april 2021 vol 53 • issue 4 health virtual travel tours

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H E A LT H & W E L L N E S S

ADVANTAGES OF VIRTUAL PHYSICIAN VISITS

Why should you consider a virtual physician visit for yourself or a senior loved one? Here are a few of the advantages:

Convenience factor: There’s no doubt about it, virtual physician visits are just more convenient. This is especially true for seniors who have given up driving and those who live in a rural community without a physician’s office nearby. Easy-to-use technology allows the patient and physician to talk face-to-face from a distance.

No contact with sick people: Physician waiting rooms can be a source of germs, especially during cold and flu season. For an older adult with a chronic health condition, being exposed to those bugs can be dangerous. Virtual physician visits can prevent a senior from being subjected to harmful viruses.

More attention from the doctor: Patients who’ve utilized virtual visit options say they feel like they get more of their doctor’s attention. It may be that the physician has fewer distractions when they are connecting via video, allowing them to focus more fully on their patient.

No more waiting: If you feel like your physician is always running

late, you aren’t alone. It can be stressful and aggravating to be stuck sitting in the waiting room for a long period of time. When you schedule a virtual physician visit, you do the waiting at home where you can watch television, read a book, or just relax.

Access to more physicians: Another advantage of a virtual physician visit is greater access to doctors. A senior who has a chronic health condition that requires a specialist might not have access to one nearby and may need to travel a great distance to see that doctor. A virtual visit can help bring the patient and the physician together more often.

DISADVANTAGES OF VIRTUAL PHYSICIAN VISITS

While the benefits of virtual physician visits for seniors are numerous, there are a few disadvantages to know about. Here are a few factors to take in to consideration:

Technology requirements: What technology is required and how

expensive is it? Also, ask the physician’s staff what happens if you run in to technical issues. Is someone available to help?

Internet access: While most urban communities have a variety of internet service providers, that might not be true for seniors in rural communities. Make sure you understand what is available and if it meets the virtual physician visit technology requirements.

Limited examination: Although virtual visits work well for minor conditions, they may not be helpful enough for more serious problems or for when lab work is needed. Also, some doctors may not feel comfortable making a definitive diagnosis without seeing the patient in person.

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Did you find this article interesting and helpful? Bookmark our site and stop back soon! We share new resources and information dedicated to helping older adults live their best lives throughout the month.

A R E V I R T U A L P H Y S I C I A N V I S I T S A G O O D O P T I O N F O R S E N I O R S ?Technology is making it easier to access a physician. And that access can happen from the privacy of your own living room. It’s called a virtual physician visit, and here’s what seniors should know.

Vol 53 • Issue 4A P R I L 2 0 2 1

A monthly publication of the

Missoula Senior Center Center hours and operations

will return ASAP.

Underg round Thr if t S to re Hours extended!

10 am- 3 pm Monday- Saturday

705 S Higgins Ave Missoula, MT 59801

406-543-7154www.themissoulaseniorcenter.org

By Janice Jacobson MSC Travel Coordinator

Senior travelers it ’s time to start building your trip bucket list and

what better way than by doing some virtual traveling first. If like me, you are still waiting for your vaccine or have it and still are staying somewhat confined, then get out your computer, iPad or phone and start exploring.

VIRTUAL TRAVEL TOURS

I just finished a tour of Lucerne Switzerland and the Alps and plan to do the hiking trip through the Alps that I missed 2 years ago. This virtual trip along with Budapest, Antarctica, Andalusia, Jerusalem and many more areas can be found on the web site www.girltraveltours.com. Sorry guys you can do the virtual tours but I will have to find you another site for actual trips. Ladies this is a group I am going to try and work with when the Senior Center offers trips again.If you are interested in museums,

zoos or theme parks try this site www.tasteofhome.com/article/free-virtual-tours/. How about just seeing what we have available in Montana by visiting the www.onlyinmontana.com site. Did you know you can do a Segway tour (two-wheeled, self-balancing personal transporter) on four different trails out of Billings Montana. Or how about the Central Montana Pie Trail? Six towns with six different pies and other fun things to do in each city. This may have to be a bus tour later. Or how about checking out the most beautiful small

town in every state and deciding which you would like to see on some of our tours. Just go to www.msn.com/en-us/travel/us-travel/the-most-beautiful-small-town-in-every-state. Be prepared, some virtual tours

do have a fee. For instance at www.amazon.com the tours can run from $10.00 to $50.00. I took the $10.00 tour “Berlin’s Cold War: fearless spies, chilling escapes, the infamous Wall and Checkpoint Charlie” and would have paid more. I learned so much and enjoyed the history lesson. www.roadscholar.org is also an online learning experience with travel for adults. They have a muli-day expereience, which includes lectures, virtual visit to a destination etc or 45-60 minute lectures. These also may have a fee attached. I enjoyed a tour of Bryce Canyon with a park ranger for no cost. Remember to use the search engine

and ask for a virtual tour to anywhere you may want to go. Once you get on

Explore picturesque Lucerne, Switzerland from the comfort of your own home. Become a virtual traveler today and share your experiences with us!

