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SERVING THE SENIOR COMMUNITY IN THE HUDSON VALLEY • 845-762-8112

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 20218

SERVING THE SENIOR COMMUNITY IN THE HUDSON VALLEY • 845-762-8112SERVING THE SENIOR COMMUNITY IN THE HUDSON VALLEY • 845-762-8112SERVING THE SENIOR COMMUNITY IN THE HUDSON VALLEY • 845-762-8112

The OFFiCiAl NewsleTTer OF The OrANge COuNTy OFFiCe FOr The AgiNg

SENIORS MATTEROrange County Office For The Aging

AnnMarie MaglioneMessage from the Director Message from County Executive

Steven M. Neuhaus

Deliver a nutritious lunchtime meal to a home-bound neighbor!

Maximum impact on your community!Minimum impact on your schedule!

One hour per month earns you your hero’s cape!

Call LoriAnn Prochazka at 845-615-3703

Blooming GroveSUPER HERO

This exciting and festive time of year always gives me pause to refl ect on the good fortune my family and I have, to live in Orange County and be a part of this great community. We can, and should, all take time during the holidays to give special thanks for our loved ones and the blessings that we have.

Keep in mind, this time of year can be diffi cult for older adults who might be living alone. They might fi nd the holi-days especially hard without the grand-children running around the house with twinkling tree lights or a glowing menorah brightening the season. If you have an elderly loved one in your life, try to drop off holiday treats regularly, or share a home cooked meal together.

I also ask that you also remember our fi rst responders, who dedicate their lives to protecting our communities and keeping Orange County safe. Please also keep in mind the brave men and women from the County who are serving this country at home and abroad, and their families. They especially miss their loves ones during the Holidays.

Many of our neighbors are less fortunate than we, which is especially noticeable during this time of year. There are so many ways to be of help. You can donate your time, non-perishable goods, or winter clothing and accessories. No matter how you choose to help, your contributions will make a difference in someone’s life.

That is what this season is all about. From my family to yours, I wish you a Holiday season fi lled with love, joy, and peace.

Greetings-

I’d like to take a moment to send warm wishes to all our Orange County Seniors for a blessed, peace-ful and healthy holiday season! This continues to be a diffi cult, unprec-edented time for all of us. We have had to endure loneliness, isolation while trying to keep safe and healthy. Many of us had the virus, we be-came ill and tragically, lost some of our loved ones. We’ve had limited time with our families and friends. It’s been long and hard - and we are not done. We need to continue to be

diligent in washing hands, getting vaccinated and keeping our dis-tance. I know we’re tired, anxious, and scared, but we can do this! We must do this!

Through the heartache and sadness, let’s focus on the good. And there is good. Even in the most diffi cult of storms, there is a silver lining. Sometimes you must search to fi nd that lining, but trust me, it is there. For me, the silver lining has been all of you! Your dedica-tion to your family, friends, neighbors and the community has been awe- inspiring. I have observed many acts of kindness and gen-erosity during this pandemic which makes me believe we will get through this. Together. “Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that days I’ll try again tomorrow.”

December has always been a special month where people seem a little kinder, joyful and more connected to one another. It’s also the time of year when some people feel lonely and isolated. I encourage you to look in on your neighbors, make a call or just share a smile. You never know what someone is going through and one small act of kindness will have an amazing effect- on both of you! If you are feeling lonely, anxious, or depressed, please call 311, Orange Coun-ty’s crisis center. They will gently and respectfully help you.

Ensuring seniors in our County are safe and their needs are being met is very important to us. That is why I want to remind you of the valuable services we provide and encourage you to always think of us fi rst when you have a need or issue. We are here to help. For more information, please call NY Connects at 845.615.3710 or visit our website, www.orangecountygov.com, click departments and click on Aging.

With the cooler weather coming, it’s time to think about home heat-ing, and energy bills. The Home Energy Assistance Program helps low-income people pay the cost of heating their homes. HEAP ben-efi ts are based on household size with maximum monthly incomes. Please call NY Connects at 845-615-3710 to see if you qualify.

During the month of December, people often focus on presents and material things, often overspending. The reality is the most cher-ished gift that anyone can give is the gift of themselves. I encour-age you to contact us if you have some time to spare throughout the year. Even one hour once a week will help make a tremendous difference. Volunteers have a positive impact in the lives of our residents. Again, please call NY Connects at 845-615-3710 so we can match you up with a volunteer opportunity.

Wishing you all a Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanza, Merry Christ-mas, and a safe and healthy New Year! We welcome saying good-bye to 2021 and look forward to a healthy and safe 2022!

