3/12/21 - 3/25/21

Topics in this Edition

Upcoming Programs
Announcements
Resources & Supports
Volunteer Opportunities
Contact Us

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

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!

Topic: Disclosing a Diagnosis
Date: Tuesday, March 16
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.

Seymour Tech - Gmail & Google Meet

Gmail is a free, search-based webmail service that combines the best features of traditional email with Google's search technology. Gmail provides enough free storage space for many people. Any person can create a Gmail account; simply fill in the simple form. You will be asked to give your name and country and to choose a login name and password to use each time you access your Gmail. You will learn how to import your contact list, transition your old email with your contacts, create emails, and how to respond to emails. We will also go through using Google Meet which is now part of Gmail and offers video chat and video conferencing.

Date: 3 Sessions - Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday; March 17, 18, & 19

Time: 1 - 3 PM
Register: Click here to ENROLL in this class. To see all of the Seymour Tech classes, click here.

Instructor: Jim Shultz

Caregiver Education Series: Social Isolation and Loneliness

Rich Gwaltney from Transitions LifeCare will share with us some tips to combat social isolation during a global pandemic.

Date: March 22
Time: 1:30 - 2:30pm
Join: Register online. Contact Kendall Kopchick (919-245-4278) for more information.

Home Safety Chat

Join occupational therapist Marie Dagger on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month for 30 minutes of education and Q&A about staying safe at home. Bring your questions related to the day's topic!

Date: Tuesday, March 23
Topic: Safety in Entryways
Time: 10am
Join: Contact Marie (919-245-4279) for more information. Link will be emailed ahead of class.

GARDENING TOPICS – ASK THE GARDENERS

All are welcome to join this virtual presentation and Question and Answer session led by Master Gardener Volunteers from Orange County Cooperative Extension, with volunteers from the Seymour Center Garden Club.
Register by: Tue, Mar 16
Fee: FREE

Date: Tuesday, March 23
Time: 1 – 2 pm
Program Code: 324100-03
Join: Call 919-968-2070 to register. Link provided after registration.

Mobile Prescription Drug Drop Off at Seymour Center

Orange County Department on Aging is partnering with the Chapel Hill Police Department to provide a Mobile Drug Disposal Event. You will be able to dispose of expired, unused, and unwanted medications in a safe and easy way through a mobile prescription drug drop at Seymour Center. Just drive up in front of the Center and give an officer your bag of expired or unneeded prescription or over-the-counter medications. They will be safely destroyed without harming the environment, landfill, or water supply.
Fee: FREE

Date: Thursday, March 25
Time: 10am - 1pm
Location: Seymour Center

ART CART – EASY CRAFTS AT HOME

Join local artist and art therapist Dollie Hinch, who will demonstrate three easy arts and crafts projects that can help reduce stress and anxiety. All can be done with supplies you likely already have at home, such as pencils, markers and paper.

Instructor: Dollie Hinch
Register by: Thu, Mar 18
Fee: FREE

Date: Thursday, March 25
Time: 2 pm
Program Code: 323052-01
Join: Register by calling 919-968-2070. Phone #/Link provided after registration

Spring Fling Car BINGO!

A Saturday outing just for you! Get into the Spring of things by enjoying an unforgettable experience of BINGO games in your car! Fantastic prizes, music and refreshments. Game event co-sponsored with the Town of Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation.

Date: Saturday, March 27
Time: 1 pm

Activity Code: 353041-12
Location: Seymour Center Parking Lot
Register: By Saturday, March 20 by calling 919-968-2070.

CLASSIC FILM SOCIETY – HOME COOKING IN FILM AND TV ADS

Join Hillsborough Classic Film Society Founding Member Gail Corrado for an entertaining screen journey that will show how the food we prepare and eat at home has changed over the years. This live, interactive program will be offered via Zoom.
Register by: Mon, Mar 22
Fee: FREE

Date: Monday, March 29
Time: 2 pm
Program Code: 353046-01
Join: Register by calling 919-986-2070. Phone #/Link provided after registration.

Virtual Tour of the North Carolina State Capitol

Get a 360-degree view of this National Historic Landmark. Learn about notable figures in North Carolina’s past, history of the Capitol, art & architecture of the building.
Ask questions throughout the tour. You need online access with audio & video capacity to fully enjoy & participate in this virtual experience.
Register by: April 13 by calling 919-968-2070.
Fee: FREE

DATE: Tuesday, April 20
TIME: 2:30-3:30PM
Activity Code: 343086-01
Join: The Zoom link will be provided one week prior to the tour.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

When You've Been Fully Vaccinated:
How to Protect Yourself and Others

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued its first set of recommendations on activities that people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can safely resume.

