November 2023

Updated newsletter coming soon! We’re transitioning to a new marketing platform in the upcoming weeks, so keep an eye out for future messages from MyEmma

Family Caregivers Month

November is National Family Caregivers Month, and this year’s theme is #CaregiversConnect. Caregiving can often feel like a lonely task, and caregivers can feel isolated from friends, family, and even other caregivers. But you are not alone! More than 50 million Americans are providing needed care to loved ones, and there are many people and resources in your own community you can connect with. Here are a few ways you can get connected during Family Caregivers Month:

Join a support group. Orange County Department on Aging hosts caregiver support groups both in-person and virtually for caregivers to share experiences, learn new skills, and get answers to questions. Shop around support groups to find the right fit for you!
Get online. Find a virtual forum or social media group to connect with other caregivers around the globe. Use the hashtag for this year’s theme, #CaregiversConnect, to share your caregiving story.
Attend an event. Get social the old-fashioned way and meet other caregivers in your community. Many events geared toward caregivers and their loved ones in the area are free, like the Snow Approach Foundation’s Speaker Series.
Reach out for help. As a caregiver, it is important to take care of yourself as well as taking care of your loved one. Remember: put on your own oxygen mask before assisting others! Whether it’s scheduling a therapy session, chatting to a friend on the phone, or seeking respite care, don’t be afraid to get the help you need from your network.
Browse caregiver services. There are many local programs that can provide services to caregivers—it’s just a matter of finding what you need. Orange County offers individualized and community level supports to caregivers, from counseling and coaching services to social gatherings and educational events. Family Caregiver Support Program provides counseling, support groups, training, respite care, and more. The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Caregiver Support Program also offers clinical services to caregivers of some veterans through in the VA health care system.
Connect with yourself. Do something for yourself that’s unrelated to your caregiving identity. It’s important to maintain your sense of self when you are giving so much to those around you.
Share this newsletter with a fellow caregiver. Make sure other caregivers know about the monthly e-newsletter connecting caregivers with information on upcoming events, relevant community topics, and related resources.

Resources

For More Information:

Orange County Caregiver Support Services: Orange County offers individualized and community level supports to caregivers, from counseling and coaching services to social gatherings and educational events.
Family Caregiver Support Program: Provides counseling, support groups, training, respite care, and more
Caregiver Support Program: The VA offers clinical services to caregivers of some veterans through in the VA health care system.

Announcements

Sensory Kits for Adults at the Chapel Hill Public Library

The Chapel Hill Public Library has a new collection of 10 nature-inspired sensory kits designed specifically for neurodiverse individuals, in particular those living with dementia and their caregivers. Each kit includes items that activate the senses and focus on a particular nature-related theme. The kits also include two resource books for caregivers and loved ones. While the kits were primarily designed for adults experiencing memory loss and their caregivers, we hope these kits can provide engagement, reminiscence, and connection for any neurodiverse or neurotypical adults. Available now for check out!

For additional information on the Neurodiversity & Nature Initiative at the library, check out this article.

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New Radio Program - Aging Well Together - Thursdays at 2pm

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Handyperson Recommendations

Have you hired a fair, helpful, and trustworthy handyperson? We are compiling a list of individuals who assist with home repair work in our community. If you had a positive experience with a particular person or company and would recommend them to a neighbor, please share!
Complete our online recommendation form or call the Aging Helpline (919-968-2087) to submit your recommendation.

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FREE Nutrition Supplements

If you have NC Medicaid, you may be eligible to receive free oral nutrition supplements, like Boost or Ensure. Contact the Aging Helpline for more information at 919-968-2087.

Notary Services Available

Did you know that notary services are available free of charge at the Passmore and Seymour Centers? The following staff members are notaries;

Lydia Arnold, Aging Transitions/Volunteer Connect 55+ Specialist (919-245-4276)
Kendall McMillan, Social Worker (919-245-4278)
Lisa Meinert, Program Assistant/Facility Manager - Passmore (919-245- 2016)
Jan Oldenburg, Facility Manager – Evenings/Saturdays – Seymour (919-968-2070)
Dawn Smith, Programs and Operations Manager - Passmore (919-245-2021)

Call any of them to make an appointment directly, or call the front desk at the Passmore Center (919-245-2015), the Seymour Center (919-968-2070), or call the Aging Helpline (919-968-2087) to schedule an appointment.

Upcoming Programs

Positive Approach to Care: Dementia Skills Training for Professionals

Champion Courses 1-4, Tuesdays 3-5pm

What in the world is Palliative Care?

We invite you to a conversation with Loy Campbell to learn about the subject of palliative care: What is it? Who would want it? How to get it?

