Orange County Issues a “Stay at Home” Order to Take Effect 
March 27th 

Orange County, North Carolina issued an amendment to the Declaration of a State of Emergency. The amendment orders the public to Stay at Home to prevent further spread of COVID-19. The Order will take effect on Friday, March 27th, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. and will remain in effect until April 30, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. The Stay at Home Order shall be reviewed periodically to determine whether it should be extended, modified, or rescinded.

• Read the full press release here.
• Download the FAQ Stay at Home Order Orange County 

• Newsletter: Sign up for the COVID-19 newsletter from the Orange County Health Department.
• Text: To receive daily text updates, text ocnchealth to 888-777.
• Hotline: Questions about COVID-19? Call (919) 245-6111 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. Spanish language and other languages available.
• Email: Email your questions to covid19@orangecountync.gov.

Consumer Fraud Alert: COVID-19

As the number of people and communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic grows, so do the scams associated with it. Scammers use public health emergencies as opportunities for new fraud schemes, and because older adults are at greater risk for serious illness from COVID-19, they may target older populations.

There is currently no FDA-approved vaccine for COVID-19 and although there may be treatments for symptoms, there is no “cure.” However, scammers often use fear-based tactics to convince people that a vaccine or cure is now being offered. 

It’s also important to remember that although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other public health officials may contact you if they believe you may have been exposed to the virus, they will not need to ask you for insurance or financial information.

Read the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) recommendations for Medicare beneficiaries.

Telephone Reassurance

As we continue to enforce social distancing and social gatherings aren’t possible we want to make sure you’re doing ok.  Would you like a daily phone call just to check on you?  We are actively enrolling new participants in our Telephone Reassurance program. 
 
The Telephone Reassurance’s mission is to maximize the independence of older adults in Orange County and to prolong the time they are able to remain aging in place.
The Telephone Reassurance Program enrolls volunteers to make telephone calls each week day to local adults, providing reassurance and checking on their status, safety, and comfort.
 
Requirements:

• Be at least sixty (60) years old and a resident of Orange County
• Be a client receiving services from or recommended to the Department on Aging
• Agree to a daily wellness call scheduled during the hours of 8:00am-10:00am
• Complete a Participant Profile and Disclosure Authorization
• There are no income restrictions for receiving Telephone Reassurance services 

If interested, please call or email the Aging Helpline at 919-968-2087 or Shenae McPherson at 919-245-4243.

The 2020 Census is Underway! 

The 2020 Census is underway and the most important thing you can do is respond online, by phone, or by mail when you receive your invitation. Responding now will minimize the need for the Census Bureau to send census takers out into communities to follow up. 

Welcome to Medicare Classes

Classes are cancelled, but you can download the Welcome to Medicare 2020 class slides and notes for a comprehensive, easy to understand introduction to Medicare. See also, Medicare Basics from the NC Department of Insurance.

Retailers offer special Senior Shopping Hours

In response to the COVID-19 situation, and in an effort to keep older adults safer while shopping, many retailers have established special "Senior Shopping" hours and services. See a list of local retailers offering special hours. Note: The list has been compiled as a courtesy; it is not exhaustive and is subject to change. Please contact your local store for up-to-date details.

Nominate a deserving Direct Care Worker today!

• Client Impact
• Longevity
• Leadership
• Going the Extra Mile
• Rising Star
• Direct Care Worker of the Year

For more information about the awards, eligibility, and to nominate a direct care worker, visit: http://www.orangecountync.gov/249/SHARP-Direct-Care-Worker-Awards 

2020 Orange County Senior Games
Registered Participant

The OC Senior Games Planning Committee hopes you and your family are staying safe and healthy by following the CDC guidelines regarding the COVID-19 situation.

The Committee has decided to POSTPONE the Orange County Senior Games until June 1.  We will try to reschedule all activities/events within a 3 week timeframe as venues and staff are available.

We will send out a new modified schedule once it is available. 

Senior Games REGISTRATION will remain open until May 1. Please encourage your friends to register if they have not already done so. If you are registered you don’t need to do anything different at this time.

We were especially hoping to have folks to register for the SilverArts Performing category, this year, as we know there are many talented dancers including line dancers, comedians, dramatists, singers, and musicians in our community.

For information, contact Myra Austin at maustin@orangecountync.gov or 919-245-2020, or Lee Schimmelfing at 919-606-2598 or leeshim@email.unc.edu. For information about SilverArts, including the cheerleaders and performing arts, call Cydnee Sims at 919-245-4250. 

On behalf of the OC Senior Games Planning Committee, stay safe and healthy until we see you later this spring!  

Senior Games sponsors: The Recreation and Parks Departments of Carrboro, Chapel Hill and Orange County, and the Orange County Department on Aging.