April 14, 2020 Supporting a Balanced and Well-Connected Life Through Active Aging Hello Fridley Seniors!
Happy Tuesday! Today is April 14, and the Senior Center is still set to re-open May 5. We'll continue to keep you updated on the date when we can safely begin to gather again!
We've added a few new resources to the newsletter this week. Hopefully, you've all already found ways to get your groceries and prescriptions brought to your home. If that is not possible, and you cannot avoid going in-person, it is advised to go when fewer people are in the store in order to limit your exposure to COVID-19 (see the store hours list further down the newsletter). It is also advised to wear a mask or some other kind of face covering when leaving your home (tutorial down below as well).
We will continue to send this newsletter weekly instead of monthly until the Senior Center re-opens. The newsletter contains tax services updates, health tips, links to entertainment, opportunities for interactive activities and updates on the Senior Program. If you have any questions or ideas on what to include in the newsletter, please send them to me by email at Maggie.Chandler@fridley.k12.mn.us or leave a voicemail at 763-502-5150 and I'll call you back!
The past week or so, we've had a team of people making calls out to check on folks and making sure you have everything you need. We're still getting through the list, but if you did not receive a call, but would like to receive one, please email me and we'll reach out as soon as we can. You can also call us whenever you'd like! If you call the Senior Center and no one is able to pick up at that time, please leave a message and we'll call you back. The Senior Center phone is 763-502-5150.
Take care,
Fridley Senior Program Coordinator Announcements
Tax Updates
Information on Tax Updates:
Economic Impact Payment or "Stimulus Check"
The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the IRS has announced that Social Security beneficiaries who are not typically required to file tax returns will not need to file an abbreviated tax return to receive an Economic Impact Payment.
The IRS will use the information on Form SSA-1099 and Form RRB-1099 to generate $1,200 payments to recipients who did not file tax returns in 2018 or 2019. They will receive these payments as a direct deposit or by paper check, just as they would normally receive their social security benefits.
Resources for Seniors
Meal Options: » Fare for All (canceled for now) » Help at Your Door Help at your door is a non-profit which provides grocery assistance and essential medical transportation to seniors. Once registered, it typically takes between 2-5 business days for your first delivery. The cost for delivery is $15 plus the cost of groceries, though there is sliding feel for individuals over 60 who meet income qualifications. To sign up for services, call 651-642-1892 or email at information@helpatyourdoor.org.
» Lunch to Go -
» Meals on Wheels » Metro Mobility Grocery and Goods Delivery Certified Metro Mobility customers can now order groceries and household essentials online from a store that has online shopping and local pick up. Metro Mobility will pick your order up and deliver to your house. The service is free!
If you have any further questions about the service, please contact Metro Mobility Service Center: Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call: 651-602-1111 TTY: 651-221-9886 Email: metromobility@metc.state.mn.us » NorthStar Neighbor Northstar Neighbor exists to spread a message of hope and compassion by serving our neighbors who are at higher risk of COVID-19 complications. We make one-on-one connections between a healthy volunteer who has low COVID-19 risk factors with a senior or other high-risk person in the same community for remote companionship, conversation and help with delivery of groceries or prescriptions. If you are interested in participating in this program, you can email NorthStarNeighbor@gmail.com or call 612-430-8899, or you can visit the Northstar Neighbor website by clicking the button below.
» Prescription Access
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) has put out an article with really good information on how to ensure you have access to your medications during the pandemic. You can read that here.
Prescription Delivery
Many pharmacies and insurance companies have options to deliver your prescriptions. If you're not sure if your pharmacy or insurance has a delivery option, you can call them to find out. If you get your prescriptions at Target, this is a CVS pharmacy - see below link. Cub Pharmacy does not do deliveries.
Senior Program Coordinator and Social Workers available to help!
» Senior Center The Community Center is not open, but we are still working (from home)! We are happy to help in whatever ways that we can. If you call the Senior Center at 763-502-5150, please leave a message. You can also leave a message for Alaina (Community Ed Social Worker) at 763-502-5121.
Currently, we have no way to answer our phones, but we are checking voicemail and calling people back. Please leave your name and number and we'll call you!
» ACCAP Our Senior Outreach Worker from ACCAP is still available over the phone or by email to help connect you to a resource or help you fill out applications.. You can call Angela at 763-783-4741 or email at asable@accap.org
» Avoiding Scams Be careful of COVID-19-related scams and fraud. The Federal Trade Commission has tips to help you identify COVID-19 scammers. Health Tips
» Handwashing
» How to Make Your Own Mask
The Surgeon General has put out an easy tutorial for how to make a face covering should you still need one. Make sure to wash cloth masks with soap and water and let it completely dry before the next use. » Mental Health:
• NAMI - National Alliance on Mental Illness has put out a Resource and Information Guide for various concerns including mental health. It also has good information around finances, insurance, housing, and general information about COVID-19.
• MN Department of Human Services also provides links to many resources available across the state.
» Telemedicine
Some of you have already been asked to have your doctor visit move online or over the phone during this time to prevent unnecessary exposure to the virus. The National Council on Aging has put together some tips on making your telemedicine visits as beneficial as possible. You can read those tips here.
» Exercise
There are several online options for daily exercise! • Yoga with our beloved instructor, Michael Ledman on Facebook Live. Tuesday and Thursday at Noon are the 45 minute gentle classes. Feel free to call the Senior Center for help accessing the Facebook page and how to pay. $6/session
• The National Institute on Aging has some great videos on exercises for older adults for a wide variety of ability.
• Planet Fitness is offering workouts on Facebook Live at 7pm most days of the week. You can access the videos at any time if you're not available at 7pm.
United Way Help/Crisis Line - 211 If you or someone you care about is experiencing a crisis, calling 211 from your phone will connect you with someone who direct you to appropriate help for your need.
If you are experiencing a medical or safety emergency, please dial 911.
Special Store Hours for Seniors A couple local stores, that are not on the list provided, DO NOT have
• Sam's Club: Sam's club added hours for Seniors starting March 26.. These hours are Tuesday and Thursday, 7am-9am including pharmacy and optical center. There is also a concierge service - from a designated parking location, you can place your order from your car and the associate with gather the items on your list.
• TIP: Regardless of the store, if you must go out, go as early as you can - most are restocked over night and less busy in the mornings. • TIP: It is recommended to wear something over your mouth and nose - if you don't have a mask, wear a scarf or bandanna and tie tightly in such a way that it is tight around the nose and chin area. Don't touch your face while you are out and wash your hands as soon as you arrive home. • TIP: To limit exposure, use an online delivery service or pickup option on the store website. Shipt is one such option or Cub Pickup or instacart for your local Cub Foods. Just for Fun!
» US Botanic Garden Virtual Tour » Visit Greece! » Get Outside!
It's still perfectly fine to get outside and do any of the following:
» Join - One Book One Minnesota
» Games Connecting Online
Join us on Facebook! New to Facebook? For instructions on how to create a Facebook account, click on the purple button and I'll show you how! Email Updates
We will be sending these updates weekly by email until the senior center re-opens. Then, we will return to the the monthly newsletter format. If you've already received this via email, you will continue to get the email updates.
If you did not receive this newsletter in your inbox, please join the mailing list! Click the button below to subscribe. (You must click Register New User on the bottom and fill in your information) Fridley Senior Program Fridley Community Center, 6085 7th Street NE, Fridley |