Senior Center News: Aug. 25, 2023

North Central Senior Center

Aug. 28 to Sept. 1

Menu

Monday, Aug. 28 — Spaghetti, garlic toast, salad, dessert

Tuesday, Aug. 19 — Ribs, mashed potatoes and gravy, veggies, cake

Wednesday, Aug. 20 — Goulash, garlic toast, fruit

Thursday, Aug. 21 — Chicken and broccoli casserole, bread sticks, fruit

Friday, Aug. 22 — Soup, chef’s choice, dessert

News from our gift shop: The gift shop is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. New items are added often. Many unique gifts can be found. Handmade necklaces/bracelets; collectable Avon bottles; candles/candle holders; bird statues; Collectable “Mr. Peanut” anniversary jars; dishes; wall hangings; small trinket boxes; collectable dolls; fishing flies, and much more. Cards for all occasions, just 25 cents each. Donations needed — The gift store takes donations of gently used knick-knacks and yarn. These items are requested often. No clothes please.

Commodities: slots are available, if interested stop by the senior center and request an application. For commodities there is an income restriction. Bring income verification and picture ID.

What you can do if you wake up in the night and can’t fall back to sleep: Getting a good night’s rest is essential for your health. Insufficient sleep is associated with chronic diseases including diabetes, heart disease, obesity and even depression. You can do just as much harm, if not more by sleeping poorly than eating poorly or not exercising. But what can you do if you wake up during the night, and can’t go back to sleep? First off, know that you’re not alone. About 10% of the population have chronic insomnia, meaning they’ve experiencing sleep problems for more than three months. And 30% of the population have some form of acute (shorter) term) insomnia. If after about 20 minutes you are still awake, you may want to try actually getting up, going to another part of the house where it is dark and quiet, and then returning to bed when you’re sleepy again. If you remain in bed you may start to feel a sort of sleep pressure, where you grow frustrated about your inability to fall back to sleep. That sleep pressure then leads to the production or stress hormones, increased heart rate and general anxiety — all of which just makes it harder to fall back to sleep. Your environment can calm this sleep pressure and actually make it easier for you to fall back to sleep. An example, try relocating to a couch with a blanket and pillow. Another benefit, these behavioral techniques can be very effective, and often they’re better than trying medications. Medications can often be habit-forming. If you are still having trouble, don’t hesitate to reach out to a doctor. They can help you figure out if you have excessive stress or a real sleep disorder.

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 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 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.

August Activities Havre Senior Center

Tuesday, Aug. 29, 10:30 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, Aug. 29, 1-3 p.m. — Bingo. $1 per card for the afternoon. Pays 100% of amount of money paid in. Open to community members age 18 and older.

Wednesday, Aug. 30, 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, Aug. 30, 10 to noon — Gene Allen & Friends performing country favorites at the Senior Center on guitars, mandolin, flutes and accordion. Start your day with music! Free and open to the community.

Thursday, Aug. 31, 10-11 a.m. — NEW —Chair Yoga with professional instructor Bonnie Williamson. You are invited to participate in simple gentle yoga positions/stretching while sitting on a chair. Come learn movements which can improve your strength, balance and range of motion. For seniors and free to seniors.

Thursday, Aug. 31, 12:30-3 p.m. — Pinochle Thursdays. This group welcomes new players all levels and abilities at the senior center.