12/17/2021 - 12/30/2021

Topics in this Edition

Upcoming Programs
Announcements
Resources & Services
Volunteer Opportunities
Contact Us

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

Snowflake background-holiday packages-text, "Senior Centers CLOSED Dec. 23, 24, 27 & 31. Happy Holidays!"

Welcome to Medicare

Notice: The December 15, 2021 and January 18, 2022 "Welcome to Medicare" classes have been canceled, however certified counselors are available to meet with you individually in-person or by Zoom to explain the basics of Medicare. Book an appointment online or call 919-245-4274.

NC Department of Insurance Resources

Watch this one-hour Medicare 101 You Tube Video.
Visit www.ncshiip.com to read about the Basics of Medicare and download a variety of helpful documents.

Call 1-855-408-1212 from 8am-5pm Monday through Friday for immediate assistance with all types of Medicare issues over the telephone.

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: Delirium Date: Tue, Dec 21 Time: 10:15am Fee: FREE Location: Online

Contact: Aging Helpline (919-968-2087) for more information and registration.

Walks with Edie

Join Edie for a long walk through the woods and along the Eno River at the beautiful Hillsborough Riverwalk. Bring a couple of friends, catch a cool breeze and enjoy the great outdoors. Let’s get active together!

Date: Wed, Dec 22, Jan 12 & 26 Time: 10 am Fee: FREE
Location: Riverwalk’s Main Entrance: Eno River Parking Deck, Nash & Kollock St.
Registration: Call 919-245-2015

Women’s Mind & Body Workshop

Ladies take time for yourselves and join us for this afternoon packed with ideas and information. Explore the many uses of a smartwatch, improving your balance, reflexology, essential oils, healthy smoothies, and more. You will be motivated to “Choose You” by our guest speaker and encouraged by all to start 2022 out in a happy and healthy way. Min: 15/ Max: 25

Date: Wed, Jan 5 Time: 2 pm Fee: FREE
Location: Passmore Activity: #213065-01 Register by: Wed, Dec 29

Comedy Show with Robert White

Beat the winter blues with a standup comedy act performed live, on-stage by seasoned local entertainer Robert White. Min 20 / Max 26 This event will include a virtual live stream.

Date: Wed, Jan 5 Time: 3 – 4 pm Fee: FREE
Location: Seymour Hybrid Activity: #31370301 Register by: Wed, Dec 29

New Yoga Class (Starting January 2022)

Afternoon Yoga will be a slow moving, fun, safe class to strengthen the body, relax and rejuvenate! This “all levels” class will get down on the mats and use props to access poses as needed. Instructor: JoAnna Vajda

Date: Thurs, Jan 6, 13, 20, 27 Time: 1 pm Fee: $32 ($8 per class)
Location: Seymour Registration: Call 919-968-2070

Special Exhibit - North Carolina Museum of Art

Alphonse Mucha: Art Nouveau Visionary Alphonse Mucha (1860–1939) was one of the most celebrated artists in Paris at the turn of the 20th century. Influential in the art nouveau movement, he created sumptuous posters and advertising that transformed the streets of Paris into open-air art exhibitions. This exhibit celebrates the Mucha Trust collection’s first major U.S. tour in 20 years. Max 15. Zoom link provided after registration.

Date: Thu, Jan 6 Time: 2 – 3 pm Location: Virtual Fee: FREE
Activity: #313702-01 Registration: Thu, Dec 30

Cheers to the New Year Performance

Let's ring in the New Year with the talented violinist, David Binnay. Bring a friend and enjoy an afternoon of classical music. When the performance is over, don’t forget your delicious dessert and bubbly! Min: 15/ Max: 23

Date: Fri, Jan 7     Time: 2:30 – 3:30 pm Fee: FREE
Location: Seymour   Activity: #313065-02      Register by: Thu, Dec 30

Are you Afraid to Fall

Did you know every second of everyday a senior adult 65+ suffers from a fall in the U.S.? Charron Andrews from UNC physical therapy will provide basic techniques on how to get up safely from a fall. Reserve your spot now!

Date: Wed, Jan 12 Time: 10 – 11:30 am Fee: Free
Location: Seymour (Mask required) Registration: Call 919-968-2070

Fitness for Everyone – 12 Essentials

Older adults in Orange County are well-known for their active, busy lifestyle. This is the generation that is redefining aging in our society by continuing to work and stay active well into their golden years. Come join this lively interactive workshop which will take you through the 12 essentials to physical fitness for men and women between 55 and 105.

Date: Wed, Jan 13 Time: 1 pm Fee: Free
Location: Seymour Hybrid (Mask required for in-person option)
Registration: In advance at 919-968-2070 (in person option) / Online (virtual option)

Orange County Senior Games and Silver Arts: Kick Off 3/31/2022, 4:30p, Seymour Ctr., Info: 919-918-7372

Learn More

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Image: Older African-American - carpenter level; older Caucasian woman - phone. Text: If you are interested in becoming a Handy Helper or Telephone Reassurance Volunteer, call Alison Smith, VC 55+ Volunteer Coordinator at 919-245-4241, or email alsmith@orangecountync.gov.

