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 .

State conference: Nov. 14, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., online, state conference with the theme of "Mental Health in Challenging Times." There are three keynote speakers, nine breakout sessions, and NAMI's annual meeting and awards ceremony. Registration is $10 for members, $20 for non-members and $40 for people seeking the 4.5 hours of continuing education credits. For more information and registration, go to namimn.org or call 651-645-2948.

Aging Wisely

WILLMAR — Aging Wisely: Finding New Confidence and Purpose will meet at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, at the Willmar Community Center. The program is part of a series to help support the educational, social and nutritional needs of older adults. Curt Schlenner, insurance agent, will speak on the changes in Medicare insurance plans in 2021. Social distancing, wearing masks, etc. required. For more information and to make a reservation, call Carrie at 320-231-2598 by 4 p.m. Nov. 18.

Senior LinkAge Line

Older adults can contact the Senior LinkAge Line at 1-800-333-2433 between 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays to receive help with questions involving Medicare and health insurance, help finding services to stay in their homes or assistance affording medication. Be sure to have a complete list of prescription drugs and dosages when you call.

The Senior LinkAge Line is 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. Specialists provide one-to-one assistance with all Medicare and health insurance issues. Live chat with a specialist also can be accessed online at www.MinnesotaHelp.info .

A new finder tool at HelpOlderAdultsMN.org is a searchable listing of services from across the state. Users can access the information through categories of services, such as home-delivered meals, grocery and drug deliveries, care coordination and home care. Search capabilities make it easy to find services relatively close to home. Currently the listing includes services provided under the Older Americans Act and other readily accessed information.

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:

Nov. 12, Madison: 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Lac qui Parle Valley High School

Nov. 13, Redwood Falls: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Redwood County building

Nov. 17, Willmar: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Ridgewater College

Nov. 17, Willmar: 1 to 7 p.m., Calvary Lutheran Church

Nov. 17, Granite Falls: 1 to 7 p.m., Kilowatt Center

Nov. 17, Sunburg: 2 to 8 p.m., Hope Lutheran Church

Nov. 20, Willmar: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Living Hope Church

Nov. 23, Grove City: 1 to 7 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church

Nov. 24, Clarkfield: Noon to 6 p.m., Clarkfield Lutheran Church

Nov. 27, Willmar: Noon to 6 p.m., American Legion

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.

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 available for curbside pickup at the Community Center between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. weekdays. Frozen meals are available.

The meals are open to those who are 60 years of age and older. Suggested donation of $5 a meal, one-time registration is required by calling 1-800-488-4146.

To reserve 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.