Nearby Wallace, ID is on the msn.com list of most beautiful small towns. ...........................Continued on 3

2

President: Stevan R. DeSoerPast President:John NugentTreasurer: Elizabeth Johnson

Board Members: Shirley HowellPat JanesJulie RobitailleLou Ann SharkeyJohn Walker

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

MSC STAFF

Kitchen: Jackie Ybarra, Jessie Williams, Gene Fraser*, Ted Hunter*HousekeepingPedro Garza*Maintenance Engineer: John Walker (Volunteer)Membership: Marge Nordin (Volunteer)Bookkeeper: Jane GoffeEditor of Blazing Trails: Kelly BoumaTrips Coordinator: Janice JacobsonVolunteer Coordinators: Kathi Campbell, Lou Ann Sharkey, Pat Janes

*Staff person is supported by Easterseals-Goodwill Senior Community Service Employment Program

Under normal operations Board meetings are the 3rd Wednesday

of the month at 1:30

Dear Members,As I move into the role of President, I am very conscious of the

enormous amount of work accomplished by John Nugent during his term of service to the Center. It is not an overstatement or hyperbole that the Center could not have successfully navigated this past 12-18 months if not for John’s dedication and steady stewardship. Thankfully, the Center will continue to benefit from his knowledge and experience as he fills the Past President role on the Board.I also want to recognize Kathi Campbell, previous Past President, for all her efforts in keeping the Center on track during these tumultuous times. Again, the Center will continue to benefit from her service as she stays involved as the Volunteer Coordinator for our Kitchen Services. Other changes:

• John Walker, a former Board member and the Center’s go to maintenance engineer (volunteer), has agreed to join the Board as we continue our transition.• Lou Ann Sharkey will serve as Volunteer Coordinator for the Front Office/Receptionist functions (Monday-Friday 9-3). • Pat Janes will serve as the Volunteer Coordinator for the Underground Thrift Store (open Mon-Sat 10:00-3:00)• Jackie Ybarra is our new Executive Chef in charge of providing the “grab-and-go” lunch drive thru served every weekday from 11:30-12:30.• Jessie Williams is joining the kitchen staff as Sous Chef.

As we look to our future we are tentatively planning on having our Annual Membership meeting and elections this fall around the middle of September. To assist in our future planning, we have identified specific needs where we can use some assistance/expertise:

• A volunteer who would take a leadership role in developing a re-opening plan. • A volunteer who would take a leadership role in developing a comprehensive membership program – from recruitment to active engagement to recognition.• A volunteer who would take a leadership role in developing and managing our public persona. Communication Plan/Webmaster/Digital Footprint• A volunteer who would take a leadership role in establishing an event approval process and program.

I would be remiss if I did not give a big shout out to Ann and Wally Congdon for their generous donation of Big Sky Natural Beef (www.highlandcattleusa.org) to our lunch program. Thank You! The Missoula Senior Center has been, and continues to be, heavily volunteer dependent. We could not function without our dedicated volunteers in all positions at all levels. Re-opening will require renewed dedication and support from all of us as we move through the myriad of details which will challenge us.

Thank you for your continued membership, your support, and remember our lunch service 11:30-12:30 every weekday. Also remember that your membership card provides you an automatic savings when used at the Underground Thrift Store.

Stevan DeSoer

Blazing Trails is published by the Missoula Senior Center. To submit

content or for general inquiries about this publication, email:

[email protected]

LETTER FROM THE MSC PRESIDENT

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Hello TCC Friends,As most of you know, we don’ t

know when activities will resume at the Senior Center.

I am letting you know of the classes where I will be resuming ongoing drop-in classes below. Some of you may have access to one of these venues. Would love

to have you join me. T’ai Chi Chih classes will resume

at:

THE PEAK (Blue Mtn.) Thursdays

11am-12pm and

The Women’s Club Fridays

9:30am-10:30am

Look forward to seeing you then. Chi-fully, Lynne

M S C N E W S

THE MSC THRIFT STORE

IS OPEN!!!Monday-Saturday

10am-3pm

NOW ACCEPTING DONATIONS!

Jean C rox ton is now teach ing an online Yoga c las s . Open to a ll a t no cos t .

Two c las ses !Sunday s a t 12pm Tuesday s a t 10am

To jo in the c las s on Zoom , use the fo llow ing link :

ht tps ://us02web . z oom .us / j/86887339869?pwd=WUE x aUhDNzdwUzZ iUVFmOHp ld3R5UT09

Mee t ing ID: 868 8733 9869Pas scode : namas te

Our Mission is to develop and implement programs and ser-vices that support the physical, intellectual, and emotional

health and well-being of elders and to serve as a focal point for community projects that enhance health, education, recreation and socialization for elders and their families in the Missoula area.

KITCHEN VOLUNTEERS NEEDED MSC is looking for volunteers to

assist with our “grab and go” lunch program. We need help with set up, meal prep, food service, and general

clean up.

Time commitment: 3.5 hours for 1 or more days a week.

Please contact Kathi Campbell Volunteer Coordinator 406-543-7154.

