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WNC Aging Updates
May 20th, 2024
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Aging Related Resources, Volunteer Opportunities,
Events, Funding Opportunities, Reoccurring Events,
and Job Openings
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Did you know that the Henderson County Library offers homebound services?
Henderson County Public Library wants to give all county residents the opportunity to read and enjoy the materials available through your local library.
Patron Eligibility:
To qualify for free home delivery service, you must be a resident of Henderson County who is unable to come to the library due to temporary or long-term health, mobility, or disability barriers. We deliver to private residences, assisted living facilities, nursing and retirement homes, adult daycare, and rehab facilities in Henderson County.
How to Apply:
To apply for homebound services, fill out the online application form, complete a paper form and mail it to us, or call us at 828-697-4725, ext. 2331. If you do not already have a library card, we will assist you in obtaining one.
Materials Available:
Materials available include regular and large print books, books on CD, movies on DVD, and music CDs. You will also have access to digital materials through the Libby and Hoopla apps if you are interested.
Homebound services are offered free of charge. For more information, call the Homebound Services office at 828-697-4725, ext. 2331 or email alorber@hendersoncountync.gov.
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The North Carolina Department of Justice is coming to western NC on September 10-12 and would love to join your community for a meeting!
Our team travels the state to educate North Carolinians about a variety of topics including:
- Avoiding Scams & Frauds – Learn more about how to identify prevalent scams and frauds, respond if you think you’ve been scammed, and keep yourself and your information safe.
- Staying Safe Online – Parents and youth-serving professionals, learn more about keeping children out of dangerous situations online. The presentation includes an overview of the current online landscape that youth may encounter and offers tips on how to be alert to scams, cyberbullying, cyberstalking, and online predators.
- NCDOJ: Working to Protect the People of North Carolina – Learn more about the work of the Department of Justice, including our work on opioid settlements, robocalls, social media investigations, and special prosecutions.
Would a presentation on one of those topics be of interest? To schedule a presentation please visit our website at ncdoj.gov/outreach or email outreach@ncdoj.gov
Please feel free to share this information with any other community groups and organizations in your area you think might be interested; we strive to reach as many people as possible at each presentation!
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WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE NEEDS OF CALLERS IN YOUR COMMUNITY?
Our 211 Counts dashboard data is updated every night and includes caller location and need. Needs are sorted into general categories and can be drilled down into more specific requests.
Information can be sorted by day, month, year, etc. It can also be sorted by county, zip code, legislative district, and more.
Check out the website! North Carolina 211Counts
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Every year on June 15, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) provides an opportunity for all of us to promote dialogue and action on the issue of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Below, we have compiled some of the many upcoming events, activities, and resources available to help you be a part of WEAAD and the movement for elder justice.
Notably, an Elder Justice Coordinating Council (EJCC) meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 12, 2024 at 10:00 AM ET. The EJCC was established by the Elder Justice Act and is comprised of 17 federal departments and agencies to coordinate activities related to elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation across the federal government. The June 2024 meeting will celebrate the first 10 years of EJCC accomplishments and lay out the plan for the Council’s next decade of elder justice commitments. Stay tuned for more information and details on registration.
Land of Sky Area Agency on Aging Ombudsman will be participating in WEAAD event in all four Land of Sky Counties!
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Cori Search, Lead Ombudsman will speak at the Henderson County Elder Abuse Awareness Event on May 31st.
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Ombudsmen will participate in the Buncombe County World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Walk on June 13th at Carrier Park. Cori Search was the co-chair of this committee.
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Ombudsmen will participate in Transylvania County North Carolina MedAssist Event June 7th and provide information regarding Elder Abuse Awareness.
- In honor of World Elder Abuse Awareness Month, Ombudsmen will work with the Madison County Health Department to provide Elder Abuse information to the community through outreach and service.
More information one each of these events below.
