Orange County to Begin Phased-in Lifting of Restrictions 

Orange County, North Carolina’s Stay at Home Order will end on May 8, 2020. Thereafter, the County will fall under the state order. According to Governor Cooper, restrictions will be lifted in three phases, with the first phase beginning at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 8. The state of emergency for Orange County, Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Hillsborough will be extended.  Read the full press release here.

• Newsletter: Sign up for the COVID-19 newsletter from the Orange County Health Department.
• Text: To receive daily text updates, text ocnchealth to 888-777.
• Hotline: Questions about COVID-19? Call (919) 245-6111 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Spanish language and other languages available.
• Email: Email your questions to covid19@orangecountync.gov.

Grocery Delivery Service

If you are in need of grocery delivery, or if you know an older adult who would benefit from this service, Volunteer Connect 55+ is now offering this resource.  To register for this program, complete the online request form or contact the Aging Helpline at 919-968-2087.  This service is being offered to Orange County residents age 60 and over. Ordering requirements apply.

VITA Volunteers Continue to Provide Tax Assistance During the Pandemic

The Orange County Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) is continuing to assist low and moderate-income taxpayers with their 2019 tax returns that are now due by July 15.  VITA services are free to those that have incomes below $65,000 for a single person or $90,000 for a household.  Those with social security retirement benefits must file an income tax return if their income from other sources plus 50% of their social security benefit exceeds $24,000 ($32,000 for a married couple).
 
If you haven’t yet filed your 2019 tax return you may be able to participate in our Virtual VITA program.  You must have access to the internet, an active email account, and either a computer and scanner or a cell phone with a camera.  We can now assist you through this program, even if you did not use our services for 2018 taxes.  Send an email to ocncvita@gmail.com for more information.

We also hope to open a Drop-Off Service in June to allow taxpayers to bring their tax documents into one of our locations during designated times.  You’ll complete some forms and we will scan your tax documents.  Your returns will be completed by our certified preparers and you’ll return to the same location to pick up a copy of your return.  Watch for more information on the status of this program at www.orangecountync.gov/ocncvita or get current information at 919-245-4242.

Looking for your Stimulus Check?

Officially, it’s called an Economic Impact Payment.  Adults with annual income less than $99,000 will receive a payment of up to $1200.  Most will receive the payment automatically based on your 2018 or 2019 income tax return.  Those who receive social security, railroad retirement, disability or VA benefits will also have their payment deposited directly to their bank account. 
 
Visit www.irs.gov/eip to check on the status of your payment, provide bank account information for direct deposit, or to register for your payment if you are not required to file an income tax return and do not receive government benefits from social security or the VA.
 
Watch out for scams that offer faster payment.  The government will not call you to request information in order to send your payment.

Have a Social Security Issue or Concern?  

Social Security Offices are closed to the public for face-to-face service during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can do most of your business with SSA online at https://www.ssa.gov/onlineservices/.  You can also get answers to many frequently asked questions at: https://faq.ssa.gov/en-US/.

 Do Not Delay Emergency Care! 

Although social distancing is critical during the coronavirus pandemic, please do not delay seeking urgent or emergent medical care! If you are experiencing life threatening illness or have severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest pain or confusion, please call 911 immediately.
 
In non-emergent situations, many health care providers are offering Telehealth visits. These may be conducted by phone or video chat. If you are faced with an emergency, please call 911 and seek out emergency care.

Falls Prevention at Home

Lindsay Bailey MPH, UNC Trauma Program

“Falls Prevention at Home" provides nine falls prevention tips that anyone can implement by making small changes in their home or daily routine. This 20 minute presentation also provides resources that people viewers can access online to make themselves and their homes safer.

Visit https://bit.ly/UNCTrauma to view Lindsay's presentation.

Staying Well at Home

• Myths and truths about diet and supplements and COVID-19
• Safe, simple, and budget friendly ways to shop and prepare meals
• Methods of exercise that can you can do at home or safely outside
• Stress management skills to help fight the quarantine blues

2020 Orange County Senior Games – Cancelled

Due to effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Orange County Senior Games has been cancelled based on the encouragement of the NC Senior Games Board of Directors and recommendation of the OC Senior Games Planning committee.

For more information, on Orange County Senior Games, contact local Senior Games co-coordinators, Myra Austin, maustin@orangecountync.gov or 919-245-2020 or Lee Schimmelfing, leeschim@email.unc.edu or 919-606-2598.

Wednesdays@One Poetry Reading

If you are looking for an opportunity to expand your poetic horizons, to cultivate your own writing, to engage with other writers of poetry, then Wednesdays@One Poetry is for you.  We share poems, react to each other’s work and encourage one another as we work on poetry projects together.
 
We meet at the Seymour Center on Wednesdays at 1 pm and hope to be back on-site soon. In the meantime, we hope you will enjoy the YouTube video featuring poetry readings by our own Seymour Center poets (Reading April 22, 2020).
 
Contact One Poetry instructor, Clark Holtzman at choltzman@runbox.com for more information and how to join the group.

A Mindful Moment with Art: Family Portraits

Through the North Carolina Museum of Art’s collection, participants will explore family portraits using strategies that develop mindfulness. Developing mindful practices into your life can help you and those you care for cope with feelings of anxiety and being overwhelmed. Spending times with works of art can help you slow down and focus on the present moment.

In this interactive program, participants will practice these strategies with family portraits from the Museum’s collection and learn how coping skills can help regulate feelings and stress.
 
Date: May 19, 2020 at 1:00 PM
Register at: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_sK7nBasnSZGnbZyn8JI6Hg

COVID-19 Volunteer Opportunities

Would you like to share your skills and gifts with older adults in Orange County?  Leaders from Orange County’s Department on Aging and UNC’s Partnerships in Aging are creating a list to match volunteers with the needs and changing circumstances of individuals and organizations that serve older adults. 

To volunteer, please add your name to the COVID-19 Volunteer list.