April 2022

Spring Cleaning for Caregivers

Spring has sprung, and you may be thinking about spring cleaning. You may not know where to begin if you are anything like me. Accumulation of items, especially in the home, can be inevitable when your priority is caring for your family. However, too many things in the home can make it harder to safely walk around or prevent emergency personnel from entering in for emergencies. Spring is symbolic of renewing, releasing, and rebirthing. Decluttering can be a fresh start for the entire family.

Step 1: Create a Plan
The best way to start spring cleaning is to have a plan. It may be best to start working on smaller areas such as your coat closet first. Taking an entire day to clean may not be feasible when you are a caregiver. Maybe dedicate 30 minutes to an hour, daily, until the project is complete.
Seek assistance. Spring cleaning can be quicker and more efficient when the entire family or friends can help.

Step 2: Determine the purpose of the item
Each item should fall into 1 of the three categories: Donate/Sell, Keep, and Beyond Repair. The golden rule is if you have not worn or used an item in a year, donate/sell the item.

Donate/Sell items are in "okay to good" condition. You may no longer find any use for these items—for example, clothing that does not fit properly or old books.

Some local donation sites are as listed:
Habitat Restore Hillsborough (984) 217-4200
TROSA (919) 628-1495 x1608
Durham Rescue Mission (919) 401-1935

To Keep items are items you have worn or used within the past year. Free from damage and in good condition.
Beyond Repair items may have holes or no longer work with new batteries or repair.

Step 3: Maintain

Once you have decluttered, try to do light cleaning every day. You can do a more thorough cleaning once a week or once monthly. During these cleanings, you can focus more on the task such as dusting and sanitizing. If your budget allows, you can hire someone to complete these tasks.

This month's article was written by Kenesha Wood, one of two social work practicum students working with OCDoA's Aging Transitions team this academic year. Kenesha is a second year student with UNC's MSW program.

Additional Resources

From Family Caregiver Alliance: Downsizing a Home: A Checklist for Caregivers

From Care.com: How to help seniors keep their home clean and decluttered, according to experts

From AARP: 8 Easy Steps to a More Organized Home

From Orange County Department on Aging: Community Resource Guide for Seniors and Their Families, search by category for "Downsizing & Decluttering" resources and many more supports. You may also download a hardcopy of the Resource Guide (PDF).

Announcements

Activity Engagement Coaching

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 where we can brainstorm together with you to identify enjoyable activities that are:

Person-centered, i.e. tailored to your loved one’s current and past interests, likes, preferences
Meaningful
Appropriately modified to current level of cognitive ability, thereby reducing frustration and stress

If interested, please contact Lisa Meinert (919-245-4251), certified Dementia Care Partner and Activity Professional.

Brief Counseling Services

Our team of social workers are available to work with older adults and caregivers for brief counseling services, free of charge. We can work with you on issues including anxiety, depression, caregiver stress and loneliness.

Contact the Aging Helpline for more information: (919) 968-2087.

Cognitive Assessments

Did you know that you can get cognitive assessments right in our senior centers? Several of our Aging Transitions Team are certified to administer the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). While this is not that same as a medical diagnosis, it can provide a baseline of cognition, as well as help determine your strengths and challenges. Contact the Aging Helpline to schedule an appointment (919-968-2087)

Dementia Friendly Orange County

We would like to thank Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA), partner since 2018, for their commitment to our initiative. Many of their employees participated in a renewal training last month.

Dementia Friendly organizations aim to be aware and accommodating of the needs of patrons with dementia or other special needs. We are pleased to offer virtual trainings designed to meet the needs of our local community.

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.

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 items, 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.

Options Counseling - Is it for you - Elderly Hispanic couple

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Senior Centers are Fully Open!

Both senior centers are fully open to all activities and pre-pandemic operations. In addition, we will continue to offer programs in a hybrid (in-person/virtual) format.

