Aging
Activities at both Orange County senior centers are suspended.
ESSENTIAL PROGRAMS CONTINUE WITH MODIFICATION:
Aging Helpline: Talk to trained staff about any aging-related issue. Call (919) 968-2087 or email Aging Services. We try to find answers to your age-related questions and link you to the services that you need. Helpline hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Chinese & Spanish Language Aging Helpline
Call 919-245-4275 to speak to our staff in Mandarin.
Call 919-245-4279 ext. 1 to leave a message in Spanish.
COVID-19 Volunteer Opportunities: Would you like to share your skills and gifts with older adults in Orange County. Leaders from Orange County’s Department on Aging and UNC’s Partnerships in Aging are creating a list to match volunteers with the needs and changing circumstances of individuals and organizations that serve older adults. To volunteer, please add your name to the COVID-19 Volunteer list.
Employment Services for Older Adults: Job seekers, right now, there are part-time and full-time jobs available. Large retailers and delivery companies – Amazon, CostCo, WalMart, and several grocery and pharmacy chains are hiring people for warehouse, stocking, cashier and delivery positions. Orange County Department On Aging Employment Services can help you be better prepared for your job search. Email Mike Komives or call/text 919-616-8778 for help.
Fit and Healthy at Home: Check out our "at home" exercise options offered by OCDOA Wellness Program instructors and staff to help keep you fit and healthy. Visit our Health and Wellness page for options like Balance Class 1, Cabin Fever 10, and Strength Training Watch for more options in the future and get started today!
Lunch Program Update: Effective Monday, March 30, we will begin distributing meals 3-times a week to reduce the number of times lunch participants come out into the community. A hot meal plus a boxed lunch will be distributed on Mondays and Wednesdays, and one hot meal on Fridays, ensuring that our registered lunch participants continue to receive 5 meals weekly.
At this time we are only accepting new applications for those county residents age 60 and over and who can pick up a meal at either the Seymour Center or Passmore Center.
Those in group quarters will only be considered if they can identify someone to come and pickup their meal.
Medicare Assistance: Orange County Medicare and ACA/Obamacare counseling services have been temporarily suspended. The North Carolina Department of Insurance operates a call center to assist those with Medicare questions and concerns 8 am-5 pm, Mon-Fri, call 1-855-408-1212. For ACA/Obamacare issues, contact the Piedmont Community Health Center at 919-724-5227. You may also contact Jeanne Chamberlin, the Orange County SHIIP Program coordinator at 919-245-4240.
Welcome to Medicare Classes: Classes are cancelled but people can download Welcome to Medicare 2020 Presentation with notes for a comprehensive, easy to understand introduction to Medicare. You may also download a copy of the Medicare Basics by the NC Department of Insurance.
Orange County Senior Games: The 2020 Orange County Senior Games are postponed until June 1. We will try to reschedule all activities/events within a 3 week time-frame as venues and staff are available, and send out a new modified schedule once it is available. Senior Games registration will remain open until May 1. For information, email Myra Austin or call 919-245-2020.
Staff Appointments: Aging Transitions, Senior Center programming and Volunteer Connect 55+ staff are available to meet by appointment, or by phone or email. For more information, please call the Passmore Center at 919-245-2015, Seymour Center at 919-968-2070, or the AGING HELPLINE at 919-968-2087.
Tax Assistance - Limited Operations using Virtual Services: Due to Covid-19 virus concerns, the Orange County Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) is transitioning to a Virtual Service providing assistance with 2019 tax returns for some taxpayers. The tax filing deadline for both Federal and NC State returns has been delayed to July 15, 2020. Please review the here to learn about our plans and alternative sources of tax assistance. We will continue to post status updates on our VITA website and Appointment line 919-245-4242.
Telephone Reassurance: As we continue to enforce social distancing, and social gatherings aren’t possible, we want to make sure you’re doing okay. Would you like a daily phone call just to check on you? We are actively enrolling new participants in our Telephone Reassurance program. If interested, please call or email the Aging Helpline at 919-968-2087 or Shenae McPherson at 919-245-4243.
For questions about COVID-19 Orange County: Contact the Orange County Call Center at 919-245-6111 between the hours of 8:30 am - 5 pm daily to speak to a live operator (available in multiple languages). Visit the Orange County Health Department Coronavirus (Covid-19) webpage for up-to-date information and resources