Missoula Aging Services

Community programs:meals on wheels serves housebound older adults and people with disabilities throughout all of Missoula county. Liquid nutrition (ensure) is provided at cost. A total of 123,237 home delivered meals were provided to 691 individuals in fiscal year 2024, compared to 125,462 meals in fiscal year 2023.congregate dining programs (also known as community lunch programs) provide older adults the opportunity to share weekday meals in a social atmosphere at the senior centers and other meal sites in Missoula county (Missoula, seeley lake, bonner, lolo, and condon). A total of 31,833 meals were served to 990 individuals in fiscal year 2024, compared to 34,920 meals in fiscal year 2023.the volunteer services program offers older adults a wide range of volunteer opportunities within mas, including meals on wheels drivers, caring companions, and resource volunteers, and also helps older adults connect with over 40 community partners to find the volunteer experience that best fits their interests and skills. In fiscal year 2024, approximately 240 volunteers supported the mas mission. Education programs offered 20 classes for 208 participants in fiscal year 2024.406 financial services is a wholly owned limited liability company of Missoula Aging services. Its purposes are threefold; 1) act as fiscal employer agent for the veterans directed care program by providing payroll services for veteran employers, 2) contract with county councils on Aging to provide financial and accounting services, and 3) provide money management services on a limited basis for older adults in need of financial services through bill pay, organizational support, and trust management. During 2024, 406 financial services supported 426 veteran employers to pay 553 personal care attendant (pca) employees to support their home care in 9 western Montana counties, Idaho, and Washington. In fiscal year 2023, 333 veteran employers paid 525 pca employees in 9 western Montana counties, Idaho, and Washington.

In-home services:in-home support services provide personal care attendant (pca) services to help older adults stay in their homes safely and give primary caregivers the opportunity to take time for themselves. In fiscal year 2024, mas provided 2,626 hours of in-home support services care to 46 clients with over 90% of mas clients and caregivers reporting that these services help them remain healthy, independent, and in their own homes compared to 2,779 hours of care to 70 clients in fiscal year 2023.the caring companion program matches volunteers with older adult clients to reduce social isolation and loneliness. Twenty-six (26) volunteer companions served 2,266 hours in fiscal year 2024.veterans directed care program empowers qualifying veterans to hire, employ and supervise personal care attendants to help with daily needs in support of independence. Care coordinators review program guidelines to assist with the development and implementation of care plans for the veteran that best support them meeting their personal goals. In fiscal year 2024, 101 veterans were enrolled in the veterans' program compared to 88 veterans in fiscal year 2023.care management program staff assist older adults with complex needs to navigate and access health and social care systems to support safety, independence, and quality of life. Staff worked with a total of 64 clients, the majority of which are individuals living with memory loss or dementia, in fiscal year 2024, compared to 44 clients in fiscal year 2023.the family caregiver support program assists adult family members and other informal providers of in-home care to older adults. Staff connect caregivers and their loved ones to mas services, such in-home services, caring companions, and respite, which provides caregivers temporary relief from caregiving responsibilities. Caregivers can also participate in ongoing support groups or take a powerful tools for caregivers class. In fiscal year 2024, mas supported 82 family caregivers compared to 85 in fiscal year 2023.

Information and assistance:the resource center provides information, assistance and one-on-one consultation for older adults and their caregivers and is especially helpful to adult children seeking referrals to Aging services locally or from a distance. Information is available on topics such as long-term care, estate planning, medicare and medicaid, and homeowner/renter tax credits. Resource staff also provide older adults with free benefits screenings to determine what cost-saving benefits they may be eligible for, and then assist individuals to complete, submit and track applications. A lender's library is also available, with free access to a computer and the internet. In fiscal year 2024, staff answered 22,705 calls and saw 4,230 clients, compared to 28,510 calls and 5,055 clients in fiscal year 2023.the money management program helps older adults and other at-risk individuals manage their personal financial affairs through serving as a representative payee, providing bill payment services, helping with budgets, and advocating to prevent financial exploitation or abuse. In fiscal year 2024, this program served 40 clients compared to 37 in fiscal year 2023.montana smp (senior medicare patrol) funded by the administration on Aging, is a statewide program which utilizes trained volunteers to help reduce medicare and medicaid waste, fraud, and abuse. In fiscal year 2024, 14,044 medicare beneficiaries were educated by Montana smp compared to 10,365 beneficiaries in fiscal year 2023.the ombudsman program protects the rights of residents living in long-term care facilities by helping them understand and exercise their right to good care. Ombudsmen are impartial mediators who investigate resident concerns and provide information, suggest solutions and press for improvements on behalf of residents. In 2024, ombudsman made 2,750 contacts with residents in nursing homes and assisted living facilities compared to 3,526 contacts made in fiscal year 2023.