You Can Help Stop Medicare Fraud

Did you know that $68 billion is lost to Medicare Fraud annually?  The best way to stop Medicare fraud is to prevent it in the first place. Follow these 3 tips to protect yourself from scammers: 

1. If you get a call, text or email asking for your Medicare Number, don't respond. Don't give your Medicare card or Medicare Number to anyone except your doctor or people you know should have it. Remember, Medicare will never call you unprompted and ask you for your personal information.
2. Check your Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs) or claims statements carefully. If you see a charge for a service you didn't get or a product you didn't order (like a COVID-19 over-the-counter test), it may be fraud.        Call the provider listed to verify.
3. If you suspect fraud, report it to the NC Department of Insurance at 1-855-408-1212. 

Robert and Pearl Seymour Center Library

Many thanks to those of you who donated books to the Robert and Pearl Seymour Center Library during this holiday season. Because of your generosity, we have a very nice selection of current fiction. I would like to personally thank you; you can leave your contact information at the front desk, or you can drop it in the book depository.

Also, a big shout-out goes to borrowers who remember to return the books they take home to read, thus making them available to other readers.

Daylight Death Café

Join Ann Weston, founder of Green Burial Project, for Chapel Hill/Carrboro’s very own free Daylight Death Café. Learn more about what Death Cafes are and discover a safe place to discuss mortality.

Date: Mon, Jan 15; Time: 9:30 – 11 am; Location: Seymour Center
Call: 919-968-2070; Register by: Thu, Jan 11; Fee: Free

Cultural Practices of Death and Dying

Cultures vary in how they conceptualize death and what happens when a person dies. While dying is a universal experience the process by which we express grief, honor those who have died, and select an end of life practice varies between cultures.  Join our panel discussion as we explore different practices and gain a greater understanding of death and dying in America.   

Date: Wed, Jan 31; Time: 4 – 6 pm; Location: Seymour Center
Call: 919-968-2070; Register by: Wed, Jan 24; 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! This month we’ll hear from the local Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly or PACE!

Date: Wed, Jan 24; Time: 4-6 pm; Location: Seymour Center
Call: 919-968-2070; Register by: Mon, Jan 22; Fee: Free
Check out the UNC Partnerships in Aging website here for more information!

TED Talks at Passmore

Watch pre-records TED Talk with the group and share your thoughts. This month: “ The World’s Most Boring Television, and Why It’s Hilariously Addictive.” In his funny talk, a Norwegian TV producer shares how he began to broadcast long, boring events, and found an audience!. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design and is owned by a non-profit partisan foundation. Min: 5/Max: 8.

Date: Tue, Jan 16; Time: 2 pm; Location: Passmore Center
Call: 919-245-2015; Register by: Tue, Jan 9; Activity Code: 254038-01; Fee: Free

Fire Safety in the Home

Jonathan Capps from Orange Fire Department will join us to review fire safety in the new year. Information will be provided about local resources, common fire hazards, and what measures to take to keep your loved ones safe in their own home.

Date: Wed, Jan 24; Time: 10 – 11 am; Location: Passmore Center/Hybrid Available
Call: 919-245-2015; Register by: Wed, Jan 17; Activity Code: 213076-01; Fee: Free

Veteran’s Meetup

Join Jeff McNeill with the Orange County Veterans Services so he can get to know you and answer questions. A great time to connect with other veterans at the Passmore Center!

Date: Mon, Jan 29; Time: 10 am; Location: Passmore Center
Call: 919-245-2015; Register by: Mon, Jan 22; Activity Code: 2550140000-01; Fee: Free

Chapel Hill Historical Society Program: The Launching of the SS Chapel Hill Victory 

On December 4, 1944, the SS Chapel Hill Victory was launched at the Bethlehem-Fairfield Shipyard in Baltimore, when Chapel Hill native Betsy Bowman christened the ship by breaking a bottle of champagne against the bow. Few today remember that a ship was named after the town of Chapel Hill during WWII, and even fewer are aware that the ship had an encounter in the English Channel with another ship with a NC! Chapel Hill Historical Society Treasurer and historian Tom Jepsen will talk about the ships, their role in WWII, and their "afterlives" as commercial vessels. Min: 10/Max: 75.   

Date: Sat, Jan 13; Time: 6-8 pm. Location: Seymour Center/Hybrid Available; Call: 919-968-2070; Please register for virtual link with Activity Code: 357066-04; Fee: Free

Consumer Reports: Sustainable Diet Workshop

This workshop will provide you with resources to help you make the best choices and purchases when grocery shopping. Join Consumer Reports members for a workshop on smart tips and tricks for buying sustainable food and the importance of eating sustainably. Instructor: Russ Wiener. Min: 8/Max: 30.

Date: Wed, Jan 24; Time: 11 am – 12:30 pm; Location: Seymour Center
Call: 919-968-2070; Register by: Wed, Jan 17; Activity Code: 344082-26; Fee: Free

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.

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:

1. Earn no more than 30% of the area median income 
2. Have an urgent need for housing assistance that is related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and 
3. 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.

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.

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.

Location & Hours

103 Meadowlands Dr. (PO Box 8181)
Hillsborough, NC 27278
Phone: 919-245-2015

Hours:
Tue, Wed, & Fri: 8 am – 5 pm
Mon & Thu: 8 am – 8 pm

Location & Hours

2551 Homestead Road
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Phone:919-968-2070

Hours: 
Mon – Thu: 8 am – 9 pm
Fri – Sat: 8 am – 5 pm