Senior Center News, Sept. 10, 2021

North Central Senior Center

Sept. 13-17

Senior Center is now open

Menu

Monday — Chicken pot pie, biscuits, salad, oranges

Tuesday — Salad, pork chops, mashed potatoes with gravy, sunshine carrots, rolls, cake

Wednesday — Oven-baked fish, potato supreme, corn, coffee cake

Thursday — Cheese burger, macaroni salad, baked beans, dessert

Friday — Soup, chef’s choice, dessert,

Keeping up with the pandemic: As of Sept 4, there were 36 new COVID-19 cases were reported for Hill County, 40 cases met the criteria for being considered recovered, 1 case was discharged from the hospital and 1 case required hospitalization. Total Cases for all of Hill County 2,375, active cases 108 (6 currently hospitalized), recovered 2,219, Deaths 48.

Single-shot COVID-19 vaccine protects against variants: vaccines against COVID-19 were developed early in the pandemic. But the virus has been changing. Now there are different versions, called variants, all over the world.

Researchers found that the single-shot COVID-19 vaccine still protects against new variants. In the study, 20 volunteers received the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Researchers took blood samples about two months later. The samples were tested for different cells and antibodies that can fight the disease. The team looked at whether these provided protection against the original virus. They also looked for protection against the alpha, beta, and gamma variants.

Overall, the vaccine offered strong protection against both the original virus and the variants. The team found lower amounts of neutralizing antibodies to the variants than to the original virus. These are a type of antibody that can block infections. Other immune responses were similar. This data show that this vaccine has strong protection against many of the COVID-19 variants in the world today. A follow-up study showed protection against variants included the delta variant.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the two-shot Pfizer/BioNTech and and Moderna vaccines also are effective at keeping people from getting COVID-19, getting very sick, and dying including from variants that have been identified.

Available COVID-19 testing in Hill County: Northern Montana Health Care – Testing of contacts call 262-1570 for an appointment. Sick people 16 and under: Call 265-5408 for an appointment. Sick people 17 and over: call 262-1570 for an appointment.

Bullhook Community Health Center: Testing of contacts: register at this link: https://forms.gle/ark5xEKJDFaXZHZ97.

Montana State University-Northern: Staff and students of MSU-Northern only: Call Student Health Services at 265-3599.

Havre Public Schools – Staff and students of HPS only: Call Jeri Zorn at 390-2210.

Rocky Boy Health Center: Anyone who is eligible to receive services at Rocky Boy Health Center, or community members that live or work on the reservation: call 395-1712 for an appointment or with questions.

**Testing subject to change based on availability and demand. **

Transportation: Our Transportation Program has been up and running now since Monday, Aug. 30.. As you know we are working with the North Central Montana Transit System. There will be no charge for rides through this program but you can offer a donation. You must give 24-hour notice to request a ride. Rides will be available 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Commodities: If you are interested in receiving commodities, we have some open slots now. You can sign up at the Senior Center, fill out an application and find out if your income falls within the guidelines. If you qualify, you can receive commodities once a month. You do have to come to Senior Center to pick them up.

Would you like to be a volunteer at The Senior Center? We are very thankful for the many volunteers who help us daily and also during our special Events. If you have a little extra time, we could sure use your help. We are finding ourselves a little short on volunteers now that we have opened our doors after closing due to the pandemic. If you would like to share your time and talents, please give us a call at 265-5464 to let us know. There are many different volunteer opportunities, maybe one just right for you, give us a call.

Silver Sneakers Membership: The Hill County Counsel on Aging, also known as the Senior Center, is excited to say we are working with Down Under Fitness Center for the seniors and sponsoring a total of 20 Silver Sneaker memberships at Down Under for August. You may already be attending their Silver Sneaker program and still take advantage of this offer. The classes are at 10 a.m. Monday and Wednesday and, in addition, 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 Hill county Senior Center. Please call Down Under at 406-265-4805 and schedule your time while requesting one of the memberships.

Senior Center Gift Shop: If there is someone special you are shopping for remember the Senior Center’s gift Shop. Find some up-to-the-minute gifts along with some fun antiques. Also some beautiful glassware, handmade gifts, pictures, yarn and much more. We have Cards for all occasions at great prices. We also have Depends in assorted sizes. We know you will be pleased with both our selection and our prices. Hope to see you there.

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.