January 2024

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.

New Year's Resolutions for a Caregiver

As we step into a new year, many of us reflect on the year in passing, consider our personal goals and ambitions for the year ahead, and make efforts to meet those goals. However, we can also have resolutions geared towards our goals as a caregiver! In the realm of caregiving, we often emphasize self-care so that we take care of ourselves and mitigate stress so that we protect ourselves while also bringing out our best selves when providing care and supporting our loved ones. Have you thought about intentions to improve self-care as a caregiver in 2024? If not, here are some resolutions that might resonate with you:

Carve out YOU time. Take 2 hours each week to do something for yourself to decompress. Watch a movie, get a massage, read a book – me time is important.
Join a support group. It’s good to let things off your chest. The OCDoA offers in-person and virtual options for caregiving support groups! It’s a great space to ask for suggestions – we all need a little vent session now and then.
Take up yoga, meditation, or walking. These are great options to get in touch with and listen to your body, and experience connection. Yoga specifically can lower stress, anxiety, and other challenges that can stem from caregiving. Meditation improves our mindset which is important as a caregiver. Walking gets you moving, which improves various aspects of our health!

Resources

Check out these resources on taking care of YOU in 2024:

Meditation for Caregivers https://herohealth.com/blog/caregiving/meditations-for-caregivers/
AARP Mindful Resolutions for Caregivers https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/basics/info-2021/resolutions-for-caregivers.html
OCDoA Caregiver Programming and Support Group Flyer https://www.orangecountync.gov/DocumentCenter/View/17098/CAREGIVER-Programming?bidId=

Announcements

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

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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.

Positive Approach to Care: Dementia Skills Training for Professionals

Champion Courses 1-4, Tuesdays 3-5pm

Upcoming Programs

Program - Decluttering: Paper Clutter - Seymour Center - 1.9.24

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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. For information and registration contact agingtransitions@orangecountync.gov or 919-968-2087.

Tuesday, January 16 at 10am via Zoom - Pain & Dementia

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 and 4th Fridays: January 12 & 26 at 10:30am at Seymour
Hillsborough Support Group
- Contact Keisha Andrew to join - kandrews@orangecountync.gov or 919-245-2022.
- 2nd Thursdays: January 11 at 1pm at Passmore
Zoom Only Support Group
- Contact Kim Lamon-Loperfido to join - KLoperfido@orangecountync.gov or 919-245-4253
- 3rd Tuesday Only This Month: January 16 at 12:30pm via Zoom
Charles House CORE Support Group
- Contact Paul Klever to join - paul@charleshouse.org
- 3rd Wednesdays: January 17 at 12pm via Zoom

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. Register for the webinar: https://bit.ly/UNCPDWebinar. FREE

Friday, January 19 at 1:00 pm: Racial Disparities. Why are racial minority groups less likely to be diagnosed with PD? Are there racial inequalities surrounding treatment?

Chapel Hill Parkinson's Support Group

This month will feature split group open discussions either in-person or virtual via WebEx. Contact Maggie Ivancic for more information - mivancic@neurology.unc.edu. Register for the support group here.

Tuesday, January 9 at 1:30pm

Chapel Hill PSP & CBD Support Group

Support group for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and Corticobasal Degeneration. This month's topic is 'Sharing about Diagnosis and Navigating Family Dynamics.' Contact Maggie Ivancic for more information - mivancic@neurology.unc.edu. Register for the support group here.