SEELEY LAKE – Area citizens offered opinions on the benefits and challenges of living in Seeley Lake and aging during a listening session Aug. 24 with representatives from Missoula Aging Services (MAS).
MAS has held several sessions around Missoula County as part of an information gathering forum for Montana State Area Agency on Aging, of which MAS is part. The state is looking for input as it begins work on the next strategic plan which will be released in the fall of 2023, said Kate Cotnoir, MAS Resource Center Manager.
Cotnoir lead the discussion with Kristin Mason, MAS Seeley Lake Resource Specialist. Cotnoir presented the group with a list of 10 questions to start the conversation.
Public comment regarding the benefits of living in Seeley Lake centered around the tight knit community that many have found welcoming.
Challenges presented included medical care and clear roads in the wintertime.
Commenters stated that although there is a medical facility in Seeley Lake, it is only open certain hours and not evenings or weekends. Also, since it is not a walk-in clinic, someone must be an established patient for care. People must travel to Missoula for minor emergencies such as the need for a few stitches after hours.
Cotnoir was questioned about the lack of caregivers. She said MAS has worked to raise pay and benefits offered to caregivers from MAS. Cotnoir advised these changes haven’t been able to keep caregivers in the field. The shortage is a national problem that many agencies are looking to correct.
Cotnoir commented that some caregivers choose to go off on their own. She said, although they may make a few more dollars per hour, they miss out on the benefits offered by MAS.
“People are aging faster than we can solve the problem,” Cotnoir said.
“In Missoula County 21% of the population is 60 and over with 5.8% of people 75 and older,” Cotnoir continued. “That demographic has grown rapidly since 2010. This is according to a recent census, but since 2010, there’s been a 40% growth in the aging population of the Missoula area.”
Other conversation revolved around winter and road maintenance since Seeley Lake tends to receive more snow than other areas. The group agreed the county should not be expected to maintain private roads but all county-maintained roads should be plowed after a snowfall.
One commenter spoke to concerns about a wheelchair bound neighbor who lives at the end of a cul de sac and depends on others to provide rides. In the past, the road was not regularly maintained. Last winter due to a school age child moving in, the road was plowed for the school bus route. This is discrimination based on age, called agism, and all county residents should expect the same services regardless of being located on a school bus route.
Snow plowing comments also discussed the lack of training for snowplow drivers. Older plow drivers have commented that a simple tweak of the blade as a plow passes a driveway can keep the snow from plugging the driveway. Cotnoir shared a story of the time MAS received a call from a senior who needed oxygen delivered but the delivery driver would not cross the large berm which had been created by a plow. The person was advised to call 9-1-1 as the need for oxygen was an emergency.
Other topics mentioned were safety nets for Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, isolation for seniors and the need for more programs offered in Seeley Lake during the winter months.
Public comment for the Area Agency on Aging strategic plan is open through Sept. 23. To comment, call Lisa Sheppard, MAS Chief Executive Officer, at 406-728-7682. Visit https://www.seeleylake.com/home/customer_files/article_documents/mas_questions.pdf to view a list of the questions presented. Comments made will be incorporated into the strategic plan.
One of the goals of MAS as stated on their website is to allow seniors to live independently as long as possible. MAS satellite office, located in the Seeley Lake Foundation Building on Highway 83, is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome or contact Mason at 406-728-7682 for an appointment to review services available.
Reader Comments(0)