Health Calendar published May 26, 2021

May 26—NAMI Western Minnesota

The National Alliance on Mental Illness and NAMI Minnesota has online support groups and mental health classes in response to COVID-19. All are available through the Minnesota website at namimn.org.

Faith-Based Communities: May 28, noon to 1 p.m., online, free. Speakers will share their personal stories of recovery from mental illness in a presentation designed for people who are part of a faith community and wanting to learn more about mental illnesses as well as resources to support their recovery or the recovery of their loved ones. To register for this presentation, click on "Classes" at namimn.org.

Senior LinkAge

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. More classes and events can be found at: mnraaa.org/calendar.

New to Medicare: May 28, 2:30 to 4:30 p.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/3hDXlvB or call 1-800-333-2433, space is limited.

Senior LinkAge Line: 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.

Grief Care

WILLMAR — The Grief Care support group will meet at 5:15 p.m. every Monday at Calvary Lutheran Church in Willmar. For more information call 320-235-2508.

Aging Wisely

WILLMAR — Aging Wisely: Finding New Confidence and Purpose will meet at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, June 3, at the Willmar Community Center. The program is part of a series to help support the educational, social and nutritional needs of older adults. David and Christa Rivers will speak on "The Power of Your Life." For more information and to make a reservation, call Carrie at 320-231-2598 by 4 p.m. June 2.

Breast cancer

WILLMAR — The virtual breast cancer peer support group will meet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. the first Monday of the month, June 7. The group is for women of any age who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. It is facilitated by one of Carris Health Cancer Center's care coordinators.K nowing everybody has at least one thing in common to tie you together — cancer — can make it easier to open up, share, cry and laugh. Facilitators will make sure nobody is forced to share more than they are comfortable with. Free. Register at CarrisHealth.com/classes-events.

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 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.

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:

May 27, Olivia: Noon to 6 p.m., Renville County Government Services Center

May 28, Olivia: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Max's Grill

June 1, Sacred Heart: 1 to 7 p.m., Community Center

June 2, Olivia: Noon to 6 p.m., St. Aloysius Catholic Church

June 3, Olivia: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., St. Aloysius Catholic Church

June 3, Glenwood: 12:30 to 6:30 p.m., Glenwood Lutheran Church

June 4, Danube: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Community Center

June 7, Bird Island: 1 to 7 p.m., Our Savior's Lutheran Church

June 14, Willmar: 12:30 to 5:30 p.m., Assembly of God Church

June 15, New London: Noon to 6 p.m., Open Door Christian Church

June 15, Appleton: Noon to 6 p.m., St. John's Catholic Church

June 16, Atwater: 1 to 7 p.m. Community Center

June 17, Montevideo: 12:30 to 6:30 p.m., Training and Community Center

June 18, Montevideo: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Training and Community Center

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