Senior Center News, Nov. 12, 2021

North Central Senior

Citizens Center

Nov. 15-19

The senior center is now open

Menu

Monday — Chicken Alfredo casserole, salad, garlic bread, brownies

Tuesday — Roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, sunshine carrots, rolls, gingerbread

Wednesday — Ham, cabbage, beans, corn bread, salad, fruit

Thursday — Swiss steak with peppers, onion, tomato; mashed potatoes, peas, cheese cake with cherries

Friday — Soup, chef’s choice, dessert

Keeping up with the pandemic: As of Nov 8, there were 28 new COVID-19 cases, 17 recovered reported for Hill County. There were 66 active cases, 10 cases currently in the hospital, one case discharged. Total Cases for all of Hill County 3,397. Deaths at 64. Right now, community transmission is going down but everyone should still be wearing a mask. As of now we are 46 percent vaccinated in Hill county.

For a good time, come to Havre senior center at 1 p.m. Tuesdays.

Thanksgiving is right around the corner: For those who would like to order a Thanksgiving meal from St. Jude Parish Center, please call the Senior Center at 265-5464 to schedule your meal delivery. For delivery remind people to answer the door between the hours of 9:30 – 11 a.m., and there is a limit of two meals per person. Also delivery will only be made no more than one mile out of town. There is also Thanksgiving Meal Grab-and-Go Bags. You will come to St. Jude Parish Center to pick up the meals between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.. There is also a limit of two meals per person for the meal bags. Enjoy your meals and have a Happy Thanksgiving Day. Meals not delivered will be at St. Jude Parish Center.

Open enrollment for Medicare: This year, open enrollment starts Oct. 17 and ends Dec. 7. Marci would like you to check your formularies to see if your drugs are still covered under your insurance. You must call for an appointment to see Marci this year. This is something new. You must stop down to pick up a Pre-Enrollment Form and get it completed before your appointment. Remember, to see Marci you must wear a mask. To make sure you are safe, Medicare will never call or visit and will only send information through the U.S. Postal Service. Also, guard your Medicare number like it is a credit card. Don’t give it out to anyone except your doctor or other providers. If you receive an unsolicited call from anyone requesting personal information, hang up immediately. Contact Montana Senior Medicare Patrol if you need assistance with Medicare billing issues or to report Medicare fraud. You can also get help from your family, the Medicare website or your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program.

A Well-Aged Mind: Getting older can bring many changes, both physically and mentally. Even when you’re healthy, your brain and body start slowing down. Maintaining your cognitive health, the ability to clearly think, learn, and remember is important for your overall well-being. Many things influence cognitive health. Your genes, lifestyle, and environment can all impact your thinking skills and ability to perform everyday tasks. It’s common to experience some decline in cognitive function as you get older. Many things can cause memory or other thinking problems. Depression, anxiety, an infection, or even certain medications can cause cognitive changes. Sometimes these types of issues can be resolved with treatment. Certain medications can also have dangerous, or even deadly, effects when combined with alcohol. Alcohol alone poses risks for the older brain. It can alter judgment, coordination, balance, or sleep patterns in an older adult. Think about the positive things that come with aging. It’s a great time to become engaged in meaningful activities, maintain connections to friends and family, develop new connections, and be physically active. In turn, all of these things can enhance one’s quality of life and one’s aging.

Commodities: If you are interested in receiving commodities, we still have some open slots. 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.

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 Havre Public Schools 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. **

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 Physical Fitness for the seniors and sponsoring a total of 20 Silver Sneaker memberships at Down Under for November. 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 also 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.

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.