The new guidance—which is based on the latest science — includes recommendations for how and when a fully vaccinated individual can visit with other people who are fully vaccinated and with other people who are not vaccinated. This guidance represents a first step toward returning to everyday activities in our communities. CDC will update these recommendations as more people are vaccinated, rates of COVID-19 in the community change, and additional scientific evidence becomes available.

A growing body of scientific evidence also suggests that fully vaccinated people are less likely to have asymptomatic infection and are potentially less likely to transmit SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, to other people. Therefore, fully vaccinated people can safely take fewer precautions in certain situations.

Specifically, CDC’s guidance today recommends that fully vaccinated people can do the following:

Visit with other fully vaccinated people indoors without wearing masks or staying 6 feet apart.
Visit with unvaccinated people from one other household indoors without wearing masks or staying 6 feet apart if everyone in the other household is at low risk for severe disease.
Refrain from quarantine and testing if they do not have symptoms of COVID-19 after contact with someone who has COVID-19.

A person is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving the last required dose of vaccine.

If you are eligible, you may either sign up by filling out Complete the Vaccine Interest Form (VIF) at https://redcap.link/OCHDvax or by calling 919-913-8088. The call center is open seven days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call center staff are available to help register in Spanish and other languages.

There are many places to be vaccinated in and around Orange County, not just the Orange County Health Department. Please visit the OCHD vaccine website for a list.

NCDHHS maintains a list of all the vaccination sites in North Carolina. Visit https://myspot.nc.gov.

For up-to-date information on COVID-19 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.

Click for more information.

Free Income Tax Preparation Services

The Orange County Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) Program offers income tax return preparation services at no charge to those with low and moderate incomes. Due to the pandemic, we are encouraging everyone to take advantage of our new and improved Virtual VITA service or our new Do-It-Yourself VITA approach. Get the details at our website www.orangecounync.gov/ocncvita or by phone at 919-245-4242.

If you can’t participate in these programs, please call us at 919-245-4242 and leave your name and contact information. We will call you back to discuss options for providing assistance with limited in-person contact.

Don’t Like Your Medicare Plan? You May Be Able to Change

If you missed Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period, or if you have had second thoughts, you may still be able to change. For those with a Part C Medicare Advantage Plan, you can change to another Advantage Plan or return to Original Medicare one time between January 1 and March 31. (Aren’t sure whether you have an Advantage Plan? Check your insurance card. If it says “PPO” or “HMO” anywhere on the card, you do!)

Make an appointment to meet with a certified counselor from the NC Department of Insurance. Appointments available by Zoom video chat and in-person at the Seymour and Passmore Centers. Schedule online at www.orangecountync.gov/ocncSHIIP or call 919-245-4274.

2021 ORANGE COUNTY SENIOR GAMES

Aging Well; Living Well...Keeping Active!

Senior Games is a year-round health promotion program for adults ages 50 plus. Activities include sports and games competitions/tournaments, social activities, and the SilverArts - including visual, heritage (wood working, basket weaving, ceramic glass and etc), as well as local and state competitions.

Sports events dates: April 19 - June 1, 2021

SilverArts virtual show dates: Friday, June 9 – Wednesday, June 23
(SilverArts entries may be viewed during this time)

Visit our website or see the flyer for more information and registration. Registration forms are also available at both senior center locations.

For further information, contact Lee Schimmelfing or Myra Austin (919-245-2020).

The Florist Shop presented by the Prime Time Players

Have you ever thought about the complexities of owning or working in a Florist Shop?

This is story about how important the person taking orders is in a florist shop. It takes a while for the owner to come to the realization that the shop functions well because of her. “The Florist Shop” by Winifred Hawkridge; published in 1921 in the Harvard Dramatic Club Plays and adapted for Prime Time Players (PTP) by John Paul Middlesworth.

VIEW: The Florist Shop - YouTube and subscribe to the PTP’s YouTube channel to see all of their productions. 15 and counting!

Watch Out for Scammers

In 2020, the Federal Trade Commission received over 178,000 complaints of government imposter scams. Of those, 10% said they lost money to a scammer—a total of $174.2 million. To prevent further losses, we urge everyone to exercise caution when receiving calls from someone claiming to be from a government agency.