Warm Regards,

AnnMarie

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021 9




FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3 , 2021 9


How to make the most of the holidays as a caregiver

So much energy is consumed trying to make the holidays perfect and “nor-mal,” but we forget to factor in that we live in a brand-new normal. Care-givers can exhaust themselves and their loved ones with high expectations during the holidays. Stick to calm and simple. Find Respite, Take a Break

When you are a family caregiver there never really is any moment that you are off the clock. You must make it a priority to schedule time for your-self; this is especially true during the holidays. Put your needs on the “to-do list” and ask for help from family and friends to assist with respite care. Taking some time to relax and pamper yourself this holiday season is good for your emotional and physical well-being. It can also help to ensure you give your loved one the highest quality of care possible, and you are there for all those who rely on you throughout the holiday season and beyond.

Find a way to infuse the holiday when you can

So often caregivers forget the season and forget to permit themselves to enjoy and partake in the festivities. Allowing yourself the joy in the holi-day season promotes both physical and emotional health as well as giving you the positive energy which makes you a great caregiver. Take a drive in the evening and play holiday music and marvel at the twinkly lights in the neighborhood.

Holiday music and Aromatherapy

While some visual decorations can be overwhelming to our loved ones, some music may be enthusiastically welcomed during the holidays. Ex-periment with different eras of music and different styles to see if there is something everyone at home can enjoy. Use essential oils, scented pine-cones, bake cookies or other holiday treats to fi ll your home with wonder-ful smells which bring sense of calmness, happiness and can create oppor-tunities for loved one to share stories of past holiday memories. The balancing act can be tricky for a caregiver, but with a little prep and a lot of patience, the holidays can be a fun time. Happy Holidays.

Christmas Fun Facts• The traditional three colors of Christmas are green, red, and gold. Green

has long been a symbol of life and rebirth, red symbolises the blood of Christ, and gold represents light as well as wealth and royalty.

• Christmas trees usually grow for about 15 years before they are sold.

• It is estimated that the single “White Christmas” by Irving Berlin is the best-selling single of all time, with over 100 million sales worldwide.

• US scientists calculated that Santa would have to visit 822 homes a sec-ond to deliver all the world’s presents on Christmas Eve, travelling at 650 miles a second.

• The abbreviation Xmas isn’t irreligious. The letter X is a Greek abbrevia-tion for Christ.

• The highest-grossing festive movie is 2000’s How The Grinch Stole Christmas, which has raked in $175m so far.

• The Beatles hold the record for most Xmas number 1 singles, topping the charts in 1963, 1965 and 1967.

• The word “Christmas” comes from the Old English name “Christes Maesse,” which means “Christs’ Mass”.

• Santa Claus is based on a real person, St. Nikolas of Myra, the world’s most popular non-biblical saint.

• Santa Claus has different names in different countries: Sheng Dan Lao Ren in China, Father Christmas in England, Papa Noel in Brazil and Peru, and Pere Noel in France.

• There are 364 gifts in the popular holiday carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”

• The French gave the biggest Christmas present ever in 1886. It was the Statue of Liberty, and they gave it to the United States of America. (The French have one too, a smaller one, in Paris.)

• The Candy Cane is one of the most familiar symbols of Christmas. It dates back to 1670 in Europe but didn’t appear in the U.S. until the 1800s. The treat we see today, where the shape is Jesus’s hook to shepherd his lambs and the colour and stripes hold signifi cance for purity and Christ’s sacrifi ce, became common in the mid-1900s.

HANUKKAH FUN FACTS1. Festive Foods. Many families celebrate the holidays by enjoying a meal

together. Latkes, or potato pancakes, are a popular Hanukkah dish. They are often served with applesauce and sour cream. Jelly doughnuts, known as sufganiyot, are also popular.

2. When is Hanukkah? Jewish holidays are based on a lunisolar calendar, which is based on the movement of the sun and moon. A year on the Hebrew calendar ranges from 353 to 385 days. So, unlike Christmas, Hanukkah does not fall on the same date each year. This year, the fi rst day of Hanukkah falls on December 11.

3. The Hanukkah Menorah. Menorahs were the lamps used in the ancient holy temple in Jerusalem. The original menorahs only had seven candleholders. A Hanukkah menorah has nine. During Hanukkah, it is tradition to light candles on a menorah—one for each of the eight nights of Hanukkah, and an extra one to light the others. The world’s largest Hanukkah menorah—at 32 feet high—can be found during the Festival of Lights in New York City’s Central Park.

4. Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel. A dreidel is a popular Hanukkah toy. It is a four-sided spinning top with different Hebrew letters on each side. To play the dreidel game, players start out with the same amount of money (or candy) and they gain and lose depending on which letter turns up when they spin the top. In Hebrew, the letters form the initials of the message, “A great miracle happened there.”

