Community Meeting Seeks Input On Aging Services In Butte

As Butte and our surrounding area considers how to best support its aging population, community members will have an opportunity this month to share their experiences, concerns and ideas about the services available to older adults.

The Belmont Senior Citizens Center will host a public meeting at 1pm on Tuesday, October 13th, focused on the needs, challenges and opportunities facing older adults in the community.  The meeting is being hosted by the Belmont Center and Southwest Montana Aging and Disability Services, with the goal of creating an open conversations about how aging services can work better for people in Butte and Silver Bow County.

Organizers say they want to hear directly from the people who use those services, as well as their families, caregivers and others who work with or serve older adults.  The discussion is intended to go beyond simply identifying existing services.  Community members are encouraged to talk about their experiences, identify gaps or challenges and offer ideas for improving the resources available to seniors and their families.

Local leaders and officials are also encouraged to attend along with community members who have an interest in making Butte-Silver Bow a better place to age.

"This is an opportunity for our community to come together, listen to one another and work toward meaningful improvements for older adults and their families," organizers said in an invitation to the meeting.

The meeting will be held at the Belmont Senior Citizens Center, 615 E. Mercury Street in Butte.  The meeting will begin at 1pm on October 13th.

For those who cannot attend in person, organizers are also encouraging community members to reach out with their thoughts and ideas.  Joe Gilboy, Executive Director of Southwest Montana Aging and Disability Services is coordinating the effort.  He can be reached at (406) 782-5555 or jgilboy@swmads.org.  The Belmont Center also can be reached at (406) 723-7773.

The meeting provides and opportunity for seniors and their families to have a direct voice in a conversation that could help shape future aging services and resources in the community

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