Orange County Continues Phased-in Lifting of Restrictions 

Governor Cooper announced we will be moving into a 'Safer at Home' recommendation starting at 5:00pm on Friday, May 22.  For more information, please read Frequently Asked Questions for Executive Order No. 141 and What Phase 2 Means for North Carolina.  Continue to check back to the Orange County Health Department's website for updates about our county's status.

• 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. daily. Spanish language and other languages available.
• Email: Email your questions to covid19@orangecountync.gov.

May is Older Americans Month

The theme this year is “Make Your Mark”. A great way to make your mark is to share your story and highlight how all individuals make a difference in their life. We encourage you to share your story with loved ones, on social media and with your community. We want to hear YOUR story! If you are interested in sharing, please email Eva at ebauer@orangecountync.gov. 
 
Here are a few suggestions to brainstorm stories to share, but feel free to be creative and share ANY story that is meaningful to you.

• What do you wish the world knew about you?
• What would you like to tell your 22-year-old self?
• What are you most proud of?

2020 Orange County Senior Games – Cancelled

Due to effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Orange County Senior Games has been cancelled based on the encouragement of the NC Senior Games Board of Directors and recommendation of the OC Senior Games Planning committee.

For more information, on Orange County Senior Games, contact local Senior Games co-coordinators, Myra Austin, maustin@orangecountync.gov or 919-245-2020 or Lee Schimmelfing, leeschim@email.unc.edu or 919-606-2598.

Pet Food Assistance

Orange County Animal Services is working to assist those facing financial hardship at this time. If you need help to provide food for your pet due to loss of income as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, please visit the OC Animal Services Website to complete the application.

Seymour Flowers at Home

Trader Joe's is continuing to donate flowers each Tuesday, and Seymour Center Facilities Manager Robin has porch-delivered bouquets to some of our seniors.

"The roses were beautiful. I gave Ann the red ones and I kept the yellow roses and I also kept the orchid. Thanks so much. I can't believe this month is almost over wow.... Love receiving the flowers from you. Hugs and kisses."

"Thanks for the flowers. It kept me busy all morning putting them in a few vases and in different rooms. I also shared with my neighbor."

"I sure did. I am just speechless. You are so sweet, and so awesome.  I'm doing okay. I'm pretty tired of this mess and I'm experienced at 'sheltering.' I miss playing euchre and seeing my wonderful friends - like you."

Volunteer Connect 55+ is still benefiting from all the wonderful things our volunteers can do….even during COVID!

Grocery Delivery Service

If you are in need of grocery delivery, or if you know an older adult who would benefit from this service, Volunteer Connect 55+ is now offering this resource.  To register for this program, complete the online request form or contact the Aging Helpline at 919-968-2087. 

This service is being offered to Orange County residents age 60 and over. Ordering requirements apply.

VITA Volunteers Continue to Provide Tax Assistance During the Pandemic

The deadline for filing 2019 income taxes is now July 15, 2020.  The Orange County Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) is continuing to assist low and moderate-income taxpayers .  VITA services are free to those that have incomes below $65,000 for a single person or $90,000 for a household.  Those with social security retirement benefits must file an income tax return if their income from other sources plus 50% of their social security benefit exceeds $24,000 ($32,000 for a married couple).
 
If you have internet access, an active email account, and either a computer and scanner or a cell phone with a camera, you can participate in our Virtual VITA program.  Check our website www.orangecountync.gov/ocncvita or send an email to ocncvita@gmail.com for more information.
 
We are also offering a Drive-Thru Drop-Off Service that will be available during the month of June.  Taxpayers can bring us their tax documents and complete paperwork in your car.  We’ll scan the documents while you wait and you will return a week later to pick up your completed return.   Our IRS-certified preparers will contact you by phone as needed to prepare and electronically file your return.  Planned Drop-Off times during June:
            Seymour Center – Mondays 1-4pm and Fridays 1-4pm
            Passmore Center – Wednesdays 1-4pm

Managing Your Finances During the Pandemic

It’s a stressful time with worries about your current health, how to stay healthy, and your financial situation now and in the future.  Here are some programs that may be helpful:
 
Stimulus Checks:  Most adults can receive up to $1200 one time payment.  Most have already been electronically deposited, and the government has started mailing checks to those where bank information was not available.  Get information about the status of your ‘Economic Impact Payment’ at www.irs.gov/eip.   For those with Social Security or SSI payments, see this Guide for helpful information.
 
No Penalty for Early Withdrawl from 401K/IRAs:  If you need to take money from your 401K or IRA due to the Coronavirus, you can avoid the standard 10% penalty and spread tax payments on the distribution over three years.  Read more.
 
