Senior Center News, June 16, 2023

North Central Senior Center

June 19-23

Menu

Monday, June 19 — Sweet-and-sour chicken, egg rolls, pudding

Tuesday, June 20 — Roast pork, rice, mixed vegetables, dessert

Wednesday, June 21 — Stroganoff, green beans, fruit

Thursday, June 22 — Ham and scalloped potatoes, corn, fruit

Friday, June 23 — Soup, chef’s choice, dessert

News from our gift shop: Need a gift for a summer birthday or just because. Visit the gift shop to find wall hangings, knick knacks, art glass and much more, all priced just right. New this week — Chain necklaces and bracelets, $1 each. Earrings to match just 50 cents. New this week — Beautiful small trinket boxes. Many different designs. Special — All candle holders/candles are 50% off the price marked. Need a card? All occasions are available, 25 cents each. The gift shop is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

An uptick in ticks: Warm weather might make you want to get outdoors and enjoy walks in the woods, picnics, gardening and more. But tiny ticks also emerge when temperatures rise. And they can take a big bite out of warm-weather fun. Bites from infected ticks are responsible for about a half-million new illnesses each year in the U.S. And those numbers are rising. Lyme disease is by far the most common. Symptoms of these infections can range from mild rashes and discomfort to long-lasting health problems. Some tick bites have been linked to a severe allergy to red meat. If you catch and remove a tick early, and it has not yet taken a full blood meal, your chance of getting an infection is greatly reduced. There is a new type of vaccine being worked on that keeps ticks from attaching to the skin long enough to transmit disease-causing germs. This vaccine has been shown to prevent Lyme disease in animals. They are testing to see if this approach can block other types of tick-borne infections. Also many tick-related diseases can be effectively treated if caught early. Here are some wise choices to block tick bites. Treat clothing and gear with a product containing permethrin. Use insect repellents as directed. Avoid areas where ticks hide out. Change your clothes when you come inside, and shower within two hours after coming indoors.

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 a few select openings. 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.

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.

June activities North Central Senior Center

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

Monday, June 19, 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, June 20, 10:30 a.m. to noon — BJ’s Geetar Oakie — Brad Taylor will play pop and country mix on guitar with back up accompaniment. Free and open to the community.

Tuesday, June 20, 1-3 p.m. — Bingo, $1 a card for the afternoon. Pays 100 percent of amount of money paid in. Open to community members age 18 and older.

Wednesday, June 21, 10-11:30 a.m. — Coffee Club meets every Wednesday at the Havre senior center. Drop-ins and newcomers welcome, meet new people and socialize.

Wednesday, June 21, 10 a.m. to noon — Start the morning with country music! Gene Allen and Friends playing country favorites on guitars, mandolin and accordion. Free and open to the community

Thursday, June 22, 12:30-3 p.m. — Pinochle Thursdays — This group welcomes new players all levels and abilities

Monday, June 26, 9 a.m. to 1 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, June 27, 1-3 p.m. — Bingo, $1 a card for the afternoon. Pays out 100 percent of amount of money paid in. Open to community members age 18 and older.

Wednesday, June 28, 10 a.m. to noon — Coffee Club meets every Wednesday at the Havre senior center. Drop-ins and newcomers welcome, meet new people and socialize.

Thursday, June 29, 12:30-3 p.m. — Pinochle Thursdays — This group welcomes new players all levels and abilities

Friday, June 30, 11 a.m. to noon — Blood Pressure Clinic, Every Other Friday, Janice Holt, RN will take blood pressures and provide hypertension health information. Monitoring your blood pressure is a healthy activity.