Senior Center News, Nov. 4, 2022

North Central Senior Citizens Center

Nov. 7-11

Menu

Monday, Nov. 7 — Ham and scalloped potato casserole, peas, dessert

Tuesday, Nov. 8 — Closed for Election Day

Wednesday, Nov. 9 — Chicken pepper steak, rice, vegetables, apple crisp

Thursday, Oct. 10 — Blueberry French toast bake, hashbrown casserole, omelets, yogurt

Friday, Oct. 11 — Soup, chef’s choice, dessert

Keeping up with the pandemic: Nov. 1, 43 new cases of COVID-19, total number is 5,831, 20 active, no active hospitalizations, total deaths 74. Right now community transmission is slowing down some 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.

Next time you’re downtown, stop in to the senior center and say hello to our new director, Bill Lamier. He will be happy to see you.

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.

Millions taking aspirin without clear benefit: Many people take aspirin every day to prevent a heart attack or stroke. But a daily aspirin isn’t advised for everyone. Aspirin works by thinning the blood and preventing clots. This can also increase the risk of bleeding for some. Experts no longer recommend daily low-dose aspirin for those with stomach ulcers etc. Talk with your doctor if you’re taking aspirin daily or plan to start.

News from our gift shop: Don’t forget to check out the gift store for all sorts of items. Handmade items include bracelets, slippers, towel sets, fishing flies and more. Many fall items are available now. New this week are pictures for your wall. We have several original framed paintings. All items are priced to sell. We are now attempting to make room for Christmas items. The gift store is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. A large collection of cards for all occasions are available at only 25 cents each.

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 Council 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.

November activity calendar for the North Central Senior Citizens Center

Sunday, Nov. 6 — Daylight savings time comes to an end. Set your clocks back an hour at 2 am. You get an extra hour of sleep! -This also means sunsets will be earlier in the afternoon. Sunrise times also change

Tuesday, Nov. 8 — Closed — Election Day

Thursday, Nov. 10, 10:30 to noon — Eddlie Fallo, vocals, fiddle and guitar, and Brad Taylor, guitar, partner up and play Old-Time Country music hits

Thursday, Nov. 10, 12:30 to 3 p.m. — “Pinochle Thursdays” You are invited to come play pinochle with friends

Friday, Nov. 11 — Closed — Veterans Day

Monday, Nov. 14, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. — Foot Care Clinic — A Plus Healthcare’s licensed nurse, Jan, 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 price is $37.

Tuesday, Nov. 15, 11 to noon — Mary Stevens will entertain with harp or keyboard music. Please join us for a relaxing and inspirational musical venue

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

Wednesday, Nov. 16, 1 to 3 p.m. — Old-Time Country Music with Gene Allen and Friends singing along to guitars, mandolin, accordion and penny whistle. Dancing is perfectly optional.

Thursday, Nov. 17, 11 a.m. to noon — Michael Stevenson plays popular tunes on the piano before lunch

Thursday, Nov. 17, 12:30 to 3 p.m. — “Pinochle Thursdays” —You are invited to come play pinochle with friends

Tuesday, Nov. 22, 10:30 to noon — BJ’s Geetar Oakie — Brad Taylor will play a country mix on guitar backed by professionally recorded accompaniment

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

Thursday, Nov. 24 — Closed — Thanksgiving Day!

Tuesday, Nov. 29, 11 to noon — Mary Stevens will entertain with harp or keyboard music. Please join us for a relaxing and inspirational musical venue

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