Senior Center News, July 2, 2021

Editor’s note: This version corrects the headline listing the day the center reopens.

North Central Senior Citizens Center

July 5-July 9

Senior Center to open Wednesday

Header Menu

Monday — Holiday

Tuesday — Salad, meatloaf, au gratin potatoes, winter-mix veggies, rolls, cake

Wednesday — Swiss steak/peppers/onions/tomatoes, mashed potatoes, Riviera veggies and pudding

Thursday — Salad, beef tips, buttered noodles, Tollhouse crumbcake

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

Center reopening

The Senior Centers doors are going to open to the public Tuesday, July 7. We will be providing our meals in the dining room. Marci wants everyone to remember to make an appointment if you need help from her. Also everyone must be wearing a mask. We are still providing limited services by phone with individuals bringing their paperwork down to the center only if they have an appointment. Help is also being given over the phone whenever possible. For people still a little worried about eating out, our grab-and-go bags are still available. Remember to call for the to-go bags before 10 a.m. that morning.

With the increase of COVID-19 cases in Hill County, we have delayed our reopening of the center until now. The reopening plan has been taken to the commissioners and they agree it is now time to open our doors. When we open, many things will have to change. The center will be open to the public from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. only. 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 seating only four guests to a table. When you come in you will keep mask on until we begin eating. Meals will be served to you at your table. Our new hours for the Senior Center will now be 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Senior Center will provide senior transportation Monday through Thursday 9 a m to 3 p.m. Friday is for medical only and you must give 24 hour notice. Shopping trips, call ahead for a trip to Walmart the first Thursday of the month from 1:30-3:30 p.m.

There will be no more grocery delivery.

Silver Sneaker Membership

The Hill County Counsel on Aging, also known as the North Central Senior Citizens Center, is excited to say we are working with Physical Therapy Down Under and Fitness Center for the seniors and sponsoring a total of 20 Silver Sneaker memberships at Down Under for July.

At this time, 10 of these memberships are for new members to the program and 10 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 10 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 North Central Senior Citizens 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.

Please call Down Under at 406-265-4805 and schedule your time while requesting one of the memberships.

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.

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 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.