Allies in Aging Blog

Growing older brings wisdom, experience, and a deeper appreciation for life’s simple pleasures. It also reminds us that taking care of our bodies becomes more important than ever. Staying active doesn’t require running marathons or spending hours at the gym. In fact, some of the healthiest habits are the simplest ones. Physical activity is one of the most effective ways to maintain independence, improve overall health, and enhance quality of life. Our bodies are designed to m

My wife, Becky and I have learned at least two things since starting our retirement journey four years ago. First, you are never too old to pursue your dreams. Second, getting older does present some challenges. A recent trip we took drove home these two insights for us. Let us introduce ourselves. Beck is a retired Social Worker for the state of Montana. I am a semi-retired pastor for the United Methodist church, still serving a rural parish close to Billings. We star

By Billings Clinic Growing older is one of the most natural things we do, and for many, it’s a time of real richness. New perspectives, deeper relationships, and hard-earned wisdom don’t come any other way. But like any season of life, it brings its own physical changes: managing medications, shifts in balance, or a memory that doesn’t fire quite as fast. These aren’t signs that something has gone wrong. They’re part of the journey, and with the right support, you can navig

October 15 – December 7, 2026 Are you unsure about your Medicare options this year? Allies in Aging Resource Center is here to help! Our Resource Center is your local ally for navigating Medicare Part D. Our certified SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) specialists offer free, unbiased support to help you: Understand your Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D) Explore cost-saving opportunities and extra help programs Review your plan’s formulary and pharmacy network

By Stacy Seward, Meals on Wheels Coordinator It’s Fall! Hopefully we will have some cooler weather after the very hot summer we had! What are your favorite activities to do in the fall, when the weather is cooler? I have been trying to lose some weight, but I have plateaued for the last several months. My doctor said the only way I am going to break my plateau is by exercising regularly. Sigh. I know exercise is important, but I just can’t seem to get excited about it!

By Tyler Amundson, Director of Mission and Development, Allies in Aging As we open this issue of Prime Connections, we're leaning into a theme that touches us all: aging well, and the courage it takes to think differently about our physical health at every age. When I broke my ankle, the years that followed were a struggle. I couldn't find a workout that didn't hurt. My weight crept up and my heart health markers started not looking great. I believed running was what exercise

Dear Friends, What a summer it's been. Between a truck crashing into our Avenue D building and our air conditioner giving out at the worst possible moment, this season tested us in ways we didn't see coming. But if there's one thing I've learned leading Allies in Aging, it's that we are adaptable. We know how to pivot, and we did, again and again, without losing sight of why we're here. What stays with me most isn't the chaos. It's the people, the Allies in Aging team and vo

THE ANNUAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD FOR MEDICARE PART D WILL BE: OCTOBER 15TH TO DECEMBER 7th Don't wait until the enrollment period is here to start planning for next year! Get ahead of the crowd by downloading and completing the Medicare Part D Open Enrollment Worksheet today. Alternatively, you can call The Resource Center at 406-259-5212 and request to be put on the Medicare Part D Worksheet mailing list. The worksheets will be mailed out on 9/22/2026. After that date, worksheet

December 2025 - June 2026 | Funded by United Way of Yellowstone County Yellowstone County seniors overwhelmingly want to remain where they are. Yet rising housing costs, accessibility needs, transportation barriers, and social isolation are creating mounting challenges. Over six months, Allies in Aging gathered input through surveys, focus groups, and interviews to understand what older adults need to live safely and independently. 263 Seniors Surveyed 210 Urban | 53 Rural 71

By: Dr. Daniel J. Koltz, Gerontology Specialist, Montana State University Extension. July is Social Wellness Month, a time to focus on the importance of friendships, family, and staying connected with others. Spending time with people we care about can help us feel happier, healthier, and less stressed. Good relationships are important at every age and can improve both mental and physical health. Social wellness means building healthy and positive relationships with others. T

Across our region, there are older adults who no longer have the ability to safely make their own medical or financial decisions and who have no family members or trusted friends able to step into that role. For these vulnerable seniors, the work of the Yellowstone County Guardianship Council provides critical protection, advocacy, and dignity. The Yellowstone County Guardianship Council, a program of Allies in Aging, is the only organized volunteer response of its kind servi

Energy Share is a private non-profit working in partnership with the ten HRDC’s across the state. HRDC-7 distributes Energy Share applications and assist in the reviewing process. The Energy Share Committee meets every Friday morning to determine eligibly of each case. Unlike LIHEAP, Energy Share is a year-round, situation-based emergency assistance program for eligible low-income households facing an energy crisis (furnace repair/replacement, low on propane utility disconnec

Twice a week, in an unassuming community center in Billings, a group of women gather to rehearse. They stretch, count, laugh, remember steps, and help one another through the routines. They are the Golden Dancers, and since 1988 they have been challenging what many people assume aging is supposed to look like. Their story began with friendship, loss, and the desire to stay connected. In 1985, Gayle Larson and Elaine Schulz met in a YMCA Gentle Gym class. Both were recent wido

By: Tyler Amundson, Director of Mission and Development, Allies in Aging I have come to think of aging a little bit like a cross-country road trip. Social wellness is the map, the snack stash, and the favorite playlist that help keep the journey moving. Without it, we can find ourselves guessing directions and maybe even talking to a tumbleweed. But when we have a caravan of connections, the journey gets a whole lot better. Science backs this up too. Strong social ties can lo

Medicare's Extra Help program can lower what you pay for prescription drugs with Medicare drug coverage — including $0 premiums, $0 deductibles, and lower out-of-pocket costs. That's real savings that can add up fast. You may qualify if your 2026 yearly income is below $23,940 for an individual or $32,460 for a married couple. Not sure you qualify? It’s free to apply, and it could pay. Income limits are updated each year, and your situation may have changed, too. Even a past

By: Erika Purington, Chief Executive Officer at Allies in Aging My favorite season is here, friends! Happy Summer! I like to read about impactful things and tend to go down a rabbit hole when I find a topic particularly interesting. Recently, my reading obsession has been about the critical benefits that come from blending people from different generations for social, civic and business opportunities. A growing body of research in public health, psychology, and aging studies

By Becky Meisenheimer, CDP® CMDCP®, Dementia Education Coordinator As summer rolls in with its sunshine, longer days and barbeques, memories of pastime adventures like camping come to mind, and more importantly, the favorite campfire treat known as the s’more. Almost everyone has done a campout sometime in their life and made the unique camping dessert at least once or twice in their lifetime. In reflecting on those times and this delicious treat, it should inspire those of y

Learn how Meals on Wheels helps reduce senior isolation through nutritious meals, regular check-ins, and dedicated volunteers.

By: Kristen Rose, Director of Human Resources at Allies in Aging Social wellness is often described as staying connected or spending time with others, but at its heart, it’s really about belonging. It’s about feeling seen, valued, needed, and connected to the world around us. Here in Montana, we’re fortunate to live in communities where relationships still matter. A wave to a neighbor, a conversation over coffee, or checking in on a friend may seem small, but those moments ca

By Tyler Amundson, Director of Mission and Development Imagine receiving a call that says you must pay a fine or fix a problem with your account immediately. The caller sounds official and tells you the fastest way to solve the problem is to deposit cash into a cryptocurrency ATM and send the funds right away. Situations like this are becoming a common tactic used by scammers, and these machines—now appearing in grocery stores, convenience stores, and smoke shops throughout o