Thank you to all of our RSVP volunteers (and their guests!) who joined Department of Aging staff for a Holiday Luncheon on Wednesday, December 5th at Tioga Downs Casino Resort. RSVP volunteers have made a significant difference in the lives of many older adults in Tioga County, both by delivering healthy meals and providing transportation to needed medical appointments. In the time period from March 2018 through September 2018, RSVP volunteers dedicated 1,430 hours of their time serving their fellow community members. We were grateful to have the opportunity to offer a small token of thanks for the time and energy given by these selfless volunteers. If you are interested in learning more about volunteering through RSVP and giving back to the community, please contact Christine Shaver at 607-687-4120, ext. 313 or cshaver@tiogaopp.org.
A recent article in The New York Times regarding phone scams stated that "the number of fraudulent calls in early 2018 had soared to 30 percent of all calls, rising from 4 percent in early 2017." More and more, scammers are relying on the telephone to exploit innocent people, many of whom are older adults. Last year, individuals between the ages of 50 and 70 filed the most fraud and identity theft complaints to the Federal Trade Commission. Please click on the link below to read the full article:
Monday, 12/10: Open Faced Turkey Sandwich with Mashed Potatoes
Tuesday, 12/11: Cabbage Rolls with Egg Noodles
Wednesday, 12/12: Holiday Luncheon
Reservations Required
Roast Beef with Mashed Potatoes
Thursday, 12/13: CLOSED
Staff Training Day
Friday, 12/14: Baked Fish Scandia with Winter Squash
The holidays are upon us! Come join in the festivities on Thursday, December 20th from 12:45 to 2:00 PM at the Countryside Community Center (9 Sheldon Guile Blvd, Owego) when Tioga Opportunities, Inc. offers a “Winter Wonderland” social hour to the community. Enjoy a holiday performance by students from Owego Free Academy (both singers and instrumentalists) and light refreshments. To register for this merry event, please call 607-687-4120, ext. 331.
Most people are familiar with Wills, Health Care Proxies, and Powers of Attorney. But what about Trusts? Join the Department of Aging for a presentation on this topic to learn more:
- · Monday, December 17th from 9:00 to 11:00 AM at the Countryside Community Center (9 Sheldon Guile Blvd, Owego)
Attorney Greg S. Catarella from Levene Gouldin & Thompson, LLP, will provide information about this important aspect of estate planning, addressing such questions as: What are Trusts? How do Trusts work and when might I need one? Can I use a Trust to protect my assets? How do Trusts and Wills differ? Space is limited for this presentation, so please call 607-687-4120, ext. 331 to reserve your seat. Informational packets will be available upon request.
The Family Development Credential (FDC) Program
Tioga Opportunities, Inc. and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tioga County is again offering the Family Development Credential (FDC) program beginning January 2019 for frontline family workers. The core goal of the program is for families to attain a healthy self-reliance.
This nationally recognized and respected professional development program provides training and opportunities to practice skills for strength-based family support. Family development workers help individuals and families of all ages, life-styles, and cultures learn to set and work toward their own goals.
This training increases the effectiveness of workers helping families. To earn the FDC, a participant must:
• Complete 90 hours of interactive classroom instruction based on the Empowerment Skills for Family Workers curriculum
• Prepare a skills portfolio with support of a portfolio advisor, and
• Pass a state credentialing exam.
The course is highly interactive and applicable to our professional and personal lives. The fee is $900 and includes 90-hours of training, the course materials, and exam fee. The credential is also applicable for college credit and/or contact hours. It also can be used to document training hours for both new NYSPEP Parenting Educator Credential applicants and for renewals.
The New York State Department of State selected Cornell University to develop the FDC curriculum and administer the program in 1996. Today, the University of Connecticut administers the National FDC.
Classes start January 10, 2019 at Tioga Opportunities, Inc., Owego, NY
Space is limited; reservations must be made by December 31.
FDC Brochure - 2019
Tioga Opportunities, Inc.’s annual meeting will be held on November 27, 2018, at 6 PM at the Countryside Community Center, 9 Sheldon Guile Blvd., Owego, NY 13827. The public is invited to attend. The agenda will include the following:
A. Call to order
B. Establish a quorum
C. Review and acceptance of previous meeting minutes
D. Report of Board President
E. Report of Treasurer
F. Report of Executive Director
G. Announcements
H. New business
I. Date of next year’s annual meeting:
J. Motion to adjourn
Tioga Opportunities, Inc. is happy to lend a helping hand. Members of TOI Management spent part of Saturday, September 15 working to beautify Evergreen Cemetery in Owego. Staff cleared brush and sticks, sanded park benches, and painted a gazebo. We are proud to be part of this community and look forward to our next volunteering adventure!
