Senior Center News, June 11, 2021

North Central Senior

Citizens Center

June 14-19

The Senior Center is closed for now.

Medical transportation only for now. Call ahead for Fridays.

Menu

Monday — Pulled-pork sandwich, coleslaw, corn on the cob, pudding

Tuesday — Cranberries, turkey with dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, broccoli Normandy

Wednesday — Salad, lasagna, bread sticks, dessert

Thursday — Hamburger steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, peas, fruit

Friday — Soup, salad bar, chef’s choice, dessert,

We want to thank everyone who helped the Senior Center with the rummage sale and cinnamon rolls last month. The total taken in was $159.65.

Senior Center sponsoring Silver Sneaker membership

The Hill County Counsel on Aging, also known as the Senior Center, is excited to say we are sponsoring a total of 20 Silver Sneaker memberships at Down Under Fitness Center for June and again for July.

At this time, 10 of these memberships are for new members to the program and ten are for people currently attending their Silver Sneaker program.

The classes are at 10 a.m. Monday and Wednesday and 2 p.m. Wednesday. At this point in time, the Wednesday classes will be limited to ten participants with all COVID-19 safety precautions in place. As a senior wishing to participate, contact Down Under at 406-265-4805 and request the Silver Sneaker membership being sponsored by the Senior Center.

We hope you will enjoy this opportunity to work on your agility and healthy movement. This is an activity that will continue if the community uses the opportunity to attend the Silver Sneakers program and shows support.

The Senior Centers 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 also being given over the phone when possible.

Reopening: With the increase of COVID-19 cases in Hill County, we are delaying the opening of the center until this once again stabilizes. The reopening plan has been taken to the commissioners for their perusal. When we are able to open a lot of things will have to change. Upon entering the building, you will have to wear a mask and your temperature will be taken at the door. The number of occupants in the building will have to be limited. We will be continuing the grab-and-go meals for those unable to eat at the Center.

Transportation: 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 meals: We are still continuing to provide meals at the North Central Senior Citizens Center as grab-and-go meals while we are still closed. Of course, this is in addition to the Meals on Wheels program. If you would like to pick up a meal, please be sure to call the Center before 10 a.m. to order your meal through the kitchen. Your meals may be picked up at the center from 11:45 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. Monday through Friday. You may order a meal for one day or put in your order for the entire week, whatever is more convenient.

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: 406-259-2558 (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.

Medicare open enrollment has come to an end. However, if you are having problems with prescriptions you can call Marci and see if she can help you. For those on Medicaid and Big Sky she can still make changes. For an appointment Call Marci at 406-265-5464.

Improving care through telehealth

Technology can be especially valuable for people in remote areas or places with few medical professionals. Using portable devices, health care providers can test and treat patients without them coming into the office. This practice is called telehealth. A doctor in a rural area can consult on a patient’s scan with a specialist in another state if need be. Someone with diabetes can monitor their blood sugar in real-time and have the data sent to their health care provider. Wearable sensors can alert a caregiver if a person with dementia leaves the house. These are all examples of how telehealth is changing medical care. Researchers are developing new ways to analyze blood samples for patients at home. Through advances like this, telehealth is helping medical professionals deliver effective, long-distance care.