5. The Gift of Gelt. One Hanukkah tradition is the giving of gelt, or gold coins. In the past, children would give gelt to teachers and charities. Eventually, it also became the reward for winning dreidel games. During the holidays, chocolate candies wrapped in gold tinfoil are sold to mimic real gelt.

Recipe Corner…Peppermint Bark

This one could be a little complicated if you’ve never worked with chocolate before, but the results are well worth it.

16 oz. milk chocolate chips (or semi-sweet, or dark)16 oz. white chocolate chips½ tsp of peppermint extract10 small candy canes, crushed into different size pieces

Put 3 cups of water into a saucepan and bring to a light simmer.Put the milk chocolate into a bowl and put it on top of the simmering pot to create a double boiler. Gently melt the chocolate until it is smooth.Pour the peppermint extract into the milk chocolate.Pour the melted chocolate into a cookie sheet that has been sprayed with pan release. Refrigerate the pan while melting the white chocolate in the same way.When the white chocolate is melted and smooth pour it over the top of the milk chocolate. Spread with a spatula to make a smooth layer, and immediately top with the crushed candy cane.

Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes.

Cut into squares and enjoy!


FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 202110




Mental health affects so many aspects of daily life—how you think and feel, handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Clinical depression in older people is common, but that doesn't mean it's normal. Late-life depression affects about 6 million Americans ages 65 and older, but only 10% get treatment. A person’s quality of life is very much affected by both physical and mental health and nutrition greatly influences both. Medications for both physical and mental health will also affect a person’s nutritional status by depleting important nutrients. Did you know that cravings for sugary foods, processed foods, and unhealthy fats: • Are common “comfort foods” when feeling angry, sad, anxious, or upset • Leads to inflammation in both the body and brain, causing chronic physical and mental health issues • Are common side effects of antidepressants and anxiety medications • May be due to an imbalance of unhealthy bacteria in the digestive tract • “Train” the brain to crave more unhealthy foods rather than healthier food options Spotting depression is important and it’s important to check for these symptoms: • Feeling tired and/or having trouble sleeping/changes in sleep patterns • Being grumpy or irritable • Nervousness, confusion, or struggling to pay attention • Loss of interest in activities • Withdrawal from family, friends, or activities • Changes in weight or appetite • Feeling hopeless, worthless, or guilty Depression also raises the risk of suicide, especially in older white men. The suicide rate in people ages 80 to 84 is more than twice that of the general population. The National Institute of Mental Health considers depression in people 65 and older to be a major public health problem. A plant-based diet with more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, olive oil, fish, and low-fat dairy foods: • Lowers a person’s risk of depression • Improves the ability to think, remember, and make better decisions • Helps to get to and stay at a healthier weight (which lowers the risk of diabetes and heart disease) • Improves the brain’s ability to “process emotions”

The large intestine is home to billions of healthy “gut” bacteria that are very important to mental health: • Too many unhealthy bacteria can crowd out the healthy bacteria and contribute to chronic illnesses • The gut bacteria “communicate” through the vagus nerve and influence our eating habits • Gut bacteria produce serotonin, an important “messenger” to regulate sleep and appetite • Too little serotonin made by the healthy bacteria in the gut increases pain levels in the body • Stress is thought to decrease good gut bacteria

High blood sugars, as in poorly controlled diabetes, increases the risk of having mental health issues: • People with diabetes are 2-3 times more likely to have depression than people without diabetes • Managing diabetes can lead to emotional burnout, feeling rundown, and declining mental health • Untreated mental health issues can make diabetes harder to control and increases side effects • Improved blood sugar levels can reduce mental health issues like depression Unfortunately, there's no specific diet that's been proven to relieve or cure depression. However, although certain diets or foods may not instantly improve your mood or alleviate symptoms, a healthy diet may help as part of your overall treatment plan. To boost your mental and emotional health, eat a variety of these healthy foods to maximize nutrients: • LEAN PROTEIN such as skinless poultry, lean meat, fish, eggs, nuts and nut butters, and seeds • OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS found in baked or broiled fish, lean meats, eggs, nuts, and flaxseeds • BETA-CAROTENE RICH FOODS like apricots, broccoli, cantaloupe, carrots, collards, peaches, pumpkin,

spinach, and sweet potato • VITAMIN C SOURCES including blueberries, broccoli, citrus fruits, peppers, berries, and tomatoes • VITAMIN E RICH FOODS such as nuts, nut butters and seeds, extra virgin olive oil, and wheat germ • COMPLEX CARBOHYDRATES RATHER THAN ADDED SUGARS AND REFINED GRAINS like quinoa, millet,

