MONTEVIDEO — A support and education group for caring for people with dementia meets Thursday, October 20 at 10:30 am in the CCM Wellness Center conference room or attendees can join virtually. Open to caregivers of people living with dementia. For more information or to get the virtual link, call Gretchen Reeves at 320-321-8240.
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 First Episodes of Psychosis for Families, a suicide prevention class called QPR: Ask, Persuade and Recommend , a special QPR class for Agricultural Communities, and more. Classes are designed for family members and caregivers, people living with mental illness, service providers, as well as the general public. Find a complete list of these classes and how to join by visiting namimn.org and clicking on “Classes” under Education and Public Awareness.
Read on for more items on this week’s calendar under related content.
The Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging provides advocacy, information, resources and assistance so older adults can maintain the lifestyle of their choice. For more information on this and other presentations and trainings the MNRAAA has to offer, visit mnraaa.org/calendar
Live chat with a specialist can also be accessed online at www.MinnesotaHelp.info.
New to Medicare: October 25, from 8:30 to 10:30 am, 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 drug coverage. During the class, you’ll learn the details of enrolling in Medicare, how to get the most out of your benefits, and how to research your Medicare plan choices using Medicare.gov. Sign up at https://bit.ly/3ub8byS. For more information, call 1-800-333-2433, space is limited.
BROWSE: Tuesday and Thursday, 10:15-11:15 am, Willmar Community Center, free, all levels. The Stay Active & Independent for Life program is based on weight training and balance exercises to protect against fractures caused by osteoporosis by increasing muscle strength, balance and bone density.
Senior Connection Line: A free service of the Minnesota Board on Aging, Senior LinkAge Line is the State Health Insurance Assistance Program and Medicare Patrol for Minnesota Seniors. Seniors can contact the Senior LinkAge Line at 1-800-333-2433 between 8 am and 4:30 pm weekdays for help with questions related to Medicare and health insurance, help finding services to stay at home or help paying for medications. Make sure you have a complete list of prescription medications and dosages.
MN Disability Center: A statewide network of free resources to help 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 bring them together. Call 1-866-333-2466 from 8:30 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday or find email and live chat options at www.disabilityhubmn.org.
Coffee talk: This statewide chat line for seniors is open from 8 am to noon, Monday through Friday. Call toll free at 877-238-2282. It is staffed by volunteers who understand the needs and challenges of the older population and is dedicated to alleviating 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. The calls are free. The privacy of the caller is a priority, and the only information requested will be the name. Line users can call as many times as they want.
LSS Meals on Wheels: Hot Meals on Wheels are delivered on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. A frozen meal is available for the next day or the weekend. Meals are available for people who are unable to cook for themselves due to age, disability, illness, or recent hospital discharge. In addition to the regular meal, two special diet meals are available. The cost is $8.75 and includes milk. Those over 60 can contact LSS to see if they qualify for a reduced price. Order by noon on the weekday prior to delivery by calling 320-737-0985. The menu is available on the website lssmn.org/meals.
Willmar Senior Food: Meals are served at 11:30 am Monday through Friday and are also available for curbside pickup at the Community Center. Meals are open to people over 60 years of age. Suggested donation of $5 per meal. Call 320-262-5288 before 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 and delivered meals are available to seniors statewide through the LSS Meals to Go service. Each shipment includes 14 frozen meals and the cost is approximately $9 per meal, which includes the cost of shipping. The cost is covered for Minnesotans using one of five waiver programs. Meals are also available to anyone in Minnesota who can benefit from healthy meals delivered directly to their homes. Order meals online at lssmn.org/mealstogo or call 800-488-4146.
The American Red Cross conducts blood drives in the Midwest area. To donate blood you must be at least 17 years old, weigh 110 pounds or more, and be in good health. You can donate blood every 56 days. Double red blood cells can be donated every 112 days. While all blood types are needed, type O and type B negative donors are especially encouraged to donate.
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 photo ID, such as a driver’s license or Red Cross blood donor card. Otherwise, you will need to provide two other forms of identification, such as a work ID, 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:
October 31, Hector: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart High School
November 1, Spicer: Noon to 6 pm, American Legion
November 3, Willmar: Noon to 6 p.m., St. Mary’s Catholic Church
November 3, Benson: 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., St. Mark’s Lutheran Church
November 4, Benson: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., St. Mark’s Lutheran Church
November 4, Willmar: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Living Hope Church
November 7, Murdock: 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., City Hall
November 8, Madison: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Lac qui Parle Valley High School
November 8, Prinsburg: 1 to 7 p.m., Unity Christian Reformed Church
November 9, Appleton: Noon to 6 pm, Appleton Area Health Services
November 14, Willmar: 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Assembly of God Church
November 15, Renville: 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., West Renville County High School
November 15, Granite Falls: 1 to 7 p.m., Kilowatt Center
November 16, Kerkhoven: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg High School
November 21, Grove City: 1 to 7 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church
November 21, Clarkfield: Noon to 6 p.m., Clarkfield Lutheran Church
November 22, Willmar: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Ridgewater College
November 25, Willmar: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. American Legion
November 28, Raymond: 1 to 7 p.m., Christian Reformed Church
November 28, Sunburg: 1 to 7 p.m., Hope Lutheran Church
