Senior Center News, March 11, 2022

North Central Senior Citizens Center

March 14-18

Menu

Monday, March 14 — Pulled-pork sandwich, coleslaw, corn on the cob, cookies

Tuesday, March 15 — Salad, oven-baked chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, broccoli Normandy, cake

Wednesday, March 16 — Braised beef, mash potato/gravy, salad, tropical fruit

Thursday, March 17 — Corned beef and cabbage, potatoes, carrots, pistachio cake

Friday, March 18 — Soup, salad bar, chef’s choice, dessert

Keeping Up with the Pandemic: Right now, community transmission is going down but everyone should still be wearing masks, and social distancing is a good idea. As of now we are 70 percent vaccinated in Hill county, and are doing better.

Is it flu, COVID-19, allergies or just a cold? Feeling sick can be especially concerning these days. Could your sniffles be caused by COVID-19? Or the flu? A cold? Or maybe allergies? They share some of the same symptoms. But there are some important differences. COVID symptoms last longer. Flu is caused by the influenza virus, COVID by SARS-CoV-2. They spread similarly, by breathing in the virus. One usual telling sign of COVID-19 is the loss of smell and taste. The best way to be certain is go get tested. There are home tests now at many pharmacies. Symptoms of a cold or allergies tend to be milder. You won’t usually have the aches and fever that are common with COVID-19. Allergies are not contagious. Allergy symptoms tend to stop when you’re no longer exposed to the cause. Fortunately, with winter ending things should start looking up. Make sure you get your flu and COVID-19 vaccinations. Stay well.

AARP tax preparation: The tax season has started with our AARP volunteers. Seniors do have the priority for this tax preparation. In order to get an appointment, you must call us at 406-265-5464 and get on the list. The AARP staff will then call you back to schedule your appointment. They will check your documents to make sure you have everything you need when you come in for your appointment. Make sure you watch carefully for the callback to schedule your appointment. Many of the calls will come from the Senior Center but some may come from “Blocked” or “Unavailable.” If it is spam you can just hang up.

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

Wanted: If you have any gently used knick-knacks (chachkis) you don’t need any more, we would be glad to take them off your hands. Call us at 265-5464 or stop down to see us. Thanks.

Keep well: Don’t forget your flu shot. And be kind, don’t forget your mask. Masks are required at the senior center.

Transportation: Remember the senior center has reached an agreement with North Central Montana Transit to take over the transportation of our seniors. This change seems to be going very well. If you need a ride call 406-265-4762. They would appreciate a 24-hour notice for local rides and a 48-hour notice for Great Falls trips.

Scams: Scam calls are still widespread. Text messages and emails are also becoming popular. Do not respond to any of them. Do not even open them, just delete them. Medicare isn’t issuing gold cards. Talk to someone in the community before you consider a reverse mortgage.

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 406-265-5464 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 406-262-1570 for an appointment. Sick people 16 and under: Call 406-265-5408 for an appointment. Sick people 17 and over: call 406-262-1570 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 406-265-3599.

Havre Public Schools — Staff and students of Havre Public Schools only: Call Jeri Zorn at 406-390-2210.

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 406-395-1712 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. 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.