Thursday, June 6th: Introduction to the Android Cell Phone
Thursday, June 13th: Introduction to Podcasts
Thursday, June 20th: General Tech Q&A Practice Session, bring your Tech and your Questions
Thursday, June 27th: Online Security, Passwords, Malware, Network Security (Zoom Available).

As the summer gets under way we are planning only one session in July:
Thursday, July 11th: General Tech Q&A Practice Session, bring your Tech and your Questions

Learn more, Ulster County Office For the Aging

The Ulster County Office for the Aging is a vital community partner of our Age Well Focus Team. It offers a multitude of services and programs to seniors throughout Ulster County. In keeping with the Age Well Kingston mission to promote opportunities for seniors to access technology through all levels of functional ability, we encourage seniors to explore the variety of Free Senior Technology Support Classes offered Thursday mornings from 9:30am to 11:30am at the Office for the Aging Senior Hub, located at 1003 Development Court, Kingston.

Senior Technology Support Classes are taught by John Dowley and two other instructors. We asked John to tell us about his journey that led him to devote his time and experience in this current role, and his perspective on Aging Well.

Tell us about your background and your current role with Office for the Aging

I had a 30-year career with Sears Roebuck and Co, in Human Resource Management, Operations Management, with  some exposure to computer technology in the late 70s, early 80’s and then again as a District Systems Manager until my retirement in 1995. I was not “retired” for long before starting a new career as a Technology Instructor for Microknowledge Inc., in Albany NY where I still do some instruction today.  

As I recall, I had a plan for what “retirement” might look like that included leveraging my experience in the technology field to help others in my age demographic who may have been caught in the gap between the advancing necessity of everyday computer use, mobile technology, and retirement from the workforce. 

The weekly classes I teach at the Office for the Aging Senior Hub are designed to give people the knowledge and confidence to use the full range of features in the devices they own. Our goal is to help our students become competent and self-sufficient with technology. 

What are some common technology challenges for seniors?

People come to the classes because they understand the necessity to be fluent in the many areas where technology impacts their lives. We understand that people learn in different ways and we use a hands on approach with patient repetition to help reduce the intimidation and fear that some feel regarding technology.   Areas of special emphasis include online security, privacy considerations, home networking, online banking, managing passwords, and accessing public services. 

What advice do you have for seniors wanting to improve their technology skills?

We encourage our students to be open to learning and trying new things like exploring Podcasts, using FaceTime and SKYPE to communicate, exploring applications to enhance hobbies and much more.  Having a smartphone today is like having a computer in your pocket. It is an indispensable device that integrates various aspects of modern life from communication and information to entertainment and productivity. It is an empowering tool that keeps people connected, informed and entertained. 

Taking some time to learn about the vast array of applications and services open to everyone through technology is an enriching experience. 

As stated, one of our goals is to eliminate intimidation, frustration and fear often associated with using computers, tablets and smartphones. We do this through competent advice and knowledge sharing. Our success is confirmed by the attendees who come to class regularly since classes started at the Senior Hub over a year ago.  

Students especially enjoy the “General Q&A & Practice” class: “Bring your Tech and Your Questions” that is held once every month: We try to provide one-on-one instruction during this class. 

Finally it is important to choose the right technology based on personal needs and experience. Do I choose Android or Apple, Microsoft or Google, Word or Pages? Knowing the right questions to ask helps  to make wise buying decisions. We believe our classes can help, and encourage people to attend.

Finally, John, what are some things you do to Age Well?

I enjoy teaching a few classes a month, and the pleasure of seeing someone’s eyes light up when they say “now I get it!”. It brings me joy, and it keeps me feeling vital and engaged! I enjoy being with my family, biking, running, participating in my book club, and working in my garden when I am not on the computer!

Senior Technology Support Classes are offered on Thursday mornings from 9:30 to 11:30am at the OFA Senior Hub located at 1003 Development Court, Kingston. Upcoming class topics include:

March 7:      Apple iPhone Basics and IOS New Features

March 14:    Using Google Drive for Cloud Storage and Sharing Files

March 21:    General Q & A: Bring Your Tech and Your Questions

March 28:    Using Zoom to connect with Family & Friends

(attend in person or sign-in from home) 

Classes are limited to 15 people. To register, call the Ulster County Office for the Aging at (845) 340-3456. If you have registered for a class but find you are unable to attend, please call as soon as possible so we can contact a person on the waitlist. To learn more visit  Ulster County Office for the Aging.

