We wish you all a happy, healthy and enjoyable New Year. All of us at the Senior Center are looking forward to new opportunities to serve you this year.

Our Advocacy Program offers support for caregivers through the Respite Care Volunteer Program and the Caregivers Support Group. This year we have been fortunate to receive a grant for $1,000 from the Austin Area Foundation. This grant will assist us in increasing the caregiver program. We want to thank the Foundation for this support to our programs.

The Respite Care Volunteer Program is currently seeking people interested in volunteering their time. Acting as a respite care volunteer can be rewarding and lead to new friendships formed. We offer free training and support to our respite volunteers.

What is respite care?

Respite care provides time off for caregivers who provide around the clock care for a loved one in their home. The caregiver most often is a spouse or another family member.

Providing care to a loved one at home can be a positive experience for the caregiver but focus also needs to be placed on allowing the caregiver a chance to take a temporary break from their duties.

 What do respite volunteers do?

Respite volunteers provide the caregiver with a much needed break from care giving. Volunteers go into the home and visit with the client. They may read books or newspapers together, listen to music or discuss current events. Activities depend on the clients capabilities and interests. The volunteer is a presence so that the client is not alone and feels safe while the caregiver can take advantage of the free time they are given.

The Caregivers Support Group meets at the Senior Center every third Thursday at 10:30 a.m.

This month the meeting will be held January 19. Everyone is invited. Our meetings are informal; we provide information on a topic of interest and time is given for open discussion. It is a time for caregivers to share with one another and discuss the challenges and triumphs that they face.

If you are interested in volunteering your time, have questions or need assistance, please contact Marianne 507-433-3462 or Nancy 507-433-8376 in Advocacy.

 Upcoming events

Monday: Center closed

Tuesday: SilverSneakers, 8:30 a.m.; Exercise with Evie, 9 a.m.; cards (Pinochle, Duplicate Bridge), 12:30 p.m.; SilverSneakers, 4:30 p.m.; movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Wood Carvers, 8:30 a.m.; Tai Chi, 9:30 a.m.; cards (Pinochle, Cribbage), 12:30 p.m.; Stitching Bees, 1 p.m.; open chess, 1 p.m.

Thursday: Silver Sneakers, 8:30 a.m.; Exercise with Evie, 9 a.m.; cards (Pinochle, Duplicate Bridge), 12:30 p.m.; Bingo, 1 p.m.; open chess, 1 p.m.; SilverSneakers, 4:30 p.m.

Friday: Tai Chi, 9:30 a.m.; cards (Bridge), 12:30 p.m.

 Weekly Card Results

Monday Bridge

Dec. 19, three tables

1st Bud Higgins, 2nd Jaynard Johnson, 3rd Mary Johnson, 4th Quentin Fiala, 5th Betty Jorgenson

Tuesday “500”

Dec. 20, four tables

1st Beulah Luthe, 2nd Helen Broitzman, 3rd Jaynard Johnson, 4th Wilbur Mittag

Tuesday Afternoon Bridge

Dec. 4, 4.5 tables

1st Gene Muchow, 1st Ron Peters 1st Dick Hansen, 1st Larry Crowe; 2nd Fred Langrock, 2nd Sheryl Ekhle; 3rd Jim Fisher, 3rd Bud Higgins; 4thJim Fisher, 4th Bud Higgins

Friday Bridge

Dec. 23

Center Closed

Pinochle

David Solomonson, Mildred Ballantyne

Friday Cribbage

Dec. 23

Center Closed

Weekly “500”

Dec. 21, three tables

1st Beulah Luthe, 2nd Betty Fisher, 3rd Helen Broitzman, 4th Willard Ballantyne

Weekly Cribbage

Dec. 21, three tables

1st Loretta Prantner, 2nd John Allen, 3rd Mabel Vaale, 5th John Allen, 5th Quentin Fiala

Semcac Daily Meals

Monday: Closed

Tuesday: Chicken broccoli bake

Wednesday: Country fried steak

Thursday: Pork roast

Friday: Meatballs