Beat the Heat! 
Seymour Center Fan Program

Orange County Residents who are 60+ or disabled qualify for a free fan that can be picked up at the Seymour Center (while supplies last)!  

Date: Fri, Jun 30; July 21; Time: 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Fee: FREE; Location: Seymour 
Phone: 919-968-2070; Registration: Not Required

Puzzle Competition and Swap 

Are you a puzzle fan? Come enjoy a fun day of puzzles! Bring your gently used jigsaw puzzles (with ALL their pieces) and swap them out for something different! You can make your own tiny puzzle and/or join us for a Puzzle Competition! A prize will be awarded to the winner! Only register if interested in competing. Drop-in for puzzle swapping! For questions about the swap or competition, please email Samantha Pell at spell@orangecountync.gov. 

Date: Sat, July 8; Time: 9 am - 3 pm 
Fee: FREE; Location: Seymour; Phone: 919-968-2070
Activity Code: 313120-02; Register by: Sat, July 1

The Story Behind the Lens

Each photograph has a story to tell. Who was the photographer? What day was it taken and why? Who are the people in the photo? What were you feeling when you took the photo? Bring a photo that you would like to share with our group and we will explore how clues can tell us more about old photos. Min: 5/ Max: 15.

Date: Tue, Jul 18; Time: 10 am
Location: Passmore Center; Phone: 919-245-2015
Activity code: 237005-01; Fee: Free; Register by: Tue, Jul 4

TED Talks at Passmore: How one small idea led to $1 million of paid water bills.

Join us to watch and discuss, How one small idea led to $1 million of paid water bills. When a computer programmer learned that thousands of people in Detroit were facing water shutoffs because they couldn’t afford to pay their bills, she took action-in the simplest, most obvious way possible. This inspiring story shows that each of us can find our own way to help the world. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design and is owned by a non-profit, non-partisan foundation. Min: 5/ Max: 8.

Date: Tue, Jul 18; Time: 2 pm
Location: Passmore Hybrid; Phone: 919-245-2015
Activity code: 254038-07; Fee: Free; Register by: Tue, Jul 11

Caregiver Peer Support Program 

 The Caregiver Peer Support Program provides adults who are experienced with providing direct care to a family member or loved one the opportunity to provide support to less experienced caregivers. The Caregiver Peer Support Program strives to reduce the burden placed on caregivers, and to help caregivers expand their social connections to the local community. By establishing a volunteer corps of experienced caregivers this program assists caregivers in Orange County by providing social support while navigating the various difficulties that come with providing care for another person, and assistance with connecting caregivers with community resources.

If you are interested in volunteering for or participating in this program please call 919-968-2087 or email agingtransitions@orangecountync.gov. 

Do You Have a RecTrac Key Fob?  
These were issued pre-Covid and still work if you can find yours or we will issue you a new one at either of the Senior Center front desks. A fob is needed for checking in for classes, programs and activities at both centers each time you visit. When you come into either the Passmore or Seymour Center for your programs and activities, please scan your RecTrac key fob card at the kiosk and “check in” for your activity.  

New participants, please register at the front desk where you will be entered into our registration system. In addition, your photo will be taken for the registration system, then you will be given your key fob.  If you can’t find your previously issued key fob or you have already registered but did not receive one, the front desk will issue or reissue your fob at no charge to you. 

The Seymour Center will begin in late June 2023 to reissue if needed and to activate the key fob check-in system. The key fob system has been activated at the Passmore Center for some time. Staff and volunteers will be able to assist you with check-in.

Prescription Medications Too Expensive?

Medicare’s Extra Help program reduces the price of medications for those who qualify.  You must have monthly income below $1,843 and savings less than $16,600.  For a married couple, income must be less than $2,485 and savings below $33,240.  

For those who don’t qualify for that program, explore these options:

• Ask your doctor and pharmacist about alternative medications that are covered on your drug plan at a lower co-pay, such as generics.
• Search for Manufacturer Discount Programs that cover your medication.
• Check the current pricing of your medications using a Drug Discount Program.  In some cases, retail pricing with coupons are lower than the co-pays on your drug plan.  Be aware, however that costs won’t apply to your drug plan’s deductible. Popular options include:  www.goodrx.com, www.blinkhealth.com, www.northcarolinadrugcard.com and www.costplusdrugs.com. 

Make an appointment to meet with a certified volunteer counselor from the Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) to discuss your options.  We have both in-person appointments and appointments by Zoom available by visiting our website. www.orangecountync.gov/Medicare or calling us at 919-245-4274.

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 919-245-2010 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).

Financial Assistance for Housing Payments

The NC Homeowner Financial Assistance Fund is now accepting applications from North Carolina homeowners whose finances were impacted by the pandemic and who need assistance with housing-related expenses.

Homeowners can learn more and apply for help by calling 1-855-MY-NCHAF (1-855-696-2423) or by visiting NCHomeownerAssistance.gov.

Low Income Household
Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)

 LIHWAP is a temporary emergency program that will help eligible households and families afford water and wastewater services, providing a one-time payment for eligible low-income households paid directly to the utility company. LIHWAP runs through September 2023 or until the funds are exhausted. Apply online at www.epass.nc.gov or call/visit your local County Department of Social Services. Learn more download the LIHWAP flier.

Senior Center Fee Payment and Financial Assistance

The Orange County Senior Centers strive to be accessible and welcoming to all seniors.  If you want to participate in senior center fee-based activities and are unable, or unwilling, to pay a required fee, you may still participate.

 Furthermore, a selection of free activities and programs are available to seniors age 55 and over. Read more.

Volunteer Connect 55+

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, Rebecca Bratsch by phone at 919-245-4241 or email rbratsch@orangecountync.gov