Senior Center News, Feb. 12, 2021

North Central Senior Citizens Center, Feb. 15-19

Menu by Earlene DeWinter, subject to change)

Monday — Presidents’ Day Holiday — Closed

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

Wednesday — Oven-baked fish, rice pilaf, carrots, baked donuts

Thursday — Braised beef, mashed potatoes, salad, poorman’s bars

Friday — Soup, chef’s choice, dessert.

The Senior Center’s doors are still closed to the public. We are providing limited services by phone with individuals bringing their paperwork down to the center. Help is being given over the phone when possible.

Tax preparation information

Our AARP tax preparation team is working like crazy trying to figure to how things will proceed at this point in time. They should be able to start making phone calls in the next week or two to set up appointments. We have a list for names and phone numbers to give to AARP Tax Preparation. They will contact you, explain how things will proceed, and set up appointments when they are allowed to do tax preparations. If your name is on the phone contact list, you will be called. Answer your phone. If it’s a scammer hang up on them. It will be posted here when the calls are being made. Do not come in or just show up for tax preparation. Wait for your phone call to set up your appointment.

The Senior Center is providing medical transportation only. Remember to call ahead for Friday’s appointments. Monday and Thursday rides have to be worked around grocery delivery.

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 thecenter before 10 a.m. to order your meal through the kitchen. Your meals may be picked at the center from 11:45 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. 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 isolation, challenges are being felt by some people be a friendly neighbor. 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.

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 those 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 elderly and cold weather

Tips to stay safe and healthy from Green Tree Home Care.

Keep warm inside

Some people don’t want to warm their homes especially before November because of the high cost of heating.

We are not disputing the fact that it can get very pricey, very quickly to heat your home.

However, yours and your elderly loved one’s health is not worth the money you may think you are saving by not heating up your home.

• Keep your home temperature at 70 degrees Fahrenheit at the minimum during colder months.

• Wear warm clothing like a sweater, heavier pants and socks during the colder months.

• Drink hot fluids to help you stay warm.

• Contact your gas or electric company and ask if they provide discounts that help seniors with the cost of heating up their homes. Some companies even have reasonable plans if your income falls below a certain amount per year.

• To save extra on your heating bill:

1. keep the doors closed on the rooms you don’t use in your house

2. roll a towel in front of the doors in your home to keep drafts out

3. keep the basement door closed

4. close all windows and keep the blinds closed at night so you don’t lose the heat

• If you are an elderly adult who lives alone, have people check on you at least once a day.

• If your loved one has dementia or Alzheimer’s it is important to keep an eye on them during this season so that they don’t walk out of the house without the appropriate clothing.

Know the signs of hypothermia

Knowing the signs of hypothermia is critical for you- to be able to recognize it for yourself- and your elderly loved one.

Here’s what you should watch out for.

Early signs of hypothermia:

• Cold feet and hands

• A puffy or swollen face

• Pale skin

• Shivering

• Slower than normal speech or slurring words

• Person seems sleepier than normal

• Being angry or confused

Later signs of hypothermia:

• Moving slowly, trouble walking, or being clumsy

• Stiff and jerky arm or leg movements

• Slow heartbeat

• Slow, shallow breathing

• Blacking out or losing consciousness

If you observe any of these signs in yourself or your elderly loved one, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Safety outside the house

Snow, hail and freezing rain in the winter months can make going out a hazard.

Making sure that walkways are shoveled and salted is an important key to preventing falls and related accidents.

Warm your car up for at least 5-10 minutes before you move it to prevent mechanical problems.

Before the weather gets super cold, have a mechanic check your car for antifreeze levels and change your tires if need be.