Senior Center News, Sept. 8, 2023

North Central Senior Center

Sept. 11-15

Menu

Monday, Sept. 11 — French toast, sausage links, fruit

Tuesday, Sept. 12 — Meat loaf, mashed potatoes with gravy, veggies, dessert

Wednesday, Sept. 13 — Hamburgers, potato salad, green beans, fruit

Thursday, Sept. 14 — chicken-fried steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, veggies, cake

Friday, Sept. 15 — 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. Fall has arrived. In the gift store, new items include fall centerpieces and decorations, priced just right. Unique items can be found. Handmade necklaces/bracelets/earrings and collectable Avon Bottles; collectible Mr. Peanut anniversary jars, small trinket boxes; collectable dolls; fishing flies, and much more. Greeting 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.

Is it flu, COVID-19, allergies, RSV or a cold? Feeling sick can be especially concerning these days. Could your sniffles be caused by COVID-19? Or the flu? A Cold, RSV? Or maybe its allergies? Determining the cause of an illness can be tricky because many share the same symptoms. They can all leave you sniffling, coughing, and feeling tired. It’s important to know what’s making you sick because knowing can help you recover and prevent spreading a sickness to others. Flu and COVID-19 are caused by different viruses that can be spread among people easily. Infected people who are nearby may not have symptoms, but can still pass along either virus to others. Winter is the prime cold and flu season. You’re more likely to be indoors and closer to others when it’s colder outside. Weather also plays a role in the spread of viruses. Experts are concerned that flu and COVID-19 cases may increase and overlap this winter. There are antiviral drugs that can be prescribed for flu, and we now have a new antiviral drug called Remdesivir for treatment of COVID-19. There are safe and effective ways to protect yourself and those around you, don’t forget your annual flu shot, and for COVID-19 vaccination. Measures like masking and social distancing can work for many other respiratory viruses. SO, keep well this winter. Flu vaccines are recommended for everyone 6 months and older.

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. If you qualify, you can receive commodities once a month. You do have to come to Senior Center to pick them up.

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.

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 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 in addition also 2 p.m. on Wednesday. As a senior wishing to participate, contact Down Under at 406-265-4805 and request the Silver Sneaker membership being sponsored by the North Central 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.

September activities listed at North Central Senior Center

Tuesday, Sept. 12, 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, Sept. 12, 1-3 p.m. — Bingo. $1 per card for the afternoon. Pays 100% of amount of money paid in. Open to community members ages 18 and older.

Wednesday, Sept. 13, 10-11:30 a.m. — Coffee Club meets every Wednesday at the North Central Senior Center. Drop ins and newcomers welcome, meet new people and socialize.

Wednesday, Sept. 13, 10 a.m. to noon — R.O.C. Band. Roger, Brad and Dave of “Real Ole Country” will play your favorite country hits. Free and open to the community.

Thursday, Sept. 14, 10-11 a.m. — Chair Yoga with Bonnie Williamson. Learn breathing techniques and gentle stretches to increase your vitality and mobility while being supported by the chair. Free and open to senior citizens.

Thursday, Sept. 14, 12:30-3 p.m. — Pinochle Thursdays. This group welcomes new players all levels and abilities at North Central Senior Center.

Friday, Sept. 15, 11 a.m. to to noon — Free Blood Pressure Clinic, New Schedule: first and third Fridays of every month, Janice Holt, RN will take blood pressures and provide hypertension health information.

Monday, Sept. 18 — 11-1 p.m. — Historical movie showing at Havre-Hill County Library, Army Corps of Engineers, “Building Fort Peck Dam.” Bring your bag lunch or a pot luck dish to share. Meet at the library and we will watch this quality film. Of particular interest is some of the old reel footage that captured the actual work behind the project and review old photographs and articles of this interesting time. Bring your stories. Sign up for attendance at front desk and if you are bringing a pot luck dish to share. If you have any questions, call Heather at 406-265-5464.

Tuesday, Sept. 19 — 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Foot Care Clinic. A Plus Healthcare’s licensed nurse will be at North Central Senior Center to provide medical pedicure and general nail care. Diabetic foot care assessment is provided. Appointments are made by calling A Plus Healthcare at 406-265-4776. The price is $37.

Tuesday, Sept. 19 — 10:00-11 a.m. — Stepping-On Workshop is back! Laura and Mark will take us through this free weekly seven-week workshop which teaches us how to avoid trips and falls, improve our mobility and enlighten us to risks and poor practices which could land us in the hospital. If you learn just one valuable tip or practice which keeps you from a debilitating injury, the course has been a success! Sign up at front desk.

Tuesday, Sept. 19, 11 a.m. to noon — Mary Stevens will play harp or keyboard music varieties. Free and open to the community.

Tuesday, Sept. 19, 1-3 p.m. — Bingo. $1 per card for the afternoon. Pays 100% of amount of money paid in. Open to community members ages 18 and older.

Wednesday, Sept. 20, 10-11:30 a.m. — Coffee Club meets every Wednesday at the North Central Senior Center. Drop ins and newcomers welcome, meet new people and socialize.

Thursday, Sept. 21 — 10-11 a.m. — Chair Yoga with Bonnie Williamson. Learn breathing techniques and gentle stretches to increase your vitality and mobility while being supported by the chair. Free and open to senior citizens.

Thursday, Sept. 21, 12:30-3 p.m. — Pinochle Thursdays. This group welcomes new players all levels and abilities at North Central Senior Center.

Tuesday, Sept. 26, 10-11 a.m. — Stepping-On Workshop, second class. Laura and Mark will take us through this free weekly seven-week workshop which teaches us how to avoid trips and falls, improve our mobility and enlighten us to risks and poor practices which could land us in the hospital. If you learn just one valuable tip or practice which keeps you from a debilitating injury, the course has been a success! Sign up at front desk.

Tuesday, Sept. 26 — 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, Sept. 26, 1-3 p.m. — Bingo. $1 per card for the afternoon. Pays 100% of amount of money paid in. Open to community members ages 18 and older.

Wednesday, Sept. 27, 10-11:30 a.m. — Coffee Club meets every Wednesday at the North Central Senior Center. Drop ins and newcomers welcome, meet new people and socialize.

Wednesday, Sept. 27, 10:30 to noon — Accordion player Haus Fraus will play German Folk music celebrating the coming Oktoberfest/Fall weather. Free and open to the community.

Thursday, Sept. 28, 10-11 a.m. — Chair Yoga with Bonnie Williamson. Learn breathing techniques and gentle stretches to increase your vitality and mobility while being supported by the chair. Free and open to senior citizens.

Thursday, Sept. 28, 12:30-3 p.m. — Pinochle Thursdays. This group welcomes new players all levels and abilities at North Central Senior Center.