Hang up on suspicious calls from “government officials” calling about a problem with your Social Security number or account.
NEVER make payments with gift cards, wire transfers, or by mailing cash.
Report Social Security scams to OIG.SSA.GOV.
Report other scams to reportfraud.ftc.gov.

RESOURCES & SUPPORTS

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 Spring 2021 Caregiver Programming.

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

Click to Enlarge

Food Thru Food Distribution

Hosted by the Orange County Department of Social Services & the Town of Carrboro

Date: Thursday, March 25

Time: 9:30AM - 11AM, or until food boxes are gone
NEW LOCATION: Henry Anderson III Community Park

302 N Carolina Hwy 54 W

Chapel Hill, NC 27516

Food boxes are open to the community and available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Limit of two households per vehicle.

Photo of Mike Komives, Employment Specialist, Orange County Department on Aging

Mike Komives
Employment Specialist
Orange Co. Dept. on Aging

NETWORKING BRIEF – A BETTER WAY TO GUIDE PEOPLE TO HELP YOU

Why do you ask other people for help in your job search? Because they know people you don’t. When you do this, what do you expect them to do? At best the most you should expect is... for them to connect, refer or introduce you, or give you names of people they know.

When asking for help, many job seekers use their resume to inform other people. The problem with this is your resume has to be translated or interpreted. The reader will ask you “who do you want to meet?” or, “what kind of job are you looking for?” or, “do you have a target list?” or, “what’s the title of the person you want to meet?” This also takes time. Many people will say they don’t have time.

Here’s a better way. Prepare and use a NETWORKING BRIEF. It’s a one-page guide with the following sections:

Heading: Your Name, cell number, email, and LinkedIn URL.
Summary: One paragraph describing you, your job title (the one you had, or the one you are seeking). This looks like an abbreviated version of the one in your resume.
Acceptable & Ideal Jobs: Three very short descriptions including job titles
How You Can Help: The first word is "Provide". Then add “introductions" or “referrals” or “contacts” or “names” of key people you wish to meet. Next list 8-to-10 names of businesses, companies, organizations, or institutions.

Other sections, such as Job Location, Culture of the Organization, Education, and Highlights/Accomplishments, are optional.

We know that NETWORKING BRIEFS are productive. They can be sent before you meet a contact; during your meeting with your contact; or emailed afterwards.

Enclosed are links to some good examples, including a template for developing your own.

I'm available to help you develop your own NETWORKING BRIEF.

Stay strong, be well.
Mike Komives, MBA
Employment Specialist
919.616.8778
skomives@orangecountync.gov

Technology Classes Available Through the Seymour Tech Center

Seymour Tech offers FREE classes for older adults around personal computer, tablet, and smart phone use. See the full list of upcoming programs here and contact Mike Gilliom with questions.

Gambler Anonymous Support Group

If you think you are a problem gambler, contact Gamblers Anonymous in North Carolina. This support group is meeting nightly via Zoom. To request meeting information please contact the Gambler Anonymous Hotline by calling 919-460-9039 or email: Tspampinato@yahoo.com.

COVID-19 General Loss Support Group

Duke Hospice Bereavement Services is hosting a virtual 8-week support group, beginning in late April on Zoom. Recognizing the unique needs of those who have lost a loved one to COVID-19, we are providing a safe, supportive place to find comfort and mourn together. Registration required. To register or for more information, contact 919-644-6869 before April 1.

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 919-245-4245 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.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

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 contact Shenae McPherson (919-245-4243).

For more information about ways to help, please visit:

Orange County Health Department - How I Can Help
UNC Health- Ways you can help
Duke Health - How you can help during COVID-19

CONTACT US

Location & Hours

103 Meadowlands Dr. (PO Box 8181)
Hillsborough, NC 27278
Phone: 919-245-2015

Currently Open for 1:1 Appointments:
Monday - Friday, 8 am - 5 pm

Typical Hours:
Monday - Thursday, 8 am - 8 pm
Fridays, 8 am - 5 pm
Saturdays, 9 am - 11 am

Location & Hours

2551 Homestead Road
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Phone:919-968-2070

Currently Open for 1:1 Appointments:
Monday - Friday, 8 am - 5 pm

Typical Hours:
Monday - Thursday, 8 am - 9 pm
Fridays, 8 am - 5 pm
Saturdays, 8:30 am - 5:30 pm