Senior Center News, July 1, 2022

North Central Senior

Citizens Center

July 4-7

Menu

Monday, July 4 — Closed for Fourth of July Celebration

Tuesday, July 5 — Apples and pecans baked ham, au gratin potatoes, corn, rolls, cake

Wednesday, July 6 — Beef with onions, rice, vegetables, coffee cake

Thursday, July 7 — Chicken parmesan, potato casserole, salad, fruit

Friday, July 7 — Soup, chef’s choice, cessert

Keeping up with the pandemic: June 27, 57 new cases of COVID-19 in the prior week, total number is 5,047, active 38, one hospitalization and one discharged from the hospital, total deaths 74. Right now community transmission is trending up again and everyone should be wearing masks and social distancing is a good idea. As of now we are 77% vaccinated in Hill County, and are doing better.

Life with low vision: Some vision problems can’t be fixed with glasses, contact lenses, or even surgery. This is known as low vision. It can make everyday tasks difficult. Your low vision may make it hard to read or drive. You might have trouble recognizing people’s faces or telling colors apart. It is more common in older adults. It will be caused by many different eye conditions. One of the most common causes is age-related macular degeneration. This eye disease can blur your central vision. Other diseases that can cause low vision include cataracts, where the lens of the eye becomes cloudy. Glaucoma also cause untreatable vision loss, which damages the eye’s optic nerve, can also cause untreatable vision loss. Eye doctors can check for low vision during an eye exam. They’ll give you drops to widen, or dilate, your pupil. This allows them to check for conditions that can cause low vision. Unfortunately, low vision is often permanent. Treatment options depend on what’s causing your low vision. But there are things you can do to make the most of your remaining sight. Contact a vision rehabilitation specialist and see what they have to say.

News from our gift shop: Spring has arrived in the gift shop. We have some new and unique items. Handmade items available also, slippers, fishing flies, scrubbies, necklaces, and kitchen towels. Greeting cards for all occasions only 25 cents each. All flower arrangements 50% off. Perfect for centerpieces, get well gifts, etc. Hope to see you there.

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.

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: 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.

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 seniors getting frustrated with staying home and needing someone to talk to you can call 1-877-688-3377 for Montana’s Warm Line.