News
Local service project to highlight Senior Corps Week
The first ever National Senior Corps Week will put Foster Grandparent, Senior Companion and RSVP volunteers in the spotlight Sept. 20–24. In partnership with Montana Supporting Soldiers, local Senior Corps programs at Missoula Aging Services (MAS) are collecting donations of specific care package items for U.S. troops overseas.
Entitled “Celebrate Senior Corps Serving on the Homefront,” this service project wraps up with an ice cream social Friday, Sept. 24 from 2-4 p.m. at First Lutheran Church, 2808 South Ave. Senior Corps volunteers are invited to attend and may bring donations to the event or drop them off at MAS, 337 Stephens Ave. before Sept. 24. If you are not a member of the Senior Corps but would like to donate items, please call MAS at 728-7682 for information about what to donate.
Each year in Missoula County more than 800 volunteers contribute 155,000 hours to the community, meeting critical community needs and having fun volunteering. For more information about the Senior Corps programs, call MAS at 728-7682.
Be on the alert for Medicare rebate scam
If you are on Medicare and are eligible for the $250 "donut hole" rebate check, please be alert for scams which may appear to be related to getting the rebate check. For more information about this scam, click this link for a story posted at the KPAX-TV website June 16, 2010. http://www.kpax.com/news/medicare-rebate-check-scam-warning-issued/
Remember, you can contact your local SMP (Senior Medicare Patrol) office if you believe you have been a victim of Medicare fraud. To locate an office near you call 1-800-551-3191. Montana SMP is a program of Missoula Aging Services and empowers seniors to prevent healthcare fraud. One-on-one consultation about Medicare concerns is available with trained SMP volunteers. You can check out our commercial at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSMFC6waOk0.
The latest phone scam targets your bank account
Imagine getting hundreds or thousands of calls on your home, business, or cell phone, tying up the lines. When you answer, you hear anything from dead air to recorded messages, advertisements, or even phone sex menus. It’s annoying--but it could be more than that. It could be a sign that you’re being victimized by the latest scam making the rounds. Although MAS is unaware of any reports of this sort of activity in Montana, be forewarned by learning more about how this scam works at: http://www.fbi.gov/page2/june10/phone_062110.html.
Wall Street Journal reports on diabetes demonstration project
This past spring Missoula Aging Services partnered with Healthways and The National Area Agency on Aging (N4A) Diabetes Demonstration Project in a 12-week project designed for adults over age 65 with Type II diabetes. Recently The Wall Street Journal’s online news published an article about
the n4a Diabetes Demonstration Project. To read it, click on this link:
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/healthways-and-n4a-diabetes-demonstration-project-supports-improved-well-being-for-seniors-2010-07-29?reflink=MW_news_stmp
Saturday Senior Van Service
Mountain Line offers Senior Van service on Saturdays, which can make visiting the downtown farmers' markets accessible. Service is available between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Advance reservations are required, simply all 721-2848.
United Way campaign benefits MAS programs
United Way of Missoula County dedicates just a few months to its major community fundraising effort, yet United Way funds are hard at work every day in Missoula County.
Missoula Aging Services (MAS) programs that rely on United Way funding include 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
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.
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.