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Topics in this EditionAnnouncementsGood NewsResources & COVID SupportsHealth & Wellness at HomeOnline Senior Center ProgramsAging Transitions ServicesHow to Help
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Orange County COVID-19 Updates
For up-to-date information on coronavirus cases in Orange County, visit the Orange County's COVID-19 webpage or reach out for further information:
- 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.
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Senior Times SurveyHave you seen the Fall 2020 Senior Times? Did you notice any changes? We listened to the feedback participants shared, and want to see what you think of the changes we made. This survey will take you only a few minutes to complete and will help guide our next steps. Please complete the survey by August 27th at 5pm. We can't wait to hear what you think! Please email Eva with any questions.
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Do you know an amazing Direct Care Worker?It’s time for the sixth annual SHARP Direct Care Worker Awards. Nominations are open through September 18, 2020. A virtual recognition ceremony will be held for award winners on Thursday, October 22, 2020. This event is in honor of Direct Care Workers (nurse aides, personal care aides, companion caregivers, etc.) who affect their clients’ lives on a daily basis and make a difference in the Orange County community.
In recognition of the outstanding service provided by direct care workers, the Department on Aging and SHARP will present awards in the following categories: Client Impact, Longevity, Leadership, Going the Extra Mile, and Rising Star. One person will be chosen as the “Direct Care Worker of the Year.”
For more information about the awards and to nominate a direct care worker, please complete the online nomination form at: http://www.orangecountync.gov/249/SHARP-Direct-Care-Worker-Awards If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
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Here's How to Help Increase the CountFrom Carolina Demography - Make sure you have completed the 2020 Census. You can respond to the Census online at My2020Census.gov, over the phone by calling 844-330-2020, or through the paper questionnaire received in the mail.
Ask your friends and family members if they have completed the 2020 Census. Send a note to your neighborhood listserv, NextDoor community, or Facebook group.
Ask your religious institutions, schools, librarians and other community facilities if they can remind people to fill out the 2020 Census using their displays, mailing lists, and communications.
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Orange County VITA Program Recognized for Innovation The Orange County Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, or VITA, has been providing free income tax preparation services to low and moderate-income taxpayers for over 25 years. The program was recently recognized by the Internal Revenue Service for its innovative work continuing to assist taxpayers during the past extended tax season.
Like many services, this program and its 75 volunteers were forced to stop providing in-person assistance in mid-March due to the Coronavirus outbreak. But instead of simply shutting down, the program immediately transitioned to a virtual program, providing taxpayers the opportunity to electronically send in their tax documents and allowing volunteers to work from home to complete tax returns beginning April 1.
As the program leaders saw an ongoing need to help those without the technology to participate in this Virtual VITA program, they started a second innovative program in June which allowed taxpayers to drive up and drop off their tax documents, returning a week later to pick up the completed returns.
Through the ongoing commitment of the program leaders and volunteers, Orange County VITA was able to assist an additional 350 taxpayers in meeting the July 15th filing deadline. |
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Resources & COVID Supports
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Grocery Delivery ServiceIf 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.
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Medicare & Health InsuranceThe Orange County Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) is continuing to assist Orange County residents age 55+ with questions about Medicare and ACA/Obamacare plans. All consultations are currently done over the phone or video chat. To schedule an appointment, please call 919-245-4274.
New to Medicare? If you’re turning 65 soon, you’re probably being bombarded by mailings about Medicare. Join us for an online class to learn all about Medicare. Whether you are retiring soon, already retired or continuing to work, you’ll get valuable information including how and when to enroll, potential penalties for late enrollment, Medicare’s costs, benefits and options.
Tuesday September 1, 12-1:30pm
To register, call 919-245-4274 and select option 2. Leave us your name, phone and email address. You’ll receive a confirmation email and a second email with a link to join our Zoom Meeting the day prior.
Medicare Coverage for Covid-19: Get answers to your questions here.
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 Mike Komives
Employment Specialist
Orange Co. Dept. on Aging
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Mature Job Seekers and EntrepreneursSearching for a job is challenging. You need a compelling resume and effective cover letter. You need to guide your friends and contacts on how to best help you. You need to show outcomes, accomplishments and achievements. You need to describe your ideal job, as well as what work is acceptable to you. You need to know what you are worth – your value. If you want help, contact Mike Komives, Employment Specialist with Orange County Department On Aging. He can assist you develop a resume and cover letter, show you how to productively, and prepare you with answers to interviewing questions. Here are suggestions on describing both Ideal and Acceptable jobs, as well as some tips for making sure you well prepared to use VIRTUAL programs such as Zoom, GoToMeeting and others. And, here’s a listing of jobs currently available and a list of "remote" jobs: Working from Home List.
SAVE THE DATE!Being Better than Before, a FREE webinar series for mature workers. Presenters: Carl Nordgren, Mark Tully, Heidi Hackney and Mike Komives “Whatever you intend to do living in this new world ,you will do it more successfully, more gracefully, even more joyously, if you approach it as the most creative version of yourself, with the goal of being better than before.” September 23, 25, 30 and October 2. More details will appear in upcoming newsletters If you have questions or want more information, contact Mike Komives or call/text (919) 616-8778.