Thank You!

VOLUNTEERS WANTED!!Who: Missoula Parks & Rec

WHAT: Missoula Senior OlympicsWhen: September 9-11, 2021Contact: Anna Bruning, Adult

Programs Coordinator, 406-552-6684

VALENTINE THANK YOU!

Bellamah Vein Center put together and handed out Valentine treats to our ‘grab and go’ lunch crowd on Friday, Feb. 12th. Thank them all for their support and especially to Amanda Bertot and Amy Daniel by braving the sub-zero temperatures to hand them out. Extas went to volunteers and staff in the Center. Heartfelt thanks to Kathy Flynn from Kathy Creations , for the beautifully hand-crafted Valentines, for Kathi Campbell to distribute to all the dedicated volunteers in the Center. Kathy designed and crafted them as a way for thanking them for their work and support of the support of the Senior Center. The Volunteers all thank you, Kathy.

SENIOR CENTER BIKE RIDES

WHEN: Starting Friday, March 26th through end of biking seasonWHERE: Meet in the parking lot of the Missoula Senior CenterTIME: 10:00 Am - Time may change as weather gets warmer

Contact Person: Debbie Goertzen 406-552-2433. Please call Debbie before Friday if you plan to join the group. Let Debbie know your biking capabilities and distance you have ridden.

Bike Helmets are required! Bring water and small snacks and wear layered clothing. A waiver must be signed before your first bike ride.

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Sometimes a newly published book sneaks by me, even though

I have enabled all the author and title alerts. This is the case for Gregory David Roberts’s novel The Mountain Shadow. This is a follow-up novel to the 2003 book Shantaram. Shantaram means “Man of Peace”, or “Man of God’s Peace”. I read Shantaram in 2003 and have read it a number of times since and have listened to it via audio-books. The audio-book is superbly read by Humphrey Bower who also narrated a number of Bryce Courtenay’s audio-books. Shantaram grabbed me from the opening sentence and kept me captivated for the entire 800 pages. As a Philosophy major, I read the first sentence and bought the book. The opening paragraph of Shantaram is: “IT TOOK ME a long time and most of the world to learn what I know about love and fate and the choices we make, but the heart of it came to me in an instant, while I was chained to a wall and being tortured. I realized, somehow, through the screaming in my mind, that even in that shackled, bloody helplessness, I was still free: free to hate the men who were torturing me or to forgive them. It doesn’t sound like much, I know. But in the flinch and bite of the chain, when it ’s all you’ve got, that freedom is a universe of possibility. And the

choice you make, between hating and forgiving, can become the story of your life.”

I found the follow-up novel, The Mountain Shadow, in an indie bookstore while buying Shantaram. as a birthday gift for my granddaughter. The Mountain Shadow is another large book at 800 plus pages (Shantaram is 900 plus pages) but it is not an exaggeration to say that Shantaram, Roberts’s prior work to this novel, is one of the finest novels I’ve ever read. While not finished with The Mountain Shadow I can say the same about this book. Though Mountain Shadow carries some key characters forward from Shantaram, making it beneficial to read Shantaram first, this book is a quality effort and stands on its own merits. The storyline is deep and the characters rich and well developed. I highly recommend it for all the same reasons I recommend Shantaram. In addition to the storyline and characters, Mountain Shadow is also sprinkled with philosophical statements which are past genius, perhaps inspired.

........................................John Nugent

b o o k C O R N E R

During what seems the longest year ever, many of my thoughts have

gone ‘down under,’ that is to Australia, where my daughter, Tara and her family reside, as well as to Fiji, where they formerly resided. I read The Dry and The Force of Nature by popular Australian writer, Jane Harper. Both are murder mysteries, set against intriguing, yet diverse Australian terrains. Both were impossible to put down once started.

Also, I read Maralinga, another murder mystery of sorts, primarily set in Australia. The author, Judy Nunn, not only known for period fiction, is also a celebrated screenwriter and actress in Australia. The novel describes a British journalist ’s ventures to Australia seeking answers regarding a lost love. She discovers Britain’s covert testing of

nuclear weapons within uninhabited areas of Australia, areas not exactly uninhabited but peopled by Indigenous Australians. The novel was laced with international intrigue, romance, as well as mystery, and a stinging bite of environmental social justice.

Later I turned to Life in Feejee Five years among the Cannibals by Mary Wallis. This was a unique and true account of Wallis’s experiences, accompanying her trader husband to the South Pacific and Southeast Asia by ship in the late 1880’s. His trade was primarily based upon sea cucumbers, a seafood delicacy. The Wallis’s were both American and developed close ties with Christian missionaries in those areas, as well as with many tribal cannibals who harvested the cucumbers for them. At that time it was highly unusual for an American woman to undertake such travels, what’s more to fearlessly interact with cannibals, some of whom she came to deeply respect. Most of this autobiographical writing

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What are you reading? Please share with other members of the Senior Center. Send to [email protected]

Please check out our book selection in the Senior Center Thrift Store, I have found many treasures there and you may too!

is recorded as journal entries, and the writing style is characteristic of speech patterns of that time, and therefore, somewhat challenging, but not impossible to understand. Having spent time in the Fijian Islands in recent years, I was struck by how similar her descriptions of lush jungles and strikingly beautiful people remain unchanged today. The unspoiled beauty of Fiji she describes seems quite similar to that of Hawaii before massive tourism.

