08/25/23 - 09/07/23

Topics in this Edition

Upcoming Programs
Announcements
Resources & Services
Volunteer Opportunities
Contact Us

Upcoming Programs

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, Aug 30; Time: 6 – 7:30 pm; Fee: FREE
Location: Online presentation using Zoom
Register at: www.orangecountync.gov/Medicare101_aug

Visit our website for additional upcoming dates: www.orangecountync.gov/Medicare

Sparkling Leaf Wreath

Using a vine wreath, silk leaves in fall colors, create a colorful wreath dressed with a burlap bow sparkling with fall colored beads for the finishing touch. Instructor: Helen Frederick. (Min: 2/ Max: 5).

Date: Tue, Sep 5; Time: 1 – 3 pm
Location: Seymour; Phone: 919-968-2070
Register by: Tue, Aug 29; Code: 354018-71; Fee: $5.00

Download and share the flyer.

See More Wednesdays

An evening of open performances in which creators get five minutes to express themselves through music, poetry, sketch comedy, prose, rap, improvisation, dance, rants, stand-up comedy – anything goes. Sign in to perform up to an hour before show time, cast, rehearsed, and put on stage in front of a live audience. Leave your cares, woes and critical judgement at the door.

Date: Wed, Sep 6, Oct 4, Nov 1; Time: 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Location: Seymour; Phone: 919-968-2070
No Registration: Drop-in; Fee: FREE

Yoga All Levels

Experience the revitalizing effects of senior-focused yoga in our all-levels class! Enhance your strength, flexibility, and balance through easy postures and mindful breathing. Our skilled and welcoming teacher ensures safety and personalized assistance in every pose. Rekindle your mind-body-spirit connection for overall well-being in a supportive environment.

Date: Starting Thu, Sep 7 (ongoing); Time: 4 pm – 5 pm
Location: Seymour; Phone: 919-968-2070
Code: 352003-20; Register by: Thu, Aug 31; Fee: FREE

Bemer Demonstrations

Discover the innovative solutions by Bemer Group, showcasing their cutting-edge products designed to enhance circulation and expedite muscle recovery. Experience the difference Bemer technology can make in optimizing overall well-being and performance.

Date: Tuesdays and Fridays Starting September 12; Time: 10 am - 2 pm
Location: Seymour; Phone: 919-968-2070
Register by: Sat, Sep 2; Code: 352255-02; Fee: FREE

Financial Fitness – Power of Budgeting

This seminar will explore the importance of creating and maintaining a budget, examine the difference between wants and needs, and how to set goals for personal spending, savings and debt repayment. Instructor: Mary-Charles Nassif, CFP®, ChFC®, Financial Advisor, Edward Jones. (Min: 3/Max: 15).

Date: Wed, Sep 13; Time: 3 – 4:30 pm
Location: Seymour; Phone: 919-968-2070
Register by: Tue, Sep 5; Code: 334054-06; Fee: FREE

ChairOne Fitness

ChairOne Fitness is designed to deliver a fun, musically driven interactive, full body workout that uplifts people through dance and fitness moves. All-inclusive class regardless of ability. Min 5

Date: Starting Tue, Sep 19 (ongoing); Time: 11 - 12pm
Location: Seymour Center; Phone: 919-968-2070
Register by: Tue, Sep 12; Code: 342251-02; Fee: $24.00

Download and share the flyer.
First 100 to attend receive a FREE backpack.

Announcements

2023 SHARP Direct Care Worker Award nominations now open!

For more information or to nominate a direct care worker >>

Announcing New Orange County Veteran Services Officer

Jeff McNeill
113 Mayo Street
Hillsborough, NC 27278
919-245-2890 (office)
919-748-1536 (cell)
jmcneill@orangecountync.gov

Orange County Veterans Services Office offers a wide range of services to our nation's veterans, service members and their families. Our office provides advice on Veterans Administration benefits and assistance with filing and tracking those claims as well as obtaining, retaining, or reinstating numerous benefits offered by the federal, state, and local government. To learn more about Veteran Services, click here. For assistance, please contact Orange County Veteran Services Officer, Jeff McNeill.

Contact Orange County's SHIIP Program for more information.

For information or to volunteer, email Alison Smith

Become a VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistant)

To volunteer, email Jeanne Chamberlin

The way we vote is changing. You will need to bring along photo ID to vote in any upcoming election.

Do you need transportation to the Board of Elections (BOE) in Hillsborough to get a photo ID made for voting purposes?

Beginning September 28 at 10 am, and continuing at 10 am every Thursday after until November 2, a vehicle with Orange County Public Transportation will provide a ride from the Seymour Center in Chapel Hill to the Board of Elections in Hillsborough for passengers to have their photo ID made for voting. Once all passengers have been serviced by the BOE, the vehicle will return to the Seymour Center.

This service is FREE, but you must register by Monday in advance to use this once-a-week service. Call the OC Department on Aging at 919-968-2070 (Seymour Center) – we will only transport 3 persons per visit, times are in one-hour blocks, starting at 10 am throughout the day until 4 pm.

If you have questions? Contact OC Board of Elections at 919-245-2350 for more information on voter ID, including a full list of the many acceptable forms of ID for voting can be found here. For any election-related questions, please call the Board of Elections at 919-245-2350.

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).

Stream live or listen to the podcast.

Chinese E Life

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