Age Well Kingston promotes opportunities for active aging through all levels of functional ability. Zumba Gold is a lower-intensity version of the typical Zumba class and is designed to meet the anatomical, physiological needs of seniors. It’s a wonderful option for older adults seeking alternative means of reaching their exercise goals. 

This FREE Zumba program is co-sponsored by Holistic Health Community. HHC is a nonprofit organization with a mission to provide holistic healthcare services and workshops to the public.  Holistic Healthcare to the People! Zumba Gold instructor, Dr. Shellie G. Fraddin Ph.D, is a Health & Longevity Coach specializing in wellness programs for older adults. This Zumba Gold is not your typical fast-pace Latin dance movements. It’s modified dance movements to a diverse style of music including Salsa, Merengue, Reggae, Motown, Oldies, Country, Rock and Folk dance. Beginners are welcomed! 

We encourage seniors to invite their friends and neighbors. Caregivers are welcomed to join. Move at your own pace! Seating will be available. Sneakers are required. Please wear comfortable clothing. Please bring your water bottle, there is a water refill station available. Restrooms and gymnasium are on the ground floor. 

Register by March 29. 2024, call 845-334-3951 and leave your name and phone number, or email msebro@kingston-ny.gov. To learn more about Age Well visit the Live Well Kingston 

• A brief discussion on arthritis, (and other related conditions) and how to exercise safely and comfortably.
• Warm-up movement and stretches (this can be done seated or standing).
• Walking laps around the gymnasium at your own pace.
• Cool-down movement and stretches.

Bring a neighbor or companion. Aides and Caregivers are welcomed to join. Wear comfortable clothing and sneakers. Water refill station is available. Restrooms and gymnasium are on the ground floor. 

Join us Mondays at 11:00am – 12:00pm on January 22 and 29, February 5, 12, and 26, and March 4.The Andy Murphy Neighborhood Center, 467 Broadway (adjacent to the Ride Aide parking lot)

To register, call 334-3951 and leave your name and phone number. Or email msebro@kingston-ny.gov. 

The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households in high cost areas. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers. 

For more information, scan the bar code above with your cell phone. You can also visit the FCC website for more details and qualification requirements.  English: https://www.fcc.gov/acp  Spanish: https://www.fcc.gov/programa-de-descuentos-para-internet-acp

To support its mission to develop programming that promotes active aging for seniors, Age Well Kingston piloted a six week indoor walking program inspired by the Arthritis Foundation’s Walk With Ease. The pilot was held for six weeks in the gymnasium of the Andy Murphy Neighborhood Center in Midtown, home to the City of Kingston’s Parks and Recreation Department’s Senior Programs. The pilot was launched in March 2023 and dubbed the “Midtown Mondays Walking Group”. We asked participant Trudi Melamed, a retired Kingston resident, to share her experience in the walking program, and her personal insights on aging well.

What was your experience with the Age Well Kingston Monday Midtown Walking Group? 

I really enjoyed it, the class size was good, I enjoyed the music and the conversation, and the fact that I could walk inside during the colder weather that time of the year. The people were friendly and the instructor was nice. I like that there was an introduction at the start of each class on aging well.

I think it provided a place for people to come together and do some activity to keep moving. It was a safe place to do walking. It provided a place for different people to meet each other. I was unaware of the senior programming at the Andy Murphy; it would be an improvement to make these programs more public so people can sign up. 

Editor’s Note: To learn more about the City of Kingston Parks and Recreation Department Senior Programs, visit: Welcome to the City of Kingston, NY – Seniors & Adults (kingston-ny.gov)

Why is Walking for exercise important to you? 

I think it’s very important to get up and move and not live a sedentary lifestyle. I think walking is healthier than running at our age. It’s an activity I can do by myself or with other people, it can be a group activity. It’s something you can control; how far, how fast you walk, it’s not a race, i really enjoy walking in the fresh air.

