Senior Center News, Dec. 30, 2022

North Central Senior Citizens Center

Jan. 2-6

Menu

Monday, Jan. 2 — Center closed for New Year’s Day

Tuesday, Jan. 3 — Hamburger steak, potato salad, veggies, dessert

Wednesday, Jan. 4 — Chicken strips, macaroni salad, peaches

Thursday, Jan. 5 — Chicken sandwich, scalloped potatoes, corn, apple sauce

Friday, Jan. 6 — Soup, chef’s choice, dessert

Keeping up with the pandemic: Dec. 19, 14 new cases of COIVD-19, total number is 6,018, eight active and 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. Winter 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.

Safe driving: Make sure you are protecting yourself behind the wheel. Driving a car can give you freedom, but it’s also one of the riskiest things you do every day. Many things can make driving risky. Speeding, not pay full attention to the road, and driving while tired all increases your chance of a crash. Drinking or using drugs can be especially dangerous. Cell phones and screens everywhere, distracted driving has become a major problem. Texting can take your eyes off the road for seconds at a time. In just five seconds, you travel the entire length of a football field at 55 miles per hour. And now with all the snow and rain, we must be extra careful. Reaching for objects is also not good. People of any age can give in to distractions while driving. As you age, physical and mental changes can make driving more dangerous. Changes in our vision as we grow older, impacts our driving. I think the public worries about older drivers, but actually most older drivers are quite safe. The good news is that advances in car design and safety technology are helping protect us behind the wheel. Stay alert and make wise choices while on the road.

News from our gift shop: Christmas ornaments, Santas, snow men and centerpieces are ready to help you decorate for the next season. Handmade gifts also. Towels, slippers, fishing flies and jewelry. 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 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.