New to Medicare
WILLMAR — There are important decisions that need to be made when you become eligible for Medicare. Making the wrong decision can lead to not having any or enough health care coverage and financial penalties.
Senior LinkAge Line will have two virtual classes in July for people who will be new to Medicare. The first class is from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. July 9 and the second is from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. July 22. 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.
Please contact Senior Linkage Line at 1-800-333-2433 to sign up for the class, as space is limited.
Home-delivered meals
Willmar Meals on Wheels: Instead of volunteers, CCT bus drivers are delivering Meals on Wheels on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. On these three days, the meal is hot but a frozen meal for the following day or the weekend can also be included.
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.
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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 will be delivered Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to the Willmar area community. Freeze-and-heat meals are also available.
The meals are open to those who are 60 years of age and older. The cost is $4.50 a meal.
To reserve a meal, call 1-866-974-0289 by noon the day before.
The menu is available on the city of Willmar website www.willmarmn.gov under Community Center.
NAMI Western Minnesota
The National Alliance on Mental Illness and NAMI Minnesota have started online support groups and mental health classes in response to COVID-19. All are available through the Minnesota website at namimn.org .
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Support groups: Free online peer support groups for adults and young adults living with a mental illness, their families, friends, spouses/partners, as well as parents of children and teens. Led by trained peer facilitators, the support groups help individuals and families learn coping skills and find strength through sharing their experiences. The groups are specifically for those individuals suggested by the group’s title. For example, Family Support Group is only for family members and NAMI Connection is only for those who live with a mental illness and are over 18 years old, etc.
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. Sixteen-year-olds may if they have a signed Red Cross parental/guardian consent form. 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 unless otherwise noted. 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 30, Willmar: 1 to 7 p.m., Eagle Lake Lutheran Church
July 1, Litchfield: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Christian Church of Litchfield
July 6-7, Redwood Falls: Noon to 6 p.m., Community Center
July 8, Willmar: 1 to 6 p.m., Calvary Lutheran Church
July 8, Prinsburg: 1 to 7 p.m., Unity Christian Reformed Church
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July 9, Sunburg: 2 to 8 p.m., Hope Lutheran Church
July 13, Willmar: 12:30 to 5:30 p.m., Assembly of God Church
July 16, Olivia: Noon to 6 p.m., Renville County Government Services Center
July 16, Belgrade: 1 to 7 p.m., St. Francis de Sales parish center
July 17, Spicer: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Prairie Meadows Learning Center
