Senior Center News, Oct. 16, 2020

North Central Senior Citizens Center, Oct. 19-23

Menu by Earlene DeWinter

Subject to Change

Monday — Shepherd’s pie, salad, rolls, brownies

Tuesday — Oven-baked chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, broccoli, rolls, cake

Wednesday — Swiss steak, peppers, onions, tomatoes, mashed potatoes, wax beans, pudding

Thursday — Philly steak sandwich, macaroni, salad, corn on the cob, dessert

Friday — Soup, chef’s choice, dessert

Open enrollment has begun. If you need help verifying your Part D (Prescription) coverage, it will be done by phone appointments or video conference. All documentation will be run off for you to review. With changes coming, it is wise to at least check your coverage to make sure all of your medications will be covered. There is a form you will need to fill out before your appointment is scheduled. You may pick this up at the Senior Center in Havre or call and have it mailed to you. If you are just coming into retirement age please schedule an appointment for any help needed with this also.

It is very important to enroll in prescription coverage even if you aren’t taking any medications so you will not receive penalty charges down the road when you do sign up. Remember, supplements do not cover prescriptions. Some retirement programs and veteran programs do have prescription coverage. Thank you.

The Senior Center is providing medical transportation only for now. Remember to call ahead for Friday’s appointments.

We do have a couple of individuals in the community whom are in need of assistance getting to Great Falls three times a week for dialysis. I am working on getting financial help for the transportation. If you know of anyone willing to help with this transportation, please call the Senior Center.

Congregate folks: We continued to provide meals at the Hill County Senior Center while being closed. If you would like to pick up a meal, please be sure to call the Center before 10 a.m. to order a meal. Pick up — grab-and-go — meals may be acquired at the center at noon Monday through Friday. If you would like to, you may order a meal for one day or meals for the entire week. Please let us know which meals would be preferred ahead of time as it would be beneficial in preparation so we are aware of how much food to fix each day.

Important phone numbers:

Montana Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673

Tumbleweed Runaway and Family Crisis Program: 259-2558 (local) 1-888-816-4702 (toll free)

Friendship Line by Institute on Aging - The Friendship Line is both a crisis intervention hotline and a warm-line for non-emergency emotional support calls. It is a 24-hour toll-free line and the only accredited crisis line in the country for people aged 60 years and older, and adults living with disabilities. Toll-Free Line: (800) 971-0016

For seniors getting frustrated with staying home and needing someone to talk to you can call 1-877-688-3377 for Montana’s Warm Line

The Senior Center’s doors are still closed to the public. We are providing limited services. Help is being given over the phone when possible.

Remember to wash your hands frequently and thoroughly! Maintain your personal space. Stay hydrated, especially with this heat. Do outside activities when it is cooler.

We want to thank the individuals who are making masks, especially those whom have brought them to the Center. If you are in need of a mask, let us know. We may be able to direct you to a source.

With people getting out and moving around more, remember to use all precautions. If you do not feel comfortable going out, protect yourself and stay home as much as possible. If you do any traveling, especially out of state, remember the 14-day self-quarantine for your own safety.

Scams are getting worse. Some are being very forceful in trying to get your information. Don’t give them any information. Protect your Medicare by read your quarterly Medicare Statement. Some agents are being sneaky in having things billed to you without you or your doctor realizing it. Also, there will be no new Medicare cards with chips … this is another scam. No matter what, do not give personal information out over the phone unless you are sure of the source. If you inadvertently give them any information, contact the Senior Center for the tip sheet to protect yourself. If you need help call the police department or the Senior Center.

We would also appreciate you tracking the phone numbers and what they were about, the time of day and the date, and bringing the list down to the North Central Senior Center so we can make a compilation for the powers that be. Some believe none of these calls are occurring in Montana.

There are some people going door to door trying to get money for organizations. Do not give it to them. If you want to give to that organization contact them directly and/or mail it in to the local agency.

Care giving

Care giving is extremely hard and time consuming. A caregiver can periodically use some help just to have a break and take care of themselves for a few hours. These are the main areas of the Caregiver Responsibilities Checklist include:

Dressing and personal hygiene

Many people first notice that loved ones need a hand because of lapses in personal hygiene. From clothes put on incorrectly to a general unkempt look, these signs indicate it is time to step in yourself or hire an outside caregiver for:

• Bath/shower assistance

• Lotion application as needed

• Tooth brushing and dental appliance cleaning

• Shaving

• Brushing/styling hair 

• Makeup application and removal 

• Finger and toenail care

• Picking out clothes and dressing 

Throughout the day

• Toileting Assistance

• Monitor and change incontinence underwear/medical devices as needed

• Change soiled clothing if necessary 

Medication management and following medical orders caregiver duties 

Remembering to take medication properly and following doctors’ orders can be tough for all of us, but especially for individuals with physical or mental health challenges. Caregivers can:  

• Remind and aid in taking medicine 

• Refill and sort and organize pills

• Monitor and keep record of blood pressure, blood sugar teadings, etc.

