May 19 - June 1, 2023

Topics in this Edition

Upcoming Programs
Announcements
Resources & Services
Volunteer Opportunities
Contact Us

Upcoming Programs

Art Show – Beginning Watercolor Class

This art exhibit features the artwork of the students of the Passmore Center Beginning Watercolor class and the instructor, Joan Cecil. Come enjoy the wide array of styles and techniques of multiple artists during this show.

Date: Mon, May 22; Time: 2 pm
Location: Passmore; Phone: 919-245-2015
Activity Code: 253002-05; Registration: Not Required; Fee: FREE

Meditation with a Cop

Meet and get to know local law enforcement officers who serve and protect our community, while learning together about the importance of meditation and self-care! Bring the kiddos, friends or the whole family for music free goodies and a sitting meditation session with Joe Gilbert, Certified Mindfulness Mediation Teacher with Cedar Walk Wellness Center of Hillsborough.

Join us as we celebrate Mental Health Month along with our "Meditation with a Cop" program sponsors, the Chapel Hill Police Department, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, ProMedica and UNC Health/Triangle Falls Prevention Coalition! Hosted by Project EngAGE Mental Wellness and Intergenerational Senior Resource Teams.

Date: Tue, May 23; Time: 2 – 3:00 pm
Location: Seymour; Phone: 919-968-2070
Register by: Mon, May 22; Fee: FREE
Download and share the flyer.

Georges Biard, CC BY-SA 3.0

Flicks at Passmore: Ticket to Paradise

Ever had a family situation you didn't know how to handle? Come enjoy this comedy starring Julia Roberts and George Clooney as two parents trying to sabotage their daughter's wedding. Min: 5/Max: 30.

Date: Wed, May 24; Time: 2 – 5 pm
Location: Passmore; Phone: 919-245-2015
Activity Code: 253015-05; Register by: Tue, May 23; Fee: FREE

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. This month we’ll chat about advance directive options and other OCDoA supports.

Date: Wed, May 24; Time: 4 – 5:30 pm; Location: Seymour
Phone: 919-968-2070; Register by: Mon, May 22; Fee Free

For more information on solo aging, click here. Download and share the flyer.

publicdomainq.net

Flicks at Passmore: On Golden Pond

This 1981 film is about an aging couple, Katherine Hepburn and Henry Fonda, who spends each summer at Golden Pond. They are visited by their estranged daughter and her family, and an unexpected new relationship blooms. Min: 5/Max: 40.

Date: Wed, May 31; Time: 2 – 4 pm
Location: Passmore; Phone: 919-245-2015
Activity Code: 253015-51; Register by: Wed, May 24; Fee: FREE

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: Wed, May 31; Time: 6 – 7:30 pm
Location: Online via Zoom; Fee: FREE
Register at: www.orangecountync.gov/Medicare101_May

Hideouttheatre, CC BY-SA 4.0

Moments to Moments: An Improvisation Class

Performing live captivates us because anything can happen. Through theater games, improvisation, movement and good 'ole play, students are freed from the constraints that limit spontaneity and discover the power of being in the moment in this class. Form bonds through shared experiences, creating community and collaborating with others. Our class will culminate in a sharing for friends and family.

Date: Thu, Jun 1; Tues, Jun 6; Thu, Jun 13; Thu, Jun 15; Time: 3 – 4 pm
Location: Seymour; Phone: 919-968-2070; Register by: Wed, May 31; Fee: FREE

Papermaking: Rags to Beautiful Paper

Did you know paper was made from rags until the Industrial Revolution? In this workshop, you’ll learn traditional ways of papermaking, discover the qualities of what makes handmade/mould made paper special, and techniques of Western papermaking such as sheet forming, pressing and drying. We’ll cover fiber selection, prepping and pigmenting fibers. No experience needed. Supplies and lunch included.

Date: Sat, Jun 3; Time: 10 am – 3 pm; Location: Seymour
Phone: 919-968-2070; Register by: Sat, May 27; Fee: $100.00

Porcelain Paint Designs

Design a one-of-a-kind mug using creative and vibrant porcelain paint designs on a mug. Instructor: Helen Frederick.

