Senior Center News, April 5, 2024

North Central Senior Center

April 8-12

Menu

Monday, April 8 — Cheeseburger, jojo’s, veggies, dessert

Tuesday, April 9 — Chicken sandwich, jojo’s, veggies, dessert

Wednesday, April 10 — Ham and scalloped potatoes, fruit, dessert

Thursday, April 11 — Beef, rice, onions, fruit, dessert

Friday, April 12 — Soup, chef’s choice, dessert

IMPORTANT: We will be starting meals at the Rudyard Center April 8, 2024. We will also be getting out Meals on Wheels. Please be kind, we are going to try to find all the MOW families and make sure everyone gets a first meal. Addresses are a little more rural than we are used to, but we will be doing our best.

News from our gift shop — Spring is just around the corner. New items will be added often. Easter items are available new this week. Picture frames, yes we have some. The ice will be melting soon — fishing will be good with handmade fishing flies from the gift shop. New this week — yarn has been added. Puzzles 50 cents, cards for all occasions 25 cents. Donations welcome, gently used knick knacks and yarn would be appreciated. No clothes, please. Shop hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Life with low vision: Some vision problems can’t be fixed with glasses, contact lenses, or even surgery. This is known as low vision. It can make everyday tasks difficult. You might have trouble recognizing people’s faces or telling colors apart. Low vision is more common in older adults. It can be caused by many different eye conditions. One of the most common causes is age-related macular degeneration. This eye disease can blur your central vision. Other diseases that can cause low vision include cataracts, where the lens of the eye becomes cloudy. Glaucoma, which damages the eye’s optic nerve, can also cause untreatable vision loss. Eye doctors can check for low vision during an eye exam. They’ll give you drops to dilate your pupil. This allows them to check for conditions that can cause low vision. Unfortunately, low vision is often permanent. Treatment options depend on what is causing your low vision. There are things you can do to make the most of your remaining sight. They will share resources to help you cope with your vision loss.

Taxes: Call the North Central Senior Center 406-265-5464 to have your name put on the call list to have your taxes done.

Foot clinic: Call 406-265-4776 to set up an appointment for our Foot Clinic. Appointments are from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays.

We will be adding a new activity: Beginning April 11, we will be presenting Stepping On Classes, Spring Edition. These classes will be presented Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. Hope to see you all there.

Vaccinations and older adults: When fall arrives, many of us know it’s time to get the annual flu, or influenza, shot. It’s also a good time to consider what other vaccines or boosters to get to protect your health. Staying up-to-date on vaccines is especially important for older adults. Our immune system helps the body fight infection, but it gets weaker as we age. Vaccines help to strengthen the immune system. Other vaccines that are important to older adults include COVID-19, pneumonia, shingles, and TDP (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis). The pneumococcal vaccine is recommended for all adults ages 65 and older. It protects against serious infections like pneumonia. TDP booster should be given every 10 years. Be sure to protect yourself by keeping your vaccines up to date. Talk with a health care provider about which ones you need and if they can be taken together.

Bingo: Come join us for Bingo every Tuesday at 1 p.m. Everyone 18 and older 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.

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. For commodities there is an income restriction. You can sign up at the senior center, fill out an application and find out if your income falls within the guidelines. Bring income verification and picture ID. If you qualify, you can receive commodities once a month. You do have to come to senior center at 2 Second St. West in Havre 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 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.

North Central Senior Center April activities

Tuesday, April 9 — Musical performance by Brad Taylor, 10 a.m. to noon

Bingo 1-3 p.m., $1 per card, 100% payout

Wednesday, April 10 — Take Off Pounds Sensibly — TOPS — 9-10 a.m., weigh-in 8:30-9 a.m.

Coffee Club 10-11:30 a.m.

Thursday, April 11 — Music by Gene Allen and Friends, 10 a.m. to noon

Pinochle, 12:30-3 p.m.

Seven-week Step On starts, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Tuesday, April 16 — Harp or piano musical performance by Mary Stevens, 10 a.m. to noon

Bingo 1-3 p.m., $1 per card, 100% payout

Wednesday, April 17 — Take Off Pounds Sensibly — TOPS — 9-10 a.m., weigh-in 8:30-9 a.m.

Coffee Club 10-11:30 a.m.

Thursday, April 18 — Seven-week Step On, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Pinochle, 12:30-3 p.m.

Friday, April 19 — Free blood pressure clinic with Janice Holt, RN, 11 a.m. to noon

Tuesday, April 23 — Musical performance by Brad Taylor, 10 a.m. to noon

Bingo 1-3 p.m., $1 per card, 100% payout

Wednesday, April 24 — Take Off Pounds Sensibly — TOPS — 9-10 a.m., weigh-in 8:30-9 a.m.

Coffee Club 10-11:30 a.m.

Thursday, April 25 — Music by Gene Allen and Friends, 10 a.m. to noon

Pinochle, 12:30-3 p.m.

Tuesday, April 30 — Harp or piano musical performance by Mary Stevens, 10 a.m. to noon

Bingo 1-3 p.m., $1 per card, 100% payout

Wednesday, May 1 — Take Off Pounds Sensibly — TOPS — 9-10 a.m., weigh-in 8:30-9 a.m.

Coffee Club 10-11:30 a.m.