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Events: www.coabc.org/events/
Introduction to Medicare (registration required)
The classes will explain how Medicare works, the enrollment process, how to avoid penalties, and ways to save money. Residents who are new to Medicare, caregivers, and others who help senior citizens with their Medicare insurance should consider attending this FREE informative class. The information presented is unbiased and accurate. No products are sold, recommended, or endorsed. For more information, contact our Medicare Assistant at (828) 277-8288, ext.1310 or jennifer@coabc.org.
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May 31 @ 2:30 p.m. at OLLI Lifelong Learn Center at UNCA
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August 30 @ 2:30 p.m. at Hendersonville Public Library
Medicare 101: The Basics (registration required)
This presentation is suitable for people new to Medicare, caregivers, people leaving employer health insurance for Medicare, and others who help Medicare beneficiaries. The information presented is unbiased and accurate. No products are sold, recommended, or endorsed. For more information, contact our Medicare Assistant at (828) 277-8288, ext.1310 or jennifer@coabc.org.
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June 4 @ 3:00 p.m. at CenterWell Senior Primary Care, Asheville
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June 17 @ 11:00 a.m. at CenterWell Senior Primary Care, Asheville
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June 26 @ 2:00 p.m. at Green River Library, Zirconia
Caring for Aging People Education & Support Group (CAPES)
Find support by sharing and listening to others as we navigate the caregiving journey together. CAPES is free, and registration information is kept confidential. The group is non-judgmental, non-denominational, and open to all caregivers of seniors. Attend whenever you can. CAPES meets on the3rd Tuesday of the month. For more information, contact our Family Caregiver Support Specialist at (828) 277-8288, ext. 1303 or steffied@coabc.org.
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June 18 @ 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church Asheville
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A caregiving-friendly workplace is important for retaining and attracting talent. In addition, a caregiving-friendly workplace contributes to employee health and well-being, increases productivity, and is the right thing to do. Learn more about the free presentations available to support the needs of your current and future workforce employee care givers at this free information session on Tuesday, May 21st, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm! Register for this free event at https://events.aarp.org/09mLWz | |
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AdventHealth Invites You to Commemorate World Elder Abuse Awareness Month!
More than 10% of people aged 65 and older in the United States experience some form of elder abuse each year. AdventHealth’s Age-Friendly Initiative team is empowering our community to help end this cycle of abuse that can lead to premature death, the deterioration of physical and psychological health, destruction of social and familial ties, devastating financial loss and more.
June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month. AdventHealth invites members of our 65+ population, their families and caregivers, and our community partners to a special World Elder Abuse Awareness event. We will launch this awareness month by starting crucial conversations about the signs of elder abuse and the resources to prevent it.
AdventHealth Age-Friendly: World Elder Abuse Awareness Event Friday, May 31st at 1:00pm
AdventHealth Age-Friendly Center: Located at the AdventHealth Medical Group Multispecialty at Laurel Park; 1881 Pisgah Drive, Hendersonville, NC
For event details, please visit AdventHealthNC.com/Events.
Our Ombudsman's Cori Search will be speaking so do not miss out!
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Uncover the hidden problem of elder abuse, and learn how to detect, report, and prevent this growing problem. This session will provide a basic understanding of the various forms of adult abuse; caregiver and self-neglect; and exploitation. Take an in-depth look at who is most at risk, common characteristics of abusers, and reasons individuals affected by dementia are at greater risk of every form of mistreatment. In addition, participants will examine the barriers to eliminate this epidemic and learn what can be done to “blow the whistle” on elder abuse.
Register Here: Webinar Registration - Zoom
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A three-day hybrid (in-person and virtual) training to become a Certified Older Adult Peer Specialist (COAPS) will be offered in Asheville on July 15-17 from 9 am - 4 pm on Asheland Ave. The goal is to offer this not only to individuals working in the older adult field but also to family members or individuals who just want information about how to interact with or care for their loved ones. If you are a Peer Support Specialist, this training can be counted as part of your yearly CEU requirement.
