Health Calendar published Jan. 26, 2022

Editor's note: A blood drive that had been scheduled Feb. 1 in Lake Lillian has been canceled.

WILLMAR — Aging Wisely: Finding New Confidence and Purpose will meet at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3, at the Willmar Community Center. The program is part of a series to help support the educational, social and nutritional needs of older adults. Caregivers, Mary Ellen and Vicki, will be telling their story about caring for a loved one with dementia. For more information and to make a reservation, call Britta at 320-262-5288 by 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 2.

WILLMAR — The breast cancer peer support group will meet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. the first Monday of the month, Feb. 7. The group is for women of any age who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. It is facilitated by one of Carris Health Cancer Center’s care coordinators. Knowing everybody has at least one thing in common to tie you together — cancer — can make it easier to open up, share, cry and laugh. Facilitators will make sure nobody is forced to share more than they wish. Free. Register at CarrisHealth.com/classes-events .

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 the agency has to offer, visit mnraaa.org/calendar . Live chat with a specialist also can be accessed online at www.MinnesotaHelp.info .

New to Medicare: Jan. 27, 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 it 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 mnraaa.org/calendar or 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.

Senior LinkAge Line: A free service of the Minnesota Board on Aging, the Senior LinkAge Line is the State Health Insurance Assistance Program and Senior Medicare Patrol for Minnesota. Older adults can contact the Senior LinkAge Line at 1-800-333-2433 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays to receive help with questions involving Medicare and health insurance, help finding services to stay in one's home or help to afford medication. Be sure to have a complete list of prescription drugs and dosages.

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.

Willmar 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, three special diet meals are available. The cost is $6.81 and includes all the side dishes (including dessert) and either milk or juice. Order by 1 p.m. the weekday before the delivery day by calling 320-235-5310 , ext. 219, or 320-894-7401 . The menu is available on West Central Industries website, www.wcimn.org under Business Solutions.

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.

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:

Jan. 26, Granite Falls: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Kilowatt Center
Jan. 26, Hancock: 1 to 7 p.m., Hancock School
Jan. 27, Atwater: 1 to 7 p.m., Community Center
Jan. 27, Morris: 12:30 to 6:30 p.m., Hosanna Worship Center
Jan. 28, Willmar: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., YMCA
Jan. 31, Willmar: 1 to 6 p.m., Vinje Lutheran Church
▶CANCELED: Feb. 1, Lake Lillian: 2 to 7 p.m., United Lutheran Church
Feb. 2, Morris: 12:30 to 6:30 p.m., University of Minnesota
Feb. 3, Benson: 12:30 to 6:30 p.m., St. Mark’s Lutheran Church
Feb. 3, Morris: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., University of Minnesota
Feb. 4, Benson: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., St. Mark’s Lutheran Church
Feb. 7, Grove City: 1 to 7 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church
Feb. 14, Willmar: 12:30 to 5:30 p.m., Assembly of God Church
Feb. 14, Benson: 1 to 6 p.m., Swift County - Benson Health Services
Feb. 17, Belgrade: 1 to 7 p.m., St. Francis De Sales Church
Feb. 18, Grove City: 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City High School
Feb. 18, Olivia: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. BOLD High School
Feb. 22, Litchfield: 1 to 7 p.m., St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
Feb. 22, Willmar: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Kandiyohi County Historical Society