September 2022

Fall Prevention Awareness

September 22nd marks the beginning of autumn; leaves and clocks will soon be changing, and children and grandchildren will once again be complaining about doing homework rather than watching TV and playing outside. As we begin the autumnal season the National Council on Aging has appropriately designated the first week of the autumn as Fall Prevention Awareness Week. This week is a nationwide effort to bring awareness to the fact that falls are preventable. According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) 1 in 4 older adults will suffer a fall each year in the United States. In 2019, emergency departments recorded three million visits for older adult falls costing ~$50 billion in medical costs annually. For older adults, falls can result in serious harm and injury such as: hip fractures, broken bones, and head injuries. Falls are often correlated with chronic conditions such as diabetes or arthritis, but can also occur for any number of reasons such as tripping over a pet or a sudden loss of blood pressure.

While falls may be common, they are NOT a normal part of the aging process and can be prevented with a few key steps/actions:

Speak Up

Talk openly with your physician about fall risks and prevention.
Have your eyes checked regularly and update your glasses as needed. Conditions like cataracts or glaucoma limit your vision and increase your risk of tripping and falling.
Review all of your medications with your doctor or pharmacist and discuss any side effects like dizziness or drowsiness.
Have your feet checked. Discuss proper footwear with your doctor and ask whether seeing a foot specialist (podiatrist) is necessary.

Stay Active

Doing exercises like Tai Chi or yoga can make your legs stronger and improve your balance.

Make Your Home Safe

Remove any potential trip hazards and keep floors clutter free.
Add grab bars or a shower chair in the bathroom.
Install secure railings on all staircases.
Improve lighting in hallways and staircases.

In the event of a fall be sure to check for any visible injury such as skin tears, as well as internal injuries like fractured bones. If you are helping someone after a fall, give them time to rest before trying to stand up. If you are unsure that you can safely assist someone off of the floor or they are injured, call 911 and inform the operator that someone has fallen and needs assistance.

The Department on Aging is here to support you! Together we can work to reduce the risk and impact of falling. Join us for our Falls Prevention Awareness Week programs (listed below), or find year round offerings in the Endless Possibilities publication. There are wellness classes offered at both Senior Centers that can aid in fall prevention. We also have an Occupational Therapist on staff who can conduct home safety assessments and provide durable medical equipment through our DME Loan Program. Please feel free to reach out to the Aging Helpline at 919-968-2087 or our email agingtransitions@orangecountync.gov for additional information and support. We are here for you!

This month's article was written by both Walter Moczygemba and Clayton Foster, the two social work practicum students working with OCDoA's Aging Transitions team this summer.

Additional Resources

From AARP
What you Can Do to Prevent a Fall

From the CDC
Keep on Your Feet - Preventing Older Adult Falls

From Everyday Health
10 Ways to Prevent Falling at Home

From the National Council on Aging
Falls Prevention Awareness Week for Professionals

From the National Institute on Aging
Prevent Falls and Fractures

Click for more information

Announcements

2022 SHARP Direct Care Worker Nominations are OPEN

The Orange County Department on Aging and the community group, Senior Health Advocacy and Resource Partners of Orange County (SHARP) are pleased to invite you to nominate Direct Care Workers as a part of the seventh annual SHARP Direct Care Worker Awards.

Nominations will be accepted from June 15 – September 15, 2022. A hybrid recognition ceremony will be held for award winners on Thursday, November 3, 2022. 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.

In recognition of the outstanding service provided by direct care workers, the Department on Aging and SHARP will present awards in the following categories: Client Impact, Longevity, Leadership, Going the Extra Mile, and Rising Star. One person will be chosen as the “Direct Care Worker of the Year.”

To be eligible, direct care workers must have served clients in Orange County within the past year. Each person may be nominated in two categories. Honorees must have provided direct care to clients and have at least six consecutive months of service in the past year. Nominators may submit up to (5) nominations total.