beets, sweet potatoes, and low fat and nonfat dairy foods have more nutritional value and will keep you satisfied longer than the simple carbohydrates found in sugar and candy.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU? Start paying attention to how eating different foods makes you feel not just in the moment, but the next day. Try eating a "clean" diet for 2-3 weeks by cutting out all processed foods and sugar. See how you feel. Then slowly introduce foods back into your diet, one by one, and see how you feel. When some people make even small improvements in their diet, they cannot believe how much better they feel both physically and emotionally, and how much worse they feel when they reintroduce the foods that are known to negatively impact physical, mental, and emotional health. SUPPLEMENTS & MENTAL HEALTH: A “clean” healthy diet usually provides enough nutrients to meet needs—however, there are some nutrients that are more associated with mental health issues that may require supplements to improve body stores of these nutrients, especially when low levels can be detected. Low levels of folate, magnesium, iron, zinc, and vitamins B6, B12, and D can worsen mood, feelings of anxiety, and risk of depression: • VITAMIN D: Low levels of this vitamin may contribute to schizophrenia in adults, depression, and seasonal

affective disorder. Studies on vitamin D supplementation and depression show a relationship between the two. Talk to your doctor about having your vitamin D level tested. Your doctor will advise you on how much vitamin D to take based on the results of your blood test.

• VITAMIN B12 AND OTHER B VITAMINS affect depression, memory, and other brain functions. Low levels of B12 and folate can be detected with a blood test. Vitamin B12 food sources include fish, lean meat, poultry, eggs, and low-fat and fat-free milk. Fortified breakfast cereals are also good sources of B vitamins.

• MAGNESIUM: 90% of Americans may not get enough magnesium to stay healthy. Low levels of magnesium in the body can cause sleep issues, leg cramps, anxiety, and muscle and emotional tension. Aim for 400 mg/day by eating magnesium rich foods: whole grains, legumes, and dark-green leafy vegetables.

THIS PROGRAM IS PARTIALLY FUNDED BY AN OLDER AMERICAN ACT AWARD THROUGH THE UNITED STATES ADMINISTRATION IN AGING, THE NEW YORK STATE OFFICE FOR THE AGING AND THE ORANGE COUNTY OFFICE FOR THE AGING. CONTACT SUE AT (845) 781-3636 OR EMAIL [email protected] FOR FREE NUTRITION COUNSELING. THIS

INFORMATION IS NOT MEANT TO FOR MEDICAL CARE BY A PHYSICIAN.

HEAP UPDATESHOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM is opened. The Regular component of the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), a federally funded program may assist low-income households who meet the requirements with a one-time benefi t towards their heating source. Regular HEAP Benefi ts are available to households who meet the criteria based upon income, energy costs, and family size; and households who may be eligible for a Renters Benefi t. For information, please call OC Offi ce for the Aging at 845 615-3710 or OC Dept. of Social Services Call Center at 845 291-2002. REGULAR ARREARS SUPPLEMENT (RAS) is new for this year and is opened from September 22, 2021 through September 30, 2022 or until funds are exhausted. It is a one time Regular HEAP supplement to assist eligible households who have electricity and/or gas account arrears as documented by their utility companies. Benefi ts may not exceed $10,000 per applicant household. Applicants must meet the requirements: received a Regular HEAP benefi t in 2020 – 2021, have past-due utility arrears and in active collections or facing termination or disconnection, and have not moved. For new applicants, an application must be completed and meet the eligibility requirements. For information, please call OC Offi ce for the Aging at 845 615-3710 or OC Dept. of Social Services Call Center at 845 291-2002.HEAP EMERGENCY will open January 3, 2022.

Clean and Tune Program is opened. This benefi t may provide assistance to eligible homeowners to their primary heating systems to be cleaned and tuned once a year. For more information, you may call OC Dept. of Social Services Call Center at 845 291-2002.

Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement (HERR) is opened. HERR is a benefi t available to assist homeowners in repairing or replacing primary heating equipment which has been deemed inoperable or unsafe. Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements including resource testing. Questions may be referred to OC Dept. of Social Services Call Center at 845 291-2002.

Cooling Program is closed and will reopen in May 2022.

Original Medicare

Part A (Hospital) Costs –

Part B (Medical) Costs –

* If your annual income in 2020 was higher than $91,000 for an individual ($182,000 for a couple), you may pay a higher monthly Part B premium. Visit www.medicare.gov for Part B costs by annual income.

