Sorted by date Results 26 - 50 of 50
In past years Dr. Marsha A. Goetting, Montana State University Extension Family Economics Specialist, has presented programs about the need for all Montanans to take action and plan their estates. If you haven't taken action because you have lingering questions, the Seeley-Swan Resource Center, which is our branch office of Missoula Aging Services in Seeley Lake is providing an opportunity for you to have those questions answered. Dr. Goetting will be available for half hour appointments on...
As we approach Medicare's Open Enrollment Period, Oct. 15 – Dec. 7, 2019, it's time again to start thinking about your Medicare coverage. Open enrollment is when Medicare beneficiaries should review either their prescription drug coverage or Medicare Advantage plan coverage and make any changes for 2020, effective Jan. 1, 2020. Specifically: 1.You may save money by checking your Medicare Part D (prescription drug plan) choices. Many plans change which prescriptions they cover, which means y...
Happy Fourth of July! Along with our gorgeous summer weather, we in the Seeley-Swan Valley have something new to celebrate! Seniors who are 60 years of age and older, residents of Missoula County and meet federal income guidelines can receive 2019 SENIOR FARMERS' MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM COUPONS. This year they can be spent at the Seeley Lake Market! As in the past, these coupons can also be spent at the Missoula Farmers' Markets. The Seeley Lake Market 2019 is open every Sunday through Sept. 1...
The beautiful weather is finally here and we can get outside and enjoy! It's also a great time to save money on Medicare by applying for the Medicare Savings Program (MSP)! If you have or qualify for Medicare, you can apply to save money any time during the year. The MSP has three levels of savings: Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB), Specified Low-Income Beneficiary (SLMB) and Qualifying Individual (QI). If you qualify for the QMB Program "Cadillac Program", your Part A and Part B premiums,...
With Memorial Day coming up, I am acutely reminded of all the benefits we enjoy in our country due to the service and sacrifices of United States Veterans. The purpose of today's Note from Linda is to explain the Veteran Directed Care Program (VDC). VDC is an outstanding benefit available to veterans who are currently enrolled in the VA health care system. Many services are available from the VA health care system, provided through VDC, at no cost to the veteran: 1. Assistance with household...
Dear friends, Retiring in Seeley-Swan Valley? What does that look like? We know it is an extraordinarily beautiful landscape. We absolutely love it here for many reasons: fishing, hunting, hiking, swimming, skiing, snowshoeing, wild animals, horses and dogs free to run, no traffic jams ... the list goes on and on. On the flip side, retirement here in Seeley-Swan can be particularly challenging as we age-in-place. Some of my friends have recently lost a spouse and they are now alone. Some...
Hear the band? Join the March... Join us as we march into spring with our local Meals on Wheels (MOW) campaign March for Meals - Seeley Lake. March for Meals – Seeley Lake is the annual fundraising event which helps pay for Seeley Lake's Meals on Wheels Program. Meals cooked every morning, Monday through Friday at the Seeley Lake Senior Center are hand delivered by volunteers to homebound older adults and people with disabilities in Seeley Lake. Our service goes beyond meal delivery at the door....
Dear all, A Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) is a device you can wear either around your neck as a pendant or on your wrist like a large watch. Simply put, the purpose of the PERS is to rapidly alert emergency responders to come and help you if you fall and can't get up or if you are in danger. The main reason people buy them is because they want the peace of mind that someone will come to help them if they are alone and need assistance. Often, the child of an older adult is worried...
Dear Seeley-Swan residents, Happy New Year! This month I am highlighting the I Ride Seeley Lake Van Service. This is an excellent service provided to us by the Seeley Lake Community Foundation, Seeley-Swan Medical Center Foundation and Missoula Ravalli Transportation Management Association. I Ride Seeley Lake Van Service provides rides to and from medical appointments in Seeley Lake and Missoula, for older adults and persons with disabilities. Rides can be scheduled by calling Yvonne Kinsey, I...
Dear Seeley-Swan residents, The benefit program I'm highlighting this month is ROOTS. ROOTS is available for anyone 60 years and older who has limited income. It's a fantastic program offered by the Missoula Food Bank. Every month a 30 pound box of food is delivered to your home free of charge. If you are a household of one and your income is $1,315 per month or less you qualify. For a household of two, you qualify if your combined income is $1,760 or less. All you have to do is complete a very...
Hi all, I hope you are enjoying the beautiful fall colors. Medicare Open Enrollment (Oct. 15-Dec. 7) is once again in full swing! This year for 2019, in addition to four regular Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO and PPOs) offered by Blue Cross and Humana; twenty-eight new prescription drug plans; and standard Medicare Supplement Plans; there is a new option for Medicare recipients in Montana called LASSO Healthcare MSA. LASSO Healthcare MSA combines a high-deductible Medicare Advantage Plan with a...
Happy Fall, Now that temperatures are dipping it's once again time to apply for Low Income Energy Assistance (LIEAP) and Weatherization! The State of Montana, through the Department of Public Health and Human Services, offers two programs to help individuals reduce their heating costs. The Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) pays part of winter energy bills for eligible people; and the Weatherization Program helps participants improve the heating efficiency of their homes and thus...
As we approach Medicare's Open Enrollment Period, Oct. 15 – Dec. 7, it's time again to start thinking about your Medicare coverage. Open enrollment is when Medicare beneficiaries should review their coverage and make any changes for 2019. In particular, you may save money by checking your Medicare Part D choices. Many plans change which prescriptions they cover, which means your current Part D plan may no longer be the best plan for you. I can help you do that, as well as enroll in a new Part D...