• Assist with home exercises prescribed by physician, physical or occupational therapist 

• Attend medical appointments and provide updates to doctors and nurses

Eating properly

Proper nutrition and hydration is key to overall health. Caregivers may need to:

• Help with or do grocery shopping

• Prepare meals and snacks

• Assist with eating 

• Aid with drinking to ensure proper daily fluid intake 

Help getting around 

Safe transportation to appointments and daily activities serve as a huge area of caregiver responsibilities for many people. Be prepared to:

• Take to doctor’s office, grocery, and activities

• Transport to social activities, church, and exercise classes 

Companionship

Caregivers help others lessen loneliness and social isolation because they:

• Listen, play games, watch television, read together, Etc.

• Encourage others to visit 

Light household work

Daily living can get messy! Plan for caregiver responsibilities to include:

• Clean kitchen counters after food preparation

• Vacuum or mop up spills

• Wash dishes and run dishwasher

• Do laundry and put away clothes

• Take out trash in kitchen and nathrooms

• Make and change bed as needed

• Wipe down bathroom sink and shower

• Retrieve mail and help with bill paying if necessary 

• Maintain file of receipts for records

If financially feasible, try to hire housekeeping help to do periodic deep cleaning of the home. Caregivers generally are hard pressed to find time for this with all the other responsibilities. 

Communicate with Family 

The importance of maintaining open lines of communication between those being cared for and family cannot be overstated. Help to: 

• Update family members and keep apprised of significant health or behavior changes

• Alert family about doctor’s appointments and outcomes 

in conclusion

No! Caregiving is not easy. It is both physically and emotionally demanding. By identifying your family’s unique needs, you lay out a framework of what will be required of you or an outside caregiver.  

61 Fun Things to Do at Home

Here is a list of some fun things that you can try at home. Remember that every family is unique and will have their own preferences regarding how to spend quality time together. The following activities are common ones that many households enjoy. This is the final group of activities. With number 52 you could even cover talking about Code Talkers and bring a little history into the conversation.

48. Start a Digital Netflix Party

Did you know that you can actually stream a digital Netflix party? Indeed, if you are already tired of watching the movies and series alone, you can host a digital party and invite all of your friends through the Netflix Party app, available online at https://www.netflixparty.com/ .

Seemingly, through the app, anyone can pause or stop the video. There is also a chat window available so you can discuss with your friends what’s happening in the movie.

To engage in the digital Netflix party and learn how to use it, check out its official website here.

49. Have an International Dinner Night

Together with your partner and the kids, pick a country that interests you. Research about the food and cuisine in that particular country, and how mealtimes are held. Once done, you can pick any day where you’ll be preparing that country’s dish while role-playing their meal practices.

For example, you can pick Korea and have Classic Korean Bibimbap or Korean Beef Barbecue Bulgogi for dinner. If you want to really feel the country’s vibe, ask everyone to wear a hanbok (Korean national costume). But of course, it would probably be difficult to obtain that clothing, so just set up the table like how Koreans would do it.

Interested in this activity? Check out these cookbooks that contain different recipes from various cultures all over the globe:

• Cooking Class Global Feast by Deanna F. Cook

• The Multicultural Cookbook for Students by Lois Sinaiko Webb

50. Create a Short Film

If your love for the arts is more inclined into films and videography, this would be an excellent activity for you. Of course, it will be much more exciting if you let your family members join the crew.

First, you need to have a script and a storyline — give all the members of the family a role to play. For the setting, there is no need to actually go out and search for places; your house After shooting, do the necessary works to finalize the film. When it’s done, schedule a day or time when the whole family can watch it — and voila, a filmmaker is born!

If you want to read about filmmaking first before doing the actual thing, you can read the following:

• The Filmmaker’s Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide for the Digital Age by Steven Ascher

• How to Shoot Video That Doesn’t Suck by Steve Stockman

51. Enjoy a Themed Movie Night

Here’s another role-playing for the whole family, but with less acting. Pick a movie for the night and get everyone dressed as their favorite character in that particular movie. Likewise, design your living room (or wherever you will be watching) in accordance with the theme.

For instance, you can pick Star Wars and dress like Darth Vader. Your children can be Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia while your wife can dress like Padme Amidala. There are endless possibilities.

52. Invent a Writing Code for the Whole Family

Ever dreamed of becoming a secret agent? This is your chance to be a member of an elite group of assassins or a high-ranking officer of the Central Intelligence Agency. 

You can do this on your own or you can ask everyone to participate. Come up with a secret language that only you and the members of the clan will understand. You will be surprised at how this can be so much fun and exciting.

For inspiration, check out this post from The Guardian about the Top 10 Codes, Keys, and Ciphers at https://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2015/sep/10/top-10-codes-keys-and-ciphers.