Health Calendar published June 22, 2022

MONTEVIDEO — A dementia care partner support and education group meets at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 23, at the CCM Wellness Center conference room or participants may join virtually. Open to care partners of people living with dementia. For more information or to get the virtual link, call Gretchen Reeves at 320-321-8240 .

WILLMAR — Aging Wisely: Finding New Confidence and Purpose will meet at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, July 7, at the Willmar Community Center. The program is part of a series to help support the educational, social and nutritional needs of older adults. Janel Heinen from Lutheran Social Service will talk about the benefits of volunteering and how to find a good volunteering fit. For more information and to make a reservation, call Britta at 320-262-5288 by 4 p.m. Wednesday, July 6.

WILLMAR — NAMI Minnesota (National Alliance on Mental Illness) offers a variety of free online mental health classes. They include classes such as Hope for Recovery, Family to Family, In Our Own Voice, Creating Caring Communities, Ending the Silence, Understanding Early Episode Psychosis for Families, a suicide prevention class called QPR — Question, Persuade and Refer, a special QPR class for Agricultural Communities, and more. The classes are 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.

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: June 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 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 bit.ly/3ub8byS . For more information call 1-800-333-2433; space is limited.

Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging: July 27, 9 a.m., virtually or in-person, Redwood Area Community Center, Redwood Falls; public hearing/meeting to gather input on the agency's Area Plan for 2023-2024. This planning document, pursuant to the Older Americans Act, identifies priority needs, goals, objectives, and activities. The agency will be developing and implementing programs for individuals aged 60 years and older and their caregivers in the southwest region of Minnesota. It is proposing to use $149,778 Title III-B direct service funds to pay for the Program Development and Coordination Activities during 2023 as a cost of Area Plan administration. The Minnesota Board on Aging has developed the following goals:

• Leverage the experience, expertise, and energy of older Minnesotans;
• Equip older Minnesotans with the tools to take charge of their health and make informed decisions about services when they need them;
• Support families and friends in their caregiving roles;
• Support aging in community with access to a range of services and housing options.

The public is invited to make comments in written form and/or by attending the public meeting.
Wellness with Windy: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:15 to 11:15 a.m., Willmar Community Center, free, all fitness levels. The co-ed classes will include strength, cardio, and stretching for ages 55 and up.

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. Order by noon the weekday before the delivery day by calling 320-737-0985 . The menu is available on the website lssmn.org/meals . Those 60 and over may contact Lutheran Social Service to see if they qualify for a reduced price.

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 .

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.

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:

June 23, Litchfield: 12:30 to 6:30 p.m., St. Phillip's Church

July 7, Sunburg; Noon to 6 p.m., Hope Lutheran Church

July 11, Willmar: 12:30 to 5:30 p.m., Assembly of God Church

July 13, Willmar: Noon to 6 p.m., Vinje Lutheran Church

July 15, Litchfield: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Christian Church of Litchfield

July 18, Spicer: Noon to 6 p.m., Faith Lutheran Church

July 18-19, Redwood Falls: Noon to 6 p.m., Community Center

July 19, Hancock: 1 to 7 p.m., Hancock School

July 20, Willmar: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., United Methodist Church

July 20, Morris: 12:30 to 6:30 p.m., Old No. 1 Bar and Grill

July 25, Willmar: Noon to 6 p.m., American Legion

July 25, Granite Falls: 1 to 7 p.m., Kilowatt Center

July 26, Willmar: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Calvary Lutheran Church

July 28, Willmar: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Community Center