Council on Aging provides support, seeks contributions
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News from the Lake County Council on Aging
RONAN — Security and independence mean a lot to the elderly. But due to failing health or lack of financial resources, senior citizens are often unable to secure those basic needs.
The Lake County Council on Aging had a change in management this summer and is moving forward with enthusiasm. In June, Joanne Shaw took over as project director and Jeanne Swope took on the job of in-home services manager. They join Jan Johnson who has worked as the transportation coordinator for four years.
The goals of the Lake County Council on Aging is to assist the aging residents of Lake County in leading independent, meaningful and dignified lives in their own homes and communities as long as possible. The Council on Aging provides homemaking services, respite care, telephone reassurance, transportation and distributes commodities throughout Lake County. The Council also has trained staff that can help with issues regarding Medicare, Medicaid, housing and utility assistance and other valuable services.
Besides house cleaning, our homemakers assist with grocery shopping, washing clothes, and preparing meals. With homemakers being with our clients at least once a week, along with telephone reassurance, we are able to alleviate the stress of families that cannot be with their parents and loved ones as often as they would like, especially when family members live at a distance. Transportation services will take riders to medical appointments, shopping and social activities. Our drivers are qualified volunteers and are available for trips to towns in Lake County, and with 48-hours notice, can take riders to Missoula and Kalispell.
The Council on Aging is a non-profit organization funded in part by Federal, State and County funds. The remaining operation capitol comes from cost sharing, contributions and fundraising activities.
With budget cuts and the increase of the elderly population in Lake County, the Council on Aging, like many organizations, is meeting financial difficulties. As a result, our clients that are receiving homemaking and transportation services at a low cost will not have access to reasonably priced services. Many of our clients cannot afford to lose this benefit, physically and/or mentally.
The Lake County Council on Aging is raffling a 47-inch flat screen television along with a quilt, a life-sized ceramic Canada goose, an Intarsia Buffalo and a few smaller items. The raffle will be held on Thursday, December 12, at the Mission Valley Senior Center evening meal. Tickets are $2 each or three tickets for $5 and are available at the office of the LCCOA, 528 Main St SW, in Ronan or by calling (406) 676-2367.
If you would like more information on the Council on Aging or would like to make a donation, you can contact us at (406) 676-2367 or e-mail us at coa@ronan.net.
