6/2/2023 - 6/15/2023

Topics in this Edition

Upcoming Programs
Announcements
Resources & Services
Volunteer Opportunities
Contact Us

Upcoming Programs

Caregiver Education Series: Parkinson’s Disease 101

A quarterly education series designed to provide information for individuals providing care and support for a friend or family member. The program hopes to strengthen your skills and resilience, and bolster the ability to nurture and support those for whom you care. You may register for one or multiple sessions.

Date: Mon, Jun 7; Time: 10 – 11 am
Location: Seymour Hybrid; Activity Code: 352754-06
Info & Registration: Contact the Aging Helpline (919-968-2087 or agingtransitions@orangecountync.gov)

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.

Wednesday, June 7, 2023 from 5:30 – 7 pm
Orange County Public Library, 137 W. Margaret Lane, Hillsborough NC
Register by calling 919-245-2015

Thursday, June 29, 2023 from 6 – 7:30 pm
Online presentation using Zoom
Register at www.orangecountync.gov/Medicare101_jun

Customize Your Father's Day
Ball Cap

Personalize the perfect gift for Father's Day and wear it with pride. This year we have set aside a special time and day just for you to customize your very own and unique baseball cap. We will schedule a specific time for you to create and leave with something just for you, made by you. Staff will be there to assist and enjoy helping you complete your project.

Date: Mon, Jun 12; Time: 10 – 3 pm; Fee: FREE
Location: Seymour; Phone: 919-968-2070; Register by: Mon, Jun 5

Juneteenth Special Events
and Cookout

This year, enjoy several days of FREE festivities at the Seymour Center as we usher in and celebrate Juneteenth!

Congolese Drumming with Pline Mounzeo - Mon, Jun 12, 11 am, register by Mon, Jun 5
Poetry with Cortland Gilliam, Poet Laureate, Town of Chapel Hill – Tue, Jun 13, 11 am, register by Tue, Jun 6
African Readings & Songs with Regina Gale – Wed, Jun 14, 11 am, register by Wed, Jun 7
Motown Sounds with Paula C. Snyder – Thu, Jun 15, 11 am, register by Thu, Jun 8
Juneteenth Cookout – Fri, June 16, 4 – 6 pm, register by Fri, Jun 9

Outsmart the Scammer in Investing

Join Cynda Beauchamp, Edward Jones-Financial Advisor, as she examines how to spot red flags that may indicate a fraudulent encounter and the steps to take now to help protect yourself and your loved ones.

Date: Tue, Jun 13; Time: 10 – 11 am
Location: Passmore; Phone: 919-245-2015
Register by: Tue, Jun 6; Fee: Free

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Officially recognized by the UN General Assembly in 2011, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) takes place annually on June 15th. The day provides an opportunity to take action to support and protect older adults by raising awareness. Be a part of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day by picking up a self-play bingo card, bookmark and awareness ribbon at your closest Center.

Date: Thurs, Jun 15; Time: 10 am – 12 pm
Location: Passmore and Seymour Lobby

Father’s Day Bingo

Calling all Dads! Please join us for a special BINGO in celebration of YOU! Wear all of your Father’s Day ties and memorabilia. Pull out those #1 Dad shirts and wear them with pride. Min: 10 / Max: 40

Date: Fri, Jun 16; Time: 10:30 am
Location: Passmore; Phone: 919-245-2015
Register by: Fri, Jun 9; Fee: Free

Ukulele Lessons – Beginning

The Ukulele is easy to learn and fun to play. Mickey Reed is the self-proclaimed Ukulele Lady of NC and has launched over 500 people up and down the East Coast in ukulele playing. You will learn simple chords and well known sing-a-long songs. If you need a Ukulele, please contact the instructor at mickeyreed@icloud.com. No music reading skills are required.

Date: Wed, Jun 21, 28; July 12, 19; Time: 10 – 11:30 am; Fee: $50.00
Location: Seymour; Phone: 919-968-2070; Register by: Wed, Jun 14

Handbuilding Clay Workshop – Beginners

Let's try working with clay! In this beginners' class, your instructor will guide you with her creative techniques and show you how to develop your own. Each person will make a miniature, one-of-kind conversation piece from air-dry clay. Once complete, you will have your own masterpiece. Bring a small box to transport your art. Instructor: Susan George.

Date: Thu, June 22; Time: 10 am – 12 noon; Fee: FREE
Location: Seymour; Phone: 919-968-2070; Register by: Thu, Jun 15

America - Going Places!

Let’s take a cross-country trip through the USA, with Paula C. Snyder, vocalist/musician. We’ll hit some famous hot-spots, make unexpected stops, and maybe enjoy a few places we’ve never been. Paula’s versatile music mix includes both nostalgic radio wonders and old family sing-alongs, from pop to folk music, and country to Broadway. Min: 10/ Max: 60

Date: Wed, Jun 28; Time: 3:30 pm
Location: Passmore; Phone: 919-245-2015
Register by: Wed, Jun 14; Fee: Free

Ted Talks at Passmore; Why having fun is the secret to a healthier life.

Join us to watch and discuss: Why having fun is the secret to a healthier life. Have you had a daily dose of fun? It’s not just enjoyable, it’s essential for your health and happiness. Science journalist Catherin Price proposes a new definition of fun, and shares easy, evidence-backed ways to weave playfulness, flow and connection into your everyday life. Ted stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design and is owned by a non-profit, non-partisan foundation. Min: 5/ Max: 8

Date: Tue, Jun 20; Time: 2 pm
Location: Passmore Center; Phone: 919-245-2015
Register by: Tue, Jun 13; Fee: Free

Walks with Edie at River Walk in Hillsborough

Walks with Edie Alfano-Sobsey

There’s never been a better time to get active and head out on a good long walk and view the beautiful Riverwalk in Hillsborough. Join Edie and bring a couple of friends to catch a breeze and get active. Meet at the entrance to the Riverwalk next to Weaver St Market (not at the Passmore Center). Be sure to bring your water bottle!

Date: Wed, Jul 5 – 26; Aug 2 – 30; Time: 9 am
Location: Passmore; Phone: 919-245-2015
Activity: 232264-06; Register by: Wed, Jun 28; Jul 26; Fee: FREE

Download and share the flyer.

Announcements

Be a Hero - Help Prevent Falls!

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.

Hope Renovations – Repairs & Renovations for Aging in Place

At Hope Renovations we complete aging-in-place repairs, renovations and assessments to help older adults remain in their homes. Examples of these types of projects include tub to shower conversions, installing grab bars and higher toilets, and building ramps. We complete this work on a sliding scale; therefore, our pricing is based on the household income. Visit the website or call 919-960-1957 for more information.

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