Senior Center News, Feb. 16, 2024

North Central Senior Center

Feb. 19-23

Menu

Monday, Feb. 19 — Center closed President’s Day

Tuesday, Feb. 20 — Enchiladas, rice, refried beans, dessert

Wednesday, Feb. 21 — Chicken parmesan, buttered noodles, veggies, fruit

Thursday, Feb. 22 — Pigs in blanket, mac-n-cheese, veggies, fruit

Friday, Feb. 23 — Ham-and-bean soup, grilled ham-and-cheese sandwich

News from our gift shop: New to the gift shop — Valentine’s Day items. More than 60 different heart trinket boxes, perfect as a gift or to hide a special valentine surprise. $1 each. Valentine flower/candy bouquets are also available. Handmade potholders, dish cloths and stocking caps are available. Unique “art glass” flower vases ready for spring flowers, have been added. Wall hangings and knick knacks are added often. Puzzles, 50 cents. All-occasion cards, 25 cents each. Donations welcome. Yarn is often requested. Store hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The power of peers: Who Influences you and your health? Do birds of a feather really flock together? Science says yes. People do tend to choose friends who are similar. You also become more like your friends over time. And that can influence your health. Many behaviors spread socially. Examples include how much you exercise, how much alcohol you drink, whether you smoke, and what foods you eat. Some people seem to be more easily influenced than others. They may be more sensitive to feeling included or excluded by others. It’s also a time of influence, peers help others thrive and it gets them more involved with their community or helps them learn behaviors to get along with others, like how to cooperate or be empathetic. Studies show that in general the more friends you have and the more time you spend with them, the happier you are. Friends give people time to share their feelings, to get new perspectives, or to do fun activities with. Just sharing your healthy habits with others could make a real difference to someone and to yourself. It may help to focus on positive and negative things in your day. Look for healthy activities to do together. Stay involved and share good examples from your own life with others. Having friends really does help you have a better life.

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.

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. This group welcomes new players all levels and abilities at the senior center.

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: Slots are available, if interested stop by the North Central Senior Center and request an application. For commodities there is an income restriction. Bring income verification and picture ID. 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: 406-259-2558 (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.