My latest Australian novel, The Yield by Tara June Winch, is a fascinating story of an Indigenous Australian family over several generations. It would be an Anthropologist’s treat, due to collections of native words compiled by the heroine’s grandfather. The words go much beyond physical descriptions of things but weave together feelings, cultural values, folklore, and past histories. It provides acute insight into a particular Indigenous culture, as well as poignant descriptions of

the interaction between that culture and that of colonizing Europeans.

I returned from Australia last February at the onset of the Covid pandemic here and like most of you, I have experienced prolonged isolation. I am grateful for being able to travel to those countries before they, more or less, blocked out foreign travel, but I sorely miss my daughter, and a special little granddaughter, Ruby, who is part Fijian. I appreciate the deeper understanding these stories have provided me of far away places I’ve had the opportunity to visit. Since none of these books were published in the U.S., it is highly unlikely they can be found in the Senior Bookstore Center, but just wait.... I am keen on sharing good books and just may make a donation!

......................................... Marcia Dias

Photo of ‘Ruby’--Fiji/Australia, great granddaughter of Ruby Wood, longtime member of MSC.

For ad info. call 1-800-950-9952 • www.lpiseniors.com Missoula Senior Citizens Center, Missoula, MT A 4C 05-1156

If you are 62 or older you may be eligible to receive up to a $1,000 TAX CREDIT

REFUND. The Resource Center at Missoula Aging Services can help you file for this

state tax refund.

For appointments, call (406) 728-7682.For appointments, call (406) 728-7682.

Are you Leaving Money on the Table?

MISSOULAAGINGSERVICES.ORG

Contact Bill Clough to placean ad today!

[email protected] or(800) 950-9952 x2635

JUNE | 2020

S E N I O R h e a l t h

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N U T R I T I O NS E N I O R S A N D A N E M I AIt is estimated that one in 10 people over the age of 65 is anemic. Anemia is the most common blood disorder and a serious medical condition, although many patients may mistake its symptoms for daily fatigue and stress. In fact, many patients do not realize that they are anemic until they take a blood test.

Because anemia occurs when your body lacks sufficient healthy red blood cells to transport oxygen to your organs and tissues, it can make you feel tired and weak. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, pale or yellow skin, dizziness, cold hands or feet, and headaches.

As people age, the risk of developing anemia increases. “While anemia can sometimes be the result of poor nutrition, it can also be a sign of

a more serious underlying medical condition, such as cancer or kidney disease,” says Nancy Berliner, M.D., president of the American Society of Hematology.

“It is very important to consult your doctor if you suspect you are anemic, because even mild anemia may be linked to other diseases requiring treatment. Furthermore, in order to properly treat the anemia, it is important to understand what is causing it.”

For more information, visit www.bloodthevitalconnection.org. (Courtesy of NewsUSA)

For ad info. call 1-800-950-9952 • www.lpiseniors.com Missoula Senior Citizens Center, Missoula, MT B 4C 05-1156

Joy Earls Real Estate is the Key!

WANT TO KNOW HOW TO SELL

REAL ESTATE UNDER THE BIG SKY?

Joy EarlsBroker / Owner

406-531-9811

Leland EarlsBroker

406-552-8158

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A R T I C L E O F T H E M O N T H

This means nursing homes are required to care for their residents in a way that enhances the quality of life for residents, respects their dignity and ensures they are able to make choices for themselves.

Established by federal law, the “Residents’ Bill of Rights,” states if you live in a nursing home, you are entitled to rights including:

• The right to be fully informed in a language you understand of all aspects of your residency.

• The right to participate in all aspects of your care.

• The right to make independent choices based on your needs and preferences.

• The right to privacy and confidentiality.

• The right to safe and appropriate transfer and discharge, including the right to appeal decisions.

• The right to visits from friends, family, providers and other people of your choosing.

• The right to participate in social, religious and community activities.

• The right to organize and participate in resident groups, often called resident councils.

• The right to complain without fear of repercussions.

• The right to be free from discrimination.

• The right to be free from abuse, neglect and restraint.

• The right to adequate medical care and treatment.

• The right to get information about alternatives to nursing homes.

Some states have laws and regulations that establish additional rights for nursing home residents. Some states also guarantee a similar set of rights for people who live in assisted living or similar settings.

Every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam have an advocate, called a Long-Term Care Ombudsman, for residents of nursing homes, board and care and

assisted living facilities and similar residential care facilities. These advocates work to resolve problems affecting residents’ health, safety, welfare and rights. Residents, their families and others have the right to contact their local Ombudsman program to help them understand their rights, learn about community resources and work through problems.

For more information on these rights, and to find your local Ombudsman program, visit acl.gov/ombudsman. The website also provides information on other programs and services available to help older adults and people with disabilities who need help with daily tasks, like getting dressed, bathing or cooking, to receive this support in their own homes. These programs can help delay or avoid nursing home care, guide nursing home residents looking to transition back into the community and support family members serving as caregivers.

