Senior Center News, Oct. 21, 2022

North Central Senior

Citizens Center

Oct. 24-28

Menu

Monday, Oct 24 — Swedish meatballs, rice, beets, pudding

Tuesday, Oct. 25 — Roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, cauliflower, rolls, cake

Wednesday, Oct. 26 — Chicken-fried steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, broccoli, Toll House bars

Thursday, Oct. 27 — Goulash, rolls, fruit salad

Friday, Oct. 28 — Soup, chef’s choice, dessert

Keeping up with the pandemic: Oct. 17, 32 new Cases of COVID-19, total number is 5,757, active 11, active hospitalizations zero, zero active cases discharged from the hospital, 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.

Open enrollment for Medicare: This year, open enrollment started Oct. 15 and ends Dec. 7. Stop by or call the North Central Senior Citizens Center at 406-265-5464 to see about getting help signing up. 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.

How many is too many? This may be the time to rethink your drinking. Alcohol use disorder is when you can’t stop or control your alcohol use despite damage to your work, health, or personal life. It is not the same for everyone. If alcohol is causing problems in your life, there are many effective therapies available. Talk therapies, family counseling, recreational and vocational therapies. Teaching people how to avoid alcohol in their personal life is the first and best way to get started there is always someone out there to help you through your treatment.

News from our gift shop: We have a new donation of yarn. Come visit our senior citizens gift shop, open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3:00 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? Right now we are looking for a volunteer to answer phones at the front desk. 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.

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.

October Activity Calendar

Tuesday, Oct. 25, 11 a.m. to noon — Mary Stevens will entertain us with melodic pieces on the harp or keyboard. Please join us for a relaxing and inspirational musical venue

Tuesday, Oct. 25, 1-3 p.m. — Bingo — Every Tuesday 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., $1 a card for the afternoon. Pays 100% of amount$ paid in. Open to community members age 18 and older.

Monday, Oct. 17, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Foot Care Clinic — A Plus Healthcare’s licensed nurse will be at the senior center to provide medical pedicure and general nail care. Diabetic foot care assessment is provided. Appointments are made by calling A Plus Healthcare, 406-265-4776. The cost is $37.

Thursday, Oct. 27, 11 a.m. to noon — Michael Stevenson will play piano pieces before the lunch hour. Come listen and visit with friends

Area Seniors are warmly invited to come and enjoy coffee and conversation with your friends daily at the center until close at 3 p.m.. Come on over!

If you have any questions, comments or suggestions please don’t hesitate to contact Heather Winter, Activities Coordinator, Havre Senior Center, 406-265-5464.