February 2021

Is Options Counseling For You?

Are you considering making a change in residence or level of care for yourself or a loved one? Have you found that you or your loved one need more support with personal care and household tasks? Do you want to downsize or move into a senior living community? The Orange County Department on Aging’s Options Counseling program may be of use to you.

Our trained Options Counselors can help you plan for changes in living situation or level of care. They can provide information on your options and help you decide which option is best for you considering your needs, values, and preferences. They can also make referrals and help you connect with various resources and services.

If you'd like to learn more about different care options, join MSW Interns, Natalie Terrell and Arielle Moragne for their Caregiver Education presentation on Wednesday, February 17 (1:30pm; R egister here). This conversation could be a helpful lead-in to an Options Counseling appointment.

Please contact the Aging Helpline if you are interested in learning more about Options Counseling or scheduling an appointment: 919-968-2087 or agingtransitions@orangecountync.gov. Options Counseling is a free service.

Group 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 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 Alzheimer's Association
Choosing a Residential Care Setting

From the NC Department of Health & Human Services
Options Counseling

From OCDoA
What is Options Counseling?

From the US Department of Health & Human Services
Costs of Care

Announcements

The Health Department is currently scheduling health care workers, long-term care residents and staff and older adults ages 65 and up for appointments (Phase One and Two). There are 1.6 million people over the age of 65 in North Carolina. In Orange County there are approximately 22,000 people who are 65 years of age or older.

If you are in Phase One and Two health care workers, long-term care residents and staff and older adults ages 65 and up) you may either sign up by filling out Complete the Vaccine Interest Form (VIF) at https://redcap.link/OCHDvax or by calling 919-913-8088. The call center is open seven days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call center staff are available to help register in Spanish and other languages.

Once you have either completed the vaccine interest survey or have registered by phone, you are on the waitlist and there is no need to call back to check your status. You will be contacted by Orange County staff via email or phone to schedule your appointment when a slot becomes available, but it may be weeks or months. People who are not currently in Phase One and Two should wait until they are eligible to register. If you have left a message, there is no need to call back. A staff member will be in touch with you as soon as they can.

The complete list of the vaccination plan’s phases may be found on the NCDHHS website.

Is the Orange County Health Department the Only Place to be Vaccinated? No.

You can get your vaccine from Orange County or other health care providers. To expedite the vaccination phases, please only book once with one provider. Appointments are required to better manage crowds and to track available supply of vaccine and you will need to get your first and second doses from the same provider. Once you receive a first dose, do not book another appointment with a different provider.

Vaccine Providers approximate to Orange County:

Orange County Health Department ? Visit their Get Your Shot page to sign up or call 919-913-8088 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
UNC Health ? Visit the Get Vaccinated page or call 984-215-5485 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Piedmont Health Services ? Visit the COVID-19 Testing and Vaccination page or call 919-545-3452.
COMING SOON! Hillsborough Pharmacy ? Visit their Home Page or call 919-245-1212.
Duke Health ? Visit the COVID-19 Vaccines Update page to join the waiting list. If you are a Duke MyChart user, you can check Duke MyChart regularly to view appointment availability.
Cone Health ? Visit the COVID-19 Vaccine Information page to join the waiting list.
Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System ? Call 919-286-0411 and dial 0 for the operator to schedule an appointment if you are a veteran at high risk or a veteran frontline essential worker. The VA will reach out to more veterans as additional supplies become available. See the system’s website for more information. See the COVID-19 Vaccine for High Risk Veterans to see the listing of veterans eligible now for vaccination through the VA.

Please do not double book, but rather either go through one provider or another.

Brief Counseling Services

Our team of social workers are available to work with older adults and caregivers for brief counseling services, free of charge. We can work with you on issues including anxiety, depression, caregiver stress and loneliness.

Contact the Aging Helpline for more information: (919) 968-2087.

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!

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

Physical, 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 or Kendall for more information.

Thursday, February 11 at 1pm
Friday, February 12 at 10:30am
Thursday, February 25 at 1pm
Friday, February 26 at 10:30am

Caring for Ourselves – Support Group
Are you feeling worried, lonely and in-need of a safe space to explore your feelings? Our support group will include education and tips that can be used to manage feelings of stress and anxiety while promoting self-care. Group meetings offered virtually through GoToMeeting. Contact Tiffany Summers, LCSWA 2 days in advance to receive a program eligibility screening and instructions on how to join - 919-245-4277.

Monday, February 1 at 2:30pm
Monday, February 15 at 2:30pm

Chapel Hill Parkinson's Support Group

Available via Zoom - contact Jessica Shurer (919-843-1657) for more information and to RSVP. There will be split discussion groups this month.

Tuesday, February 2 at 12:30pm: Care Partner Meeting
Tuesday, February 2 at 2:30pm: People with PD Meeting

Chapel Hill PSP & CBD Support Group

Support group for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and Corticobasal Degeneration. Available via Zoom - contact Jessica Shurer (919-843-1657) for more information and to RSVP. This month's topic is 'life review and what leaving a legacy means to you.'

Wednesday, February 3 at 1:30pm

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.

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Educational Events

Caregiver Education Series: Levels of Care

MSW Interns, Natalie Terrell and Arielle Moragne will discuss levels of care and how to make transitions easier. R egister in advance for this webinar. Contact Kendall (919-245-4278) for more information.

Wednesday, February 17, 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, February 2 at 10:15am: Alzheimer's Disease
Tuesday, February 16 at 10:15am: Vascular Dementia

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.