Aging Wisely
WILLMAR — Aging Wisely: Finding New Confidence and Purpose will meet at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, March 2, at the Willmar Community Center. Riley Kennedy, of Willmar Main Street, will talk about new businesses and events downtown, and group will reminisce about memories of downtown Willmar. The program is part of a series to help support the educational, social and nutritional needs of older adults. For more information and to make a reservation, call Britta at 320-262-5288 by 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 1.
NAMI Western Minnesota
WILLMAR — NAMI Western Minnesota mental health support groups for families and peer-to-peer support will meet from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 2, at the Willmar Public Library. Family groups are led by trained facilitators who also have a family member with mental illness. The group helps families develop better coping skills and strength through sharing. It is sponsored by the National Alliance on Mental Illness. For more information, call 320-368-8319 .
NAMI Mental health classes: Free online mental health classes designed for family members and caregivers, persons living with a mental illness, service providers, and also the general public. Find a complete listing of these classes and how to join in by going to namimn.org and clicking on “Classes” under Education and Public Awareness.
Keep reading for more of this week's calendar items below the related content.
Senior services
The Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging provides advocacy, information, resources and assistance so that older adults can maintain the lifestyle of their choice. To learn more about this and other presentations and trainings MNRAAA has to offer, visit mnraaa.org/calendar.
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Live chat with a specialist also can be accessed online at www.MinnesotaHelp.info .
Senior LinkAge Line: Your link to an expert on Medicare, prescription drug expense assistance, forms assistance, community-based resources, finding resources in your community, caregiver planning and support and more. It is a service of the Minnesota Board on Aging in partnership with Minnesota’s local area agencies on aging. It is the state’s federally designated State Health Insurance Assistance Program and Senior Medicare Patrol. Call the Senior LinkAge Line at 800-333-2433 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays or visit
www.MinnesotaHelp.info
to chat with a specialist during business hours. Be sure to have a complete list of prescription drugs and dosages.
- Online presentation: March 15, 9 to 10 a.m., online. Learn about the Senior LinkAge Line and how it supports older adults and their families with decision-making.
New to Medicare: Feb. 23, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., online; for people who will be new to Medicare and would like to learn about Medicare Parts A, B, C and D. Topics will include a comprehensive introduction to Medicare including what Medicare covers, supplemental insurance and Part D prescription coverage. During the class you will learn the Medicare enrollment details, how to get the most from your benefits and how to research your Medicare plan options using the Medicare.gov site. Sign up at bit.ly/3ub8byS . For more information, call 1-800-333-2433, space is limited.
Medicare 101: March 1, noon to 1 p.m., online. Medicare can be confusing. If you know little to nothing about Medicare and want a brief overview before digging deeper, this class is for you. Learn the basics of Medicare Part A, B, C and Part D. This class will also give you information about when and how to enroll. Sign up at bit.ly/3ub8byS . For more information call 1-800-333-2433, space is limited.
SAIL: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:15 to 11:15 a.m., Willmar Community Center, free, all skill levels. The Staying Active & Independent for Life program relies upon weight training and balance exercises to protect against fractures caused by osteoporosis by increasing muscular strength, balance and bone density.
55+ driver courses: This class offered through the Minnesota Highway Safety & Research Center will save you up to 10 percent on your auto insurance. Completion of an eight-hour course qualifies you for the discount. To maintain the discount, you must complete a four-hour refresher every three years. The course covers defensive-driving tips, changes in laws, vehicle technology, and traffic safety. It is also available online at
www.mnsafetycenter.org
. Advance registration required, online at
www.mnsafetycenter.org
or call
1-888-234-1294
. Classes set in the West Central Tribune area include:
- Refresher course, March 4, 1 to 5 p.m., $24, Emden Church, Renville.
- Refresher courses, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., March 9 or April 17, $24, Jefferson Learning Center, Willmar.
- First-time course: 5 to 9 p.m., two days, March 9 and March 20, $28, Jefferson Learning Center, Willmar.
Disability Hub MN: A free statewide resource network that helps solve problems, navigate the system and plan for the future. The team knows the ins and outs of community resources and government programs, and has years of experience helping people fit them together. Call 1-866-333-2466 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or find email and live chat options at www.disabilityhubmn.org .
Coffee Talk: This statewide phone chat line for older adults is open from 8 a.m. to noon weekdays. Call toll-free at 877-238-2282. It is staffed by volunteers who understand the older adult population’s needs and challenges and is dedicated to easing loneliness and social isolation among older adults. Volunteers can offer words of encouragement and understanding and provide information about support and resources available in the person’s community. Calls are free. The caller’s privacy is a priority, and the only information requested will be first name. Users of the line may call as often as they would like.
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LSS Meals on Wheels: Hot Meals on Wheels are delivered on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. A frozen meal is available for the following day or the weekend. The meals are available for persons who are unable to cook for themselves due to their age, disability, illness or recent release from the hospital. Along with the regular meal, two special diet meals are available. The cost is $8.75 and includes milk. Those 60 and over may contact LSS to see if they qualify for a reduced price. Order by noon the weekday before the delivery day by calling 320-737-0985. The menu is available on the website lssmn.org/meals .
Willmar Senior Dining: The meals are served at 11:30 a.m. weekdays and are also available for curbside pickup at the Community Center. The meals are open to those who are 60 years of age and older. Suggested donation of $5 a meal. Call 320-262-5288 by noon the day before and leave a message. The menu is available on the city of Willmar website www.willmarmn.gov under Community Center.
Lutheran Social Service: Frozen, shipped meals are available for older adults statewide through the LSS Meals to Go service. Each shipment includes 14 frozen meals and the cost is about $9 per meal, which includes the shipping cost. The cost is covered for Minnesotans who use one of five waiver programs. Meals are also available to anyone in Minnesota who could benefit from healthy meals shipped directly to their homes. Order meals on the website lssmn.org/mealstogo or call 800-488-4146.
Bloodmobile
The American Red Cross conducts blood drives in the west central area. To give blood you must be at least 17 years old, weigh 110 pounds or more and be in good health. You can give blood every 56 days. Double red cells can be donated every 112 days. While all blood types are needed, type O and type B-negative donors are especially encouraged to give.
Appointments can be made at 1-800-RED-CROSS or online at www.redcrossblood.org . All donors need acceptable identification. The preferred form is a government-issued picture identification, such as a driver’s license, or a Red Cross blood donor card. Otherwise you will need to provide two other forms of identification, such as a work identification, Social Security card, personal check or credit card. Personalized mail such as a utility bill will not be accepted.
Blood drives scheduled for the Tribune area are:
Feb. 23, Madison: Noon to 6 p.m., Calvary Baptist Church
Feb. 27, Olivia: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Olivia Hospital and Clinic
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Feb. 28, Olivia: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., BOLD High School
Feb. 28, Dawson: Noon to 6 p.m., Dawson-Boyd School
Feb. 28, Murdock: Noon to 6 p.m., City Hall
March 1, Benson: 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Benson High School
March 3, Montevideo: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., CCM Health
March 6, New London: Noon to 6 p.m., Open Door Christian Church
March 7, Glenwood: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Minnewaska Area High School
March 7, Olivia: Noon to 6 p.m., St. Aloysius Catholic Church
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March 10, Spicer: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Cross Roads Community Church
March 13, Willmar: 12:30 to 5:30 p.m., Assembly of God Church
The Trust Project
