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.  

• Hillsborough Support Group
  • Contact Keisha Andrew to join - kandrews@orangecountync.gov or 919-245-2022.
  • Thursday, September 22 at 1 pm at Passmore
• Chapel Hill Support Group
  • Contact Kendall Kopchick to join - kkopchick@orangecountync.gov or 919-245-4278.
  • Friday, September 23 at 10:30 am at Seymour
• Zoom Only Support Group
  • Contact Kim Lamon-Loperfido to join - kloperfido@orangecountync.gov or 919-245-4253.
  • Tuesday, October 4 at 12:30 pm via Zoom

Mystery Lovers Book Club

Join OC Library's Maureen Socha for a thrilling fall book club for all the mystery lovers. Come together with other readers to discuss the selected book each month. We will begin with 'The Thursday Murder Club' by Richard Osman, followed by 'Magpie Murders' by Anthony Horowitz, and finishing with 'The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle' by Stuart Turton. The OC Library will have 6 book kits available. The OC Library, as well as the Chapel Hill Public Library, owns the books in different formats. For more information, please contact Maureen Socha at msocha@orangecountync.gov or (919) 245-2537.

Date: Fri, Sep 23; Oct 28; Nov 11; Time: 10 – 11 am;
Location: Seymour; Phone: 919-968-2070; Code: 357001-02
Register by: Fri, Sep 23; Oct 14; Oct 28; Fee: FREE

Solo Agers Interest Group

 Solo agers are adults making decisions about their future independently. Come meet other solo agers, share resources and learn together. All who might consider themselves a 'solo ager' are invited to join!  This month, Nora Spencer, Executive Director of Hope Renovations, will share on aging in place repairs and remodels. For any questions, reach out to Lydia Arnold at larnold@orangecountync.gov.

Date: Thu, Sep 28; Time: 4 – 5:30 pm; Fee: Free
Register by: Fri, Sep 23; Phone: 919-968-2070

Dementia – Let’s Talk About It:
Incontinence and Dementia

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.

Topic: Incontinence and Dementia
Fee: FREE; Date: Tue, Oct 4; Time: 10:15 - 11:15 am
Location: Virtual; Register by: Mon, Sep 19
Contact: The Aging Helpline (agingtransitions@orangecountync.gov or 919-968-2087). You will receive the meeting link/phone# after registration.

The 55+ Brain is More Creative!

Recent neuroscience research has discovered a handful of biological changes that occur around age 55 that naturally bring our brains to a more creative state. This 90-minute workshop will share the research and offer useful tips and practices to help you get the most out of these changes. The workshop will be fast-paced, with creative exercises throughout. Instructor: Carl Nordgren. Min 10/Max 24

Date: Wed, Oct 5; Time: 10 am – 12 noon
Location: Seymour; Phone: 919-968-2070
Code: 343092-03; Register by: Wed, Sep 28; Fee: FREE

Autumn Social  

Autumn is here and we've got some delicious treats to share! Join us for an afternoon with the talented violinist, David Binanay. Enjoy making a cup of hot cider at our creative hot cider bar. Min: 12/ Max: 40

Date: Tue, Oct 11; Time: 3 – 4 pm; Location: Passmore
Phone: 919-245-2015; Code: 243084-01; Register by: Tue, Oct 4; Fee: FREE

Help Reduce the Spread of COVID-19 

To reduce the spread in our community it is helpful to mask indoors, wash your hands often, give each other a little space and, most importantly, be sure you are up to date on your COVID-19 vaccination.

If you do think you have been exposed, or are feeling ill, please get a COVID-19 test. There are test to treat sites available that will allow you to access medication should you test positive. A list of test to treat locations in Orange County: 
https://www.orangecountync.gov/2451/Testing 

Orange County Health Department vaccine flyers in English-Spanish, Karen-Burmese, and Chinese- Swahili.

Encuesta para Clientes del Condado de Orange

Orange Country actualmente está llevando a cabo un Plan Maestro de Instalaciones para planificar nuestro futuro. El estudio examinará nuestros edificios y espacios de servicio al cliente existentes. Para preparar mejor el Plan de Instalaciones, nos gustaría saber de ustedes, nuestros clientes, para comprender sus percepciones de nuestros espacios actuales para clientes y sus experiencias 'en persona'. Su aporte nos ayudará a preparar mejores instalaciones y espacios para los clientes.

Si quiere completar esta encuesta en línea y evitar que su mano sufra un calambre por escribir, solo use el código QR para completar la encuesta en línea.

Por favor, devuelva esta encuesta a cualquier mostrador de servicio al cliente del Condado de Orange antes del 30 de septiembre. Si la completa en línea, su trabajo está hecho.

Aging Transitions Services

Talk to trained staff about any aging-related issue. Call the Aging Helpline at 919-968-2087 or email Aging Services. We try to find answers to your age-related questions and link you to the services that you need. Helpline hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Chinese & Spanish Language Helpline
Call 919-245-4275 to speak to our staff in Mandarin.
Call 919-245-4245 to leave a message in Spanish.

Aging Transitions, Senior Center programming and Volunteer Connect 55+ staff are available to meet individually by appointment, phone, or email. For more information call the Passmore Center at 919-245-2015, Seymour Center at 919-968-2070, or the Aging Helpline at 919-968-2087.

Caregiver Supports

Support groups, educational programs, Memory Café, and Care Partner Collaborative; gather and stay connected with us online or in-person, depending on the program.  For upcoming programs download our Current Caregiver Programming flyer.  For more caregiver resources, sign up for the monthly Community News for Caregivers e-newsletter.

Do You Need Help Finding Transportation?
The Transportation Specialist provides information on transportation, travel training, the volunteer driver program, and advocacy. 
Call the Transportation Help Line: 919-717-1853 (Mon – Fri, 9 am – 5 pm).

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 and contact Mike Gilliom with questions.

Would you like to share your skills and gifts with older adults in Orange County?  To volunteer, please contact Orange County Department on Aging's Volunteer Connect 55+ (VC 55+) Volunteer Coordinator, Alison Smith by phone at 919-245-4241 or email alsmith@orangecountync.gov. 

For more information about ways to help during COVID, please visit:

• Orange County Health Department - How I Can Help

• UNC Health- Ways you can help

• Duke Health - How you can help during COVID-19