Senior Center News, Dec. 22, 2020

North Central Senior Citizens Center, Dec. 14-19

Menu by Earlene DeWinter, Subject to Change

Monday — Chili, baked potato buffet, sliced pears

Tuesday — Spiced applesauce, roast pork, mashed potatoes and gravy, sunshine carrots, rolls, apple crisp

Wednesday — Cheese burger on a bun, macaroni salad, baked beans, dessert

Thursday — Polish sausage, sauerkraut, au gratin potatoes, pudding

Friday — Soup, chef’s choice, dessert

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.

With the isolation, challenges are being felt by some people. Contact a senior or a veteran that may be facing challenges just to see how they are doing. The personal contact will help them feel a great deal better.

Remember to wash your hands frequently and thoroughly! Maintain your personal space. Stay hydrated. Do outside activities when weather permits.

Congregate folks: We are still continuing to provide meals at the Hill County Senior Center as grab-and-go meals while we are still closed. If you would like to pick up a meal, please be sure to call the center before 10 a.m. to order your meal. Your meals may be picked at the center from 11:45 a.m. until noon Monday through Friday. If you would like to, you may order a meal for one day or put in your order for the entire week. If you would please let us know which meals, you would be like ahead of time it would be beneficial in preparation so we are aware of how much food to fix each day.

With the individuals we’ve lost the last few weeks, I do have some openings for commodities for the Hill County area. Call 265-5464 for an application.

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: 1-800- 971-0016

• For seniors who are 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.

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.

Stocking Stuffers for the Elderly

Taken from Elder Care Issues — Everything helpful for everyday caregivers

Every year, I try to compile helpful gift guides for anyone struggling to buy gifts for the elderly. This year's list has plenty of variety.

Whether you are shopping for a close relative or taking an anonymous gift by a nursing home, this list will help give you some inspiration.

But first ...

Things to remember when shopping for the elderly

1. Know Their Age and Generation

Please, please don't make the mistake of stereotyping all seniors as having lived through or remember the Depression era. Time moves on, and so do generations.

So if you are choosing nostalgic themed gifts, keep ages and dates in mind. The memories and nostalgia of someone who was a teen in the ’50s (think “Grease”!) will be a lot different than someone who was a teen or young adult in the ’30s.

2. Keep General Safety in Mind

Some gifts may be really "neat", but are they appropriate for every circumstance? Some examples of things to consider include:

• Not gving items that can create tripping hazards (cute rugs, stools, floor baskets, etc.) to someone who has low or poor vision.

• Not giving certain food items to those on a medically restricted diet.

• Not giving items that can cause burns (candles, wax burners, etc.) to someone with cognitive issues or dementia.

3. Everyone is Different!

There is no set list of gifts that are perfect for every elder. Take individuality, living circumstances, personal preferences, health, etc. into account. Find out what they like: do they prefer practical items, or do they like fun stuff? Do they collect anything? What do they like to read or watch on tv? What music do they like? Do they like puzzles or games? What is their favorite color? Do they have hobbies?

Don't assume these things ... try to find out. You might be really surprised!

Stocking stuffers are my favorite part of Christmas shopping, but lots of people get stuck in this area, especially when buying for senior citizens. My tip is to find a good balance between items that are fun and practical. No one wants an all-boring stocking, but one that is only filled with silly stuff might be disappointing too.

Instead, aim for a few things that are practical year round (such as flashlights), a few things that are fun but useful (such as nail polish) and a few things that your loved one will enjoy but would probably never buy because for themselves (a novelty keychain or fancy checkbook cover).

Its okay to throw in a gag gift or two as long as you know it won't hurt their feelings, and its okay to come up with something "boring"  that you know they need such as socks or a new calculator.

The nice part about stocking stuffers is that you can use the same list year after year, since many of the items will be used up or need replacing. You can even make it a tradition to add a certain gift each year as your "trademark".

NOTE: Stocking stuffer ideas can also be used anytime you need small gifts, such as for an Easter basket, Halloween gift basket, birthday gift basket or other gift-giving occasion.

A few ideas to get you started:

• Lip balm

• Keychain (monogrammed, Zodiac, photo, quote, favorite animal, etc.) 

• Magnets

• Lotion

• Pen knife

• Poker chips

• Fun Playing cards

• Socks

• Hand warmers

• Ink pens

• Sunglasses

• Perfume

• Body spray

• Aftershave

• Make-up

• Nail polish sets

• Manicure tools

• Change purse

• Stress balls

• Hand exercisers

• Personalized coasters

• Jewelry

• Watches

• Wallet

• Suspenders or belt

• Shoelaces

• Thimble

• Decals

• Button Pins (world's best Gramma, etc.)

• Worry dolls

• Dice

• Small flashlight

• Calculator

• Can coolers

• Candy

• Snacks

• Zippo 

• Washi tape

• Lures

• Air freshener plug-ins

• Car fresheners

• Gloves

• Winter hats

• Scarves

• USB drive

• Disposable camera

• Extra memory cards

• Sharpie markers

• Knitting needles or crochet hooks

• Personalized checkbook cover

• Magnifying glass

• Toothbrush

• Essential oils