Articles written by Linda Howard


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  • Annual "Open Enrollment" season starts Oct. 15

    Linda Howard, Resource Specialist, Seeley-Swan Resource Center|Oct 7, 2021

    What season is it? It is Medicare's Annual "Open Enrollment" which happens, Oct. 15 – Dec. 7 and is coming up quickly! What can Medicare beneficiaries do during "Open Enrollment"? • Change from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan. • Change from a Medicare Advantage Plan back to Original Medicare. • Switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another Medicare Advantage Plan. • Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan that doesn't offer drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan that offe...

  • LIEAP & Weatherization opportunities

    Linda Howard, Resource Specialist, Seeley-Swan Resource Center|Sep 2, 2021

    Happy Fall, Now that temperatures are dipping it is once again time to apply for Low Income Energy Assistance Program (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. 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 reduce energy consumption. When and...

  • Doing good is good for you

    Linda Howard, Resource Specialist, Seeley-Swan Resource Center|Aug 5, 2021

    You can make a difference in local schools by serving as a Foster Grandparent! Foster grandparents are volunteers placed with local schools and assist teachers by providing extra support to students. As a foster grandparent you are a role model, a tutor and a friend. You help children learn to read, provide one-on-one tutoring and guide children at a critical time in their lives. Volunteers are requested for students ranging in age from pre-kindergarten to high school in Seeley Lake and Condon....

  • Be a friend, support an older adult as Senior Companion

    Linda Howard, Resource Specialist, Seeley-Swan Resource Center|Jul 1, 2021

    As the COVID 19 pandemic is finally coming to an end, we can now see a light at the end of the tunnel. Businesses are fully open; visitors are coming back to our community and people are just excited to live life again. However, our community still has some critical needs. Many of our neighbors are experiencing isolation and loneliness due to the long-term quarantine period and struggling with declining health and mobility issues. We are fortunate to live in a community where our neighbors are...

  • 2021 Senior Farmers' Market nutrition program coupons

    Linda Howard, Resource Specialist, Seeley-Swan Resource Center|Jun 3, 2021

    Along with our gorgeous summer weather, we in the Seeley-Swan Valley have something to celebrate! Seniors who are 60 years of age and older, residents of Missoula County and meet federal income guidelines (one-person household maximum monthly income = $1,986; two-person household maximum monthly income = $2,686; three-person household maximum monthly income = $3,386), qualify to receive $50 worth of coupons to purchase fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables through 2021 Senior Farmers'...

  • Spring classes and support groups great for seniors

    Linda Howard, Resource Specialist, Seeley-Swan Resource Center|May 6, 2021

    Missoula Aging Services is offering three excellent classes this spring and two virtual support groups! In the educational courses offered you may participate online using ZOOM. Pre-registration is required online at missoulaagingservices.eventbrite.com or by calling Missoula Aging Services 406-728-7682. 1. Virtual Social Security Workshop: The next class is Wednesday, May 26, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. An additional class is offered July 14, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Cost $10/person with no-cost...

  • No-cost phone legal document clinic

    Linda Howard, Resource Specialist, Seeley-Swan Resource Center|Apr 1, 2021

    This month I would like to share with you an excellent state program to assist with completing your estate planning documents – Phone Legal Document Clinic. The Montana Legal Services Developer Program in DPHHS-Senior and Long-Term Care Division, P.O. Box 4210 Helena, MT 59604 Phone: 1-800-332-2272, provides preparation of estate planning documents for adults 60 and older at no cost. Clinics are conducted one-on-one via the phone. A member of the legal team works with each client to complete t...

  • Join with the team and keep neighbors fed and safe

    Linda Howard, Resource Specialist, Seeley-Swan Resource Center|Mar 4, 2021

    Thank you to all in the Seeley Lake community who have supported our local Meals on Wheels (MOW) program over the years. This March we are once again launching March for Meals, a month-long campaign to raise vital funds to support Meals on Wheels in Seeley Lake. This year's Seeley Lake March for Meals is more important than ever because the need in our community has increased significantly. MOW clients In Seeley Lake have more than doubled from approximately eight to 18 and are homebound for a v...

