Senior Center News, Oct. 27, 2023

North Central Senior Center

Oct. 30 to Nov. 3

Menu

Monday, Oct. 30 — Eggs and bacon with toast, milk, fruit

Tuesday, Oct. 31 — Spaghetti, bread sticks, salad, cookies

Wednesday, Nov. 1 — Chili cheese hot dogs, fries, brownies

Thursday, Nov. 2 — Beef stir fry, rice, fruit

Friday, Nov. 3 — Soup, chef’s choice, dessert

News from our gift shop: Thank you to those who have donated items to the gift shop. Donations help make it an interesting place to shop. New items are added often. Yarn donations are needed again. ’Tis the season when our seniors are making items for Christmas and yarn is our most often requested item. Items currently in the gift shop include handmade necklaces, bracelets, earrings, winter hats and fishing flies as well as various knick-knacks. Collectable items include dolls, Avon bottles, trinket boxes and Mr. Peanut anniversary jars. Greeting cards for all occasions are just 25 cents each. Our gift shop is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. All shoppers are welcome.

Wise Choices: Bacteria are found nearbly. They’re in your food, recreational waters, and even the air we breathe. Some bacteria help keep you healthy. But some can make you very sick. We must guard against bacteria as much as we can. 1. Maintain a healthy lifestyle, including proper diet and exercise. This can help prevent illness. 2. Get all recommended vaccinations. 3. Wash your hands with soap and water regularly. 4. Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Stay home when you are sick. 5. If you’re prescribed an antibiotic take it exactly as instructed by your doctor. Don’t share your antibiotic with others or save for future use. 6. Don’t pressure your doctor to prescribe or take antibiotics prescribed for someone else. Overuse and misuse of antibiotic can create drug-resistant bacteria. Drug resistant infections pose many dangers. Bacteria that are resistant to one drug may still be treatable with stronger drugs. The best way to protect yourself and your family against harmful bacteria is to avoid infection in the first place.

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.

Medicare open enrollment began Oct. 16. Please pick up a pre-enrollment form from the senior center and schedule your appointment with Lorrie or Marcie. Open enrollment ends Dec. 7. It is advisable to ensure your medications will be covered in 2024 to at least have the ladies make sure everything will be covered. Please feel free to make an appointment the number is (406) 265-5464.

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.

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.

Silver Sneakers Membership: The Hill County Council on Aging wants to let everyone know we are unable to continue with Silver Sneakers Memberships at this time. If we are ever able to start up again we will let you know

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.

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.

October activities at the North Central Senior Center

Daily Pool, 1-3 p.m., in the North Central Senior Center back room. All players and abilities welcome.

Tuesday, Oct. 31, 10-11 a.m. — Stepping-On! falls Prevention Program, seventh and final class. Sponsored by Blaine County Health Department. Thank you, Mark and Laura.

Tuesday, Oct. 31, 11 a.m. to noon — Mary Stevens will play harp or keyboard music varieties. Free and open to the community.

Tuesday, Oct. 31, 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.