Senior Center News, Dec. 16, 2022

North Central Senior Citizens Center

Dec. 12-16

Dec. 19 to Dec. 23

Monday, Dec. 19 — Chicken enchilada, Spanish rice, beans, fruit

Tuesday, Dec. 20 — Turkey and stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, rolls, salad, cake

Wednesday, Dec. 21 — Hot dogs, macaroni salad, baked beans, cookies

Thursday Dec. 22 — Ham and scalloped potato casserole, carrots, cranberry cake

Friday, Dec. 23 — Soup, chef’s choice, dessert

Keeping up with the pandemic: Dec. 5, 19 new cases of COVID-19, total number is 5,978, seven active, no active hospitalizations, total deaths 74. Right now, community transmission is slowing down again, 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 booster. Right now RSV is posing a risk for children and the elderly. If you get sick, stay home cover cough and sneezes. Maintain good hand washing hygiene. We do have influenza in Hill County so take precautions, stay home when possible, and again cover coughs and sneezes.

Don’t overdo scented products: They smell good, but scented candles, air fresheners, and oil/aromatherapy diffusers aren’t great for air quality. That’s because anything with a scent contains VOC’s or volatile organic compounds. There are thousands of different VOCs. Some are harmless; others are pretty bad for you. There isn’t a simple way to tell one from the other. If VOC concentrations are high in your house, they can mix with other things in the air and form hazardous chemicals like formaldehyde. Another downside, many VOCs tend to stay inside, partly because of how well sealed modern energy-efficient homes are, and partly due to the vapors clinging to walls and surfaces then slowly coming off into the air. If you want to burn a favorite scented candle for a little bit that’s fine, but crack a nearby window. Keep your air as fresh as you can and enjoy.

News from our gift shop: Christmas sale: Dec 19 through Dec. 30, all items in the gift shop are 50% off. Christmas ornaments, Santas, snow men, and centerpieces are ready to help you decorate for the season. Hand-made gifts on sale, too. Towels, slippers, fishing flies and jewelry make great gifts. The gift shop is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Bingo: Play is every Tuesday, 1-3 p.m. at North Central Senior Citizens Center. $1 per card for the afternoon, 100% payout.

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.

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.

December Activity Calendar North Central Senior

Citizens Center

Tuesday, Dec. 20, 10:30-11:45 a.m.— B.J.’s Geetar Oakie — Brad Taylor will play a country mix on guitar backed by professionally recorded accompaniment

Thursday, Dec. 22, 11-11:45 a.m. — Ilo McKay will play Golden Age popular songs on the piano

Thursday, Dec. 22, 1-3 p.m — Pinochle Thursdays. If you are interested in joining the players, please call Heather at 406-265-5464 or come down to the senior center. All levels and abilities welcome

Monday, Dec. 26, Center is closed for Christmas holiday

Tuesday, Dec. 27, 11 a.m. to noon — Mary Stevens will play her harp or keyboard and entertain with popular tunes

Thursday, Dec. 29, 1-3 p.m. — Pinochle Thursdays. If you are interested in joining the players, please call Heather at 406-265-5464 or come down to the senior center. All levels and abilities welcome.