June 2020
'Safer at Home'
North Carolina is under a "Safer at Home" recommendation to slow the spread of COVID-19. Phase Two lifts the Stay At Home order and moves the state into a “Safer At Home” recommendation, especially for people at high risk for serious illness. See the Press Release issued on May 21st: Orange County Moves to "Safer at Home" Phase Two. For more information, review the 'What's New in Phase Two' infographic.
Activities at both Orange County senior centers remain closed, and staff have continued to implement and modify programs and services to help support seniors throughout the crisis. Subscribe to the bi-weekly Endless Possibilities e-newsletter or see the new COVID-19 Resource for Seniors web page for more information.
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In-Home Care During COVID-19In-home help is often a topic that comes up during discussions around being a caregiver. Providing for another person's physical and emotional well-being can often require an extra set of hands to ensure both the primary caregiver and care recipient stay safe. However, recommendations related to COVID-19 are cautioning us all to limit our interactions with others. How to do get the help and support we need, while minimizing our exposure? AARP provides some guidance:- Review what care is necessary right now. If possible, minimize the number of times care aides come to your home during a week. Try condensing tasks from multiple visits into fewer visits or de-prioritizing a few tasks during COVID-19 precautions.
- Have a conversation with your care aide and/or care agency. What precautions are they taking right now? Have you observed these precautions being followed at your home? Is there anything more you would like them to do?
- Consider your care options. Is there a family member or friend who could help to provide care during this time? This person may be able to help out with tasks outside of the home (errands, home maintenance, meal prep) giving you more hours or energy to provide in-home care. If this person is already visiting your home, they may be able to support with these in-home care tasks.
While the care aide is in your home:- Continue to wash hands. Each person should wash with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
- Maintain physical distancing as much as possible. Not all tasks within the home require close physical contact. Keep at least 6 feet apart unless physical contact is required.
- When physical contact is required, request the care aid use gloves and a face mask. If possible, you and the person you are caring for should also wear face coverings.
- After the care aide leaves, try to sanitize commonly touched surfaces, like door knobs, light switches, and arm rests.
Please also remember to be honest with your care aide and/or agency about how you are feeling. Even if you do not believe you have been exposed, they need to be aware of your symptoms to take the most appropriate precautions.For more information, read:
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June is:
Great Outdoors Month Spending time outdoors is a recommended activity during this time of social distancing. A few things to try include: - Taking a walk. Search for Parks and Trails of Orange County to find a new walking path near you. The site allows you to filter for wheelchair accessible routes and paved options.
- Plant a garden. See this article from the Institute on Aging about the benefits of gardening, and this article from Senior Care Corner for a few ideas about accessible gardening.
National Hunger Awareness Month
Our situations have changed from a few months ago; both grocery shopping and being able to afford food for your household may be more challenging. A few local resources that may help include: - Commodity Supplemental Food Box Program - a box of non-perishable groceries, available for low-income seniors once per month.
- Senior Center Lunch - offered curbside Monday, Wednesday, & Friday (full 5 lunches provided), 12:00-12:30 for preregistered seniors at both the Seymour and Passmore Centers.
- Grocery Delivery Service - offered to Orange County residents age 60 and over. Ordering requirements apply.
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Activity Engagement CoachingAs we all continue to spend a lot of time at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it can be challenging to find ways to keep loved ones with dementia engaged throughout the day.
For caregivers connected to our various dementia support programs, we are now offering one-on-one consultations (via phone or GoToMeeting) where we can brainstorm together with you to identify enjoyable activities that are: If interested, please contact Lisa Meinert (919-245-4251), certified Dementia Care Partner and Activity Professional or Marie Dagger, OTR/L (919-245-4279).
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Tell us your story: "In This Moment" StoriesUNC's Partnerhips in Aging Program (PiAP) is capturing reflections and oral histories during the COVID-19 situation. We want to hear about your current experience, previous life experiences that have influenced how you are managing the situation, and what you have learned. - How did you prepare to maintain social distance and stay at home?
- How have other experiences in your life shaped your response to this situation?
- What advice would you give to future generations facing something similar?
Visit PIAP's website to hear an example, check out more information, and to sign up to tell your story.
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SHARP Direct Care Worker Awards PostponedSince 2015, Orange County Department on Aging and the community group, Senior Health Advocacy and Resource Partners of Orange County (SHARP) have hosted an annual SHARP Direct Care Worker Awards. This event is in honor of Direct Care Workers (nurse aides, personal care aides, companion caregivers, etc.) who affect their clients’ lives on a daily basis and make a difference in the Orange County community. Given the unprecedented times we find ourselves facing, the festivities scheduled for May 14, 2020 have been postponed. However, now more than ever, the members of SHARP and Orange County Department on Aging want the community to recognize all of the wonderful Direct Care Workers. “We honor those who willingly serve on the front line of this pandemic. They are true heroes to us all,” said SHARP Co-Chair, Tim Wach. These women and men are the essential workers who have continued to work their hardest on behalf of their clients. Despite the concerns and struggles in their own lives, these devoted Direct Care Workers go to work every day—with a smile under their masks. We can see that smile reflected in the twinkle in their eyes. Orange County Department on Aging and SHARP plan to host the 2020 Direct Care Worker Awards in October of 2020. For more information about the awards or to tell us about a special direct care worker, please call 919-245-4253 or email Kim Lamon-Loperfido, Aging Transitions Administrator with Orange County Department on Aging.
