05/05/2023 - 05/18/2023

Topics in this Edition

Upcoming Programs
Announcements
Resources & Services
Volunteer Opportunities
Contact Us

Upcoming Programs

May Day Movie in the Park postponed due to inclement weather.

DÍA DE MAYO Película en el Parque se postpone debido a condiciones del clima.

Passmore Spring Market
RAIN or SHINE, Saturday, May 13, 9 am - 1 pm!

Are you looking to beautify your yard or to find a special new, handcrafted or used treasure? The Friends of the Passmore Center are hosting the “Spring Market,” a fundraiser to help support the programs of the Passmore Center.

Spaces for vendors will be in the complex parking lot (space cost: $15). Interested vendors, please contact the Passmore Center (919-245-2015) for an application.

Any yard or plant items donated to the Friends for the Spring Market sale will be accepted on Fri., May 12, 8 am – 1 pm only.

Friends of Passmore Center
Annual Meeting

The Annual meeting is an open meeting for current and potential Friends of the Passmore Center members. If you are interested in becoming a Senior Center Friend or would like to learn about the many ways the Friends Board supports the Passmore Center, please join us.

Date: Mon, May 15; Time: 9:30 am
Location: Passmore; Phone: 919-245-2015
Activity Code: 223002-01; Register by: Mon, May 8; Fee: FREE

A Spring Recital with Ertz and Okada

Welcome the beauty of Spring with violin and viola students of Nonoko Okada and Simon Ertz. Okada is an avid chamber musician who has performed at Carnegie Hall and is a graduate of the Juilliard School. Ertz teaches at both UNC and Duke and is principal violist of the North Carolina Opera Orchestra and the Winston-Salem Symphony. Enjoy students’ solos and ensemble performances.

Date: Mon, May 15; Time: 6 – 8 pm; Fee: FREE
Location: Seymour; Phone: 919-968-2070; Register by: Mon, May 8.

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.

Topic: Long Term Care Planning and Dementia
Date: Tue, May 16; Time: 10 am
Location: Virtual via Zoom; Fee: FREE
Info and Registration: 919-968-2087 or agingtransitions@orangecountync.gov

Pelvic Floor and More: Mystery Solved

This presentation discusses common pelvic floor conditions. You will better understand your body, and what conditions you might have after this presentation. The book, “The Musculoskeletal Mystery: How to solve your pelvic floor symptoms'' answers all your questions. We will be discussing how it can help you improve these conditions. The book will be available for signing and purchase.

Date: Tue, May 16; Time: 10:30 – 11:30 am
Location: Seymour; Phone: 919-968-2070
Activity Code: 342278-02; Register by: Tue, May 9; Fee: FREE

Mother’s Day Celebration

We want to honor all the mothers and mother figures with a delicious dinner and special music from the Village Band Brass Quintet. Min: 15 / Max: 40.

Date: Tue, May 16; Date: 5:30-7:30 pm
Location: Passmore Center; Phone: 919-245-2015
Activity Code: 223016-05; Register by: Tue, May 9; Fee: FREE

Scams, Frauds and You

Save the Date! Learning about the latest scams and fraudulent activity is more critical than ever before. Register for this informative event which will include presentations with Q & A, self-defense, onsite shredding, investments and a host of other tips to remain safe. This event is co-sponsored with the Chapel Hill Police Department and several community based organizations.

Date: Wed, May 17; Time: 10 am – 2 pm
Location: Seymour; Phone: 919-968-2070
Register by: Wed, May 10; Fee: FREE

Friends of the Robert & Pearl Seymour Center

Friends of Seymour Center Annual Meeting

The Annual meeting is an open meeting for current and potential Friends of the Seymour Center members. If you are interested in becoming a Senior Center Friend or would like to learn about the many ways the Friends Board supports the Seymour Center, please join us.

Date: Thu, May 18; Time: 1 pm; Fee: FREE
Location: Seymour; Phone: 919-968-2070; Registration: No registration required

Dancing through the Decades with our Veterans

A special evening is in the works this Spring as we take time to celebrate all of our Wall of Honor recipients. Enjoy a local live band, Popcorn Blue, dinner, and dancing through the decades with our veterans. All attendees must register, including one guest, to ensure we accommodate everyone for this worthy affair. Our live entertainment is sponsored by Humana.

Date: Thu, May 18; Time: 6 - 8 pm; Fee: FREE
Location: Seymour; Phone: 919-968-2070; Register by: Thu, May 11.

Memory Café Pop-up (Save the Date!)

Memory Cafés are primarily social gatherings where individuals with memory impairment and their caregivers can come together in a safe, supportive environment, to share conversation and participate in fun, simple activities with the group. Anyone concerned with their memory or a loved one’s memory are welcome to attend alone or with their friends and family. Please join us for some lively entertainment, music and tasty snacks. It’s an opportunity to meet with others for support, companionship, and fun!

Date: Wed, May 31, Time: 3 - 4:30 pm; Register by: May 26
Location: Seymour Center; Activity Code: 337052_02
Phone: 919-968-2070; Register by: May 26; Fee: Free

Download and share the flyer here.

Announcements

Nurses Needed!
The Orange County Department on Aging – Wellness Program is seeking Registered Nurses for the Fit Feet Clinics at the Seymour Center and Passmore Center. Please contact Latonya Brown at lbrown@orangecountync.gov or 919-245-4270 for more information.

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).

Current OCDOA Upcoming Events e-newsletter

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