Diabetes Education Classes

Do you or a family member have diabetes or pre-diabetes? Orange County Health Department offers Diabetes Self-Management Education Services (via Telehealth), where you can get the support and information you need to lead a healthy lifestyle and manage your diabetes.

Service Overview:  An American Diabetes Association Service that is 10-hours of education on the basics of diabetes prevention and management. Services are led by a multi-disciplinary team trained in diabetes. Class topics include living with diabetes, monitoring blood sugars, nutrition, medication management, exercise, managing sick days, and complication prevention. Additionally, we mail an education manual and prizes to help participants better manage their diabetes.

Upcoming Class Schedule:  January 13 and 20; February 10 and 17 (bilingual Spanish)

Payment Guidelines:  The Health Department is an in-network provider with most insurances and accepts payment on a sliding scale fee schedule with a minimum payment of $20 per appointment. Scholarships are available for any person who has difficulty paying for the service.

Register: Email Renee Kemske or call 919-245-2380.

Donate Books and Games

The Seymour Center Friends are accepting donations of books, games and puzzles, with all the pieces, for their future BaGs (Books and Games sale) fundraiser. Date to be disclosed later

FREE creative respite for caregivers of loved ones with dementia. Contact margaretlanegallery@gmail or call 919-296-8938. Image: mountain scene

Learn more

Get Ready to File Your 2021 Income Tax Return

The Orange County VITA Program will again be offering income tax return preparation services at no charge to those with low and moderate incomes, beginning in February. Details will be posted after January 20th at www.orangecounync.gov/ocncvita
or by phone at 919-245-4242.

Now is the time to start gathering your tax documents. In addition to last year’s tax return, you’ll want to watch for W-2 forms from employers, 1099 forms from banks, social security, pensions, and investment accounts, 1095-A forms if you had ACA/Obamacare insurance, and the Notice 1444 that came with your stimulus check. Typically, forms start arriving by mail or are available online toward the end of January.

Getting a FREE COVID-19 vaccine is simple and convenient at our WALK-IN CLINIC for ages 5 and up! Bonnie B. Davis Ag & Environ. Bldg., Hillsborough, NC.

Learn More (English / Spanish)

Help Fight Medicare Fraud

NOTE: Medicare covers the COVID-19 vaccine at no cost to you, so if anyone asks you to share your Medicare Number or pay for access to the vaccine, you can bet it’s a scam.
Here’s what to know:

You can’t pay to put your name on a list to get the vaccine.
You can’t pay to get early access to a vaccine.
Don’t share your personal or financial information if someone calls, texts, or emails you promising access to the vaccine for a fee.

Con artists may try to get your Medicare Number or personal information so they can steal your identity and commit Medicare fraud. Medicare fraud results in higher health care costs and taxes for everyone.

Learn how to protect yourself at Medicare.gov.

Plan Ahead for 3G Network Shutdown (graphic: older woman with cell phone)

Learn more

RESOURCES & SERVICES

phone icon. "Aging Helpline information and consultations, 919-968-2087

Learn more

Talk to trained staff about any aging-related issue. Call the Aging Helpline at 919-968-2087 or 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.

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.

Has your water been CUT OFF?
Is your bill over 60 days overdue?

Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) can help! LIHWAP is a temporary emergency program that will help eligible households and families afford water and wastewater services, providing a one-time payment for eligible low-income households paid directly to the utility company. LIHWAP runs through September 2023 or until the funds are exhausted. Apply online at www.epass.nc.gov or call/visit your local County Department of Social Services. Learn more download the LIHWAP flier.

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.

Job Seekers -- Prepare for your search next year NOW!

Review Elements in an Effective Job Search and use this as your job search checklist. Is your resume up to date? Does the top half of page one offer a powerful description of your credentials, education, and key accomplishments? Do you show any dates from before 2000? If so, delete these.

Do you have a cover letter with a compelling format? Are you ready to be interviewed virtually on Zoom or other applications? Do you know what you're worth, if questions about salary are raised? (Remember the best answer to "what salary level are you expecting?" is "what have you budgeted or targeted for this position?")

If the job is hybrid with working from home required for some, most or all of this job, are you ready with a dedicated workplace that's quiet, well-lit and equipped, cell phone, computer, printer?

Are you up to date technologically? Seymour Tech offers numerous training classes, many are FREE! If you have any questions or wish additional information on any of these, contact me.

Wishing you a blessed Christmas, peaceful Kwanzaa, and holiday season!

Mike Komives, MBA, Orange County Dept. on Aging, Employment Specialist
skomives@orangecountync.gov | 919.616.8778

New Payment Method for Fitness Classes

Starting January 2022, Orange County Department on Aging is changing the way we collect payments for Wellness Fitness Classes. Going forward fitness classes will be paid for on a monthly basis. The new “Pay Monthly” method is simple, saves time and is in line with our updated payment system. Best of all, no more fitness tickets!

Read all the details here. For questions or additional information, please contact Latonya Brown, Wellness Coordinator, at 919-245-4270.

Senior Center 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.

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+) Volunteer Coordinator, Alison Smith by phone at 919-245-4241 or email alsmith@orangecountync.gov.