The Resource Center is a trusted place where seniors, adults with physical disabilities, their families and caregivers can find information on long-term support options, as well as assistance in accessing those options.  When appropriate, we will contact other organizations on your behalf.  All information is handled confidentially.

Resource Center Services include Information and Assistance on:

If you need information on long-term support options as well as assistance in accessing those options, please call us at (406) 259-5212, email [email protected] to make an appointment.

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Annual Enrollment Period for Medicare Part D 2025 is here!

October 15^th – December 7^th

Medicare Prescription Drug Plans – Part D change every year. So can your health. Even if you are happy with your current Medicare plan, it is a good idea to compare all your prescription drug and health coverage options. You might find a plan with better coverage.

The Resource Center, at this time, has all appointments for the 2025 OEP period booked. Please utilize any of the following three options to review your plan:

• Contact 1-800-Medicare (633-4227) or go to Medicare.gov
• Contact the plan directly if you know what plan you are interested in and/or
• There are two self-service Kiosks in the Resource Center you can use and staff will provide limited guidance on the Medicare.gov system if needed

 

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Are you nearing 65 years old and have questions about Medicare?
Join the Resource Center staff at:

New to Medicare 2025
Noon to 1:00 PM

New to Medicare Documents

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It is estimated that family caregivers spend an average of 20 hours per week on caregiving tasks.   Caregivers often feel isolated, overwhelmed and overextended.   Caregivers often need help from outside sources but do not have the time to search for them.

There is help!   The goal of the Caregiver Support Program is to help relieve the emotional, physical and financial hardships of providing care.   The Caregiver Support Program can help you explore community options including financial assistance, housing, transportation, in-home care, and respite care.

Contact the Alliance Resource Center at (406) 259-5212 or [email protected] for assistance or more information.

Caregiver Support Group

1:00 PM to 2:00 PM

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The Bookkeeping Assistance Program assists seniors 60 and above who are having difficulty performing simple household bookkeeping. There is no cost for this service. Volunteers help seniors balance their checkbooks and assist with simple bill paying. All Bookkeeping Assistance volunteers have undergone an in-depth screening process. This program is not an accounting or tax service. A senior’s eligibility for this program will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

If you would like to learn more about the Bookkeeping Assistance Program, contact the Resource Center at (406) 259-5212 or [email protected]. If you would like to volunteer in this program, please contact AVP at (406) 294-1580 or email [email protected]

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Fair Housing Is Your Right!

The Fair Housing Act was enacted by Congress to prohibit housing discrimination.

Some examples of discriminatory practices are:

* Refusing to show a person housing.
* Refusing to sell, rent or deal with a person.
* Telling a person housing is not available when it is available.
* Advertising housing as being available only to certain people.
* Harassing, coercing, intimidating or interfering with a person’s exercise of his/her fair housing rights.
* Directing people to more “appropriate” neighborhoods.
* Not allowing a service animal for a disabled person.

To prevent this, the Fair Housing Act created a number of protected classes.

*   Race/color
*   National origin
*   Religion and/or creed
*   Gender
*   Family status
*   Disability
*   Marital status
*   Age

QUESTIONS:
For more information on Fair Housing contact:

• The Resource Center at (406) 259-5212.
• HomeFront (Previously Montana Fair Housing Referral Hotline at (406) 782-2573.
• U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) Hotline 1  (800) 877-7353.

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As people age, so do many of their homes and the need for minor home repairs can become a threat to the homeowner’s health and safety.  Often, due to financial limitations, these home repairs cannot be addressed and as a result, an older adult’s safety may be compromised.  A fall, injury or even just the threat of such an incident can affect an older person’s ability to remain in his/her home.

The Minor Home Repair Program is one of the only programs within the city of Billings that assists low-income older homeowners to address critical safety concerns in their homes.

To qualify for the Minor Home Repair Program, you must:

• Be 60 and above,
• Own your home, and
• Meet income eligibility criteria.

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It is estimated that billions of dollars are lost annually due to health care fraud, errors, and abuse.  The SMP Program, funded by the U.S. Administration on Aging, is a national network of 58,000 trained volunteers and counselors in community- based projects to help older Americans avoid unintended errors and detect deliberate abuses in Medicare.

QUESTIONS
If you have questions about the Senior Medicare Patrol Program or would like assistance in reviewing your Medicare statement, contact the Resource Center at 406.259.5212 or [email protected].