News
This is March for Meals month!
Please click here for information about what's happening at Missoula Aging Services and in the community!
Free health study available to diabetics over age 65
A special 12-week demonstration project can help you manage your health and get rewards if you're over 65 and have Type II diabetes. Starting in March Healthways and the n4a are sponsoring workouts for qualifying individuals in an effort to help the senior population maintain or improve their overall health and well-being.
Specially designed small-group fitness classes will meet twice a week at the YMCA, 3000 S. Russell. There’s no cost to participate—in fact, gift certificates will be provided as an incentive to continue exercising, and you’ll reap the rewards of better health and fun time spent with others. The 40-minute classes based on the Silver Sneakers program will be taught by instructors certified to work out with older adults.
If you are 65 or older with Type II diabetes, and have taken the A1C test within the last five months, you may qualify. Both men and women can participate. A pedometer will be used to monitor physical activity in between classes throughout the week.
Does this sound like a fun way to manage your health and earn rewards for doing that? Then visit the front desk at Missoula Aging Services, 337 Stephens Ave., or call 728-7682 to learn more and take a quick qualifying assessment. Hurry—enrollment is limited and classes begin soon.
MAS receives grant to help upgrade equipment
Missoula Aging Services Meals On Wheels program has received a Wal-Mart Impact Grant through the Meals on Wheels Association of America in the amount of $8,823. The goal of the Wal-Mart Impact Grant Program is to help expand services now and into the future as the senior population increases and the demand for services grows. Across the country, 139 grants were awarded; however, MAS was the only grant recipient in the state of Montana. The funding is intended to assist local Meals On Wheels programs with operational improvements that will ensure their sustainability and foster long term growth, so that the unacceptably high hunger rate among seniors can be reduced.
Missoula Aging Services will use the funds to upgrade outdated computers and purchase new software for the nutrition staff. Insulated bags, hot boxes and reusable cloth delivery bags will also be purchased.
Free tax help available!
AARP's Tax Aide assistance program continues through the tax season at two locations in Missoula. Missoula Aging Services, 337 Stephens Ave., offers the program Wednesday and Friday afternoons. The Senior Citizens Center at 705 S. Higgins hosts the program on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday afternoons. All assistance is provided by trained AARP volunteers. At Missoula Aging Services the front office coordinates scheduling for clients. Please call ahead for your appointment, 728-7682. Likewise, call the Senior Center at 543-7154 for scheduling at that location.
Caregiver class series available soon
Twice a year Missoula Aging Services (MAS) offers the Powerful Tools for Caregivers educational series which provides important tools to help family caregivers take better care of themselves. The spring series starts Tuesday, March 23 and continues through April 27 in six 90-minute sessions. Classes are held Tuesdays from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at MAS, 337 Stephens Ave. For more details about the series, please click here. Class size is limited; call 728-7682 to register.
Key volunteer programs now available to more older adults
More talented older adults are now elegible to serve in programs which help solve community problems in Missoula County. Reauthorization of the Serve America Act expands the Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion programs which, along with the RSVP program, are administered by Missoula Aging Services (MAS) through funding by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS).
Two significant changes to the programs became effective October 1, 2009. The minimum age to become a Foster Grandparent or Senior Companion volunteer has been lowered from age 60 to age 55. This will increase the number of eligible volunteers available to serve. In addition, individuals who earn up to 200 percent of the poverty level may be eligible for the hourly stipend. For example, a single person earning $1,800 per month may be eligible to volunteer for either the Foster Grandparent or Senior Companion program. The tax free stipend does not affect Social Security income nor food stamp or housing eligibility.
To learn more about volunteer programs, call Missoula Aging Services at 728-7682 or click here.
Annual United Way campaign benefits MAS
United Way of Missoula County has wrapped up its annual fundraising campaign. Although only a few months of the year are dedicated to its major community fundraising effort, United Way funds are hard at work every day in Missoula County.
Missoula Aging Services (MAS) programs that rely on United Way funding include Elder Case Management, Foster Grandparents, Senior Companions and Meals On Wheels. When you contribute to United Way you are helping support many in our community, including your elder neighbors. Learn more about United Way by visiting their website:
http://www.uwmc.montana.com
Or make your donation quickly, easily and safely by visiting:
http://www.uwmc.montana.com/give.html
Unbiased health care reform information available
Are you confused by all the different things you're hearing about health care reform? For unbiased information, the Kaiser Family Foundation offers a website which allows you to make comparisons. Go to: http://www.kff.org/healthreform/sidebyside.cfm
Another source for information and updates is at the National Council on Aging (NCOA) website : www.ncoa.org
Support MAS every time you do a search!
Missoula Aging Services can earn a donation every time you search the Internet! 
Simply use GoodSearch.com, a new Yahoo-powered search engine that donates half its advertising revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. Use it just as you would any search engine and get quality search results from Yahoo.
Just go to www.goodsearch.com and be sure to enter Missoula Aging Services as the charity you want to support.
Resources for reporting H1N1 (swine) flu in Montana
Reporting, On-Call, and Public Information for Missoula Area Providers:
Infectious Disease Reporting Line: 258-3896 for health care providers
Missoula City County Health Department Infectious Disease On-Call 9-1-1
H1N1 influenza hotline – for public information – 258-3500
To stay current on the Montana updates, please contact http://www.dphhs.mt.gov/swineflu.
Additional information regarding swine flu can be found at www.cdc.gov/swineflu or www.hhs.gov.
The Health Dept.’s website is http://co.missoula.mt.us/HealthServices/InfectiousDisease/SwineFlu09.htm
Advocate for seniors--tell us your story!
Missoula Aging Services is looking for people to tell their story about how receiving services from MAS have made a difference in their ability to age in place. If you are willing to share your story, please email it to: senior@missoulaagingservices.org and type MY STORY as the subject line.