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Food Distribution Events
Hosted by Orange County Department of Social Services
August 27; 9:30-11:00 am
Carrboro High School
201 Rock Haven Road
Carrboro, NC 27510
Food boxes are open to the community and available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Limit 2 households per vehicle.
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Health & Wellness at Home
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Fit SeniorsCheck out our at-home exercise options offered by OCDOA Wellness Program instructors and staff to help keep you fit and healthy. Visit Fit Seniors to connect with LIVE classes from Dianne, Judy, and Vicki, or pre-recorded videos from Charron, Salli, and Kevin!
Watch for more options in the future and get started today!
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Online Senior Center Programs
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At-Home ActivitiesMissing your usual activities at the Seymour and Passmore Centers? Check out our new list of at-home activities, curated by your favorite senior center staff members!
Download our listing of online activities that mirror some of our drop in activities including crosswords, card games, reading books, painting, table tennis, DIY projects, and more. Find the updated list on the Senior Center Online Programs Page!
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HOME FIRE SAFETY FOR SENIORSOlder adults are twice as likely to be harmed or injured by
fires compared to the population at large. This free online class focuses on home fire-safety risks that seniors may
face, and provides education and solutions to promote independent living. Hosted by the Chapel Hill Fire Department: Emily N Powell, CFPS, Fire and Life Safety Educator & Inspector I. Class will conclude with a question and answer session to address individual’s concerns. Register by calling 919-968-2070.
Fee: FREE
Date: Wed, Aug 19
Time: 2 pm
Link: Program ID will be emailed
Class ID: 342205-05
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MONTICELLO: HOME OF THOMAS JEFFERSONOn your hour-long virtual tour, a Monticello guide will lead
you in real-time through the first floor of Thomas Jefferson’s mountaintop home. You will get a private, unobstructed view of the house and collections and discuss important issues such as Thomas Jefferson’s role as a nation builder and Monticello as a plantation powered by the labor of enslaved African Americans.
Tour is limited. Call 919-968-2070 to register. For questions, contact Lisa Meinert at 919-245-4251 or Cydnee Sims at
919-245-4250.
Fee: Free
Date: Fri, Aug 28
Time: 2:30 pm
Link: Program ID to be emailed
Class ID: 343076-01
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VIRTUAL ART SHOWS – SEYMOUR CENTERfeaturing…. JOYCE SANDYJoyce Sandy, a self-taught artist from the age of 16 and
scholar of the Art Students League in New York City,
will introduce her exhibit, “Transitions”. You will enjoy
beautiful acrylics on canvas featuring butterflies and
bridges and how in many cultures, they are symbols
of transition.
Date: Month of September
Time: Every day at 3 pm
View program at https://www.orangecountync.gov/236/Senior-Center-Programs
If you are interested in exhibiting, please contact Cydnee Sims at 919-245-4250 or csims@orangecountync.gov.
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Aging Transitions Services
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CARING FOR OURSELVES – SUPPORT GROUPVirtual meeting with others who are feeling worried, lonely, and in-need of a safe space to explore their feelings. This group will include education and tips that can be used to manage feelings of stress and anxiety while promoting self-care. For more information and to register please call Tiffany Summers, LCSWA, and 919-245-4277.
Register: 2 days in advance to receive a program eligibility screening and instructions on how to join.
Date: 1st and 3rd Mondays, starting September 21st
Time: 2:30-3:30 pm
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Activity Engagement CoachingAs 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).
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Caregiver SupportsSupport groups, Memory Café, and Care Partner Collaborative have all gone online and most participants have been quick to adopt this new way to gather and stay connected. For more information about these programs, please contact Kim or Lisa.
For more caregiver resources, sign up for the monthly Community News for Caregivers e-newsletter.
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Caregivers' Support GroupsVirtual meeting with other caregivers to share experiences, learn new skills, and get answers to questions about dementia and other long-term disabilities. For more information or to register your interest to join, please call 919-245-2015, 919-968-2070, or register online at: https://server4.orangecountync.gov/wbwsc/Webtrac.wsc/search.html?module=AR and search keyword “Caregivers’ Support.”
Register: 1 day prior to the meeting
Location: Online or by phone via GoToMeeting
Dates/Times:
2nd and 4th Thursdays; 1-2:30pm
Activity Code: 255005-02
2nd and 4th Fridays; 1-:30am - 12pm
Activity Code: 352755-03
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Aging Helpline Talk to trained staff about any aging-related issue. You may also email Aging Services. We try to find answers to your age-related questions and link you to the services that you need. Helpline hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Chinese & Spanish Language Helpline
Call 919-245-4275 to speak to our staff in Mandarin.
Call 919-245-4279 ext. 1 to leave a message in Spanish.
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 Aging Helpline at 919-968-2087.
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COVID-19 Volunteer OpportunitiesWould 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.
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For more information about ways to help, please visit:
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103 Meadowlands Dr. (PO Box 8181)
Hillsborough, NC 27278
Phone: 919-245-2015
Currently Closed to the Public
Typical Hours:
Monday - Thursday, 8 am - 8 pm
Fridays, 8 am - 5 pm
Saturdays, 9 am - 11 am |
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2551 Homestead Road
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Phone:919-968-2070
Currently Closed to the Public
Typical Hours:
Monday - Thursday, 8 am - 9 pm
Fridays, 8 am - 5 pm
Saturdays, 8:30 am - 5:30 pm |
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