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March 10 - 23, 2023

Topics in this Edition

  • Upcoming Programs

  • Announcements

  • Resources & Services

  • Volunteer Opportunities

  • Contact Us

Upcoming

Support Group

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. We have resumed in-person meetings and have added a new Zoom only group.  

Chapel Hill Support Group

  • To join, contact kkopchick@orangecountync.gov or 919-245-4278.
  • 2nd & 4th Fridays: March 10 at 10:30 am at Seymour


Zoom Only Support Group

  • To join, contact LArnold@orangecountync.gov or 919-245-4276.
  • 1st & 3rd Tuesdays: March 21 at 12:30 pm via Zoom
Felt Monkey

Needle Felted Flowers
Felting is a process of combining and compressing loose natural fibers.  Come create an adorable felted spring flower by physically tangling colorful vibrant wool using special felting needles.  It’s easy and fun.

Date:  Fri, Mar 10; Time: 1 – 3 pm
Fee: $5.00; Location: Seymour

Welcome to Medicare - New Medicare Card

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: Mon, Mar 13; Time: 5 - 6:30 pm
Location: Orange County Public Library, 137 W. Margaret Lane, Hillsborough
Register at: 919-245-2015

Date: Wed, Mar 22; Time:  6 - 7:30 pm
Location: Online via Zoom
Register at: www.orangecountync.gov/medicare101_mar

Women's History Month Movie Night: Hidden Figures

Download and share the flyer.

TED Talk - stage

TED Talks at Seymour: Pamela Meyer: How to spot a liar
On any given day we’re lied to from 10 – 200 times, and the clues to detect those lies can be subtle and counter-intuitive.  Pamela Meyer, author of “Liespotting”, shows the manners and “hotspots” used by those trained to recognize deception.

Date: Tue, Mar 14; Time: 1 – 2:30 pm
Fee: FREE; Location: Seymour

Free OTC Medication Giveaway

Read How it Works >>

¡LLENE SU GABINETE DE MEDICAMENTOS GRATIS!

¿CÓMO FUNCIONA? >>

Sherlock Holmes book - magnifying glass

Mystery Lovers’ Book Club
The next best thing to reading a good book is talking about it with our fellow readers.  Orange County Public Library is hosting a mystery book club once a month at the Seymour center on the 3rd Friday at 10 a.m.  Contact Maureen Socha – 919-245-2535.

Date:  Fri, Mar 17; Time: 10-11 am
Fee: FREE; Location: Seymour

older driver

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

Topic: Driving & Dementia
Date: Tue, Mar 21; Time: 10 am
Location: Virtual via Zoom

older Asian man

Solo Agers Interest Group
Solo agers are older adults who are making decisions about their future independently. Come meet other solo agers, learn together, and get involved! All who might consider themselves a 'solo ager' are invited to join.

Date: Wed, Mar 22;  Time: 4 – 5:30 pm
Fee: Free;  Register by calling 919-968-2070!
For more information on solo aging, click here.

cup - coffee - cream heart

Memory Café
Join us for a free, fun, low stress social engagement opportunity for people living with dementia and their care partners. Contact Alison Smith (919-245-4251 or AlSmith@orangecountync.gov) for more information or to register.

Date: Thu, Mar 23; Time: 1:30 pm
Location: Seymour Center

Mental Health First Aid

Adult Mental Health First Aid
We often know what first aid to render when someone has broken their arm or is having a heart attack, we don't always know how to help those experiencing a mental health crisis.  Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an 8 hour training designed to help  develop basic skills to assist someone who is experiencing a mental health crisis and identify professional resources that can provide additional care.  

Date: Thu, Mar 30; Time: 9 - 5 am
Fee: FREE; Location: Seymour Center
Register by: Fri, Mar 24

Celebrating Transgender Visibility Day

Download and share the flyer.

Chinese American Wedding play - Save the Date

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Downsizing and Decluttering

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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.

Orange County Climate Action Plan

Take the Survey

Orange County's Climate Action Plan - Let Your Voice be Heard!

Orange County Sustainability invites the community to share feedback during three on-line focus group sessions and a community survey. Orange County has set a goal of using 100% renewable energy by 2050 to address the climate crisis.  To help us reach our goal, we are developing a climate action plan and we need your input!

We are encouraging participation in our on-line focus groups via Zoom and an on-line community survey to help inform and prioritize our strategies for tackling climate change.   

Community members that live or work in Orange County are encouraged to attend the focus group session(s) that align with their interests and work. The meetings are scheduled to take place as follows:

  • Community Focus Group: Business Community March 14 at 9:30 am via Zoom. Pre-registration is required by visiting this link.
  • Community Focus Group: Non-Profits and Community Groups
    March 15 at 1:00 pm via Zoom. Pre-registration is required by visiting this link.
  • Community Focus Group: Student Voices from UNC-Chapel Hill and Durham Tech
    March 23 at 1:00 pm via Zoom. Pre-registration is required by visiting this link.

An on-line survey is available for those who are unable to attend the focus groups.  The survey is also available in Spanish and Chinese.

Resources & Services

Advance Directives 101
WiFi - House

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.

Hispanic woman - office - phone

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
OCDOA Podcast for the Blind

Current OCDOA Upcoming Events e-newsletter

Emergency Housing Assistance

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.

Mike Komives

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

Free Nutrition Supplements
house - dollar sign

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.

incontinence supplies

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.

faucet - water - dollar sign

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

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wallet - money

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.

computers

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

hands - hearts

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

Contact Us

Passmore Center

Location & Hours

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

Hours:
Monday - Friday, 8 am - 5 pm


Seymour Center

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


Aging Transitions
Senior Centers
Volunteer Connect 55+
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300 W Tryon St, Hillsborough, NC 27278

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