Courtesy of Family Features ©LPi

R I G H T S O F N U R S I N G H O M E R E S I D E N T S

An estimated 1.4 million older adults and people with disabilities live in nursing homes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If a nursing home participates in Medicare or Medicaid — and most do — it must meet requirements “to promote and protect the rights of each resident.”

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is the largest free, volunteer-run tax assistance and preparation program in the United States. In Montana, we offer in-person tax preparation help to anyone for both federal and Montana state taxes. Our services are free of charge, focusing on taxpayers who are 50 or older and are low to middle income or to those who cannot afford paid tax preparation. There is no sales pitch and AARP membership is not required.

We try to help as many people as we can. Some of the main reasons we cannot help you are if you have any of the

following:• Rental income, or• A business with

depreciable property, or• A business showing a

loss for the year, or• A business with

employees.• K-1’s with anything other

than dividends, interest, capital gains (losses), or royalty income.

This year is going to be challenging for us because of the pandemic. If you would like to schedule an appointment, call 406-531-2701 between 9 am and noon on Mar 8, 10, 22 or 24. Appointments will be made available in 2-week blocks and the slots quickly fill up. Unfortunately, the phone will not be answered at any other times and we cannot accept walk-in clients.

If you cannot get an

appointment or you are not comfortable with coming to the site, we may still be able to help you. You will need to use a computer, email, video calls, a scanner and a printer. Contact us via email at [email protected] to let us know you are interested in this option.

For more information, visit our website at mttaxaide.org.

Missoula/Bitterroot Location:

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide will be preparing taxes at the Southgate Mall in the former location of Lane Bryant, between Hoagieville and Champs in the Dillard’s wing.

(406) 721-0680

For ad info. call 1-800-950-9952 • www.lpiseniors.com Missoula Senior Citizens Center, Missoula, MT C 4C 05-1156

101 E. Front St. 406-523-4200

2500 N. Reserve St. 406-523-4418

3502 Brooks 406-523-4417

Affordable CremationBurial Package$1,000 one person;

$1,500 for two people

ALL FAITHS WELCOMED

St. Mary Cemetery(406) 543-7951

Are you turning 65 or New to Medicare?

Turn to Humana for your medical and prescription drug coverage in one Medicare Advantage plan.

Call a licensed sales agentJennifer Roberts406-249-4235Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5p.m. humana.com/jroberts

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P U Z Z L E S O F T H E M O N T H

S T A Y S A F E D U R I N G T H E C O V I D - 1 9 O U T B R E A K

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S T A Y S A F E D U R I N G T H E C O V I D - 1 9 O U T B R E A K

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New

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M S C C O M M U N I T YAnn CongdonB.J. WillisonBetty Heck

Cora BaldwinDonna PecastaingDorothy Mattix Eileen Wolff

Eugene SterbisJanet ChilcoteJeanne BrabeckJoAnn Sterbis

Judith KiolbassaLela Mae CollverMarcia HoganMariah GrayMary Kelley

Melody PietschOna Lake

Renee HouseholderStephen GerardSusan KohlerTim Mathews Vicki MathewsWally CongdonWayne Shatto

Adele WolffAmelia F. LockeAnna DidricksonAnne CohenB.J. WillisonBabe YoungBetty CareyBillie HammaBud Weiser

Carol Anderson, Carol S. Glover

Constance PerkinsDavid DurnfordDiane Bodholt

Dot HarrisEverett ColeFay Wages

Fred AllendorfHarold CrawfordHelen Steele

Jack ThibodeauJanice Boxleitner

Judi JockJudy WrightKate EvansKris RitchartLan MenegatLara Gibb

Leona KostLinda EdwardsLinda HoldorfLinda JensenLorna HegelLorna Reed

Louella ShellenbergerMarilyn LofingMary Kelley

Michael SweetNancy Pfaff

Nancy RichardsonPatricia KidderPhoebe Hunter

Phyllis RobinsonRalph MatuskaRalph Stone

Richard AuerbachRichard MillerRobert LiveseyRose TaborSandy Wills

Stevan DeSoerSylvia FuchsThomas AllenTricia WaylettVirginia BuddsWilliam McGuire

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20

HE

AL

TH

& W

EL

LN

ES

S

AD

VA

NTA

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S OF V

IRTU

AL

PH

YSICIA

N V

ISITS

Wh

y shou

ld you

consid

er a virtual

ph

ysician visit for you

rself or a sen

ior loved on

e? Here are a few

of th

e advan

tages:

Con

venien

ce factor: There’s n

o d

oub

t abou

t it, virtual p

hysician

visits are ju

st more con

venien

t. This

is especially tru

e for seniors w

ho

have g

iven u

p d

riving

and

those

wh

o live in a ru

ral comm

un

ity w

ithou

t a ph

ysician’s offi

ce nearb

y. E

asy-to-use tech

nolog

y allows th

e p

atient an

d p

hysician

to talk face-to-face from

a distan

ce.