Date: Tue, Jun 6; Time: 1 – 3 pm
Location: Seymour; Phone: 919-968-2070
Register by: Tue, May 30; Fee: $5.00

Download the flyer.

Spanish Level 1 (Beginner)

Level 1 is a course designed for the true beginner, someone who has had no previous experience with the Spanish language. It covers basic vocabulary, the differences between ser and estar, possessives, and verbs in the present tense. The activities in Level 1 focus on helping each student to speak Spanish, using a controlled and limited vocabulary.

Session I: Fri, Jun 9 – 30; Session II: Fri, July 7 – 28; Session III: Fri, Aug, 4 – 25
Time: 10:45 – 11:45 am; Location: Seymour; Phone: 919-968-2070
Register by: Fri, Jun 1; Fee: $60/ month (4 weeks) – Payment handled through CHICLE chicle@chi-cle.com or call 919-933-0398

Announcements

Important Information for Those with Medicaid

MEDICARE is a federal health insurance program for those that are age 65+ or disabled for more than 2 years. MEDICAID is a state/federal program for those with low income and resources. Some people have both MEDICARE and MEDICAID.

If you have MEDICAID (with or without Medicare), you will be required to verify your continuing eligibility. It’s important to watch your mail carefully in the next several months so you don’t miss the instructions and forms that are required. Watch for a letter from the County Department of Social Services or the NC Department of Health and Human Services and follow the instructions provided. Failing to act when you receive this notice can cause termination of your Medicaid benefits and result in a new fee of $165 per month for your Medicare coverage.

www.orangecountync.gov/OCNCPlan

Orange County Seeking Public Input
as it Develops Strategic Plan

Orange County is developing a comprehensive Five-Year Strategic Plan to lay out the priorities that will guide policies and budget decisions from 2024 through 2028. The Board of Commissioners wants feedback from the public to ensure the plan reflects the values and needs of the community.

The county has created a website for the public to learn more about the process, fill out a survey identifying their priorities and provide input (berrydunn.mysocialpinpoint.com/orangecounty).

Interested community groups can find a Meeting in the Box link on the site with the tools and information needed to host a meeting with their constituents. Community groups who host their own meeting are asked to submit their feedback by May 31.

The information collected will be used to create a long-term vision, strategic priorities, goals and objectives and performance metrics to define our direction and measure our progress. The outcome of this process will be a comprehensive strategic plan that presents:

a clear planning process and approach
a community engagement process
relevant data and analysis of trends
identification of opportunities and strategies
a process to prioritize and focus county programs and services
an implementation plan with performance measures that track progress on achieving the goals of the plan

Prescription Medications Too Expensive?

Medicare’s Extra Help program reduces the price of medications for those who qualify. You must have monthly income below $1700 and savings less than $14,000. For a married couple, income must be less than $2,289 and savings below $28,000.

For those who don’t qualify for that program, explore these options:

Ask your doctor and pharmacist about alternative medications that are covered on your drug plan at a lower co-pay, such as generics.
Search for Manufacturer Discount Programs that cover your medication.
Check the current pricing of your medications using a Drug Discount Program. In some cases, retail pricing with coupons are lower than the co-pays on your drug plan. Be aware, however that costs won’t apply to your drug plan’s deductible. Popular options include: www.goodrx.com, www.blinkhealth.com, www.northcarolinadrugcard.com and www.costplusdrugs.com.

Make an appointment to meet with a certified volunteer counselor from the Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) to discuss your options. We have both in-person appointments and appointments by Zoom available by visiting our website

www.orangecountync.gov/Medicare or call 919-245-4274.

Welcome to "R" Place - Recharge - Reconnect - Recreate

Where’s My Tax Refund?

You can check the status of your Federal income tax refund at www.irs.gov/refunds or download the IRS2Go App to your smart phone. For NC State tax refunds, visit www.ncdor.gov/refund.

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, Rebecca Bratsch, by phone at 919-245-4241 or email rbratsch@orangecountync.gov