services
Offering Programs and Services for Senior Citizens
Services
Nutrition Programs
Congregate Meals: The Sanders County Council on Aging partners with many area senior centers to bring nutritious meals and fellowship for those living in the area. Our congregate meal program is partially supported by Older American Act funding, therefore those seniors over age 60 are only asked to give a suggested donation for their meals and for qualifying spouses. See below for participating senior centers, along with locations and meal times.
HOT SPRINGS (101 Main Street)- Every Wednesday and Friday at 12 noon.
PLAINS (205 West Meany Street)- Wednesdays and Fridays at 12 noon.
THOMPSON FALLS (1191 Mt. Silcox Road)- Every Monday and Thursday at 5:30 PM.
TROUT CREEK (18 Larch Street)- Tuesdays & Fridays a 6 PM.
HERON (1260 Upper River Rd)- Wednesdays at 5:30 PM
**All meals follow the USDA recommendations for senior nutrition; our meals meet one-third of the recommended dietary allowances for seniors.
Home-Delivered Meals): This program is designed for homebound seniors over the age of 60. An SCCOA worker will do a brief assessment of each applicant. The suggested donation for a home-delivered meal is $5.00. Our drivers start delivering meals in most areas between 10-11 a.m. Meals are available up to 7 days per week, with some days having frozen meals delivered. Hot Springs, Plains, Thompson Falls and Trout Creek currently have a Home Delivered Meal Program. No meal delivery on holidays.
Ensure Supplement Program: With a referral from your physician, the Sanders County Council on Aging can provide individuals with liquid nutrition supplements at a very low cost. We offer a variety of flavors and also can cater to specific dietary needs of clients (Ensure Plus has added calories, High Protein, Immune Health, Pulmocare and Glucerna are available).
In-Home Services
Homemaking
The goal of the Homemaking program is to provide assistance to our clients in keeping their own homes clean, safe and pleasant so that they can stay there as long as they are able. We employ several homemakers and also contract with a local provider who are available to help seniors with light housekeeping including dishwashing, laundry, sweeping/mopping, vacuuming, dusting, grocery shopping, and other duties. This program is available to anyone over 60 years of age, and we offer a sliding scale fee for those with fixed incomes. One of our staff will come and perform an in-home visit where a short assessment and income verification is conducted. Based upon the need, the Sanders County Council on Aging will get services started in the home after an agreed-upon schedule and task list is created. If client qualifies, only their hourly cost share has to be paid to the SCCOA for services. Respite Care
http://dphhs.mt.gov/respite.aspx Information & Assistance (I&A)
The SCCOA’s Information and Assistance Counselors are happy to assist clients with completing forms/applications for Medicaid, LIEAP, and other public assistance programs. These counselors are also SHIP (State Health and Insurance Assistance Program) certified and help clients with questions or concerns with Medicare or Social Security. The SCCOA personnel are well versed in knowing the area’s resources and work efficiently to connect individuals with the services and/or resources available in the community. Telephone Reassurance
Our Telephone Reassurance Program pairs homebound older adults with volunteers. These participants need contact due to social isolation and/or vulnerabilities associated with physical limitations and/or a rural setting. Volunteers make telephone contact in accordance with an established schedule agreed upon by the participant and/or their caregiver, help provide safety checks, medication reminders, and have caring conversations. Volunteers are informed of community resources that may be helpful to the participant and may make referrals with the participant/caregiver’s consent when needs and/or concerns are made known.