Tell us how you Age Well

If you think young you can be young! I personally have done a lot of traveling since I retired with a partner who also loves to travel. Don’t sit back and do nothing. Get out there and cultivate a social life where you have contact with other people so you’re not alone. Make yourself aware of opportunities open to you.

The pilot walking program was a success! Based on the results of week one Starting Point Self-Test and week six Ending Point Self-Test; 75% of participants reported a reduction of pain and 50% reported lower Physical Limitations scores. As a result of the program’s success, this free indoor walking program will be offered again, late fall 2023. Contact the City of Kingston Health and Wellness Department for more information (845) 334 – 3951.

Lead Photo: Tom Polk, Bicycle Educator at the YMCA of Ulster County, provided the walking group with safety vests during his Pedestrian Safety Education Photo Left: Participants take their laps around the gym after warm-up stretches. 

To learn more about the City of Kingston Parks and Recreation Department Senior Programs, visit: Welcome to the City of Kingston, NY – Seniors & Adults (kingston-ny.gov) To learn more about the Arthritis Foundation Walk with Ease program, visit Make Walking Easier With Arthritis  To learn more about Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety check out: Bicycle Programs – The YMCA of Kingston & Ulster County (ymcaulster.org) 

In keeping with its mission to create a supportive environment that promotes active aging for seniors, Live Well Kingston in partnership with the Holistic Health Community and Midtown Rising Community Hub at the Broadway Bubble, held a 4-week Chair Zumba series in March led by instructor Dr. Shellie G. Fraddin, Ph.D., a Holistic Health Practitioner Specializing in Health and Longevity. We asked Dr. Fraddin about the benefits of Zumba and to share her personal insights on aging well. 

What is Chair Zumba and how can it help us to age well?

Most people who know about Zumba see that it’s fast and exciting with Latin dance steps. People over age 55 may have some physical challenges and might say “I can’t do that”. I believe that everyone can dance at some level. I teach  a level of Zumba in a chair for people who don’t  normally go to a gym or dance studio. I teach Zumba in intervals of both sitting and standing. People may feel intimidated by Zumba and are self-conscious that they’re  not good dancers. The way I teach it, it doesn’t matter if you make a mistake, The way I teach it is about moving your body. The class is watching me move, and following my changing movements. This builds new brain cells, improves your balance, it stimulates your nervous system, and you get a good workout.  Focusing on Zumba helps those negative emotions disappear.  I ask people, what’s your stress level on a scale of 1 – 10 when you start my class. 99% of people say they feel better when they leave the class. It releases endorphins in the brain. That’s my purpose, to get people moving, having fun and being with other people. Whether they came in with a walker, a cane, or a disability. Anything they can do to move is working. 

 Tell us how you Age Well.

It’s multidimensional, it’s not just one thing. I exercise 1 – 3 times a week. Whether I’m teaching or running up and down the stairs (I live on the 3rfd floor with 6 flights of stairs). I wear a Fitbit so I can track my steps.  I try to get up to 10,000 steps a day if I can. I don’t go to the gym. I do walking, hiking, and dancing. I even park further away to get more steps in. I eat 90% organic foods and I’m particular about how I prepare my foods. I juice, make smoothies, and eat organic meat, poultry and lots of vegetables. I do a lot of mental training and personal development courses to learn more about myself, how to manage my thinking so I’m not controlled by negative thinking. In 1980 I began taking courses with Landmark Forum and I’ve been taking courses with them ever since. I’m constantly challenging my brain to build new brain cells and keep learning, that’s a big part of staying healthy as I age.

Chair Zumba classes were well attended and enjoyed by participants who gave unanimous testimonials on the benefits they experienced during the four weeks of classes. By popular demand, the Holistic Health Community will sponsor another round of Chair Zumba classes at the Broadway Bubble. A six week session will begin on March 16. To register, contact the city of Kingston Health and Wellness Department at (845) 334 – 3951.

