels, making small changes to reduce fall risks at home, and exercise to increase strength and balance. The curriculum includes group discussions, mutual problem solving, role-play activities, exercise training, assertiveness training, and a few homework assignments.” (More here: https://www.ncoa.org/article/evidence- based-program-a-matter-of-balance) AGING AND ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY (courtesy NY State Office for the Aging) As we age, our bodies change and our needs change. You may have grown up in a time when “assistive technology” was a phrase that did not even exist---so why do you need to know about it now? Assistive technology (AT) is any item, piece of equipment, software program, or product system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of persons with disabilities. While the definition may throw you off - “I don’t have a disability,” you may be thinking - any of us have a “disability” we adapt to without even thinking about it. For example, do you wear glasses? That’s a disability, mitigated by a piece of equipment. There are two types of Assistive Technology, low tech and high tech. An example of low tech AT is a buttoning aid hook. This tool is simple, with a hook and wire design and comfortable grip that allows the user to button blouses, jackets and pants easily, with only one hand. This device is fantastic for seniors with arthritis, fine motor impairment or reduced dexterity. An example of high tech AT is a video remote doorbell such as the Ring doorbell. This allows an older adult to see who is at the door and communicate with the person without getting up. This can help an older person screen visitors and stay safe when home alone. What are some other examples of Assistive Technology and how can they work for you? • Smart watch • Personal emergency remote system • Remotes with enlarged buttons • Captioned telephones • Automatic pill dispensers Durable Medical Equipment (DME) is equipment which (a) can withstand repeated use, (b) is primarily and customarily used to serve a medical purpose, (c) generally is not useful to a person in the absence of an illness or injury, and (d) is appropriate for use in the home. All requirements of the definition must be met before an item can be considered to be DME. (For more information on Medicare’s coverage of durable medical equipment, visit this link: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/durable-medical- equipment-dme-coverage) What are some examples of Durable Medical Equipment and how can they work for you? • Walkers • Wheelchairs • Canes • Commode • Grab bars • Seat swivel Depending on the challenge you are experiencing, there are many options that may help. For example, if you or someone you are caring for is experiencing memory issues, misplacing things may be an issue. An item such as the Object Locator and Beeping Key Finder (a digital tracker for small household items) can be useful for those in the early stages of dementia. If you are experiencing vision challenges such as macular degeneration, items such as a Lighted Full Page Reading Magnifier can make reading easier and enjoyable again. Resources Technology Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities (TRAID) Program provides access to assistive technology to any New Yorker with a disability through Regional TRAID Centers. Regional TRAID Centers provide device loans and hands-on training to people with disabilities. https://www.justicecenter.ny.gov/traid-program Equipment Loan Fund (ELF) The Equipment Loan Fund allows you to borrow up to $4,000, with an interest rate of 4%, and can be used to purchase wheelchairs, wheelchair van lifts, ramps, and adaptive equipment. https://ocfs.ny.gov/main/cb/equiploanfund.asp Other resources may include county/town offices, Lions, Elks and other local civic organizations. Other aging news online: Seniors’ driving patterns may be an early indicator of dementia: https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/aaic/93840?xid=nl_mpt_conf roundup_2021-08-04&eun=g13191026d41r 80-year-old Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts had to undergo emergency surgery this past week, meaning there’ll be an understudy at the drum kit during the Stones’ upcoming tour: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/aug/05/rolling-stones-drummer- charlie-watts-likely-to-miss-us-tour-to-recover-from-procedure Are there fawns alone in your back yard? They’re fine where they are and don’t need any help, says a wildlife expert from the Catskills: https://www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley/outdoors/article/Wildlife-expert- Stop-rescuing-baby-deer- 16357380.php?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=hea dlines&utm_campaign=tu_dailyheadlines&sid=593181d83f92a45314a67226 This week in senior birthdays: 8/9: Actor/producer Sam Elliott (77) 8/10: Singer/songwriter Ronnie Spector (78) 8/11: Singer/songwriter Joe Jackson (67) 8/12: Race car driver/businessman Rufus “Parnelli” Jones (88) 8/13: Yankees shortstop Fred “The Chicken” Stanley (74) 8/14: Actor/comedian/writer/musician Steve Martin (76) 8/15: US Supreme Court associate justice Stephen Breyer (83) And a Bad Joke to share with the little ones…or the not-so-little ones.