No con

tact with

sick peop

le: P

hysician

waitin

g room

s can

be a sou

rce of germ

s, especially

du

ring

cold an

d flu

season. For an

old

er adu

lt with

a chron

ic health

con

dition

, bein

g exp

osed to th

ose b

ug

s can b

e dan

gerou

s. Virtu

al p

hysician

visits can p

revent a

senior from

bein

g su

bjected

to h

armfu

l viruses.

More atten

tion from

the d

octor: P

atients w

ho’ve u

tilized virtu

al visit op

tions say th

ey feel like they g

et m

ore of their d

octor’s attention

. It m

ay be th

at the p

hysician

has

fewer d

istractions w

hen

they are

conn

ecting

via video, allow

ing

th

em to focu

s more fu

lly on th

eir p

atient.

No m

ore waitin

g: If you

feel like you

r ph

ysician is alw

ays run

nin

g

late, you aren

’t alone. It can

be

stressful an

d ag

gravatin

g to b

e stu

ck sitting

in th

e waitin

g room

for a lon

g p

eriod of tim

e. Wh

en you

sch

edu

le a virtual p

hysician

visit, you

do th

e waitin

g at h

ome w

here

you can

watch

television, read

a b

ook, or just relax.

Access to m

ore ph

ysicians:

An

other ad

vantag

e of a virtual

ph

ysician visit is g

reater access to d

octors. A sen

ior wh

o has a ch

ronic

health

cond

ition th

at requ

ires a sp

ecialist mig

ht n

ot have access to

one n

earby an

d m

ay need

to travel a g

reat distan

ce to see that d

octor. A

virtual visit can

help

brin

g th

e p

atient an

d th

e ph

ysician tog

ether

more often

.

DISA

DV

AN

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ES O

F VIR

TUA

L P

HYSIC

IAN

VISITS

Wh

ile the b

enefi

ts of virtual

ph

ysician visits for sen

iors are n

um

erous, th

ere are a few

disad

vantag

es to know

abou

t. H

ere are a few factors to take in

to con

sideration

:

Techn

ology req

uirem

ents: W

hat

techn

ology is req

uired

and

how

expen

sive is it? Also, ask th

e p

hysician

’s staff wh

at hap

pen

s if you

run

in to tech

nical issu

es. Is som

eone availab

le to help?

Intern

et access: Wh

ile most

urb

an com

mu

nities h

ave a variety of in

ternet service p

roviders, th

at m

igh

t not b

e true for sen

iors in

rural com

mu

nities. M

ake sure you

u

nd

erstand

wh

at is available an

d if

it meets th

e virtual p

hysician

visit tech

nolog

y requ

iremen

ts.

Limited

examin

ation: A

lthou

gh

virtu

al visits work w

ell for min

or con

dition

s, they m

ay not b

e help

ful

enou

gh

for more seriou

s prob

lems

or for wh

en lab

work is n

eeded

. A

lso, some d

octors may n

ot feel com

fortable m

aking

a defi

nitive

diag

nosis w

ithou

t seeing

the

patien

t in p

erson.

STAY

IN TO

UC

H!

Did

you fi

nd

this article in

teresting

an

d h

elpfu

l? Bookm

ark our site

and

stop b

ack soon! W

e share

new

resources an

d in

formation

d

edicated

to help

ing

older ad

ults

live their b

est lives throu

gh

out th

e m

onth

.

AR

E V

IRT

UA

L P

HY

SIC

IAN

VIS

ITS

A G

OO

D O

PT

ION

FO

R S

EN

IOR

S?

Techn

ology is m

aking

it easier to access a p

hysician

. An

d th

at access can

hap

pen

from th

e p

rivacy of your ow

n livin

g room

. It’s called

a virtual p

hysician

visit, an

d h

ere’s wh

at seniors

shou

ld kn

ow.

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J U N E | 2 0 2 0
















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COMMUNI TY PARTNERSAn upcoming 1-hour Virtual Falls Prevention Workshop will review

preventative measures that any person can take to prevent falls. This includes strengthening exercises, home modifications, and strategies to build self-confidence. Falls can be harmful for anyone in the community. They are costly, can cause traumatic or long-term health problems, or even a fatality. Fortunately, falls are also highly preventable! We encourage you to join us for this informative workshop to learn more.

The session will be facilitated by Stephanie Markin, a senior at the University of Montana finishing up her degree in Psychology and minor in Gerontology. She has been engaged in an internship over the fall semester with Missoula Aging Services. Stephanie has 17 years of experience as a Care Partner in a variety of home settings. She plans to continue her education to become an Occupational Therapist.

Participate online using Zoom. An email confirmation with the Zoom meeting ID, password, and instructions will be sent to registered participants several days prior to the class. Participants will also receive an overview of topics and a list of resources, including a Falls Prevention Checklist. No cost.

For more information or assistance registering call MAS at 406-728-7682 or visit missoulaagingservices.org. Space is limited and pre-registration is required.