Cost is $70/person which covers the cost of the manual. Register via the QR code on the flyer. Further questions? Contact the co-facilitator, Rebecca Honeycutt, at (828) 571-0061.
https://pss.unc.edu/designations
Why COAPS? COAPS stands for Certified Older Adult Peer Specialist and Peer Specialists are individuals who have lived experience in mental health, substance, or just any experience, such as trauma, domestic violence, abuse, etc. These are all factors that have a dramatic effect on elders. COAPS training brings to the forefront the various facets that can reduce an individual’s quality of living, such as substance use, depression, anxiety, isolation, physical deterioration, victim of fraud, etc. With the information presented in a COAPS training a professional working in the field or an individual from the community who wants to work with an elder will learn about:
- Older Adult Demographics
- Normal Aging
- Special Considerations in Working with Older Adults: Care Giving, Sexuality, LGBTQ+ Older Adults, and Elder Abuse
- Culture and Aging
- Older Adults and Depression
- Older Adults and Anxiety Disorders
- Older Adults and Addictive Disorders
- Cognitive Impairment and Dementia
- Older Adults and Trauma
- Suicide and Older Adults
- Stages of Change/Motivational Interviewing
- Planning & Special Legal Issues for Older Adults
- NC Service Systems
The best part of this training will be the knowledge gained and then having the ability to take what is learned and facilitate a positive transition of this growing population into the most important time of their lives.
To be Designated in COAPS, a currently Certified Peer Support Specialist must be 50 years of age or older and take the training to get the COAPS certification/designation. However, now anyone, both, Certified Peer Supports under 50, and the general public, such as, family care home employees, caregivers, etc., can take the training. They just would not get the designation or any CEU's. But, in return, they would get a Certificate of Completion and a COAPS manual that gives access to the information to aid in their work and bring awareness to the struggles of the elder population!
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The Dementia Caregivers Support Group meets the first Thursday of each month from 1:00 to 3:00pm Meetings are held at Brevard-Davidson River Presbyterian Church (rear door) at 249 E. Main Street, Brevard. Everyone is welcome. | |
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Senior Care Professionals meet monthly on the 4th Monday 11:00-1:00 at Land of Sky Regional Council office for educational opportunities and to network. Anyone who works with older adults/caregivers is welcomed to attend. Yearly membership dues are $75 dollars July-June. Contact Sherrye Perry at 828-273-7306 or sherrye.perry@gmail.com for more information. First meeting is free to join and lunch is always provided!
The May meeting will be May 20th due to the Memorial Day Holiday.
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Parkinson’s Support Group of Asheville meets the first Tuesday of each month at the Groce United Methodist Church, 954 Tunnel Road at 10:00am and is open to all members of our community. We began with a period of socializing where one can talk about their problems or issues with their peers and receive great information, support, and learn they are not alone in dealing with their disease. The second part of the meeting is a program related to some aspect of dealing with Parkinson’s. The meeting is open, and all members of our community are welcome to join us. People interested in more information can email parkinsonavl@gmail.com with your questions. | |
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The Director of Programs is a full-time, exempt position which serves on the agency’s Leadership Team. It is based out of the OnTrack WNC office in Asheville, NC. This leadership position manages a team of seven, including financial/housing educators, counselors, program coordinators, and client services staff. OnTrack is a hybrid workplace, and this role will work from the office three days per week. You will be provided with technology (laptop, etc.) to facilitate working from home two days per week, however, working from home isn’t required.
We're Hiring | Asheville, NC (ontrackwnc.org)
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Area Agency on Aging (AAA)
Mission:
The AAA is a regional leader and catalyst in supporting older adults
to lead more independent, vibrant lives.
“Advocacy, Assistance and Answers”
Vision:
"Everyone in our region can age with dignity, purpose and connection to community.”
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