On August 14th, Tioga Opportunities, Inc.'s Department of Aging partnered with the Tioga County Historical Society Museum to offer a tour of their current exhibit, “200 Years of Serving Our Country.” Participants were able to view muskets, drums, medals, pictures, and actual uniforms worn by members of the armed forces from Tioga County over the last two centuries.
One of the most interesting stories and displays is that of Lieutenant Benjamin W. Loring, who served with the Union Navy in the Civil War. He was in attendance at Our American Cousin at Ford’s Theater the night President Abraham Lincoln was shot. After the shot rang out, Lt. Loring rushed to Lincoln’s box to help. He used his own knife to cut the President’s tie off his neck to allow him to breathe. Lt. Loring was one of four men who carried President Lincoln out of the theater and across the street to the location where he eventually passed away. It wasn’t until Lt. Loring returned to the Naval Yard later that night that he noticed all the bloodstains on his jacket. He never had it washed. He eventually moved to Owego and is buried in Evergreen Cemetery.
This exhibit runs until September 29th at the Tioga County Historical Society Museum. Don’t miss your chance to see this and other fascinating pieces of local history!New STAR requirements for 2019
· To receive the “Enhanced STAR” exemption, you must enroll in the Income Verification Program (IVP). If you’re already enrolled, no action is needed.
· If you qualify for the senior citizens exemption, you will no longer automatically receive the “Enhanced STAR” exemption. You must apply for “Enhanced STAR” separately.
For more information or to obtain forms, contact your local assessor or visit the New York State Tax Department’s website (search for “IVP”).
For more information, please call the Department of Aging at 607-687-4120, ext. 331 or visit www.alz.org.
According to the NYS Department of Health, heat waves are a leading case of heat-related illness—and even death. Not all methods for keeping cool are effective during a heat wave. Using a fan can be more harmful than helpful when indoor air temperatures are hotter than your body temperature.
How to prevent heat-related illness:
- Use an air conditioner. If an air conditioner is not available, spend at least two hours a day in air-conditioned places (i.e. library, cooling centers, home of family/friends).
- If you cannot leave your residence, spend more time on lower levels where it may be cooler.
- Drink plenty of cool nonalcoholic and caffeine-free liquids.
- Close curtains and window coverings.
- Take a cool shower or bath. Wear light, loose clothing.
- Limit strenuous physical activity.
- Avoid using your stove/oven.
For more information, please visit www.health.ny.gov/ExtremeHeat.
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On May 22, 2018, Kathy Roush was recognized for her volunteer efforts at the Older New Yorkers’ Day celebration in Albany, NY. Kathy has been a volunteer Medicare counselor with the Department of Aging since September 2006. According to Greg Olsen, Acting Director of the NYS Office for the Aging, “In New York State, there are approximately 935,000 individuals over the age of 55 who contribute almost 495 million hours of service at an economic value of more than $13.8 billion annually.” Thank you, Kathy, for the time and energy you’ve dedicated to the Department of Aging and Tioga Opportunities, Inc. over the years! Pictured above are Pat Davis (volunteer), Danielle Kenyon (Aging Benefits Specialist), Kathy Roush, and Greg Olsen. If you’re interested in volunteering, please contact Christine Shaver, Department of Aging Director, at 607-687-4120, ext. 313 or cshaver@tiogaopp.org.
On Wednesday, June 27th, volunteers in the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) were treated to a special recognition luncheon at Tioga Downs Resort & Casino to celebrate the success of the first year of the RSVP grant at Tioga Opportunities, Inc. John Cochran, the Deputy Director of the New York State Office for the Aging, joined the festivities to present Department of Aging staff with a Governor’s proclamation honoring the great contributions of older adult volunteers. There was much to celebrate during the event, including the 34 volunteers who have enrolled in RSVP since its inception in September 2017.
If you are looking for a new volunteer opportunity and are 55 years old or older, please consider joining RSVP! Available volunteer opportunities include Home Delivered Meals and transportation to medical appointments. Volunteers receive pre-service orientation, assignment-specific training, and supplemental insurance while on duty. Mileage and meal reimbursement are also provided.
For more information, contact Christine Shaver, Director of the Department of Aging at 607-687-4120, ext. 313 or cshaver@tiogaopp.org.
TOI & Community Action Month
TOI celebrated Community Action month with days of service including staff working at mobile food pantry, a collection of goods for Stray Haven, and a quilt project.
Recent research conducted by University College London's Department of Behavioral Science and Health suggests that being poor later in life may increase the risk of dementia by 50 percent. Please click on the link below to read the full article that was published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry.
For information on programs and services offered by Tioga Opportunities, Inc. and the Department of Aging, please call 607-687-4120.
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