Lending a Hand
The primary purpose of Information, Referral, and Assistance is to aid all older persons in identifying the most appropriate services to meet their needs and connect them to the agencies providing these services. A short interview with one of our resource staff can outline the available services and identify areas of service need.
Front Desk
(406) 758-5730
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In-Home Care and Community Resources
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About In-Home Care & Community Resources
Housing
Rental assistance, subsidized senior apartments, and non-subsidized apartments in Flathead County communities.
RESOURCE BOOKLETS
Financial Assistance, food assistance, low-income housing, energy assistance, Medicaid, tax help, etc.
LONG-TERM CARE
In-home care consists of medical, respite, house cleaning, escorted transportation, and support groups. There are also listings of assisted living facilities and nursing homes you can receive by contacting our local Ombudsmen.
*HOMEMAKER SERVICES
Designed to help with light housekeeping. A client must provide cleaning supplies and equipment and must be home when the service is provided. This service is not meant to be a major spring housecleaning event but is intended to help maintain a clean home. *At this time, payment for this service is by donation.
*Assisted transportation
Assisted transportation for a person who has cognitive or physical impairments that require assistance and/or supervision during the transportation. The transportation is usually to medical appointments but can be used for errands, such as banking, grocery shopping, etc. This program is for those individuals who cannot use public transportation due to a physical impairment or because of their rural location. *At this time, payment for this service is by donation.
RESPITE CARE
Provides relief for the caregiver of an older person at home. A caregiver can take time off to go shopping, run errands or just go visit friends—whatever they feel they need to give themselves a break.
CERTIFIED LOCAL OMBUDSMAN
Advocacy for all residents of long-term care facilities (nursing homes and assisted living facilities), assisting them in resolving problems or complaints. The program serves to monitor the quality of care and life for residents of long-term care facilities. For more information about Ombudsman, visit the web page or call 406-758-5737.
INSURANCE COUNSELING AND ASSISTANCE
SHIP (State Health Insurance Program)
Assistance with Medicare/Medicaid and supplemental insurance. We help with finding the best Part D (prescription) plan to meet your needs.
SMP (Senior Medicare Patrol)
This is a project that recruits volunteers to learn about the Medicare system and teaches beneficiaries how to read their insurance statements. This program is meant to help fight Fraud, Waste, and Abuse in the insurance field.
HEALTH PROMOTION
Agency on Aging helps sponsor activities at local senior centers that promote healthy lifestyles, fitness, and health care. Activities may include but are not limited to, exercise classes, blood pressure clinics, etc. Call the Senior Center of your choice for more information:
- Bigfork Community Center 406-837-4157
- Kalispell Senior Center 406-257-1598
- North Valley Senior Center 406-892-4087
- Whitefish Community Center 406-862-4923
Low-Income Household Discount
AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM
Affordable Connectivity Program Website
This program can help low-income households pay for internet services. It is administered by Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
If your household is eligible, you could receive:
- Up to a $30/month discount on your internet service
- Up to a $75/month discount if your household is on qualifying Tribal lands
- A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer (with a co-payment of more than $10 but less than $50)
- A low-cost service plan that may be fully covered through the ACP*
* Through a separate non-FCC initiative, additional no-cost plans may be available to Affordable Connectivity Program enrollees.
A list of participating service providers is available on the website. Or contact your internet provider for more information.
Legal
Information on powers of attorney, living wills, reverse mortgage loans, etc. Agency on Aging works with a local attorney to offer 30-minute (Pro bono, Free) counseling sessions. For more information on legal assistance, please call the Agency office at 406-758-5730.
Friendly Caller Service
This service to seniors is available Monday through Friday. An Agency on Aging representative will check in with the client to chat and see how the day is going. If there are concerns, a relative or friend is called to check on the client. This completes the list of services that Area IX Agency on Aging provides in Flathead County.