JU

NE

| 20

20

HE

AL

TH

& W

EL

LN

ES

S

AD

VA

NTA

GE

S OF V

IRTU

AL

PH

YSICIA

N V

ISITS

Wh

y shou

ld you

consid

er a virtual

ph

ysician visit for you

rself or a sen

ior loved on

e? Here are a few

of th

e advan

tages:

Con

venien

ce factor: There’s n

o d

oub

t abou

t it, virtual p

hysician

visits are ju

st more con

venien

t. This

is especially tru

e for seniors w

ho

have g

iven u

p d

riving

and

those

wh

o live in a ru

ral comm

un

ity w

ithou

t a ph

ysician’s offi

ce nearb

y. E

asy-to-use tech

nolog

y allows th

e p

atient an

d p

hysician

to talk face-to-face from

a distan

ce.

No con

tact with

sick peop

le: P

hysician

waitin

g room

s can

be a sou

rce of germ

s, especially

du

ring

cold an

d flu

season. For an

old

er adu

lt with

a chron

ic health

con

dition

, bein

g exp

osed to th

ose b

ug

s can b

e dan

gerou

s. Virtu

al p

hysician

visits can p

revent a

senior from

bein

g su

bjected

to h

armfu

l viruses.

More atten

tion from

the d

octor: P

atients w

ho’ve u

tilized virtu

al visit op

tions say th

ey feel like they g

et m

ore of their d

octor’s attention

. It m

ay be th

at the p

hysician

has

fewer d

istractions w

hen

they are

conn

ecting

via video, allow

ing

th

em to focu

s more fu

lly on th

eir p

atient.

No m

ore waitin

g: If you

feel like you

r ph

ysician is alw

ays run

nin

g

late, you aren

’t alone. It can

be

stressful an

d ag

gravatin

g to b

e stu

ck sitting

in th

e waitin

g room

for a lon

g p

eriod of tim

e. Wh

en you

sch

edu

le a virtual p

hysician

visit, you

do th

e waitin

g at h

ome w

here

you can

watch

television, read

a b

ook, or just relax.

Access to m

ore ph

ysicians:

An

other ad

vantag

e of a virtual

ph

ysician visit is g

reater access to d

octors. A sen

ior wh

o has a ch

ronic

health

cond

ition th

at requ

ires a sp

ecialist mig

ht n

ot have access to

one n

earby an

d m

ay need

to travel a g

reat distan

ce to see that d

octor. A

virtual visit can

help

brin

g th

e p

atient an

d th

e ph

ysician tog

ether

more often

.

DISA

DV

AN

TAG

ES O

F VIR

TUA

L P

HYSIC

IAN

VISITS

Wh

ile the b

enefi

ts of virtual

ph

ysician visits for sen

iors are n

um

erous, th

ere are a few

disad

vantag

es to know

abou

t. H

ere are a few factors to take in

to con

sideration

:

Techn

ology req

uirem

ents: W

hat

techn

ology is req

uired

and

how

expen

sive is it? Also, ask th

e p

hysician

’s staff wh

at hap

pen

s if you

run

in to tech

nical issu

es. Is som

eone availab

le to help?

Intern

et access: Wh

ile most

urb

an com

mu

nities h

ave a variety of in

ternet service p

roviders, th

at m

igh

t not b

e true for sen

iors in

rural com

mu

nities. M

ake sure you

u

nd

erstand

wh

at is available an

d if

it meets th

e virtual p

hysician

visit tech

nolog

y requ

iremen

ts.

Limited

examin

ation: A

lthou

gh

virtu

al visits work w

ell for min

or con

dition

s, they m

ay not b

e help

ful

enou

gh

for more seriou

s prob

lems

or for wh

en lab

work is n

eeded

. A

lso, some d

octors may n

ot feel com

fortable m

aking

a defi

nitive

diag

nosis w

ithou

t seeing

the

patien

t in p

erson.

STAY

IN TO

UC

H!

Did

you fi

nd

this article in

teresting

an

d h

elpfu

l? Bookm

ark our site

and

stop b

ack soon! W

e share

new

resources an

d in

formation

d

edicated

to help

ing

older ad

ults

live their b

est lives throu

gh

out th

e m

onth

.

AR

E V

IRT

UA

L P

HY

SIC

IAN

VIS

ITS

A G

OO

D O

PT

ION

FO

R S

EN

IOR

S?

Techn

ology is m

aking

it easier to access a p

hysician

. An

d th

at access can

hap

pen

from th

e p

rivacy of your ow

n livin

g room

. It’s called

a virtual p

hysician

visit, an

d h

ere’s wh

at seniors

shou

ld kn

ow.

For ad info. call 1-800-950-9952 • www.lpiseniors.com Missoula Senior Citizens Center, Missoula, MT E 4C 05-1156

2409 Dearborn, Ste J • Missoula, MT 59801

406.829.2731 andersonhellmaninsurance.com

To view FREE videos on Medicare, Social Security, Senior Health, get discounts and more,

visit: myseniorventure.com/jerryanddiane

Questions About Your Medicare? Ask us!

