Offering Programs and Services for Senior Citizens

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.

Relief or rest from caregiving activities is called Respite Care and is available on a cost-share basis determined by eligibility, income, and ability to pay. Respite Care may be provided by a SCCOA staff member or a contracted agency for a few hours a week in the home. To qualify, the unpaid caregiver must live with the care recipient and be authorized for services following an in-home assessment.

Visit the Montana Lifespan Respite website for more information on respite

http://dphhs.mt.gov/respite.aspx

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.

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.