Palliative care is specialized medical care for people with serious illness. This type of care focuses on providing relief from the stress and symptoms of a serious illness. The goal is to improve quality of life for the ill person as well as friends and family. Whether you are a person living with serious illness or someone living in a mortal human body, you can benefit from this conversation!

Loy Campbell is an occupational therapist with over 10 years of experience working with older adults. She works at Duke Regional Hospital, as well as with her own business, Campbell Care Consultants, guiding people through the challenges of aging, caregiving, and health decision-making.

JOIN US! Sunday, November 5, 2pm

Hillsborough Library Meeting Room

134 W. Margaret Lane

Free and open to the public - Questions? Email nrosebaugh@hotmail.com

Caregiver Education Series:

I'm a Caregiver: Now What?

Maybe your spouse has had a recent health change, or your parent received a new medical diagnosis. We can become caregivers very quickly or over time. Join us to learn about how to care for others, while caring for ourselves, including community resources, self-care tactics, and tools to help you build your support network. For more information or to register your interest to join, please contact Kendall McMillan, MSW, LCSW at KMcMillan@OrangeCountyNC.gov or 919-245-4278.

Wednesday, November 8 at 10:00am at the Seymour Center and via Zoom

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
- Contact Kendall McMillan to join - K Mcmillan@orangecountync.gov or 919-245-4278.
- 2nd Friday: November 10 at 10:30am at Seymour
Hillsborough Support Group
- Contact Keisha Andrew to join - kandrews@orangecountync.gov or 919-245-2022.
- 2nd Thursdays: November 9 at 1pm at Passmore
Zoom Only Support Group
- Contact Kim Lamon-Loperfido to join - KLoperfido@orangecountync.gov or 919-245-4253
- 1st & 3rd Tuesdays: November 7 and 21 at 12:30pm via Zoom
Hybrid Support Group for Mandarin Speakers
- Contact Hong Zhou to join - hzhou@orangecountync.gov or 919-245-4275.
- 2nd Thursdays: November 9 at 1pm at Seymour and via Zoom
Charles House CORE Support Group
- Contact Paul Klever to join - paul@charleshouse.org
- 3rd Wednesdays: November 15 at 12pm via Zoo

Triangle Moving Day

Moving Day is an inspiring and empowering annual fundraising walk event that unites people around the country living with Parkinson’s disease (PD), their care partners and loved ones to help beat PD. Moving Day is more than just a walk. It’s a celebration of movement – proven to help manage Parkinson’s symptoms. There will be a live band, lots of ways to connect with the Parkinson’s community members, exercise groups, and of course is an amazing fundraiser that goes toward finding a cure and funding programming for people with Parkinson’s across the Carolinas. You can find out more and register here: https://movingdaywalk.org/event/moving-day-nc-triangle/ If you have issues with registration or would like some assistance about how to donate contact Karson Terry with the Parkinson’s Foundation: Karson Terry kterry@parkinson.org

Saturday, November 4 at 9:00 am, at Dix Park in Raleigh

Taboo Topics & Parkinson's Disease

Join the UNC Movement Disorders Center for a monthly webinar series, exploring topics that you’ve always had questions about but didn’t know how to ask. Each webinar will occur on the third Friday of the month from 1:00 – 3:00 pm. Topics include genetics, death and dying, cannabis and CBD, racial disparities, sex and intimacy, and spirituality. FREE

Friday, November 17 at 1:00 pm: "Death & Dying: What does it mean to have a good death? What supports are available at end of life?"

Dance for Parkinson's

The Dance for Parkinson’s (DFP) program is a welcoming, open opportunity for people of all backgrounds to find joy in movement. Through dance, participants find mental, social, and physical benefits from moving with music in a supportive, pleasure-focused 60-minute session. All bodies are welcome in the sessions which can be enjoyed entirely seated, standing with support, or standing unaided. Overwhelming research points repeatedly to the benefits of the DFP curriculum in helping with balance, strength, fluidity, and flexibility.

So, whether you are a person with Parkinson’s or a person looking to improve balance and movement fluidity, you are welcome to join us. More information about Dance for Parkinson's and Connie Schrader can be found at: https://www.inbodymind.me/dance-for-parkinsons

Mondays, November 6, 13, 20, 27 at 10:00 am via Zoom

Chapel Hill Parkinson's Support Group

Contact Maggie Ivancic for more information and to RSVP - mivancic@neurology.unc.edu.

Tuesday, November 7 – Virtual split groups for carepartners and people with Parkinson’s, via Zoom
Thursday, November 16- In person separate meetings for carepartners and people with Parkinson’s Disease
- 1-3pm, Seymour Center - 2551 Homestead Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27516

Chapel Hill PSP & CBD Support Group

Support group for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and Corticobasal Degeneration. Contact Maggie Ivancic for more information and to RSVP - mivancic@neurology.unc.edu.