J U N E | 2 0 2 0
















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a site don’t be afraid to click through it to discover all the opportunities available. I have only given you a few ideas to get you started. Lastly have a notebook handy and start writing all the places and things you want to add to your bucket list. Then email me at ([email protected] and let me know when you might be ready to travel again and what you would like included in our trips, whether by bus, train or plane. I would just enjoy an email from all of you just letting me know how you kept busy during the pandemic. That might be another newsletter article. Miss all of you and hope to get you traveling soon but stay safe for now.

Top left, Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin as part of the amazon.com virtual tour: “Berlin’s Cold War: fearless spies, chilling escapes, the infamous Wall and Checkpoint Charlie.” Above, Bryce Canyon, Utah on the roadscholar.org virtual guided tour. There are more opportunies than ever for armchair travel.

.......................Continued from Front Page

“We Make Warm Friends”721-7018

www.airqualitymechnical.com

For ad info. call 1-800-950-9952 • www.lpiseniors.com Missoula Senior Citizens Center, Missoula, MT F 4C 05-1156

Lucca ScarianoFinancial Advisor

945 Wyoming Street #240Missoula, MT 59801

406-542-8230

Dreaming Up theIdeal RetirementIs your Job. HelpingYou Get There Is Ours.To learn more about why EdwardJones makes sense for you, callor visit my office today.

edwardjones.comMember SIPC

Contact Bill Clough to placean ad today!

[email protected] or(800) 950-9952 x2635

14J U N E | 2 0 2 0
















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Missoula Aging Services(406) 728-7682

Register online:https://nhddmas.eventbrite.com

NationalHealthcare

Decisions DayWorkshop

A virtual workshop to inspire, educate and empower thepublic about the importance ofadvance care planning.

A 45 minute presentation followed by a 15 minute Q&A.

Presented by Palliative Care Coordinator Brooklyn Crape, RN and Nicole Pfeifer, FNP with Providence Medical Group Palliative Care Team in Missoula, MT.

A 1-hour virtual workshop to encourage participants of all ages to consider,document and file theiradvance directives.

Learn about:• Identifying a proxy• Advance Directives• Conversations with loved

ones and providers about advance healthcare wishes

APRIL 15, 202110-11:00 AM

RESOURCESAARP..............................1-800-424-3410Missoula Aging Services..... 728-7682Homemaking Services.........728-7682Meals on Wheels.....................728-7682Resource Help Line................728-7682Respite Care...........................728-7682Blue Mountain Clinic.............. 721-1646Community Medical Center...728-4100Crime Prevention Desk....... 552-6000Elder Abuse (Hotline)............. 327-7886Fair Housing.......................... 549-4113Food Bank............................... 549-0543Grizzly Peak............................203-4793Hospice of Missoula.............. 543-4408Human Resource Council... 728-3710Imagine Missoula.................748-6752Montana Legal Services...... 543-8343Partnership Health Center..... 258-4789St. Patrick Hospital.............. 543-7271

J U N E | 2 0 2 0
















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P H O N E B O O KPERSONAL CARE & ASSISTED LIVING

The Auberge.................................542-7009Bee Hive Homes...........................552-4879Flor Haven....................................542-2598Kathy’s Place................................239-1966Edgewood Vista...........................549-9660Evergreen.....................................549-0988Heartland Care Givers.................542-0241Hillside Place...............................251-5100The Springs at Missoula.............273-0101At Home Assisted Living............549-8127Village Senior Residence............549-1300Pleasant View Personal Care......728-8675Rosetta Care & Asst Living.........728-5822Warm Sunsets Asst Living..........273-2200Heartland Caregivers Inc............542-0241

HOME HEALTH

Case Mngmt Caregiving......541-6577Home Instead Senior Care..523-9909Consumer Direct Care Network MT ........541-1800Partners in Home Care ........728-8848

The Missoula Senior Citizens Center Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization established in 1970.

For ad info. call 1-800-950-9952 • www.lpiseniors.com Missoula Senior Citizens Center, Missoula, MT G 4C 05-1156

Presorted Standard Mail

U.S. Postage Paid

Missoula, MT 59801

Permit No. 252

MISSOULA SENIOR CENTER MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION: NEW & RENEWAL

Missoula Senior Center705 S. Higgins Ave Missoula, MT 59801

Hours: Normal hours will return ASAP

Phone: 406-543-7154 Web: www.themissoulaseniorcenter.orgEmail: [email protected]

Underground Thrift Store HoursNEW EXTENDED HOURS! Monday-Saturday 10am-3pm

*MSC Annual Memberships are now valid until December 31, 2021*

Circle which applies: NEW MEMBER or RENEWING MEMBER

Name ______________________________________________________________________________________

Address ____________________________________________________________________________________

City _____________________________________________State ___________________ Zip_______________

Phone____________________________________________Birth Date _________________________________

Emergency Contact__________________________________________Phone ___________________________

Would you like to receive Blazing Trails by mail? Yes

Are you interested in volunteering? Yes No

Mail or bring this completed application with $25 in cash or check to:

Missoula Senior Center 705 S. Higgins Ave. Missoula, MT 59801

april 2021 vol 53 • issue 4 health virtual travel tours

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