Financial Assistance with Medicare Costs:  If your gross income (including social security benefits) is less than $1595 per month for an individual or $2155 for a married couple and you have limited savings, you may qualify for assistance with Medicare premiums and/or copays.  Contact the Orange County SHIIP program at 919-245-4274 to learn more.
 
Social Security Options:  Early retirement benefits are available from social security beginning at age 62.  If you need income on a short-term basis (less than 12 months) it is possible to essentially borrow from your social security benefit.  You can enroll for early retirement benefits and then withdraw your application and repay the benefits to reset your benefit to receive the full benefit at your full retirement age.  Read more.
 
401K/IRA Required Minimum Distribution:  Older adults are normally required to take a minimum distribution from 401K accounts and IRAs each year.  Those requirements have been waived for 2020 which can be advantageous for some.  Read more. 
 
Credit Reports:  You can now get a weekly free credit report.  Learn more.   

 Do Not Delay Emergency Care! 

Although social distancing is critical during the coronavirus pandemic, please do not delay seeking urgent or emergent medical care! If you are experiencing life threatening illness or have severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest pain or confusion, please call 911 immediately.
 
In non-emergent situations, many health care providers are offering Telehealth visits. These may be conducted by phone or video chat. If you are faced with an emergency, please call 911 and seek out emergency care.

Nutrition and Inflammation

We frequently read stories about inflammation...but how does that actually impact our health? Should we be more worried about it during a pandemic? Can we change our diets to prevent inflammation? We'll answer these and the following questions during this online, interactive course:

• What is inflammation? 
• Is inflammation related to my immune system?
• How does inflammation impact my health?
• What factors influence inflammation?
• How can my diet and lifestyle behaviors reduce inflammation?

Register here to attend this free, interactive class with Melissa Walter, MPH, RDN, LDN, or email questions to melissawalter@unc.edu.

Has the coronavirus pandemic changed or disrupted your sleeping habits?

Check out this podcast from the Sleep Doctor, Dr. Michael Breus, who shares some tips on how to improve your sleep.

Listen here.

MyMobility Plan Presentation

Learn to use the CDC’s MyMobility Tool, a tool designed to help seniors plan their physical activity, home safety and transportation safety (driving independently, accessing public transit, or getting help from friends and family). Ellen Bailey, Coordinator of the NC Falls Prevention Coalition, and Lindsay Bailey, UNC Health Care Trauma Program Injury Prevention Coordinator, created the MyMobility Plan Presentation to help seniors access and utilize the MyMobility tool. In addition, Ellen and Lindsay will share several resources, national and local, that can help seniors to access rides and driver safety information. Access the presentation slides here. 

Wednesdays@One Poetry Reading

If you are looking for an opportunity to expand your poetic horizons, to cultivate your own writing, to engage with other writers of poetry, then Wednesdays@One Poetry is for you.  We share poems, react to each other’s work and encourage one another as we work on poetry projects together.
 
We meet at the Seymour Center on Wednesdays at 1 pm and hope to be back on-site soon. In the meantime, we hope you will enjoy the YouTube video featuring poetry readings by our own Seymour Center poets (Reading April 22, 2020).
 
Contact One Poetry instructor, Clark Holtzman at choltzman@runbox.com for more information and how to join the group.

Tune In Tuesdays (Now Daily!)

Join Steve Toll live as he performs a variety of songs, conversation and stories. Due to the popularity of this program, Steve is now performing his, Tune in Tuesdays, on a daily basis.  Steve performs a variety of music throughout the decades and as you listen you will find yourself clapping and singing along to these beloved tunes. Every day you can lift your spirit and benefit from, the power of music.

To register, please call 919-245-2015.
Date: Daily
Time: 1 – 1:30 pm
Contact https://www.facebook.com/ComForCareCorporate/

Mindfulness at the NC Museum of Art

Connecting with works of art can help us slow down and focus on the present moment, a skill that can help to regulate stress in our day-to-day life.

This live, interactive program will be offered in a virtual format. For info on how to join, please contact Lisa Meinert at (919) 245-4251 or Lmeinert@orangecountync.gov.

COVID-19 Volunteer Opportunities

Would you like to share your skills and gifts with older adults in Orange County?  Leaders from Orange County’s Department on Aging and UNC’s Partnerships in Aging are creating a list to match volunteers with the needs and changing circumstances of individuals and organizations that serve older adults. 

To volunteer, please add your name to the COVID-19 Volunteer list.