News
MAS Meals On Wheels receives award, grant
Missoula Aging Services' (MAS) Meals On wheels program has received a $2,600 grant from Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA). The Platinum Award is the highest award is the highest award given to Meals On Wheels programs which participate in the annual March for Meals campaign, an initiative of the MOWAA. The grant awards this year were based upon the dollars raised from the local community, the number of signatures gathered from people to “Take the Pledge to End Senior Hunger,” participation in Mayors for Meals, creation of and participation of other local events such as Meals at the Mall, and generation of local media.
MAS participated in the nationwide March for Meals campaign for the second time this past March. All of the more than $22,000 raised goes to Missoula County Meals On Wheels, a program of MAS. In its first year participating in the campaign, MAS was honored to receive the Gold Award.
For more information about the MOWAA please click here to visit their website: http://www.mowaa.org
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.
Cooling units available while supplies last
Although it's off to a cool start, summer is bound to heat up in western Montana. Missoula Aging Services (MAS) has a limited number of portable cooling units available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you or an elder family member could use one to help beat the heat, please inquire at the front desk of MAS, 337 Stephens Ave., or call 728-7682 for information.
Missoula RSVP Tutor wins statewide Outstanding Mentor Award
Missoula RSVP member Del Key has received the 2010 Mentor of the Year Award from Attorney General Steve Bullock, who created the award earlier this year to recognize outstanding individuals who have made a positive difference in the lives of children. Key received the award at Russell Elementary School, where he has served as volunteer with the Afterschool Homework Club for the past four years. Every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, from 3-4:15 p.m., Key has helped mentor over 25 second through fifth graders. According to Martha Robertson with the Homework Club, his exceptional patience with some behaviorally challenged children is the result of his personal experience raising a son with severe ADD.
"He rarely lets health issues interrupt his work at the school; he misses the children too much," Robertson said. "And they love 'Mr. Del,' as he has come to be known to us."
Lyle Heath Award goes to Senior Companion
Congratulations to Missoula Aging Services' (MAS) Senior Companion Lula Winchell, who was recently awarded the Lyle Heath Award by the Sentinel Kiwanis Club. The honor recognizes individuals who have provided outstanding service to the community through their volunteerism.
Winchell won the award based on her consistent volunteer sevice with a variety of nonprofits, including the MAS Senior Companion programs through Adult Protective Services, Summit Independent Living and MAS. She also volunteers for the Missoula Senior Center, RSVP and Frenchtown Community Church. In addition, she stays busy knitting and crocheting hats for Head Start children and the soldiers in Iraq.
The cash award she received will be divided between the MAS Meals On Wheels and Senior Diner Club programs, Animeals the the Missoula County Humane Society.
March for Meals month a big success!
Thank you to everyone who helped March for Meals succeed in raising money for Meals On Wheels in Missoula County. To date, the March for Meals fundraising campaign has raised more than $18,000. See details by clicking here.
Saturday Senior Van Service
Mountain Line is now offering Senior Van service on Saturdays. Service is available between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Advance reservations are required, simply all 721-2848. In part, Mountain Line hopes seniors will use this service to access the Farmers Market.
Key volunteer programs available to adults 55 and over
More talented older adults than ever before are eligible to serve in programs which help solve community problems in Missoula County. Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion programs, along with the RSVP program, are administered by Missoula Aging Services (MAS) through funding by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). The minimum age to become a Foster Grandparent or Senior Companion volunteer has been lowered from age 60 to age 55. This increases the number of eligible volunteers available to serve. In addition, individuals who earn up to 200 percent of the poverty level may be eligible for the hourly stipend. For example, a single person earning $1,800 per month may be eligible to volunteer for either the Foster Grandparent or Senior Companion program. The tax free stipend does not affect Social Security income nor food stamp or housing eligibility.
To learn more about volunteer programs, call Missoula Aging Services at 728-7682 or click here.
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 Elder Case Management, 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.