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.   We will be offering in-person appointments at the Seymour Center in Chapel Hill and the Passmore Center in Hillsborough as well as online using Zoom Video Chat.  We begin scheduling appointments for Open Enrollment on October 5.  Schedule online at www.orangecountync.gov/ocncSHIIP or call 919-245-4274. 

Dementia – Let's Talk About It

Join OCDoA’s dementia care specialists for an ONLINE 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. You may register for one or multiple sessions.
 
Topic: Caregiver Self Care    Date: Tue, Nov 2   Time: 10:15am    Fee: FREE
Contact: Marie Dagger (919-245-4279) for more information and registration.

Memory Café – Passmore Center

Katie Garvey, OTRL, CAPS, is joining the Memory Cafe to help attendees spark their innate creativity and make a story together. She is a TimeSlips Certified Facilitator. TimeSlips is a collaborative creative care initiative that brings meaning and purpose into the lives of elders through creative engagement. Check out their work at www.timeslips.org. Katie has recently joined the Soltys Place, Orange County's only adult day health program, as Executive Director and she looks forward to meeting and creating with Orange County community members.

Date: Tue, Nov 2   Time: 2:30 - 3:30 pm    Fee: FREE    Location: Passmore 
Registration: Contact Kendall Kopchick (kkopchick@orangecountync.gov, 919-245-4278) to register

Attic to Basement Cleanout Sale             

The Friends of Seymour Center will have an Attics to Basement Sale! Get a jump start on your Fall cleaning and donate your gently used items beginning, Monday, August 30 until the Thursday, October 21. Tax-deduction form available for your contribution. Rain or shine, join us on Saturday, October 23, from 8am- 1pm. The following donated items will be accepted: housewares, art work, jewelry, sporting goods, tools, furniture, small appliances, linens, tableware, china, glassware, knick-knacks, books and toys. We are not accepting clothing or electronics.

Date: Sat, Oct 23   Time: 8 am – 1 pm   Location: Seymour Outdoor          
Register: Not Required   Activity # 10051-01   Fee: FREE

Duke Caregiver Community Event

We are so excited to participate in the FREE online Duke Caregiver Community Event that is taking place on October 26th.  At this event you will hear from experts 20+ covering a wide range of topics that you will likely face while providing supportive care to your loved one.  You will also be able to connect to services and support systems that will assist you in your role, including those of OCDOA, so be sure to stop by our "virtual booth."

Registration is free and required.  Visit www.dukecaregivercommunityevent.org  to register today!  All of the content from this event will be available through May of 2022 so be sure to register now for access.

Download and share the Duke Caregiver Community Event flyer.

Movie Night Under the Stars:
“News of the World” starring Tom Hanks

Watch a movie outdoors at the Seymour Center from the comfort of your car or from a folding chair you've brought along. Light refreshments will be served. This will be a family-friendly movie event, co-sponsored by Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation.
Date: Fri, Nov 5    Time: 6:15 pm    Fri, Nov 5    Location: Seymour Outdoor
Register by: Fri, Oct 2    Activity # 313073-01   
   

Veteran's Day Celebration Breakfast       

In recognition of your service, all veterans are invited to join us for a tailgate breakfast and patriotic music. Begin your morning with us and receive a booklet listing all of the Veteran's Day discounts. Registration is required. Co-sponsored with Orange County Dept. of Social Services and The Friends of The Passmore Center. Min: 15/Max: 50
Date: Thu, Nov 11    Time: 8:30 – 9:30 am    Location: Passmore Outdoor         
Register by: Thu, Nov 4, call 919-245-2015    Activity # 243000-01    Fee: FREE

British Life During WWII

A history of Britain's struggle for its survival from May 1940 (the fall of France) to June 1941 (the start of the war in Russia) as seen through the eyes of Winston Churchill. The course will focus on the role played by the British air force to head off a German invasion, the Blitz on London, the use of air raid shelters, radar, as well as German intelligence failures. Presenter, Andrew O'Brien. Min: 15/ Max: 25

Date: Tue, Nov 16    Time: 10:30 am - 12 noon  Location: Passmore    
Register by: Tue, Nov 2 919-245-2015    Activity # 244074-01    Fee: FREE

Handyperson Recommendations

Have you hired a fair, helpful, and trustworthy handyperson?  We are compiling a list of individuals who assist with home repair work in our community.  If you had a positive experience with a particular person or company and would recommend them to a neighbor, please share!
Complete our online recommendation form or call the aging helpline (919-968-2087) to submit your recommendation.

Meal Delivery Drivers Needed! 

We are seeking volunteers for our Community-based Services team to deliver lunches to older adults throughout the County.
 
If you miss engaging with people and want to give back to your community, then this could be the perfect volunteer opportunity for you!
 
We are looking for dependable, qualified drivers to deliver lunch meals on Mondays, Wednesdays, or Fridays from 12 pm – 1 pm.  For only an hour of your time you can provide support and assistance to older adults and add a little joy to their day.
 
Don’t delay; contact Shenae McPherson, Volunteer Connect 55+ Administrator at 919-245-4243 or via email shmcpherson@orangecountync.gov today!

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.

Caregiver Supports

Support groups, educational programs, Memory Café, and Care Partner Collaborative; gather and stay connected with us online or in-person, depending on the program.  For upcoming programs download our Current Caregiver Programming flyer. 

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

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. Eligible households can enroll through an approved provider or by visiting https://getemergencybroadband.org.

Employment Tips: I want to be paid a fair salary for my work. How can I make sure?

Successful Job Searching requires a Plan. This includes knowing what you're worth. And how to respond when asked "What salary are you looking for?"  The best answer is your own question: "What have you budgeted (or targeted) for this important position?" More than half the time, the employer representative -- a recruiter, human resource professional or even the hiring manager -- will give a range, often adding" it depends on the experience the candidate has".  Or if they state "we need your number first." say "I want a fair and just salary, and trust that when it's appropriate to discuss, you'll be fair and just."

Having salary information before providing your thoughts puts you in a much better position.  If the salary is close to the amount you want or need, you'll be able to say "let's keep talking."  Before receiving an offer, you'll want to meet each colleague with whom you will be working, along with the person to whom you will report.  

Before any interview, find salary information for positions close to or exactly like the one for which you are applying. Go to Web sites such as https://www.mynextmove.org, www.glassdoor.com, Glassdoor, www.salaryexpert.com, www.salary.com Salary.com, LinkedIn.com,  LinkedIn, Payscale.com, and even Indeed.com. Salaries for numerous jobs are localized to the Zip code where you work or live. 

For help on this or other job search subjects, email Mike Komives or call 919-616-8778.
 
And Save the Dates: Wednesdays / Fridays Oct. 27, 29, Nov. 3 and 5, 10 -11:30 am. See details at Becoming Better Than Before, 

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.

In Need of Incontinence Supplies?

Thanks to generous donations, the Department on Aging has a supply of incontinence supplies including: Bed pads, pull up briefs, adult diapers, wipes, and adult booster pads. If you are in need of any of these supplies, we may be able to provide you with up to one pack per month (depending on availability of the items requested). Contact the Aging Helpline (919-968-2087 or Agingtransitions@Orangecountync.gov) to request supplies.

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.

Volunteer Opportunities

Would you like to share your skills and gifts with older adults in Orange County?  To volunteer, please contact Orange County Department on Aging's Volunteer Connect 55+ (VC 55+) administrator, Shenae McPherson by phone (919-245-4243) or email shmcpherson@orangecountync.gov. 

For more information about ways to help during COVID, 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