Health Calendar published April 7, 2021

Apr. 7—New to Medicare

WILLMAR — Senior LinkAge Line will have a virtual class from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. April 13 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 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 mnraaa.org/calendar or 1-800-333-2433 to sign up for the class, as space is limited.

Aging Wisely

WILLMAR — Aging Wisely: Finding New Confidence and Purpose will meet at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, April 15, at the Willmar Community Center. The program is part of a series to help support the educational, social and nutritional needs of older adults. Lisa Grindberg, owner of Creekside Greenhouses in Pennock and an North Dakota State University graduate in horticulture, will speak on container gardening. Social distancing, wearing masks, etc. required. For more information and to make a reservation, call Carrie at 320-231-2598 by 4 p.m. March April 14.

Conversation Line

WILLMAR — Carris Health has established a conversational phone line that will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. The number is 866-777-0250. This pandemic is difficult in a multitude of ways and many people in our communities are unable to visit with friends and family. If you are feeling isolated and want to connect with somebody, volunteers are available to have a friendly chat.

Senior chat line

Coffee Talk, a statewide phone chat line for older adults, is open from 8 a.m. to noon weekdays. Call toll-free at 877-238-2282. It will be 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.

NAMI Western Minnesota

The National Alliance on Mental Illness and NAMI Minnesota offer a variety of 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. All are available through the Minnesota website at namimn.org.

Self-care training for senior workers: The training helps caregivers develop personal strategies for managing stress and practicing self-care as they continue to provide care for others. Designed for caregivers to older adults living in care centers, assisted living homes, their own home or adult foster care settings. The training is about 20 minutes long and can be viewed on a smartphone, tablet or desktop computer. Access the training at namimn.org and see "Self-Care Training for Senior Workers." For more information, call 651-645-2948.

Home-delivered meals

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.

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. 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 that still had appointments available as of deadline are:

April 7, Clara City: 12:30 to 6:30 p.m., Community Center

April 7, Dawson: 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Dawson-Boyd High School

April 8, Willmar: Noon to 6 p.m., First Reformed Church

April 8, Hancock: Noon to 6 p.m., The Bridge

April 9, Kandiyohi: Noon to 6 p.m., Civic Center

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

April 13, Murdock: Noon to 6 p.m., City Hall

April 13, Maynard: Noon to 6 p.m., Events Center

April 14, Hector: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., BLHS High School

April 14, Morris: 12:30 to 6:30 p.m., Old No. 1 Bar and Grill

April 15, Montevideo: 12:30 to 6:30 p.m., Training and Community Center

April 15, Morris: 12:30 to 6:30 p.m., University of Minnesota

April 16, Willmar: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., YMCA

April 16, Morris: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., University of Minnesota

April 19, Granite Falls: 1 to 7 p.m., Kilowatt Center

April 20, Olivia: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., BOLD High School

April 21, Belgrade: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., BBE High School

April 22, Willmar: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., United Methodist Church

April 29, Litchfield: 1 to 7 p.m., First Lutheran Church

April 29, Paynesville: Noon to 6 p.m., American Legion

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