For additional information on the topics mentioned here please reach out to The Orange County Office for the Aging’s HIICAP at (845) 615-3715. To find a HIICAP program outside of Orange County, you may call 877-839-2675.

THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT MEDICARE IN 2022

Premium $0 w/ 10 years work credit Deductible $1,556 per 60 day benefit period

$0/day for days 1 – 60 once you’ve met your deductible Coinsurance $389/day for days 61 -90 of each benefit period

$778/day for days 91- 150 (non-renewable lifetime reserve days) Skilled Nursing Facility $0/day for days 1 – 20 each benefit period (after a minimum 3-day inpatient hospital stay)

$194.50/day for days 21 – 100 each benefit period

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021 11





DECEMBER EVENTS

Small Works Art Exhibit12/10/2112pm-7pmWallkill River School of Art, Montgomery232 Ward Street - MontgomeryIn November and December, The Wallkill River School is pleased to present “Painting Porcelain” a solo exhibit by Paola Bari, “On the Town” a solo exhibit by Keith Gunderson and “Small Works” a group show juried by Paola Bari.“Small Works” is a group show of 39 original works, by 28 artists, 8″x10″ or smaller. “With this many artists involved, this show encompasses a huge diversity of styles and approaches. I really enjoy small works because their scale makes the experience of viewing them very intimate,” says Sarah Pierson, executive director at The Wallkill River School.Exhibits will be open to the public from November 5, 2021 through January 2, 2022. The gallery is open to the public Friday through Sunday, 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM. The Wallkill River School is located at 232 Ward Street, Montgomery, NY 12549. A public reception for the artists will be held on November 13, 2021 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Works will also be available for viewing and purchase at www.Wallkill.art.Phone: 845-457-2787Website: www.Wallkill.art

Holiday Lights in Bloom12/10/215:00 pm-8:00 pm Orange County Arboretum, Thomas Bull Memorial Park, 41 Grove Street, Montgomery13th Annual Garden Themed Display – Free and Fun for allNovember 26th – December 26th, 2021 (Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays – 5pm-8pm (Arrive by 7:30pm)**Closed December 24th & 25thAdmission may be limited to comply with State Covid-19 Mandates, No Buses or Groups of more than 10 permitted, NO PETS.Phone: 845-615-3830Website: www.orangecountynyparks.com

Christmas in the Village12/10/2111:00 am-4:00 Museum Village1010 State Route 17M, MonroeChristmas in the Village at Museum VillagePhone: 845-782-2848Website: museumvillage.org/events/

Wynonna Judd at SLPAC12/15/216:00 pm Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center-1351 Kings Hwy, ChesterWYNONNA JUDD with a special holiday show at the Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center. December 15th, 7:00 PM (Doors at 6:00 PM) Respected by the millions of fans who are drawn to her music and undeniable talent, Wynonna’s rich and commanding voice has sold over 30-million albums worldwide.Tickets at TicketmasterPhone: 845-610-3485Website: www.sugarloafpacny.com/

Newburgh Market’s Holiday Pop-Up Shop12/18/2111:00 am-8:00 pm Newburgh Mall-1401 Route 300, NewburghNewburgh Market presents its fi rst holiday pop up shop sponsored by Designed Grind Café. Located inside the Newburgh Mall in the former New York and Co. space. Local Hudson Valley vendors will be selling their unique products every Saturday and Sunday from November 6th-December 19th. Jewelry, beauty products, hair products, spices, clothing, handmade ornaments and much more! Shop local this holiday season!Phone: 646-675-3970

Holiday Word Search

Directions: Words go left, right, up, down, not diagonally, and can bend at a right angle. There are no unused letters in the grid; every letter is used only once.

S R E T W F L A P O

T W I N O N S K H L

H G I L S A M E T E

S S S T F I T S R O

T E B E C G S R E N

N L A M E C I G E S

E B U B D H R R T D

M S R E S A N E I R

A U A L C A T I N A

N R O R E E D N G C

Baubles Greeting Cards Candy Canes Carols Christmas Lights Christmas Tree December Elves Gifts Gingerbread Holly

Orange County Warming StationsSeveral municipalities in Orange County will provide warming centers and outreach for those in need. Those locations include, but are not limited to:

Middletown Warming Station, located at 8-10 Mulberry Street: Scheduled to open on Sunday, November 21st; Phone: 845-281-9519.

Port Jervis Warming Station, located at 31 West Main Street: Scheduled to open on Monday, November 15th; Phone: 845-649-8720 (day) or 845-856-1033 (evening).

Newburgh Warming Station, located at Newburgh Ministry on 13 Bridge Street: Scheduled to open on Wednesday, December 1st; Phone: 845-561-0070.

Holiday Word Search

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