Area I Agency on Aging

10/13/2026

🚨 MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT STARTS THURSDAY!
Before you start comparing plans, take a few minutes to get ready. A little preparation can make reviewing your Medicare coverage much easier.
Your 4-item Medicare checklist:
✅ Update your medication list. Include the name, dosage and how often you take each prescription.
✅ Know your doctors and pharmacies. Make a list of the providers and pharmacies you want to continue using.
✅ Find your plan notices. Your current plan may have sent information about changes coming in 2027.
✅ Call your local SHIP counselor. You don't have to sort through Medicare options alone. SHIP counselors provide free, unbiased and confidential Medicare assistance — and they don't sell insurance.
📅 Medicare Open Enrollment: October 15–December 7
Even if you like the coverage you have now, plans can change from year to year. Taking time to review your options could help you avoid surprises in 2027.

Don't wait until December — get your Medicare checklist ready now!

10/12/2026

Congratulations to our very own Annie from Jordan, Montana, for winning the QMedic basket drawing at this year’s Governor’s Conference on Aging!

It was so wonderful to see so much representation from Area I at the conference, and even sweeter that Annie got to take home the basket! ❤️

We love seeing our Area I folks come together and celebrate! 🎉🎉🎉

10/10/2026

10/07/2026

AETNA/ SILVERSCRIPT MEDICARE PART D PLAN ENDING!
Montana Counties Losing SilverScript Part D Plans for 2027
For 2027, SilverScript’s Medicare Part D prescription drug plan will end in Montana, affecting all counties where it was offered in 2026, with CMS data showing one statewide plan withdrawal covering about 16,641 members.
What’s happening
According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) 2027 plan crosswalk, SilverScript (operated by Aetna/CVS Health) has one Part D plan that will end or leave counties in Montana for the 2027 plan year.
This plan was statewide in 2026, but for 2027 it will no longer be offered anywhere in Montana, meaning all counties that had SilverScript Part D coverage in 2026 will lose it.

10/06/2026

10/01/2026

🍂 Our October Newsletter is here!

This month, we’re introducing Trualta, a new resource that brings practical information and support right into the homes of family caregivers—because finding help shouldn’t become one more thing on an already overwhelming to-do list.

October also means Medicare Open Enrollment is almost here! We’ve included some simple things you can do now to prepare for your appointment with a SHIP counselor.

Plus, as colder weather settles into eastern Montana, we have reminders about furnace and carbon monoxide safety, along with this month’s brain game and our SHIP Resource Directory so you know exactly who to call when you have Medicare questions.

📖 Take a few minutes, grab a cup of coffee, and check out the October issue!

Inside this month:
💙 Caregiver support with Trualta
💊 Getting ready for Medicare Open Enrollment
🔥 Furnace safety
🏠 Carbon monoxide warning signs
🧩 October brain game
☎️ Your local SHIP counselors

And as always, please share the newsletter with someone who might find it helpful!

10/01/2026

Caregiving doesn’t come with an instruction manual. ❤️

One day you’re a daughter, son, spouse, friend or neighbor—and suddenly you’re also keeping track of medications, appointments, meals, paperwork, changing needs and a hundred questions you never expected to have.

You don’t have to figure it all out on your own.

Area I Agency on Aging offers free support and resources for caregivers throughout our 18-county service area, including caregiver support, training and education, helpful tips, local resources and guidance from people who understand the challenges of caregiving.

Whether you’ve been a caregiver for years or are just beginning, we’re here to help make the road a little easier.

💙 Caregiving is hard. Finding help shouldn’t be.

09/24/2026

When was your last eye or hearing exam?

Your vision and hearing constantly send cues to your brain to keep you balanced. When one of these senses is off, your risk of falling goes up.

Stay proactive about your health and safety. Check out these fall prevention resources from MT DPHHS: https://dphhs.mt.gov/publichealth/FallPrevention/