Dec 16-29, 2022

Topics in this Edition

Upcoming Programs
Announcements
Resources & Services
Volunteer Opportunities
Contact Us

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

Closing for the Holidays

Both senior centers will be closed in observance of the:

Christmas Holiday
Friday, December 23, 2022
Monday, December 26, 2022
Tuesday, December 27, 2022

New Year's Holiday
Monday, January 2, 2023

Support Groups

Support groups are a space to meet with other caregivers to share experiences, learn new skills, and get answers to questions about dementia and other long-term disabilities.

Chapel Hill Support Group

Contact Kendall Kopchick to join - kkopchick@orangecountync.gov or 919-245-4278.
1st & 3rd Fridays: December 16 at 10:30 am at Seymour
Shifted from our usual 2nd and 4th Fridays to avoid holiday conflicts

Hillsborough Support Group

Contact Keisha Andrew to join - kandrews@orangecountync.gov or 919-245-2022.
2nd Thursdays: January 12 at 1:00 pm

Zoom Only Support Group

Contact the Aging Helpline to join - agingtransitions@orangecountync.gov or 919-968-2087.
1st & 3rd Tuesdays: January 17 at 12:30 pm via Zoom

Dementia - Let's Talk About It (Virtual via Zoom)

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

Tuesday, December 20 at 10:00 am: Depression & Dementia

Candy Cane Wreath

Are you looking for the perfect decoration to add to your door? This candy cane wreath made with artificial candy canes is perfect for any door or wall.
Instructor: Helen Frederick

Date: Thu, Dec 22; Time: 1 – 3 pm
Location: Passmore; Phone: 919-245-2015

Code: 254034-16; Register by: Thu, Dec 15; Fee: $5.00

Colorful Scarf

Make the perfect scarf to add with any outfit. Fringe and beads can be added to this warm and colorful scarf. Min: 7/Max 10. Instructor: Helen Frederick

Date: Tue, Jan 3; Time: 1 – 3 pm
Location: Seymour; Phone: 919-968-2070
Code: 344000-03; Register by: Tue, Dec 20; Fee: $5.00

Flicks at Passmore – Elvis

Elvis has entered the building! Join us for the newest movie, "Elvis," just in time for his birthday.

Date: Wed, Jan 4; Time: 2 pm
Location: Passmore; Phone: 919-245-2015
Code: 253015-01; Register by: Wed, Dec 28; Fee: FREE

Origami with Theo

New and upgraded! We will learn to create origami figures using origami notation. The instructor will be a resource and offer helpful directives as each person proceeds at her/his own pace. Instructor will provide special paper and a book that you may purchase on your first day of class for $10. See you there! Min: 3/ Max: 5. Instructor: Theo Cokkinos

Date: Wed, Jan 4, 11, 18, 25; Time: 4 – 5:30 pm
Location: Seymour; Phone: 919-968-2070
Code: 324230-03; Register by: Wed, Dec 28; Fee: FREE

Dementia Basics: What Can We Expect?

This four-part is designed to provide basic information about dementia to individuals with memory concerns, caregivers, family members, friends, and interested community members. Each week will focus on a different topic related to dementia. Location: Chapel Hill Public Library.

Thursday, January 5 - Session 1: Brain Health, 10am-12pm
Thursday, January 12 - Session 2: Types & Stages of Dementia, 10am-12pm
Thursday, January 19 - Session 3: Communication, 10am-12pm
Thursday, January 26 - Session 4: Preparing for the Journey Ahead, 10am-12pm

The series is designed to be taken all together, but you are welcome to register for individual sessions. Register by Monday, January 2 via phone or email: agingtransitions@orangecountync.gov; 919-968-2087.

Outsmarting Scammers in Orange County

Join Sgt. Daniel Roberson with the Orange County Sheriff's Office and learn about the local scams taking place here in Orange County. These scams are a very real threat and can cost you your identity and money. He will also share scams that are taking place on the national level.

Date: Thu, Jan 5; Time: 10 am
Location: Passmore; Phone: 919-245-2015
Code: 234021-01; Register by: Thu, Dec 29; Fee: FREE

The Four Pillars of the New Retirement

This seminar provides an in-depth look at "The Four Pillars of the New Retirement" (health, family, purpose and finances). Attendees will be empowered to think through their own circumstances, goals and challenges so that they can take action today that impacts their quality of life in retirement. Instructor: Mary-Charles Nassif, CFP®, ChFC®, Financial Advisor, Edward Jones.

Date: Thu, Jan 5; Time: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Location: Seymour; Phone: 919-968-2070
Code: 334217-02; Register by: Wed, Dec 28; Fee: FREE

New Year's Poetry, Jazz and Light Fare

Ringing in the New Year with Poet, Clark Holtzman, to get our New Year off to wonderful start. Jazz Musicians will accompany and make it a celebratory and memorable affair. Light dinner will be served and a toast to a beautiful year ahead of us! Min: 30/Max: 60.

Date: Sun, Jan 8; Time: 3 – 5 pm
Location: Seymour; Phone: 919-968-2070
Code: 313065-03; Register by: Tue, Dec 27; Fee: FREE

Adultos Mayores Activos, Martes y Jueves, 9am-1pm, Seymour Ctr., 919-245-2010 (espanol)

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

Applications for Weaver's Grove
Open January 3 - 7, 2023!

We are excited to announce that Habitat for Humanity of
Orange County, NC will break ground on Weaver’s Grove

this spring! This is Orange Habitat’s biggest project to date and we can’t wait to meet the applicants that will be the first to purchase these new properties. Visit our capital campaign website to learn more i about the work Orange Habitat has done to prepare for the project.

