01/13/2023 - 01/26/2023

Topics in this Edition

Upcoming Programs
Announcements
Resources & Services
Volunteer Opportunities
Contact Us

Upcoming Programs

Chair Exercise Bingo!

HEY BINGO FANATICS, LET'S PLAY and do simple movements without having to get up out of our seat.

Players will participate in physical activities that are done seated in a chair throughout each "Bingo" that is called. There will be a fun prize for the winner!

Date: Thu, Feb, 15; Time: 10:30 - 11:30 am

Fee: FREE; Location: Seymour Center
Register by: Mon, Feb 13; Call: 919-968-2070

Download the flyer here.

Folleto Español

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.

Thursday February 16, 6 – 7:30 pm
Online Presentation via Zoom
Register at www.orangecountync.gov/medicare101_feb

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

An Afternoon at the Opera

You're invited to an afternoon at the opera with Altheia Anthony. She has performed nationally and internationally for various opera companies. Her musical itinerary has included the Negro Baseball League induction ceremony, former Vice President Al Gore's home, and the Kennedy Center Honorary Program to name a few. She will sing a variety of operas that you will enjoy! Min: 20/ Max: 65

Date: Fri, Feb 17; Time: 4:30-5:30 pm
Fee: FREE; Location: Seymour
Phone: 919-968-2070; Register by: Fri, Feb 10

Dementia - Let's Talk About It

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.

Date: Tuesday, February 21; Time: 10 am
Topic: Sleep & Dementia
Fee: FREE; Location: Virtual via Zoom
For Information/Registration: Contact the Aging Helpline (919-968-2087)

Download and share the flyer.

Solo Agers Interest Group

We want to hear from our community of solo agers! Come with your thoughts, ideas, and comments for an informal social gathering about what you want as a group and where we go from here? We encourage you to get engaged and involved!

Date: Wed, Feb 22; Time: 4 – 5:30 pm
Location: Seymour; Fee: FREE
Register by: Mon, Feb 20, call 919-968-2070

Read more about solo agers here.

What Happens After the Paycheck Stops?

We examine how to budget for retirement expenses and your potential sources of retirement income. We'll also identify risks to your retirement income and ways to address them. Min: 3/Max: 15. Instructor: Mary-Charles Nassif, CFP®, ChFC®, Financial Advisor, Edward Jones.

Date: Thu, Feb 23; Time: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Fee: FREE; Location: Seymour
Phone: 919-968-2070; Register by: Wed, Feb 15

Download and share the flyer.

Caregiver Education Series: Downsizing

Sarah from Caring Transitions will discuss how to downsize your home to prepare to age-in-place or move to a better fitting location.

Date: Mon, Mar 6; Time: 1 – 2 pm
Fee: FREE; Location: Seymour
Register by: Thu, Mar 2 wit Kendall Kopchick (919-245-4278, kkopchick@Orangecountync.gov)

Download and share the flyer.

Announcements

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.

Exploring Your Options: Working, Starting Your Own Business or Volunteering after Retirement

Are you seeking a job? Exploring a new career? Planning for the future? What do you want to do?

Discover the endless possibilities available to retirees. Experts will share valuable information and guidance designed to enhance your job search, enrichment and options after retirement.

Workshops include:

Discover Your Creativity
Starting a New Business - Loans, Grants
Owning/Operating a Franchise
Financial Planning
Health Insurance
Volunteering
What Do Employers Seek in Candidates (Employer HR Panel)

Date: Friday, March 10; Time: 8:30 am – 1 pm; Fee: FREE
Location: Durham Tech - Orange County Campus, 525 College Park Rd., Hillsborough
Register by: Wednesday, March 8 at 919-245-2015

Refreshments will be provided.

For more information or questions, contact Stephen Komives at (919) 616-8778 or skomives@orangecountync.gov.

Get Help with Filing your 2022 Income Tax Return

The Orange County Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) is again offering income tax return preparation services at no charge to those with low and moderate incomes. You can also meet in-person with a certified volunteer preparer at the Seymour Center in Chapel Hill or the Passmore Center in Hillsborough. Schedule online at our website www.orangecountync.gov/vita or by phone at 919-245-4242.

If you have a smart phone and internet access, you can also opt to use our Virtual VITA service. Or for straightforward returns, we offer a Do-It-Yourself approach.

Visit our website at www.orangecountync.gov/vita for more information and to get started.

Resources & Services

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

Download and share the flyer.

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.

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer Connect 55+

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 Crawford by phone at 919-245-4241 or email acrawford@orangecountync.gov