August 2020

Caring from a Distance

Just as caring for someone living in your home is a challenge, caring from a distance comes with its own unique struggles! In the age of social distancing, those who live close by may face some of the same challenges as long distance caregivers. Maybe you used to go visit your parent a few times a week, and now you don’t feel that’s the safest decision. Or maybe your loved one lives in an assisted living facility and cannot have visitors right now. How can you continue to care and advocate for your loved one, while staying physically distant? Here are a few tips of how to stay connected and care from a distance.

Stay connected! Whether it’s phone calls, letters, FaceTimes or window visits, find a way to connect with your loved one and remind them that you are there for them.
Know the resources in your loved one’s area. Orange County has a lengthy resource guide with resources from dentists to transportation to home delivered meals and much more! If you cannot find a resource call the Aging Helpline and we will try to track one down for you.
Go Paperless! If you’re helping to manage your loved one’s finances, arrange for their bills and bank statements to be delivered online so you can view and pay them from anywhere. Your loved one may need to sign the appropriate paperwork (such as a power of attorney) to give you access to accounts.
It takes a village. Connect with the people who are able to be physically close to your loved one. Whether it’s the staff at their facility, their neighbors or other family make sure these extra support people know to keep you in the loop.

For more information on long distance caregiving, see the resources below or contact the Aging Helpline at 919-968-2087 or agingtransitions@orangecountync.gov.

Activities at both Orange County senior centers remain closed, and staff have continued to implement and modify programs and services to help support seniors throughout the crisis. Subscribe to the bi-weekly Endless Possibilities e-newsletter or see the new COVID-19 Resource for Seniors web page for more information.

Department on Aging COVID-19 Resources for Seniors

Aging Information Helpline: 919-968-2087
Aging Information Email: AgingTransitions@orangecountync.gov

Health Department Information Page
COVID-19 Hotline: 919-245-6111
COVID-19 Email Updates: sign up here

Additional Resources

For more information, check out:

From AARP
Long-Distance Caregiving: 5 Key Steps to Providing Care From Afar

From the Conversation Project
Being Prepared in the Time of COVID-19: Three Things You Can Do Now

From Johns Hopkins Medicine
Coronavirus and COVID-19: Caregiving for the Elderly

From Mental Health America
Family Caregiver Mental Health and COVID-19

From the National Institute on Aging
Getting Started with Long-Distance Caregiving
8 Tips For Long-Distance Caregiving

From the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response
Managing the Effects of Social Distancing in Older Adults During COVID-19

Announcements

Activity Engagement Coaching

As we all continue to spend a lot of time at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it can be challenging to find ways to keep loved ones with dementia engaged throughout the day.

For caregivers connected to our various dementia support programs, we are now offering one-on-one consultations (via phone or GoToMeeting) where we can brainstorm together with you to identify enjoyable activities that are:

person-centered, i.e. tailored to your loved one’s current and past interests, likes, preferences
meaningful
appropriately modified to current level of cognitive ability, thereby reducing frustration and stress

If interested, please contact Lisa Meinert (919-245-4251), certified Dementia Care Partner and Activity Professional or Marie Dagger, OTR/L (919-245-4279).

Wear it Correctly to Protect Yourself and Others

Socially-Distanced Programs

Emotional & Social Wellbeing

Caregiver Support Groups

Available via GoToMeeting. Register one day prior to the meeting. To register, please call 919-968-2087 or email agingtransitions@orangecountync.gov. Contact Kim for more information.

Thursday, July 13 at 1pm
Friday, July 14 at 10:30am
Thursday, July 27 at 1pm
Friday, July 28 at 10:30am

Memory Cafe

Available via GoToMeeting. Register one day prior to the meeting. To register, please call 919-968-2087 or email agingtransitions@orangecountync.gov. Contact K endall for more information.

Tuesday, August 4 at 2:30pm
Monday, August 10 at 2pm

Chapel Hill Parkinson's Support Group

Available via Zoom - contact Jessica Shurer (919-843-1657) for more information. Please RSVP by the Monday before.

Care Partners: Tuesday, August 4 at 12:30pm
People with Parkinson's: Tuesday, August 4 at 2:30pm

Reflections Tours at the Nasher Museum of Art
Join Nasher staff and other caregivers and persons with dementia to look at and discuss works of art in the Nasher's collections. Read more about the new virtual version of the program here and sign up to participate by emailing Reflections@duke.edu.

Fridays at 2pm

Physical Wellbeing

Poised for Parkinson's Online

Mondays & Thursdays, June 22-August 13, 5-6:45pm
See here for more information

Fit Seniors

At-Home exercise and wellness options designed to help keep you fit and healthy with your favorite OCDOA fitness instructors: http://www.co.orange.nc.us/2371/Fit-Seniors.

Educational Events

Care Partners Education Series: BBB - Fraud Prevention for Seniors
Catherine Honeycutt from the Better Business Bureau will discuss fraud prevention for seniors and how caregivers can protect their loved ones. Contact Kendall for more information.

Monday, August 24, 1:30 – 2:30pm

Dementia - Let's Talk About It
Join OCDoA’s dementia care specialists for a conversation around topics related to dementia education, living with cognitive change, and being a dementia caregiver. We will provide 15-30 minutes of education at the start of the hour, and the remaining time will be spent in conversation, Q&A, and resource-sharing around the day’s topic. Contact Marie for more information.

Tuesday, Sept 1 at 10:15am: What is Dementia?
Tuesday, Sept 15 at 10:15am: Caregiver Self Care

Voting Safely in the 2020 Election
Thursday, August 13; 4:00 - 5:15pm
Make sure you make your voice heard and your vote count in the 2020 election! See here for more information.

For more ideas of ways to engage at home, visit our website for a full listing of online programming.