  • Update on senior meals in Seeley and Swan

    Linda Howard, Resource Specialist, Seeley-Swan Resource Center|Feb 4, 2021

    We are fortunate in the Seeley Swan Valley to have both the Mission Mountains Mercantile (MMM) in Condon and the Seeley Lake Senior Center (SLSC) in Seeley Lake providing meals for seniors. The Mission Mountains Mercantile offers senior meals Monday, Thursday and Saturday for pick-up, and Meals on Wheels (MOW) delivered to homebound individuals. Grace Siloti updates her Facebook page with pictures and commentary on the current meals. For details, please visit the Mission Mountains Mercantile...

  • COVID-19 vaccination protocol and testing in Seeley

    Linda Howard, Resource Specialist, Seeley-Swan Resource Center|Jan 7, 2021

    Greetings, If you were wondering about current vaccination protocol, the Missoula City-County Health Department has a new web address, https://www.missoulainfo.com/ that will keep us up to date about the Phases of Vaccine distribution as set by Governor Bullock. You can also call 406-258-4636 to get current information. On the website, there is a tab at the top titled Vaccination; within it is a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers. At the top of the list is the question-Who will get t...

  • Prevent T2 - Preventing diabetes through creating healthy lifestyles

    Linda Howard, Resource Specialist, Seeley-Swan Resource Center|Dec 3, 2020

    The Missoula Public Health City-County Health Department is offering a National Diabetes Prevention Program called Prevent T2 starting Jan. 20, 2021. It will continue through December 2021. Prevent T2 is a lifestyle balance program carefully designed to help reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. This course will equip participants with the most recent research in healthy lifestyles. With a focus on nutritional education, physical activity guidance and stress management tools, Prevent T2...

  • Medicare's Open Enrollment in full swing

    Linda Howard, Resource Specialist, Seeley-Swan Resource Center|Nov 5, 2020

    We are now in Medicare's Annual Open Enrollment Period, Oct. 15 – Dec. 7. It is time to think about your Medicare coverage for 2021. Open enrollment is when Medicare beneficiaries should review either their Part D, prescription drug plan (PDP) coverage or Medicare Advantage plan (MA) coverage and make any changes for 2021, effective Jan. 1, 2021. This year there are 28 Part D, prescription drug plans (PDP) to choose from with premiums ranging from $7.30/month up to $104.70/month and d...

  • Open Enrollment season starts this month

    Linda Howard, Resource Specialist, Seeley-Swan Resource Center|Oct 1, 2020

    What season is it? It is Medicare's Annual "Open Enrollment" Oct. 15 – Dec. 7. It is coming up quickly! What can you do during "Open Enrollment"? • Change from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan. • Change from a Medicare Advantage Plan back to Original Medicare. • Switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another Medicare Advantage Plan. • Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan that doesn't offer drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers drug coverage. • Switch from...

  • iRide and caregiver programs enhance lives

    Linda Howard, Resource Specialist, Seeley-Swan Resource Center|Sep 3, 2020

    This September I'd like to highlight three excellent programs available to us which can enhance our lives and those we care for. First, Missoula Aging Services is offering two Virtual Caregiver Support Groups which offer a safe place for caregivers to share experiences, advice and practical strategies for managing caregiver responsibilities during the pandemic. All caregivers are welcome, including dementia caregivers. You can participate online or by phone using ZOOM. The evening support group meets the second Monday of every month from 4-5...

  • Personal care attendant program available locally

    Linda Howard, Resource Specialist, Seeley-Swan Resource Center|Aug 6, 2020

    Dear Seeley-Swan Residents, I want to let you know about our current client availability for Missoula Aging Services, In-Home Support Services, Personal Care Attendant Program. Missoula Aging Services offers In-Home Support Services in order to provide affordable homemaking, respite and personal care assistance for caregivers. These services and other supports are also available for individuals for their own benefit. A dedicated Personal Care Attendant will come into your home on a regular...

  • Senior Farmers' Market Coupon program available

    Linda Howard, Resource Specialist, Seeley-Swan Resource Center|Jul 2, 2020

    Along with our gorgeous summer weather, we in the Seeley-Swan Valley have something to celebrate! Seniors who are 60 years of age and older, residents of Missoula County and meet federal income guidelines (one person household maximum monthly income = $1,968; two person household maximum monthly income = $2,658; three person household maximum monthly income = $3,349) qualify to receive coupons to purchase fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables at our local farmers markets through the...

