The Dutchess County Office
for the Aging's monthly informational forum at the Poughkeepsie Galleria will focus on
WiseTalk , a program of the Mediation Center of Dutchess County.
It is designed to address caregiving and planning issues by providing opportunities
for older adults, families and communities to engage in facilitated conversations with an impartial mediator. The mediator's role is to help parties make decisions, resolve issues and constructively respond to conflict.
The session will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday at the Poughkeepsie Galleria Community Room. There is no charge
for the program, but seating is limited. Call 845-486-2555
for more information.
Brain Games class slated in Poughkeepsie
Another Dutchess County Office
for the Aging Brain Games class has been added to the 13 classes already under way around the county.
The new class meets every Thursday at 1 p.m. in the community room at St. Simeon
Senior Housing, 24 Beechwood Ave., Poughkeepsie.
Brain Games is a fun program
forsenior citizens using memory games and puzzles to help them expand brain power. A volunteer leader guides the class of all skill levels through a series of mental exercises designed to stimulate and challenge the brain.
Age-related mental decline is expected to affect nearly 84 million people worldwide by the year 2040, but according to the National Institute on Aging, recent studies have found
senior citizens who exercise their brains with games using reasoning, speed and memory have long-lasting benefits. A large study published in the December 2006 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association showed the positive effects of regular brain exercise can last five years or more.
To find out more about the Brain Games Program and a class near you, call the Dutchess County Office
for the Aging at 845-486-2555, toll free at 1-866- 486-2555 or email us at ofa @co.dutchess.ny.us. Visit our Web site
for information on all of our programs and services: www.dutchessny.gov/countygov/departments/aging/agindex.htm
Alzheimer's group presents lecture
If you're up
for a bit of a drive, the Alzheimer's Association will present a caregiving lecture Thursday in Yonkers.
The speaker will be Dr. Mary Mittleman of New York University. Mittleman has authored several books, including "The Alzheimer's Health Care Handbook: How to get the Best Medical Care
for Your Relative with Alzheimer's disease."
She is co-writing a new book
for caregivers of people with dementia.
Mittleman's research has been in studying psychosocial intervention
for family members of people with Alzheimer's.
The title of Thursday's lecture is "Help
for Caregivers."
The free lecture is taking place at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Yonkers. To register, call the Poughkeepsie office of the Alzheimer's Association at 845-471-2655.
Senior News is prepared by John Beale, executive director of the Dutchess County Office
for the Aging, 27 High St., Poughkeepsie, NY 12601.