Seymour Center adds Saturday and Evening Hours

Effective April 2, the Seymour Center will expand their hours of operations to include:

Saturdays, 8 am – 5 pm,
Monday – Thursday, 8 am - 9 pm

If you are interested in attending a program feel free to stop by or call the Center at 919-968-2070 or if you are interested in offering a program during these times, please contact Seymour Center Programs and Operation Manager, Cydnee Sims, at 919-245-2050.

For a complete listing of the Passmore Center & Seymour Center hours, click here.

For more information please see:

Activity Calendar: Download a copy of our monthly Activity Calendar including all of our videos, live classes, and online programs.
Endless Possibilities Activity Guide: View the latest Endless Possibilities (formerly Senior Times) for all of our programs, services, and resources.
Information & Services: Information, individual services, and one-on-one appointments are available M-F, 8 am - 5 pm. For an appointment, please contact the Aging Transitions Services Helpline at 919-968-2087.
Lunch Program: We will offer a dual program lunch with meals being served curb-side or indoor dining. Registration is required to participate in the lunch program. Email Isabel Jackson or call 919-245-4256 for more information or to register for our Lunch Program.
Register Online: Register for classes online. Choose display option "Detail" and search by title, activity code and more to find and register for your class or event.

For regular updates about senior center programming, please subscribe to the biweekly Endless Possibilities e-newsletter.

Upcoming Programs

Physical, Emotional, & Social Wellbeing

Support groups are resuming in-person meetings! These 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 also added a new Zoom only group.

Zoom Only Support Group
Contact Kim Lamon-Loperfido to join - kloperfido@orangecountync.gov or 919-245-4253.

Tuesday, April 5 at 12:30pm via Zoom
Tuesday, April 19 at 12:30pm at via Zoom

Chapel Hill Support Group
Contact Kendall Kopchick to join - kkopchick@orangecountync.gov or 919-245-4278.

Friday, April 8 at 10:30am at Seymour
Friday, April 22 at 10:30am at Seymour

Hillsborough Support Group
Contact Keisha Andrew to join - kandrews@orangecountync.gov or 919-245-2022.

Thursday, April 14 at 1pm at Passmore
Thursday, April 28 at 1pm at Passmore

Chapel Hill Parkinson's Support Group
This month's meeting will be a split group open discussion. Available via Zoom - contact Maggie Ivanic for more information and to RSVP.

Split Group: Tuesday, April 5
- Care Partners: 12:30 – 1:30pm
- People with PD: 2:30 – 3:30pm

Chapel Hill PSP & CBD Support Group
Support group for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and Corticobasal Degeneration. This month’s topic is: “PSP and the Eye” with neuro-ophthalmologist Dr. Chantal Boisvert, MD, OD. Available via Zoom - contact M aggie Ivancic for more information and to RSVP

Wednesday, April 6 at 1:30pm

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.

Memory Café
Join us for a free, fun, low stress social engagement opportunity for people living with dementia and their care partners. Contact Kendall Kopchick (919-245-4278 or Kkopchick@orangecountync.gov) for more information or to register.

Memory Café on the Move
- Monday April 11, 2pm at West Pointe on the Eno
- Register by Thursday April 7 at 5pm
Hillsborough Memory Café
- Tuesday April 5, 2:00pm at Cup-A-Joe
- Register by Friday April 1 at 5pm
Chapel Hill Memory Café
- Monday April 11, 11am at Bruegger’s Bagels
- Register by Thursday April 7 at 5pm

Educational Events

Caregiver Education Series: What is Respite?
Caregiving is a job, and just like we need time off from work, it’s important to take breaks from caregiving. Kendall Kopchick, MSW, LCWSA will discuss ways to ensure your loved one receives the care they need, while you take time to care for yourself, whether for a few hours or a few weeks. Contact Kendall (919-245-4278) for more information.

Monday April 18; 1-2 pm at Seymour Center

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. Contact the Aging Helpline (919-968-2087) for more information and registration.

Tuesday, April 5 at 10:15am: Sun-downing
Tuesday, April 19 at 10:15am: Know the 10 Signs

Contact Us

For more information, resources, and services, please reach out to our team through the Aging Information & Referral Helpline:

919-968-2087

or

AgingTransitions@orangecountync.gov