Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period is October 15 - December 7

 Medicare plans change each calendar year.  Your medication costs can increase significantly if your plan changes their drug list and pricing as of Jan 1.  Many people save hundreds and even thousands of dollars by switching plans, but most can only change during Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period.   The Orange County Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) provides free and unbiased assistance.
 
Meet with a certified counselor for an Annual Medicare Review.   You can choose an in-person appointment at the Seymour Center in Chapel Hill or the Passmore Center in Hillsborough.  Or choose to schedule a Zoom video chat.  To schedule an appointment, visit our website at www.orangecountync.gov/ocncSHIIP or call 919-245-4274.

Dates: October 15 - December 7
Time: By Appointment
Location: Seymour Center, Passmore Center, or Video Call

Relational Networking

You’re invited to participate in a FREE virtual Jobs Network meeting. Our topic is Relational Networking.  Don Downs, Leadership Coach and founder of RV Business Coach, will facilitate the discussion. He will show you that networking is relational, not transactional, and more than just meeting someone, asking for help, giving them a resume and moving on. 

Date: Saturday, October 24th
Time: 9am
Registration: Contact Mike Komives for more information.

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. Grab your preferred morning beverage and join us! You may register for one or multiple sessions.

Topic: Know the 10 Signs
Date: Tuesday, November 3
Time: 10:15 - 11:15 am
Join: Contact Marie Dagger at 919-245-4279 or mdagger@orangecountync.gov. Link will be emailed ahead of class

Take a virtual tour of Sylvan Heights Bird Park

Meet 2,000 birds from around the world during a virtual tour of Sylvan Heights Bird Park, one of the country's largest avian conservation centers located in Scotland Neck, North Carolina. 

Get close (virtually!) to flamingos, parrots, waterfowl, cranes, and more.  Learn about endangered species; talk with conservation and education experts about Sylvan Heights Bird Park's efforts to conserve birds and their habitat. Tour is 1 hour, including a question and answer session.

Date: Monday, November 9
Time: 2-3 pm
Fee: $5 per person
Registration: Call 919-968-2070 or go online to register www.orangecountync.gov/aging. You’ll need an email address and web browser, such as Chrome or Firefox. We’ll send an online Zoom invitation after registering and paying.
Program Code: 343079-01

New to Medicare? Join our Welcome to Medicare Class

If you’re turning 65 soon, you’re probably being bombarded by mailings about Medicare.  This online class will provide valuable information whether you’re retiring soon, already retired or continuing to work.  You’ll learn how and when to enroll, potential penalties for late enrollment, Medicare’s costs, benefits and options. 

 
Date: Thursday, November 12
Time: 12:00 - 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. 

• 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.

Announcing our New YouTube Channel

Caregiver Supports

Support groups, educational programs, 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.  See below for upcoming programs or flyer for all Fall 2020 Caregiver Programming.

For more caregiver resources, sign up for the monthly Community News for Caregivers e-newsletter.

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.
 

Date: 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month
Time: 2:30-3:30 pm
Join: Contact Tiffany Summers, LCSWA 2 days in advance to receive a program eligibility screening and instructions on how to join - 919-245-4277. 

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.

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.