02/2820 - 03/12/20

Announcements

ATTENTION!

Senior Centers CLOSING effective Monday, March 16

Orange County senior centers suspending activities
due to the COVID-19 virus.

 
Effective Monday, March 16, Orange County Department on Aging is suspending activities at both senior centers due to the risks presented by COVID-19 virus and for the health and safety of our community. This includes the Passmore Center in Hillsborough, the Seymour Center in Chapel Hill, and any off-site classes.
 
Registered Lunch Program participants are encouraged to pick-up a carryout lunch Monday-Friday between the hours of 12 – 12:30 pm.
 
Department on Aging’s Aging Transitions, Senior Center programming and Volunteer Connect 55+ staff are available to meet individually by appointment, by phone or email. For more information call the Passmore Center at 919-245-2015, Seymour Center at 919-968-2070, or the Orange County Aging Helpline at 919-968-2087.
 
All Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) services are suspended due to the Coronavirus outbreak.  This includes both our One-Stop and Drop-Off Programs.  We expect that the IRS will extend the April 15 tax deadline and hope that we will be able to reopen in order to assist taxpayers in completing their taxes.  However, at this time we do not have an estimated date when that may occur. 
 
If you have a VITA appointment at the Seymour Center in Chapel Hill or the Passmore Center in Hillsborough, that appointment has been cancelled and we will contact you via phone or email when we have more information.   
Tax assistance may still be available at the following VITA locations:

• Chatham County Council on Aging – 919-542-4512
• United Way of Alamance – 336-438-2000
• Taxpayer Assistance Center of Durham – 919-286-1822. 
• You may also visit www.irs.gov for additional options.

 
To reach the VITA Program Coordinator, please call 919-245-4240 however please be aware that we do not keep a waiting list and will not schedule future appointments at this time. 
 
For updates and resources related to the COVID-19 virus in Orange County, visit www.orangecountync.gov/coronavirus

For general questions (not urgent) about 2019 Novel Coronavirus, about COVID-19 can call the COVID-19 phone line toll-free at 866-462-3821. This helpline is staffed by the North Carolina Poison Control 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is important to make sure the information you are getting about COVID-19 is coming directly from reliable sources like the CDC and NCDHHS. 

For more information, please visit the CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus and NCDHHS’ website at www.ncdhhs.gov/coronavirus, which will also include future positive COVID-19 test results in North Carolina.

PDFs of Frequently Asked Questions about Coronavirus:
ENGLISH
MANDARIN
SPANISH

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA): SUSPENDED

We have suspended all VITA Services due to the Coronavirus outbreak.  This includes both our One-Stop and Drop-Off Programs.  We expect that the IRS will extend the April 15 tax deadline and hope that we will be able to reopen in order to assist taxpayers in completing their taxes.  However, at this time we do not have an estimated date when that may occur. 
 
If you have an appointment at the Seymour Center in Chapel Hill or the Passmore Center in Hillsborough, that appointment has been cancelled and we will contact you via phone or email when we have more information.   
Tax assistance may still be available at the following VITA locations:

• Chatham County Council on Aging – 919-542-4512
• United Way of Alamance – 336-438-2000
• Taxpayer Assistance Center of Durham – 919-286-1822. 
• You may also visit www.irs.gov for additional options.

 
To reach the VITA Program Coordinator, please call 919-245-4240 however please be aware that we do not keep a waiting list and will not schedule future appointments at this time.  

SHIIP Medicare Assistance: SUSPENDED

As of Friday March 13, the Orange County Senior Centers have suspended all group and volunteer activities due to the Coronavirus outbreak.  This includes our Medicare and ACA/Obamacare Counseling services.  At this time, we do not have an estimated date when we may be able to reopen.
 
The North Carolina Department of Insurance operates a call center to assist those with Medicare questions and concerns over the telephone.  You can reach them 8am-5pm Monday through Friday at 1-855-408-1212. 
For assistance with ACA/Obamacare issues, we suggest you contact the Piedmont Community Health Center at 919-724-5227. You may also contact Jeanne Chamberlin, the SHIIP Program Coordinator for Orange County at 919-245-4240.  

Aging Transitions Services

Direct Care Worker Awards Nominations open on March 2nd!

To Soon To Forget Documentary Screening

Don’t miss the screening of the award-winning documentary, "Too Soon to Forget: The Journey of Younger Onset Alzheimer’s Disease." The film follows the lives of nine families who have a loved one experiencing memory loss, and the healing power of community.

No one should have to go through this experience alone. With the stories of these nine families, we trust this documentary will begin a national conversation that encourages awareness, understanding, and acceptance. 

Guest speakers: 
Bobbi G. Matchar, MSW, MHA
Director, Duke Dementia Family Support Program

Janeli McNeal, MSW
Social Worker, Duke Dementia Family Support Program
Family Consultant, Central NC Project C.A.R.E.

