September 2020

Falls Prevention Awareness Week

Every year, 1 out of every 4 older adults in the U.S. will have a fall, and every 11 seconds, an older adult visits the Emergency Department because of a fall. Falls are the number one cause of injury for adults aged 65+ and are also correlated with fear, depression, and challenges with staying active.

Falls are incredibly common, but are not a normal part of aging. By taking steps to prevent falls, we can help older adults to remain engaged and independent for as long as possible.

The National Council on Aging (NCOA) outlines 6 Steps to Protect Your Older Loved One from a Fall:

Enlist their support in taking simple steps to stay safe - Keep an open line of conversation and stay attuned to concerns they mention.
Discuss their current health conditions - Stay aware of any changes they are experiencing. Encourage regular visits with their healthcare providers, including audiology, optometry, and therapy, in addition to their primary care physician.
Ask about their last eye checkup - Encourage use of their most current vision prescriptions, and reach out for support from a low vision specialist if needed.
Notice if they’re holding onto walls, furniture, or someone else when walking or if they appear to have difficulty walking or arising from a chair - This could suggest challenges with balance and/or strength. Consider requesting an appointment with a physical therapist, encouraging use of a mobility device (like a walker or cane), or suggesting a recommended exercise class through the local senior center, YMCA, or wellness center.
Talk about their medications - Side effects and interactions can affect balance, stability, and wakefulness. Recommend regular conversations with their physician or pharmacist to ensure all their medications are safe for use together.
Do a walk-through safety assessment of their home - Consider how the most-used spaces of their home are (or are not!) helping them to stay safe. Recommend consulting with an occupational therapist for safety suggestions.

The Department on Aging is here to support you! Together, we can work to reduce the risk and impact of falling. Reach out to the Aging Helpline at 919-968-2087 for further supports.

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 the National Alliance for Caregiving:
Falls Prevention Conversation Guide for Caregivers

From the National Council on Aging:
Debunking the Myths of Older Adult Falls

OCDoA Falls Prevention Awareness Week Events

North Carolina will celebrate Falls Prevention Awareness Week September 20 – 26. Join the OCDoA as we explore ways to prevent a fall.

5 Ways to Prevent a Fall at Home
How can we prevent a fall? Occupational Therapist Marie Dagger and UNC Injury Prevention Coordinator Lindsay Bailey will discuss key areas to focus on as you work towards staying safer at home. Questions and discussion encouraged! Contact Marie Dagger.
Date Thu, Sep 24
Time: 1 pm
Link: Program ID will be emailed

Balance
A 6-week balance training class, designed to improve your balance and prevent falls, includes strength training, functional movement, and progressive balance exercises, and is for seniors with balance problems. It fills quickly, so sign up early. At the conclusion of the first class, instructor will determine appropriateness for continuation in class. Contact Latonya Brown.
INSTRUCTORS: Charron Andrews, physical therapist assisted by UNC student volunteers interested in careers working with older adults.
FEE: $36 for 6 sessions
DATES: Tue, Sep 8 – Oct 13
TIME: 10 am
LINK: Program ID will be sent before class

Falls Risk Screening
Are you concerned about falling? Contact Occupational Therapist Marie Dagger for a 1:1 appointment to discuss your falls risk. Results are confidential, but can be shared with your doctor upon request. Appointments are available via phone or video call. In-home follow-up available post COVID-19. Contact 919-245-4279 or mdagger@orangecountync.gov

Home Safety Chats
Join occupational therapist Marie Dagger for the inaugural Home Safety Chat on Tue, Sep 22 at 10 am. This 30 min program of education and Q&A will discuss grab bars in this first session with further topics on the 1^st and 3^rd Tuesdays of each month. Contact Marie for further information and registration: 919-245-4279; mdagger@orangecountync.gov
Fee: FREE
Date: Tue, Sep 22
Time: 10 am
Link: Program ID will be emailed

Announcements

Do you know an amazing Direct Care Worker?

It’s time for the sixth annual SHARP Direct Care Worker Awards. Nominations are open through September 18, 2020. A virtual recognition ceremony will be held for award winners on Thursday, October 22, 2020. This event is in honor of Direct Care Workers (nurse aides, personal care aides, companion caregivers, etc.) who affect their clients’ lives on a daily basis and make a difference in the Orange County community.

In recognition of the outstanding service provided by direct care workers, the Department on Aging and SHARP will present awards in the following categories: Client Impact, Longevity, Leadership, Going the Extra Mile, and Rising Star. One person will be chosen as the “Direct Care Worker of the Year.”

For more information about the awards and to nominate a direct care worker, please complete the online nomination form at: http://www.orangecountync.gov/249/SHARP-Direct-Care-Worker-Awards. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

Introducing Social Worker Kimberly Knight

Kimberly M. Knight is originally from Wilson, NC but now resides in Raleigh, NC. In regards to North Carolina Central University, she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Family & Consumer Sciences concentrating in Family & Community Services. Her personal interests include her lifestyle blog, The Lux Blog™ , Contributing Writer for Sheen Magazine and Essence Magazine

In the past 2 years, she’s served as an HIV & Syphilis Disease Intervention Specialist for UNC-Chapel Hill’s Institute of Global Health & Infectious Disease, Co-Founder of HIV Cure Research Day for the State of NC, and Co-Founder of National Black HIV & AIDS Awareness Day for Wilson, NC. Currently, she is a member of the Western Wake Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Triangle Native American Society, National Association of Social Workers – NC, Triangle Association of Black Social Workers, and Junior League of Raleigh. She is the Committee Chair of the Advisory Council for the first Black Indians NC Powwow for the State of North Carolina which will take place in September 2021. In May 2020, she graduated Cum Laude from North Carolina Central University with a Master of Social Work degree and co-organized the MSW department’s first career and education fair.

Kimberly is joining OCDoA as part of both the Aging Transitions and Volunteer Connect 55+ teams. Welcome Kimberly!

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).

Dementia Friendly Orange County

The Orange County Dementia Friendly Business Training is now offering virtual programs! Special thanks to the following organization for committing or recommitting to being part of the Dementia Friendly movement last month:

Aging Family Solutions, LLC
Laura Martin, CSA, ALCP

Dementia Friendly organizations aim to be aware and accommodating of the needs of patrons with dementia or other special needs. Thank your local businesses for being a Dementia Friendly Partner or ask them to become one!

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, September 10 at 1pm
Friday, September 11 at 10:30am
Thursday, September 24 at 1pm
Friday, September 25 at 10:30am

Memory Cafe

This month's programming is centered on 'Back to School.' 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.

Monday, September 14 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, October 6 at 12:30pm
People with Parkinson's: Tuesday, October 6 at 2:30pm

Physical Wellbeing

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: Advance Directives
Join Rich Gwaltney from Transitions LifeCare to discuss how to make our healthcare and end-of-life choices known to our loved ones. Contact Kendall for more information.

Monday, September 21, 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, September 1 at 10:15am: What is Dementia?
Tuesday, September 15 at 10:15am: Caregiver Self Care

Home Safety Chats

Join occupational therapist Marie Dagger virtually on GoToMeeting for 30 minutes of education and Q&A about staying safe at home. Bring your requests related to the day's topic! Contact Marie for more information.