For more information about the awards and to nominate a direct care worker, please complete the online nomination form at: http://www.orangecountync.gov/249/SHARP-Direct-Care-Worker-Awards. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

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 the 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.

Black female counselor with notebook - older Black male listening

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.

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.

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.

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.

Options Counseling - Is it for you - Elderly Hispanic couple

Click to Enlarge

Upcoming Programs

Caregiver Education Series: Financial Caregiving
Managing someone else’s finances can be tricky! Join Jenn Weekes from All Good Things Durham to learn about how to budget, plan with, and spend someone else’s money responsibly. Register by Wednesday September 21 at 5:00pm. Contact Kendall Kopchick (919-245-4278 or Kkopchick@orangecountync.gov) for more information or to register.

Monday, September 26 at 1:30pm at Seymour

Dementia - Let's Talk About It (Virtual via Zoom)
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, September 6 at 10:15am: What is Dementia?
Tuesday, September 20 at 10:15am: Disclosing a Diagnosis

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
- Wednesday, September 21 at Burwell School Historical Site (319 N Churton St. Hillsborough, NC 27278)
- Register by Friday, September 16 at 5pm

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 Kopchick to join - kkopchick@orangecountync.gov or 919-245-4278.
- Friday, September 9 at 10:30am at Seymour
- Friday, September 23 at 10:30am at Seymour
Hillsborough Support Group
- Contact Keisha Andrew to join - kandrews@orangecountync.gov or 919-245-2022.
- Thursday, September 8 at 1pm at Passmore
- Thursday, September 22 at 1pm at Passmore
Zoom Only Support Group
- Contact Kim Lamon-Loperfido to join - kloperfido@orangecountync.gov or 919-245-4253.
- Tuesday, September 6 at 12:30pm via Zoom
- Tuesday, September 20 at 12:30pm at via Zoom

Chapel Hill Parkinson's Support Group
This month's meetings will be split group discussion. Contact Maggie Ivanic for more information and to RSVP.

Carepartners: Tuesday, September 6 at 12:30pm, via Zoom
People with Parkinson's: Tuesday, September 6 at 2:30, via Zoom
In-Person Split-Group Meetings: Thursday, September 15 at 1:30, at the Seymour Center

Chapel Hill PSP & CBD Support Group
Support group for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and Corticobasal Degeneration. This month’s discussion will focus on ageism (stereotypes or biases people have based on someone’s age) and abelism (stereotypes or biases people have based on their ability or disability). Available via Zoom - contact M aggie Ivancic for more information and to RSVP

Wednesday, September 7 at 1:30pm

Parkinson's Disease 101: A Course for those Newly Diagnosed with PD

This educational program is intended for individuals who are in the early stages of Parkinson’s (diagnosis – 3 years) and/or their carepartners.
Topics covered include:

An Overview of the Early-Stage: What is PD, Symptoms and Treatment
Exercise and Physical Therapy in the Early-Stage
Adapting to Changes in Everyday Functioning
Speech, Swallowing and Cognition Changes in the Early-Stage
Coping, Consistency and Considerations for the Future
Living Well: Panel of People with PD

Please join us for our virtual three-part series:

Friday September 9th 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Friday, September 16th 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Friday, September 23rd 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Register online or contact M aggie Ivancic for more information.

Parkinson's Movement Initiative
The Parkinson's Movement Initiative at ADF is happy to be able to offer dance and Pilates classes for people with Parkinson's at no cost to the Triangle community, and beyond, with the support of a community grant from the Parkinson's Foundation.

Pilates classes focus on alignment, strength, balance, stretching, and relaxation. Dance classes build a sense of community through shared creative expression and a sense of physical competency through movement experimentation.

Classes start the week of September 12. Each week there will be two Pilates classes and two dance classes, one virtual and one in-person at the ADF Scripps Studio on Broad Street in Durham, respectively.

Visit https://americandancefestival.org/parkinsons-programs for more information and to register.

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