  • How to enroll in Medicare during COVID-19

    Linda Howard, Resource Specialist, Seeley-Swan Resource Center|Jun 4, 2020

    What is Medicare? Medicare is federally supported health insurance for: • People age 65 or older • Anyone on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) • Anyone with End-Stage Renal Disease or ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease) How do you enroll in Medicare? The Social Security office processes Medicare enrollment applications. During the coronavirus public health emergency, local Social Security offices are closed to in-person appointments with the publi... Full story

  • The TeleCare Program offers social connection

    Linda Howard, Resource Specialist, Seeley-Swan Resource Center|May 7, 2020

    Dear friends in Seeley-Swan, Missoula Aging Services introduced a new program called TeleCare. The TeleCare Program matches clients with volunteers for friendly assurance calls. Volunteers provide a check-in and phone call to older adults, or at-risk adults who are homebound and/or isolated. The goal of the program is to provide social connection and increased security for participants. How does the TeleCare Program work? • Brief telephone calls are arranged on a regular schedule • Friendly vol...

  • Resources for these challenging times...

    Linda Howard, Resource Specialist, Seeley-Swan Resource Center|Apr 2, 2020

    Dear Seeley Swan friends,​ I am writing this note from my home office and feel somewhat removed as I expect you all do too. These are extremely challenging times for all of us and can feel scary. I want you to know that you are not alone. In Seeley Swan there are several excellent initiatives underway to help out our citizens, as well as the regular benefit programs to help you. 1. Seeley Swan Helps is a new outstanding collaboration of Seeley-Swan pastors and Missoula Aging Services, o...

  • Three important things you need to know about in March

    Linda Howard, Resource Specialist, Seeley-Swan Resource Center|Mar 5, 2020

    Hear the band? Join the March...for Meals 2020 Join us as we march into spring with our local Meals on Wheels (MOW) campaign. With your help, we can meet our 2020 goal of $5,000. March for Meals – Seeley Lake is the annual fundraising event which helps pay for Seeley Lake's MOW Program. Meals cooked every morning, Monday through Friday at the Seeley Lake Senior Center are hand delivered by volunteers to homebound older adults in Seeley Lake. Our service goes beyond meal delivery at the door. W...

  • No cost financial and estate planning workshops

    Linda Howard, Resource Specialist, Seeley-Swan Resource Center|Feb 6, 2020

    In recent years, Marsha A. Goetting, Montana State University Extension Family Economics Specialist, has presented programs and provided individual appointments in Seeley Lake about the need for all Montanans to take action and plan their estates. If you haven't taken action because you have lingering questions, Dr. Goetting is providing a new opportunity for you to have those questions answered. Dr. Goetting will be presenting three, no cost financial and estate planning workshops on Monday, Ma...

  • Get your taxes done at no cost to you

    Linda Howard, Resource Specialist, Seeley-Swan Resource Center|Jan 2, 2020

    Now that the holidays are over, it's that time of year to think about tax season which is just around the corner. This year Missoula Aging Services/Seeley-Swan Resource Center has coordinated with the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide services to provide in-person, no-cost tax assistance, preparation and electronic filing Feb. 25 and March 24 at the Seeley Lake Community Foundation building, 3150 Highway 83. Trained volunteers provide this service to taxpayers of all ages. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, is...

  • What is Adult Protective Services (APS)?

    Linda Howard, Resource Specialist, Seeley-Swan Resource Center|Dec 5, 2019

    During the holiday season of joyous celebrations with family and friends it is important for us to continue to be mindful of the older adults and those with disabilities in our community. We should ask ourselves the question - "How are they really doing?" If we are concerned with their welfare, each of us has the obligation to alert Adult Protective Services about the situation. APS are provided to person's age 60 years or older or to physically or mentally disabled adults and adults with...

  • Apply for Medicare Savings 2019-2020 income updates

    Linda Howard, Resource Specialist, Seeley-Swan Resource Center|Nov 7, 2019

    It's a great time to save money on Medicare by applying for the Medicare Savings Program (MSP) a program through the State of Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. 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,...

  • Annual Medicare open enrollment starts Oct. 15

    Linda Howard, Resource Specialist, Seeley-Swan Resource Center|Oct 3, 2019

    It's that time of year again to review your health insurance needs and look at options. Get ready for Annual Medicare Open Enrollment Period (AEP) Oct. 15 – Dec. 7, Medicare's next annual open enrollment period for 2020 coverage. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) no longer require Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D) and Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C) to mail out the plan's benefit and formulary changes for the coming year. It is important to check your plan. Be a...

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