Photo left: Zumba Instructor Dr. Shellie G. Fraddin, Ph.D. “I inspire older people to live life with passion and purpose”

To learn more about Shellie, check out her website, www.shelliefraddin.com  Shellie’s book can be found here, The Goddess Road Trip Manual: A Spiritual Journey to Get You from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be: Lifestyle Coach Specializing in Women’s Health – Kindle edition by Fraddin Ph.D., Dr. Shellie Gretah. Self-Help Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com

For more information on the benefits of active aging, visit the national Institute on Aging Real-Life Benefits of Exercise and Physical Activity | National Institute on Aging

1. Heal Well
   • “Resilience” Film Screening: Heal Well is planning a screening of the film “Resilience, the biology of stress and the science of hope,” May 16^th, 6pm, at GW Elementary School Auditorium, with a panel discussion after. It is a film about childhood trauma and they will have resources in the room.
   • MiSN Community Baby Shower: The HAHV midwives and a maternal health coalition is working with Emily to host a community baby shower with community resources for women and children at the Hodge Community Center, June 9^th, 1-3pm.
   • Integrated Ulster: Ulster County is working on an initiative called Integrated Ulster that builds health coalitions and increases communications between agencies.
2. Play Well
   • Disc Golf Course and Clean Up: Play well helped do a park cleanup of the new Disc Golf course that has a grand opening April 27^th, 11am.
   • Chess Tables: Age Well and Play Well collaborated to apply for an AARP Community Challenge Grant for two chess tables, four benches, a shade structure and support for monthly chess meet-ups.
3. Eat Well
   • Laurie Mozian is no longer at HAHV. Katie Shehan-Lopez will still chair the team.
   • Conversations have been about how to communicate community about resources more. During the government shut-down multiple Eat Well member organizations sent out parallel press releases about food insecurity resources.
   • The Kingston Food Co-op will present at next Eat Well meeting, June 5^th, 10am.
4. Age Well
   • Cyber Seniors Program: moving toward installing another set of computers at the Stuyvesant Rupco building. Age Well is still having great success partnering high school students with the seniors for computer help.
   • Age Friendly Kingston: Age Well is considering applying to be an AARP Age-Friendly City. The County has been hosting focus groups about community services. Transportation and a senior center are still major concerns for this focus team.
5. Travel Well:
   • Bike Friendly Kingston: Kicking of Summer Slow Rides in May, will be every Thursday, 6pm at YMCA. The Tour De Kingston is June 23^rd. Bike Fest at Town of Ulster Library, June 8^th. Women’s Bike Fest was huge success. Read about what attendees had to say here. 
   • Complete Streets Advisory Council: Is creating a draft procedure of Traffic Control devices.
   • Greenline System: Kingston Point Rail Trail Phase 1 is under construction.
   • Bus Merger: The bus merger passed the Ulster County legislature and is going forward. UCAT is holding a public meeting, April 25^th, 5:30-7:30pm, at UCAT, 1 Danny Circle. Comments will be accepted no later than April 28^th. Buses will be free for 6 months.
   • 311: The City has launched the 311 system that can be used to report sidewalks that haven’t been cleared.

Have any questions about these projects? Want to get involved? Email Emily!

By the numbers:

There are at least 52 food pantry locations in Ulster County.

About 21,600 people in Ulster County are receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits

Another 4,269 households in Ulster County qualify for SNAP benefits but are not receiving them for a variety of reasons.

About 32,000 are estimated to have experienced food hardship in 2011

(Food hardship – defined as answering “Yes” to “Have there been times in the past 12 months when you did not have enough money to buy food that you or your family needed?”)

According to a 2016 report by the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley, there are four main barriers to food security:

• Money – “Many people… are making difficult choices between purchasing food to feed themselves and their children, or paying for rent, utilities, medical bills and transportation, often watering down food to make it go farther.”
• Access & Transportation – “Regular travel to supermarkets and food pantries is challenging – taxis are expensive and bus routes and food pantry schedules can be impossible… those who are homebound or have limited mobility must rely on the kindness of friends, neighbors and nonprofits that deliver food.”
• Life Challenges – “Yet other life events, such as a medical issue or loss of a spouse, job or mobility, can cause a rapid descent into food insecurity.”
• Stigma – “Many people don’t want to be seen accepting help… especially if they’ve been self-sufficient in the past.”

Today, we’re highlighting two (of many) initiatives in the City of Kingston that are finding ways to combat the Access & Transportation barrier to food security.

