Senior Center News, March 18, 2022

North Central Senior Citizens Center

March 21-25

Monday, March 21 — Taco burger, Mexican rice, chips/nacho cheese, dessert

Tuesday, March 22 — Spiced apples & pecans, baked ham, scalloped potatoes, green beans, rolls, chocolate cake

Wednesday, March 23 — Cabbage rolls, baked potatoes, corn, fruit salad

Thursday, March 24 — Chicken pepper steak, rice, vegetables, berry peach crisp

Friday, March 25 — Soup, chef’s choice, dessert

Keeping Up with the Pandemic: March 15, 3 new cases of COVID-19, 4 recovered, total 4819, active 23, and 0 hospitalizations, deaths still 72. 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% vaccinated in Hill county, and are doing better.

COVID-19 Vaccines are NOT Linked with Fertility Issues: Vaccines are the best way to protect yourself from COVID-19. But many people have concerns about rumored side effects. This includes whether the vaccines affect fertility. Getting COVID-19 can temporarily affect fertility. But there’s no evidence that vaccines against the disease do. In a large study researches studied more than 2,000 women trying to conceive. They asked whether the women or their partners had ever tested positive for COVID-19 or had received the vaccines. Researchers followed up every eight weeks or until the women became pregnant. From the study researchers found receiving the vaccine did not lower the odds of conceiving. This was true for both male and female partners. Past COVID-19 infection also did not affect the overall odds of conceiving. But they did find that pregnancy was less likely if the male partner had tested positive for Covid with the last 60 days. The study shows for the first time that Covid-19 vaccination in either partner is unrelated to fertility among couples trying to conceive.

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 take your name off list and 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. This service will end April 15, 2022.

BINGO: For a good time, come to Havre Senior Center at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesdays.

Wanted: If you have any gently used Knick-Knacks (Chaskas) you don’t need or want 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, always remember your mask. Masks are required at the Senior Center.

Transportation: Remember the Senior Center has reached an agreement with North Central MT 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 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 individuals 16 and under: Call 265-5408 for an appointment. Sick individuals 17 and over: Call 262-1570 for an appointment. Bullhook Community Health Center: Testing of contacts: Register at this link: https://forms.gle/ark5xEKJDFaXZHZ97. MSU-Northern: Staff and students of MSU-Northern only: Call Student Health Services at 265-3599. Havre Public Schools – Staff and students of PS 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 Council on Aging also known as the Senior Center is excited to say we are working with Down Under for the seniors and sponsoring a total of 20 Silver Sneaker memberships. You may already be attending their Silver Sneaker program and still take advantage of this offer. The classes are at 10:00 a.m. Monday and Wednesday and, in addition, also 2:00 p.m. on 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 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.