COUNCIL ON AGING
Vicky Ruby
100 W Laurel Ave
Plentywood, MT 59254
406.765.3412
Office Hours: Mon-Fri 8 am to 5 pm, Closed Weekends & Holidays
Senior Services
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In-Home Personal Care
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Adult Day Care (half or full days)
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Overnight Care
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Senior Centers
Sheridan County boasts three official Senior Centers. Members meet regularly in their home communities for fun and fellowship and to discuss pertinent issues. The Golden Years Club is open several days per week, while the others meet each Thursday.
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Golden Years Club in Plentywood 765-2034
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Medicine Lake Senior Center 789-2360
Legal Services
Senior citizens may have general legal questions relating to their health or medical treatment, residence, or business affairs. Limited legal advice and counseling by local attorney Steve Howard (765-1213) is available at no cost to the senior citizen for certain services, such as the creation of wills or PoAs. The Montana Legal Services Developer in the Office on Aging (800-332-2272) provides elder law training and resources for seniors, family members, and social outreach workers. The program also develops pro bono and local legal services referrals, training materials, and telephone assistance to seniors on related matters.
SMP (Senior Medical Patrol)
Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) volunteers empower and assist Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers to prevent, detect, and report health care fraud, errors, and abuse. The SMP volunteer makes a determination about whether or not fraud, errors, or abuse is suspected. When fraud or abuse is suspected, they make referrals to the appropriate state and federal agencies for further investigation. If there are billing errors, the volunteer can help resolve the issue with the provider. Sheridan County’s SMP Volunteer is Mary Nyhus. Call Vicki Ruby at 765-3412 for a referral to her.
Blood Pressure Screenings
The Public Health nurse offers blood
pressure checks at the department
offices in the Courthouse or at these
different sites:
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Dagmar Central: 1st Tuesdays, 11:00-12:00
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Westby Community Center: 1st Thursdays, 2:30-3:30
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Pioneer Manor, Plentywood: 3rd Thursdays,10:00-11:00
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Golden Years Club, Plentywood: 4th Wednesdays, 11:00-12:00
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Medicine Lake Senior Center: various Thursdays, by volunteer nurse Bev Johnson
Congregate Meals
Congregate Meals offer senior citizens nutritious meals as well as the opportunity to get out and socialize with others in their communities. Anyone over the age of 60 (or who has a spouse over the age of 60) is invited to come and enjoy. The suggested donation for these meals is $5.00 but is not required. There are four meal sites. Cafes serve five days per
week; GYC on M-W-F only.
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Dagmar: Dagmar Central 483-5217
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Medicine Lake: Honker Pit 789-2300
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Westby: Smith’s PK 385-2404
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Plentywood: Golden Years Club 765-2034
Home Delivered Meals
Home Delivered Meals are available within city limits in Plentywood, Medicine Lake, and Westby over the age of 60 (or who has a spouse over the age of 60), who is permanently or temporarily housebound due to illness or disability. A $5.00 suggested donation for these meals is requested, although no one can be turned away due to the inability to pay. People under age 60 who require home-delivered meals are also welcome, at regular current meal prices. For people outside of the service areas who would benefit from prepared meals, we may be able to arrange for frozen meals that meet our nutritional requirements to be delivered. Call Vicki Ruby at 765-3412 for more information.
Senior Commodities
The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) is a USDA food program that serves low-income senior citizens. Participants receive 60 pounds of food every other month, including items such as canned tuna, pork, beef stew, vegetables, fruit, evaporated milk, juices, cheese, cereal, pasta, egg mix, peanut butter, and non-refrigerated milk. Recipients must meet income criteria. For more information, call Vicki Ruby at 765-3412.
Public Transportation
Quality Transit offers rides to the public as well as to Seniors. Rides are available on weekdays within Plentywood and weekly to and from Westby and Medicine Lake. Please try to call the day before to schedule a ride. For weekend rides, please call by 4:00 pm on Friday. Trips to Williston ND or Sidney MT for medical reasons are also scheduled throughout the month and are announced daily by KATQ Radio. There is a charge for out of county trips. Currently, individuals and businesses are asked for donations to help sponsor the program, but riders are not asked to pay for rides within Sheridan County.
Respite Care
The Sheridan County Council on Aging contracts with local facilities to provide Respite Care to area families. Caregivers of
elderly people are often hard-pressed for time to see to their own needs. Respite Care workers from Sheridan Memorial can come into the patient’s home to provide personal care services during the day (18-20 hours per month), or the senior can spend the day at La Casa, up to five days per month.
If necessary, elderly patients may also spend up to three nights safely cared for at La Casa or Sheridan Memorial Nursing Home (depending on the level of care necessary) when their regular caregivers must be out of town.
Minimal fees are $5.00 per hour for in-home care, $20.00 per day for Adult Day Care, or $35.00 per night for hospital/nursing home stays. Call SMH Home Care at 765-3735 or LaCasa at 765-1669.
Nail Care
Sheridan County Aging Services has received a limited amount of funding to subsidize Nail Care Services performed by
Sheridan Memorial Hospital staff. Nail care will be provided by either nurses or by aides, depending on the recipient’s
needs. The funding will be available until spent out or until June 30, 2024. Call Karen Kurk, RN, at 765-3433 for details.
Senior Companions
Senior Companions touch the lives of adults who need extra assistance to live independently in their own homes or communities. Among other activities, they provide companionship to ease loneliness and social isolation. They serve frail older adults, adults with disabilities, those with terminal illnesses, and offer respite care for caregivers. They assist their clients in these basic ways:
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Assisting with simple chores
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Accompany clients to medical appointments
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Adding richness to their clients’ lives
Senior Companions must be 55 years and older, must meet income guidelines, and pass a background check. Companions Receive:
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Tax free stipend.
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Mileage and meal reimbursement at State rate.
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Paid vacation, holidays, and training.
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Accident insurance
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Recognition
Senior Companions can help clients on a short-term or a continuing basis.