Hi all, I am so thankful for this beautiful July and August weather! We have certainly had our fair share of weather challenges to deal with this past year-fires, floods, wind storms and record snowfall. For all of us it is vital that we do what we can to prepare for unexpected emergencies of any type: a missing child, a house fire, you need to know about an evacuation, you experience a medical emergency, you are in a motor accident... anytime you need immediate help. Smart911 is a free service...
Happy Fourth of July to everyone! Summer is finally here and we can get outside and enjoy! It's also a great time to save money on Medicare by applying for the Medicare Savings Program (MSP)! If you have or qualify for Medicare you can apply to save money any time during the year. The MSP has three levels of savings: Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB), Specified Low-Income Beneficiary (SLMB) and Qualifying Individual (QI). If you qualify for the QMB Program, your Part A and Part B premiums,...
With Memorial Day just passed, I am acutely reminded of all the benefits we enjoy in our country due to the service and sacrifices of United States veterans. The purpose of today's Note from Linda is to explain the Veteran Directed Home and Community Based Services Program (VD-HCBS). VD-HCBS is an outstanding benefit available to veterans who are currently enrolled in the VA health care system. Many services are available from the VA health care system, provided through VD-HCBS at no cost to the...
I am taken aback by the beauty we share in the Seeley-Swan Valley this May. We share stunning sunny days, majestic snow covered peaks contrasted against gorgeous blue skies, gushing rivers and eye-catching wildlife. Amidst our glorious surroundings we also share many personal challenges; one of which is a concern about memory loss, in ourselves, friends and loved ones. Memory loss is a scary thing to think about primarily because there is no definitive way to prevent it or cure it. Memory often changes as we grow older. But memory loss that...
Dear Seeley-Swan residents, Happy Spring! As you know Missoula Aging Services (MAS) opened a branch office at the Bison & Bear Center in the fall of 2016 called Seeley-Swan Resource Center. I am able to make a complex system of benefits and services more easily accessible through education, referrals and individualized, person-centered consultations. Please make an appointment with me by calling 406-541-7688. This month I am highlighting the many educational opportunities available through MAS...
Hear the band? Join the March this Spring! Join us as we march into spring with our annual Meals on Wheels (MOW) campaign March for Meals - Seeley Lake. March for Meals - Seeley Lake is truly a community-wide campaign with support from our businesses, Seeley Lake Area Chamber of Commerce and most of all, you! March for Meals – Seeley Lake is the annual fundraising event in support of Seeley Lake's Meals on Wheels Program. Each year we join with Meals on Wheels America and hundreds of other M...
Hi. I have exciting news today! The new "Seeley Lake Community Health and Support Guide" is in print and being distributed this week. It is a collaboration of Seeley Lake Community Foundation, Missoula Aging Services, and our neighbors, most notably Jeanne Koester's tireless efforts at gathering and proofing all the facts. This guide was a result of the Seeley Lake Community Foundations Community Assessment in an effort to expand the ability of the resources in town to communicate with each...
This month I want to tell you about a very useful program developed by the National Council on Aging called The Benefits Check Up. The Benefits Check Up was developed to help seniors connect with a wide range of programs to help save money through home weatherization, stretching grocery dollars, lowering prescription drug costs, help paying Medicare copays or premiums, among others. After completing the online form, a personalized, printable report is created that lists all the programs a person...
Merry Christmas, The qualities of kindness and compassion…define Seeley Lake, notably generosity towards older adults receiving Meals on Wheels (MOW). During March’s March for Meals campaign, $2,300 was donated to Seeley Lake Senior Center (SLSC) for MOW which reduced a sizeable deficit in the program. Continuing community support comes through local businesses who display MOW jars on their counters. During the six months, May through October, $700 was placed in those jars, which is enough to provide 100 Meals on Wheels to older adults! In Nov...
Hello and Happy Fall! My note this month explains the 2016 Montana Elderly Homeowner/Renter Credit Form 2EC. There is one money-saving offer anyone in Montana who was age 62 or older as of Dec. 31, 2016, should not ignore. It comes from the Montana Department of Revenue and is known as the Montana Elderly Homeowner/Renter Credit, or 2EC. The 2EC is essentially a refund on the property taxes you’ve paid and it is also available to qualifying renters, including those who rent lots. How much of a refund you receive is calculated based on your i...
Hi all, I am inviting you to come to an important, free event at the Double Arrow Lodge with delicious snacks and beverages provided! Missoula Aging Services and I are bringing Montana's premier estate planning expert Dr. Marsha Goetting to Seeley Lake for two sessions of "Estate Planning for Everybody." Marsha will answer these questions and more: What is the best strategy to pass my estate on to my children? What is a beneficiary deed? How do I make checking/savings/investment accounts...
It's that time of year again to start thinking about your Medicare coverage. Briefly, Medicare Part A is coverage for inpatient care; Medicare Part B is coverage for doctor visits; Medicare Part D is prescription drug coverage; Medigap also called Supplemental, pays the 20 percent not covered by Part B; and Medicare Advantage is coverage that combines Medicare Parts A, B and D. As a Medicare beneficiary, you have from Oct. 15, 2017 to Dec. 7, 2017, which is the Medicare Open Enrollment Period,...
