About us
Southwest Montana Aging and Disability Services strives to be the focal point for elderly persons, adults with disabilities and their families to get educated on and connected to services within their community. Our counselors are available to provide basic information, assist clients with identifying services, help them to fill out applications and make appropriate referrals when necessary.
We are working to be the one phone call that a person or family in need will have to make in order to get assistance. We also want to be able to help individuals and families to address their needs long before a crisis situation arises. Operating as an ADRC and offering Options Counseling are just two ways that will enable us to reach this vision.
OUR VISION
Our History
The Area V Agency on Aging is an incorporated private, non-profit and one of ten area agencies in Montana. Each area agency contracts with the State of Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services for federal and state Older American Act program funds. Most of the area agencies are private, non-profit organizations but some belong to larger organizations or local government. The Area V Agency on Aging was incorporated in 1974 as one of the original seven area agencies on aging in the state of Montana and was pivotal in helping to develop delivery of Older American Act programs in the state.
The Area V Agency on Aging offers multiple services either directly or through contracts with local providers. Our service area includes six counties in southwest Montana and in 2013 the agency transitioned into an Adult and Disability Resource Center, adopting the operational name Southwest Montana Aging and Disabiity Services. We are now serving adults with disabilities as well as the elderly and have expanded our partnerships to include the Montana Indpendent Living Project and Office of Public Assistance.
OUR MISSION
The mission of the Area V Agency on Aging is to plan, coordinate and implement Aging programs outlined under the Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended and the Montana Older Americans Act of 1972, as amended within the service area. The planning and service area includes the counties of Beaverhead, Deer Lodge, Granite, Madison, Powell and Silver Bow. In addition the agency will strive to become a focal point for all seniors and adults with disabilities to be able to access available services in their area and will work to expand its resource base to help create new program opportunities where services are lacking.
The mission statement was adopted by the Area V Agency on Aging Board of Directors in 1985 and is consistent with the mission established for area agencies by the State of Montana.