The Food Cupboards at Yosman Tower and Governor Clinton Apartments

A partnership between The People’s Place, Family of Woodstock, UlsterCorps and Landmark Development Co.

Yosman Tower and Governor Clinton Apartments are two affordable housing buildings in Kingston that have close to 200 combined units. While the Governor Clinton is within walking distance to the Kingston Farmers Market, Hannaford, and the People’s Place, and Yosman Tower is a 5-10 minute drive down Broadway from Governor Clinton, not all seniors are mobile enough to get to one of the places where they can pick up groceries.

Kingston and Ulster County are kind of special in how closely many local non-profits are collaborating to address problems. Collaboration starts with conversations; in this case, it was a conversation between Christine Hein, the Executive Director of the People’s Place food pantry, and Francesca Ortolano, the building manager of Yosman/Clinton. Both of them participate in focus teams with Live Well Kingston, including Eat Well and Age Well.

“The Yosman Tower and Governor Clinton buildings already had food cupboards for the residents, and we were talking about the issue of mobility and transportation,” Hein says. “If individuals are mobile, they can come here to get produce, fresh bread, lots of protein choices. But not everyone can make it here.”

Starting in January of this year, the People’s Place has had a couple of UlsterCorps volunteers delivering food and produce for the cupboard program.

“It’s a little different; the food we send there is shelf-stable,” says Hein. “We have a good number of individuals who are using the program, and many of them have signed up for our Thanksgiving turkey program.”

Kenneth Oldehoff is one of the UlsterCorps volunteers involved in the program and knows a thing or two about feeding lots of people. Before retiring, he worked for over 30 years in food service at Vassar College.

“I retired, and I was looking for something to do and got involved with the UlsterCorps Farm to Food Pantry program,” he says. “I started working with the People’s Place farm stand on Tuesdays, and there was a concern that people with a lack of mobility aren’t able to get to pantries. We’re trying to look at the obstacles and find a way to overcome them.”

The Institute for Family Health and the YMCA Farm Project

Another project that brings food to the people who need it is the partnership between the YMCA Farm Project and the Institute for Family Health.

Kaycee Wimbish, one of the co-founders of the Farm Project, is in her fifth season with of farming a quarter of acre land in Midtown Kingston alongside students from after-school and summer camps. The food is then sold at various farm stands and through mobile market programs, including one at HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley’s Mary’s Avenue campus.

With the Institute for Family Health, Wimbish has a healthcare partner that is instructing their patients to eat healthy vegetables through their prescriptions. The prescriptions can be redeemed at the YMCA farm stand, which has had hours in the Institute parking lot from 11 to 1 every other Wednesday (the season is ending this month).

“We received a Farm Fresh food grant through Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley, and it seemed like an appropriate opportunity to collaborate with the Institute of Family Health,” Wimbish says. “They were very enthusiastic and receptive at the idea of doing a farm stand at their clinic and doing prescriptions. We just kind of figured it out.”

Over the years, Wimbish has found that partnering with anchor institutions in the region has helped farm stand initiatives be more successful, as institutions have marketing and advertising infrastructure to get the word out and a base of employees who will patronize the stand.

“With the Institute, there’s a segment of the population that we’re trying to reach: people who have limited access to fresh produce,” she said. “Some people are coming with the prescription, most people are not. It’s just a free farm stand for whoever is there; the patients, the taxi and ambulette drivers, and even employees walking over from Gateway Community Industries.”

This is actually the only free farm stand that is being offered by the YMCA Farm Project, to encourage people who don’t seek out vegetables to try something new.

“People are much more willing to take something if it’s free,” Wimbish says. “They would never buy a bok choi, but they’ll take a free one. There have definitely been instances where people tried something and liked it and come back for more.”

The program fits into the Farm Project’s long-term vision of changing who feels included in the local food scene, which includes offering cooking instruction to children and teenagers.

“We want everyone to feel welcome in these food and farmer spaces,” Wimbish says. “There’s a population that doesn’t seek out farm stands. It’s not just for white people with disposable income. Local food needs to include everybody.”

Want to be part of the next great local health and wellness partnership? Or do you want to hear about what’s going on? Check out our calendar of upcoming events and focus group meetings and become part of Live Well Kingston!