Clarity in Cleaning

Learn core tips to declutter your everyday life and environment. This session will address the meaning of hoarding, what it looks like, and the underlining causes. How to bring back the joy of cleaning and what it can do to your overall mental health.  
Instructor: Carol Diggs 

Fee: Free 
Date: Thu, May 13   Time: 1 pm
Activity Code: (357081-08)
Link: Email lbrown@orangecountync.gov for link

Volunteer Appreciation Drive-Thru Celebration

Calling all Orange County Department on Aging Volunteers! You are cordially invited to our first VC55+ Volunteer Appreciation Drive-thru celebration!  While we can’t come together just yet and celebrate that won’t stop us from showing you just how much you mean to the Department on Aging.  Your unwavering generosity and hard work throughout the year has been an inspiration to all of us at the Department on Aging and throughout our community.   Even the pandemic couldn’t hold you down! 

Please accept our gratitude by attending the Volunteer Appreciation Celebration!

Register by: Fri, May 7, 919-968-2070   Fee: FREE
Location: Seymour Center 
Date: Fri, May 14    Time: 4 – 5:30 pm     Activity Code: (313044-04)

Caregiver Education Series:
Long Distance Caregiving

Whether your loved one lives 5 or 500 miles away, caregiving requires a lot of coordination. Kendall Kopchick, MSW, LCSWA will share some special considerations for caring from a distance.

Location: Virtual
Date: May 17  Time: 1:30 - 2:30 pm
Register in Advance at: www.orangecountync.gov/LongDistanceCaregiving

“Strength of the Panther” Ring of Rhythm

No experience necessary! Join in this wonderful communal vibe, outdoors at the Seymour Center – observing physical distance and mask guidelines as needed. Please bring your own percussion instrument; a limited number of drums will be available on request. Dancers welcome, too! Download and share the flyer.

Register by: Tue, May 18   Fee: FREE
Location: Seymour Center (outdoors)
Date: Tue, May 25   Time: 11 am   Activity Code: (324102-01)

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: Wednesday, May 19   Time: 6:00 - 7:30 pm
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.

Emergency Broadband Benefit Program

The Emergency Broadband Benefit is an FCC program to help families and households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. This new benefit will connect eligible households to jobs, critical healthcare services, virtual classrooms, and so much more.

The Emergency Broadband Benefit will provide a discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.

As of May 12, 2021, eligible households will be able to enroll in the program to receive a monthly discount off the cost of broadband service from an approved provider. Eligible households can enroll through an approved provider or by visiting https://getemergencybroadband.org.

 Looking for the Third Stimulus Check?

The American Rescue Plan Act that passed Congress earlier this month includes an Economic Incentive Payment (Stimulus Check) of $1400 for most Americans.  If you qualify and you receive Social Security, Disability or Veterans’ benefits, the IRS will deposit your payment to the same account where you receive benefits.  For more information and to check on your payment status, visit www.irs.gov and choose Get My Payment.

May is Stroke Awareness Month

Someone in the U.S. has a stroke about once every 40 seconds.  It’s the fifth leading cause of death.  Major risk factors for stroke include high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease and atrial fibrillation. 

You may be able to prevent stroke or reduce your risk through healthy lifestyle changes.  Medicare Part B and C cover a wide range of preventive screening services at no cost to you.  

Learn more about Medicare costs and benefits from the Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program.  Certified counselors are available by appointment: 919-245-4274.

Where’s My Tax Refund?

If your return was electronically filed and you provided bank account information for a direct deposit, you should receive your refund within 21 days.  You can check on the status of your refund at www.irs.gov/refunds or by downloading the IRS2Go app.

FEE PAYMENT AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

The Orange County Senior Centers strive to be accessible and welcoming to all seniors.  If you want to participate in senior center fee-based activities and are unable, or unwilling, to pay a required fee, you may still participate. Furthermore, a selection of free activities and programs are available to seniors age 55 and over. Read more.

Job Postings!

1. Piedmont Health Services is candidates for several positions in Carrboro, Chapel Hill, Burlington and Moncure, NC.  
2. Carol Woods is seeking an Administrative Assistant to support several of its departments, including front desk, clinic desks and supply.

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, 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.

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