Remote senior exercise, Tai Chi and Bingocize

Dutchess County seniors who’d like to get their exercise in this winter, without running the added risks of winter travel, can now sign up for remote Tai Chi and/or Bingocize classes this winter. As mentioned in last week’s Golden Living, the Office for the Aging (OFA) is also offering a remote “A Matter of Balance” class this winter. To register for any class, and for more information, call OFA at 845-486-2555 or email ofa@dutchessny.gov.

If you’d like to become a volunteer class leader in any exercise class, contact OFA. Training is provided.

Winter 2021-22 ‘Spotlight on Seniors’

The Winter 2021-22 issue of OFA’s “Spotlight on Seniors” newsletter is now in print and being delivered to thousands of seniors and caregivers throughout Dutchess County. You can read about the recent return of OFA’s Tri-Town Senior Friendship Center; OFA’s plans for events throughout 2022; possible upcoming changes to New York Medicaid; information on discussing aging as it relates to driving and much more.

There’s even a bit of advice on how to make your outdoor space safely bird-friendly for the winter.

You can also view the Spotlight online at www.dutchessny.gov/aging, where you can also find back issues of the newsletter.

OFA also delivers copies of the Spotlight to public libraries, senior centers and senior housing complexes throughout Dutchess County. If you manage any such facilities and would like some Spotlights to distribute while supplies last, email bjones@dutchessny.gov.

If you’re not online and would like to be placed on the mailing list for future issues of the Spotlight, call 845-486-2555.

OFA meals, Friendship Centers and poor weather

With winter about to begin, and a good chance of winter weather preceding the formal arrival of the solstice, it becomes necessary from time to time to close OFA Senior Friendship Centers and cancel Home Delivered Meals (HDM) operations.

Remember: When schools in your area are closed or delayed, it means there’s a strong possibility that Friendship Centers will be closed and HDM deliveries canceled. Frozen and shelf-stable meals are delivered in advance of inclement weather to ensure HDM clients have a nutritious meal to enjoy on days when normal delivery is canceled.

Since a typical day for the OFA Nutrition Program involves serving and delivering meals to more than 400 seniors throughout Dutchess County, it’s often not possible to call clients individually.

When winter weather requires a change to OFA schedules, it’ll be announced and/or posted on area radio stations and their websites. Dutchess County Government will also provide updates on social media channels: facebook.com/DutchessCoGov and twitter.com/DutchessCoGov.

Golden Living is prepared by Dutchess County OFA Director Todd N. Tancredi, who can be reached at 845-486-2555,  via email at ofa@dutchessny.gov or online at www.dutchessny.gov/aging.