Health Calendar published March 2, 2022 – West Central Tribune

WILLMAR — Aging Wisely: Finding New Confidence and Purpose will meet at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, March 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. Chris Radel from Willmar Municipal Utilities will talk about how to keep homes energy efficient and how to cut back on energy use and pollution. He has simple swaps that can save dollars off an energy bill. For more information and to make a reservation, call Britta at

320-262-5288

by 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 2.

WILLMAR — The NAMI Western Minnesota mental health support groups for families and peer-to-peer support will meet from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 3, at the Willmar Public Library. Family groups are led by trained facilitators who also have a family member with mental illness. The group helps families develop better coping skills and strength through sharing. It is sponsored by the National Alliance on Mental Illness. For more information, call

320-235-3084

.

MONTEVIDEO — A Parkinson’s support group meets at 3:30 p.m. Monday, March 7, in Montevideo, at the CCM Health Wellness Center conference room. Anyone who has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s, or family, friends, or community members that would like to learn more about Parkinson’s, are encouraged to attend. For more information, call Gretchen Reeves at

320-321-8230

.

WILLMAR — The breast cancer peer support group will meet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. the first Monday of the month, March 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. Knowing 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 wish. Free. Register at

CarrisHealth.com/classes-events

.

WILLMAR — Heartbeat, a support group for those who have lost a loved one through suicide, will meet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 8, at New Directions/Knutson Counseling, 1809 19th Ave. S.W. in Willmar (across from Roosevelt school). If you are in need of someone to speak to or meet with due to a suicide loss, please feel free to call Diane at 320-894-0182, Kay at 320-262-6162 or Ray and Kim at 320-235-0030 or 320-295-6000 or email

yourwingsofhope@gmail.com

or

Heartbeatwillmar@gmail.com

.

The Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging provides advocacy, information, resources and assistance so that older adults can maintain the lifestyle of their choice. To learn more about this and other presentations and trainings the agency has to offer, visit

mnraaa.org/calendar

. Live chat with a specialist also can be accessed online at

www.MinnesotaHelp.info

.

New to Medicare: March 8, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. or March 24, 8:30 to 10:30 a.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

mnraaa.org/calendar

or call

1-800-333-2433

, space is limited.

SAIL: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:15 to 11:15 a.m., Willmar Community Center, free, all skill levels. The Staying Active & Independent for Life program relies upon weight training and balance exercises to protect against fractures caused by osteoporosis by increasing muscular strength, balance and bone density.

Senior LinkAge Line: 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. 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.

Disability Hub MN: A free statewide resource network that helps 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 fit them together. Call

1-866-333-2466

from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or find email and live chat options at

www.disabilityhubmn.org

.

Coffee Talk: This 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.

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.

Lutheran Social Service: Frozen, shipped meals are available for older adults statewide through the LSS Meals to Go service. Each shipment includes 14 frozen meals and the cost is about $9 per meal, which includes the shipping cost. The cost is covered for Minnesotans who use one of five waiver programs. Meals are also available to anyone in Minnesota who could benefit from healthy meals shipped directly to their homes. Order meals on the website

lssmn.org/mealstogo

or call

800-488-4146

.

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 are:

March 2, Benson: 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Benson High School
March 3, New London: Noon to 6 p.m., Open Door Christian Church
March 8, Olivia: 2 to 6 p.m., St. Aloysius Catholic Church
March 8, Glenwood: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Minnewaska Area High School
March 11, Spicer: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Cross Roads Community Church
March 14, Willmar: 12:30 to 5:30 p.m., Assembly of God Church
March 15, Willmar: 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Ridgewater College
March 23, Willmar: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Veterans of Foreign Wars Post
March 24, Renville: 1 to 7 p.m., Community Center
March 28, Willmar: Noon to 6 p.m., American Legion
March 29, Willmar: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Willmar Public Library
March 31, Madison: 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Lac qui Parle Valley High School