Senior Center News, Sept. 30, 2022

North Central Senior

Citizens Center

OCT. 3-7

Menu

Monday, Oct. 3 —  Taco burger, chips and salsa, coleslaw, dessert

Tuesday, Oct. 4 — Salad, pork chops, mashed potatoes and gravy, broccoli Normandy, rolls, cake

Wednesday, Oct. 5 — Sweet and sour chicken, rice, egg rolls, pudding

Thursday, Oct. 6 — Tatortot casserole, garlic toast, salad, apples

Friday, Oct. 7 — Soup, chef’s choice, dessert

Keeping up with the pandemic: Sept. 26, 23 new Cases of COVID-19, total number is 5,671, 11 active, no active hospitalizations, no hospitalizations discharged, total deaths 74. Right now, community transmission is slowing down, but we should all be careful out in big crowds and wearing masks and social distancing is up to each one of us. Fall is the time for flu shots and possibly another COVID 19 vaccination.

Cloudy vision: Your eyes are your window to the world. If something clouds them, you may have trouble seeing well enough to read, drive, or do other daily activities. One common cause of cloudy vision is cataracts. These form in the lens of your eye. Cataracts are a normal part of aging. The risk of getting cataracts rises as you get older. More than half of people in the U.S. over the age of 80 either have cataracts or have had the surgery to remove them. Smoking or exposure to lots of sunlight can increase the risk of cataracts, some medications can also raise your risk. You might not be able to see at night as you use to. If you have problems with your vision, talk with your eye doctor. If your vision is bad enough to interfere with daily activities, you can be treated with surgery. They remove the cloudy lens and replace with a new plastic lens. Its not a painful procedure or recovery. By the next day patients have better vision than they came in with. Wise choices to keep you vision. Wear sunglasses outside, quit smoking, eat healthy and get eye exams yearly.

News from our gift shop: Come visit our senior citizens gift shop open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Unique gifts and handmade items are available. Handmade slippers, towel sets, fishing flies, and jewelry can be found. New items added often. New items this week include a costume jewelry table and fall decorations and table centerpieces. New art glass items can also be found in the gift shop. Donations of new or gently used items and yarn are always welcome.

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.

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.

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.