March 2021

March is National Social Worker Month

What are Social Workers?

The role of a Social Worker varies across the board from social justice, human rights, and education, to work with the youth, older adults, and so much more. As a graduate level social work student, I have thoroughly enjoyed the connections I have made with all of the hard working caregivers and their families. As a social change agent, I am here to make a difference and promote advocacy for others who aren’t always able to do so for themselves.

Here in the aging setting, I am able to provide families with assistance that connects them with the valuable resources that maximize quality and participation in daily life for their care recipients. Helping create solutions for the physical, psychological, social, and economic needs of clients has been a part of the work that brings all of the moving pieces together. The ability to help caregivers establish assistance or more positively experience transitions has brought me so much closer to the work that I do. Seeing the abundance of support offered by caregivers makes every experience inspirational and is a very vital when collaborating to provide the best care possible.

Social workers across the world work hard to become qualified professionals that can best assist individuals and their families. They dedicate their time, service, and support to all of the populations they are able to serve. Social work students and professionals work to combat social issues faced in communities on a daily basis, all to make the world better for everyone.

Thank you caregivers, for trusting our team of social workers to walk with you as you navigate the care journey. As always, please contact the Aging Helpline if you are interested in speaking with one of our social workers: 919-968-2087 or agingtransitions@orangecountync.gov.

This month's article is written by Arielle Morgane', a Cary native. She is a 2019 graduate from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro's Department of Social Work. Starting at a young age, she has engaged with many non-profit organizations, volunteered across her local community, and built life-changing relationships that have led her to the field of Social Work. She aspires to create a better place for her community and encourage open-mindedness and inclusivity through her technical skills and educational knowledge. To work towards her professional mission, she is currently obtaining her Master’s Degree in Social Work at North Carolina Central University with a focus in geriatrics.

Arielle is one of four MSW practicum students working with the Department on Aging this academic year. These four students join our five staff social workers in the Aging Transitions mission of seeking to empower Orange County older adults, and those who support them, to age well through programs and services that promote and enhance quality of life.

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:

The month of March is Social Work Month 2021!
Take a moment to learn more about the positive contributions of social workers: https://www.socialworkers.org/News/Social-Work-Month

National Association of Social Workers: Types of Social Work
https://www.socialworkers.org/News/Facts/Types-of-Social-Work

Connect with a Social Worker at one of these community organizations:
Alzheimer's Association of Eastern NC
Charles House
Dementia Alliance of NC
Duke Dementia Family Support Program
Duke Geriatric Evaluation and Treatment Clinic
Durham VA Healthcare System
Friends of Residents in Long Term Care
Orange County Department on Aging
Orange County Health Department
Orange County Department of Social Services
Piedmont Health, including PACE
Triangle J Area Agency on Aging
UNC Geriatrics Clinic
UNC Neurology Movement Disorders Center

Announcements

COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment Scheduling:
Governor Roy Cooper announced Feb. 10 that childcare workers, educators and school personnel in pre-K through grade 12, including private and charter schools, will be eligible to receive a COVID vaccine beginning Feb. 24. Other frontline essential workers listed in Group 3 will become eligible Mar. 10.

Who are frontline essential workers?
Group 3 is made up of “frontline essential workers” such as teachers, grocery workers, restaurant workers, postal employees, firefighters, bus drivers and those that perform essential tasks, are public facing or have close contact with other people, and have to leave home to work.

If you are eligible, 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 Group 1 or 2 should wait until they are eligible to register.

There are many places to be vaccinated in and around Orange County, not just the Orange County Health Department. Please visit the OCHD vaccine website for a list.

NCDHHS maintains a list of all the vaccination sites in North Carolina. Visit https://myspot.nc.gov.

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!

Focus Group Participants Needed

NCSU and the UNC School of Medicine are working to develop community charging solutions for people who use power wheelchairs and scooters. They are recruiting adults from Chapel Hill and Carrboro to participate in online (Zoom) focus groups that will help inform the engineering design process. See flyer for more information.

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, March11 at 1pm
Friday, March12 at 10:30am
Thursday, March 25 at 1pm
Friday, March 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, March 1 at 2:30pm
Monday, March 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. This month's topic is Gender and Parkinson's.

Tuesday, March 2 at 1:30pm

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 'motorized wheelchairs (and other ambulation devices) - When/If to get one and what else I should know.'

Wednesday, March 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: Social Isolation & Loneliness

Rich Gwaltney from Transitions LifeCare will share with us some tips to combat social isolation during a global pandemic. Click here to register in advance for this webinar. Contact Kendall (919-245-4278) for more information.

Monday, March 22, 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, March 2 at 10:15am: Parkinson's & Dementia
Tuesday, March 16 at 10:15am: Disclosing a Diagnosis

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.

Tuesday, March 9 at 10am: Sleep Hygiene
Tuesday, March 23 at 10am: Safety in Entryways