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VITA Volunteers Continue to Provide Tax Assistance During the PandemicThe deadline for filing 2019 income taxes is now July 15, 2020. The Orange County Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) is continuing to assist low and moderate-income taxpayers . 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 have internet access, an active email account, and either a computer and scanner or a cell phone with a camera, you can participate in our Virtual VITA program. Check our website www.orangecountync.gov/ocncvita or send an email to ocncvita@gmail.com for more information.
We are also offering a Drive-Thru Drop-Off Service that will be available during the month of June. Taxpayers can bring us their tax documents and complete paperwork in your car. We’ll scan the documents while you wait and you will return a week later to pick up your completed return. Our IRS-certified preparers will contact you by phone as needed to prepare and electronically file your return. Planned Drop-Off times during June:
- Seymour Center – Mondays 1-4pm and Fridays 1-4pm
- Passmore Center – Wednesdays 1-4pm
No appointment is needed, but please call our information phone line to verify program dates & times. 919-245-4242.
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Do Not Let Life-Threatening Ailments Go Unchecked During the PandemicThe National Council on Aging wants to remind us that some medical conditions require immediate medical attention. While stay-at-home guidance is a critical part of reducing the spread of COVID-19, if you are having symptoms of a stroke or heart attack or have experienced a fall and suffered a fracture, broken bone, or brain injury, it is important to seek medical care right away. Read more at https://www.ncoa.org/blog/do-not-let-life-threatening-ailments-go-unchecked/.
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Socially-Distanced Programs
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Emotional & Social WellbeingCaregiver Support GroupsAvailable via GoToMeeting. Register one day prior to the meeting. To register, please call 919-968-2087 or email agingtransitions@orangecountync.gov. Contact Kim for more information. - Thursday, June 11 at 1pm
- Friday, June 12 at 10:30am
- Thursday, June 25 at 1pm
- Friday, June 26 at 10:30am
Memory CafeAvailable via GoToMeeting. Register one day prior to the meeting. To register, please call 919-968-2087 or email agingtransitions@orangecountync.gov. Contact Kim for more information. - Tuesday, June 2 at 2:30 pm
- Monday, June 8 at 2pm
Chapel Hill Parkinson's Support GroupAvailable via Zoom - contact Jessica Shurer (919-843-1657) for more information, Please register by Monday, June 1st. - Carepartner Open Discussion: Tuesday, June 2 at 12:30
- People with Parkinson's Discussion: Tuesday, June 2 at 2:30pm
Online Caregiver Support
Physical Wellbeing
American Dance Festival
Archived Dance and Pilates for Parkinson's videos through their YouTube Channel
Virtual Programs with the Alzheimer's Foundation of America
Access through the Alzheimer's Foundation of America Facebook Page Dance for Parkinson's At HomeOnline classes and archived videos available from Dance for PD
Rock Steady Boxing of Cary/Raleigh
Virtual Programs are now available! See here for more information.
Fit Seniors
At-Home exercise and wellness options designed to help keep you fit and healthy with your favorite OCDOA fitness instructors: http://www.co.orange.nc.us/2371/Fit-Seniors.
Educational Events
Parkinson's Foundation: Ask the ExpertParkinson's Caregiving During COVID-19 Dementia Basics - What Can We Expect?A four-part educational series offered via GoToMeeting. - Tuesdays, June 9, 16, 23, & 30; 6-8pm
See flyer and contact Marie for more information.
Caregiver Education Program: Preparing for a Telehealth Visit
Many health care appointments have gone virtual, so how do you get ready for a “visit”? Join Nancy Ruffner, from NavigateNC (www.navigatenc.com), and discover helpful tips to prepare for your next telehealth visit. - June 15; 1:30-2:30 via GoToMeeting
Register one day prior to the meeting at 919-968-2087 or agingtransitions@orangecountync.gov. Contact Kim for more information.
For more ideas of ways to engage at home, check out this list of At-Home Activities, curated by programming staff at the Seymour and Passmore Centers. |
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For more information, resources, and services, please reach out to our team through the Aging Information & Referral Helpline: 919-968-2087orLet us Know How We're Doing!Take a few moments to complete this brief survey. We appreciate all feedback, comments, and suggestions!
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