Chapel Hill Public Library, Chapel Hill 
Wednesday, April 15, 2020  
Doors open at 6 (light refreshments served)
Film starts at 6:30pm.

Visit www.TooSoonToForget.net for more information on the film and to view the trailer. 

Our Partners: 
Chapel Hill Public Library 
Duke Dementia Family Support
Dementia Alliance NC

Classes and Trips

CLASSES and TRIPS SUSPENDED

Call to register for classes and trips that are scheduled further out, like the great trip featured below. Stay tuned for more great technology classes as soon as we are back in normal operation mode.

Monticello: Home of Thomas Jefferson & Michie Tavern Trip

Sat, Jul 11 (345005-01)

Upon arrival in Charlottesville, we will go to Michie Tavern, one of the oldest homesteads in Virginia. Dine on hearty midday fare in the Tavern’s Ordinary where you will be greeted by servers in period attire.  Afterwards, a tour of the original Tavern features living history where guests participate in 18th-century activities including a lively Virginia dance.  The tour continues, viewing the dependent outbuildings, the Virginia Wine Museum and the Meadow Run Grist Mill.  In the afternoon, we will visit Monticello, home of Thomas Jefferson, third US President, author of the Declaration of Independence and Statue for Religious Freedom, as well as a founder of the University of Virginia. 

Price includes transportation, lunch and tours.  Gratuities for the driver and the tour escort are not included.  Gratuity in the range of $3 - $5 for the driver, and $2 - $4 for the tour escort is recommended.  

Register by: Sat, Jun 2
Fee: $120 per person

Seymour Center         8 am - 9:30 pm
Passmore Center       8:30 am - 9 pm

Employment Services for Older Adults

Health and Wellness

Lunch Program

Lunch Program: Dine-in Lunch SUSPENDED / Carryout available to registered Lunch Program participants

Effective Monday, March 16, the noon day lunch program has been suspended due to the COVID-19 virus.

Registered Lunch Program participants are encouraged to pick-up a carryout lunch Monday-Friday between the hours of 12-12:30 pm.

Volunteers Needed

Help prepare and serve lunch from 11:30 - 1:00 pm at the Seymour Center. Interested? Please call Isabel Jackson, 919-245-4256. 

 SENIOR LUNCH PROGRAM 

The Senior Lunch Program offers hot, nutritious meals at the Orange County Senior Centers each Monday through Friday at noon. Meals are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Orange County residents 60 years and older are invited to participate. For people under age 60, a meal costs $6. Voluntary and confidential donations for lunch are a very important part of the Program's budget which includes funding from the Older Americans Act, Orange County Government, and the Towns of Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Hillsborough.

Medicare Assistance

Meet and Mingle

Seymour Tech Center

CLASSES SUSPENDED

Call to register for classes that are scheduled further out, and stay tuned for more great technology classes as soon as we are back in normal operation mode.

Enroll at the Seymour Center. For class list see below or call Seymour Front Desk at 919-968-2070. If you have questions or need assistance with class choices, please call Mike Gilliom at 919-636-0993.

To check our class schedule & course descriptions, and sign up for our upcoming technology classes, go to our website: 

 SEYMOUR TECH CENTER 

Special Events

EVENTS SUSPENDED

Call to register for events scheduled further out, and stay tuned for more great events as soon as we are back in normal operation mode.

Tax Assistance

SUSPENDED Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) 

We have suspended all VITA Services due to the Coronavirus outbreak.  This includes both our One-Stop and Drop-Off Programs.  We expect that the IRS will extend the April 15 tax deadline and hope that we will be able to reopen in order to assist taxpayers in completing their taxes.  However, at this time we do not have an estimated date when that may occur. 
 
If you have an appointment at the Seymour Center in Chapel Hill or the Passmore Center in Hillsborough, that appointment has been cancelled and we will contact you via phone or email when we have more information.   
Tax assistance may still be available at the following VITA locations:

• Chatham County Council on Aging – 919-542-4512
• United Way of Alamance – 336-438-2000
• Taxpayer Assistance Center of Durham – 919-286-1822. 
• You may also visit www.irs.gov for additional options.

 
To reach the VITA Program Coordinator, please call 919-245-4240 however please be aware that we do not keep a waiting list and will not schedule future appointments at this time.  

Volunteer Connect 55+

Calling Volunteers of All Ages!

We are seeking volunteers of all ages to join the VC55+ family of over 400 volunteers! The right volunteer match can be infinitely meaningful and fun – let us help you find your ideal volunteer match!

Opportunities Include:

• Seymour & Passmore Center Greeter Team
• Bi-Lingual (Karen/Burmese/Spanish/English) Volunteer Team
• Long-term Care Volunteer Program with Signature HealthCARE
• Handy Helpers Team
• Friend to Friend Team
• Community Visitation/SALT Team
• Volunteer Drivers Team

To become a volunteer, please contact Shenae McPherson,VC55+ Administrator,
at 919-245-4243, or shmcpherson@orangecountync.gov.

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