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.
4th & 2nd Fridays: January 13 and 27 at 10:30 am at Seymour

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

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 free 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 January 18; Time: 12 noon - 1:30 pm
Location: Orange County Public Library, 137 W. Margaret Lane, Hillsborough NC
Fee: FREE; To Register: call 919-245-2015

For additional sessions offered in February, please visit our website www.orangecountync.gov/Medicare or call us at 919-245-4274

Diabetes Self-Management Education Services

Do you or a family member have diabetes or pre-diabetes? We are now recruiting for our Diabetes Self-Management Education Services 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 (call or email for hours):

• January 19 and 26 
• February 9 and 16 
• March 16 and 23

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: Please email Renee Kemske (rkemske@orangecountync.gov) or call us at 919.245.2380.

Pottery – Beginning/Intermediate

Evening Classes beginning January 23! This class is for the beginner and the more experienced potter. Each class begins with a 40-minute demonstration. This includes surface decorating techniques, slab and coil building and wheel throwing. The remaining class time is focused on student's projects. Open studio time and firing are included in the class fee

Day: Mondays; Time: 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Session II: January 23 – February 13; Register by: January 16
Session III: February 20 – March 13; Register by: February 13
Fee: $75 per session; To register, call 919-245-2015 or at the front desk

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/Medicare or call 919-245-4274.

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.  

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).

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.

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:

1. Earn no more than 30% of the area median income 
2. Have an urgent need for housing assistance that is related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and 
3. 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.

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.

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.

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.

Location & Hours

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

Hours:
Monday - Friday, 8 am - 5 pm

Location & Hours

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

Hours: 
Monday - Thursday: 8 am - 9 pm
Friday - Saturday: 8 am - 5 pm