The application process takes several months to complete. In order to line up with the construction schedule, our application will be available online January 3 - 17, 2023.

Visit Habitat for Humanity Orange County NC to learn more and apply.

CASA's Newest Orange County Community Accepting Leasing Applications

CASA, working with Norco Property Management have opened the leasing process for Perry Place located along Merritt Mill Road.
Perry Place straddles the town border with Chapel Hill and will contain 48 1- and 2-bedroom apartments (24 in Carrboro and 24 in Chapel Hill) serving individuals earning less than 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
Rental subsidies will be accepted for all units, and a portion of the apartments will be reserved for people living with disabilities.

Applications will be available beginning Wednesday, December 7.
Applications will be accepted beginning Wednesday, December 14 at 9:00AM.

Please note the following details as they apply to the leasing process:

Applications can be downloaded at www.casanc.org/perry-place/
Applications may also be requested by email; to have an application emailed, please call 919-754-9960
Completed applications must be submitted to Norco via email to: cparker@norcomanagement.com, mailed to: PO Box 15025, Wilmington, NC 28408 or faxed to: 910-782-8058
Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis
Submission of a completed application does not guarantee that the application will be approved

Direct all inquiries about the application process to Norco at 910-791-3354.

Get Ready to File Your 2022 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 15th at www.orangecounync.gov/vita 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, and 1095-A forms if you had ACA/Obamacare insurance. Typically, forms start arriving by mail or are available online toward the end of January.

Medicare Covers Preventive Services at NO Charge to You

Medicare Part B and Medicare Advantage Plans all cover a large number of preventive services with no co-pays or deductibles. These include:

Annual Wellness Visit (Note: this is not a full Annual Physical Exam but instead is designed to check your health status and identify important tests or services that are important for maintaining your health)
Bone Mass Measurement
Screening Mammogram
Screening Colonoscopy
Cardiovascular Screening
Immunizations – Flu, Covid 19, Pneumococcal, Hepatitis B
And More

Check out the complete list.

The OCDOA Wellness Program is hiring!

Registered Nurses for the Fit Feet Program - Foot Care Clinic
Yoga instructor (Early Afternoon)
Line Dance instructor (Evening Hours)
High Intensity Exercise instructor (Evening Hours)

Please spread the word and contact Latonya Brown by email – lbrown@orangecountync.gov

RESOURCES & SERVICES

Advance Directives 101 with notary service

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smart phone - internet signal - signal tower

Affordable Connectivity Program

The Affordable Connectivity Program is a Federal Communications Commission program that helps connect families and households struggling to afford internet service. Eligible households can enroll through a participating broadband provider or directly with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) using an online or mail in application. You can learn more about the benefit, including eligibility and enrollment information, by visiting www.fcc.gov/ACP, or by calling 877-384-2575.

Office setting-desk-computer- smiling Hispanic woman on phone.

Aging Services

Aging Transitions Services

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 919-245-2010 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.

Do You Need Help Finding Transportation?
The Transportation Specialist provides information on transportation, travel training, the volunteer driver program, and advocacy.
Call the Transportation Help Line: 919-717-1853 (Mon – Fri, 9 am – 5 pm).

Chinese Caregiver Support Program - Call 919-245-4275

Click to Enlarge or Download the Flyer

OCDOA podcast for blind/print-impaired. www.orangecountync.gov/AgingPodcast Woman-computer-headset

Listen to the current OCDOA Upcoming Events Podcast >>

Emergency Housing Assistance (EHA)

The EHA was created to help Orange County residents with low incomes prevent eviction and homelessness and secure and maintain stable housing. Assistance is available to households in Orange County that:

Earn no more than 30% of the area median income
Have an urgent need for housing assistance that is related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and
Do not have adequate resources to cover the cost of their housing need.

Rent, mortgage and utility payments, security deposits, application fees and other emergency housing-related expenses are eligible for reimbursement.

To learn more or to apply, call the Orange County Housing Helpline at 919-245-2655 or visit Emergency Housing Assistance (EHA) Program

The program is funded by Orange County and the Towns of Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough, along with state and federal funding.

illustration: colorful 2-story house - trees - scrubs

Financial Assistance for Housing Payments

The NC Homeowner Financial Assistance Fund is now accepting applications from North Carolina homeowners whose finances were impacted by the pandemic and who need assistance with housing-related expenses.

Homeowners can learn more and apply for help by calling 1-855-MY-NCHAF (1-855-696-2423) or by visiting NCHomeownerAssistance.gov.

FREE Nutrition Supplements for qualifying Medicaid beneficiaries, call 919-968-2087 for info and referral.

Email the Aging Transitions Team to see if you qualify.

adult incontinence supplies - bed pads - disposable pads - disposable underwear

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.

Mike Komives, Employment Specialist, OC Dept. on Aging

Mike Komives, Empl. Spc.

Looking for a Job? We Can Help You Succeed!

Looking for a job today is challenging. You need to know what employers, hiring managers and human resource professionals are seeking in candidates.

We can help you succeed. We'll help you to develop a job search plan, compelling resume and cover letter. We'll show you how to network effectively, give you information about job seeker groups, guide you on how to answer interview questions including salary, and more. Enclosed is a list of job search subjects that we discuss in our Job Search Workshops as well as in individual meetings.

If you have questions or want more information, contact Mike Komives, by phone or text at 919-616-8778, or email: skomives@orangecountync.gov

Learn more at: www.orangecountync.gov/MatureJobSeekers

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Low Income Household
Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)

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.

Options Counseling, is it for you? Older Hispanic couple - smiling

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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

Volunteers needed for Handy Helpers and Telephone Reassurance

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, Allie Burress by phone at 919-245-4241 or email aburress@orangecountync.gov.