Senior Center News, April 21, 2023

North Central Senior Center

April 24-28

Menu

Monday, April 24 — Bacon, scrambled egg and toast, fruit

Tuesday, April 25 — Meatballs, gravy, rice, peas, fruit

Wednesday, April 26 — Lasagna, salad, garlic toast, cookies

Thursday, April 27 — Meatball sandwich, fries, pudding

Wednesday, April 28 — Soup, chef’s choice, dessert

News from our gift shop: Hot specials! Any item that hangs on the wall and is marked, “Make an Offer” these include pictures, frames, wall hangings and decorations. Beautiful clear glass serving dishes are priced to sell. Art glass vases are ready to be filled with spring flowers. Knick-knacks perfect for a gift can be found. Cards for any occasion are just 25 cents each. Thanks to the many who donate items to the gift shop, new things are added often. Yarn is often requested so donations are always appreciated. The gift shop hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

3D Repairs for Damaged Skin: To repair burns and other skin injuries, surgeons can now grow new patches of skin in the lab. At first, these patches were small and their shapes were limited. Now they are working to find ways to grow 3D skin in the shape of complex body parts. Wearable skin grafts are designed to fit on the body like clothing. They scan body shapes and then used 3D printers to create desired body shapes. This minimizes the need for stitches, reduce the length of surgeries, and improve the look of repaired skin. The three-dimensional skin grafts can be transplanted as biological clothing and have many advantages.

Bingo: Come join us for Bingo every Tuesday at 1 p.m. Everyone is welcome, fun for all. All of the money is paid out.

Pinochle: Come join your friends in playing pinochle Thursdays at 1 p.m.

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 406-265-5464 to let us know. There are many different volunteer opportunities, maybe one just right for you, give us a call.

Transportation is now being handled by the North Central Montana Transit. 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 those seniors getting frustrated with staying home and needing someone to talk to you can call 1-877-688-3377 for Montana’s Warm Line.

North Central Senior Center April activities

Daily — Pool in the back room. Monday through Friday 1-3 p.m. — Group is expanding and looking for players.

Monday, April 24 — 9 a.m. to 3 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, April 25 — 10:30 a.m. to noon — BJ’s Geetar Oakie. Brad Taylor will play pop and country mix on guitar with back up accompaniment. This performance is free and open to the community.

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

Thursday, April 27 — 12:45-3 p.m. — Pinochle Thursdays. This group welcomes new players all levels and abilities.