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CHIP Priority Area – Community Living

Community living is the ability of individuals to remain in their homes, maintain independence, and engage in social life. It especially applies to people with disabilities and people who are aging.

In this priority area, two goals were selected.

Goal 1 – Increase Awareness of Community Living: Enhance awareness and understanding of opportunities and obstacles impacting community living.

Goal 2 – Increase Access to Community Living: Ensure older adults and people with disabilities have the supports and services needed to live at home and engage in community life.

Learn more about each goal below

Mom hugs adult son with with down syndrome while dad smiles at them.

Goal 1 – Increase Awareness of Community Living

Women in wheelchair at sink in kitchen designed to be accessible to her.

Goal 2 – Increase Access to Community Living

Goal 1 – Increase Awareness of Community Living

Enhance awareness and understanding of opportunities and obstacles impacting community living.

Leadership

Missoula Aging Services oversees Goal 1.

Objectives and Strategies

Objective 1:

Increase awareness of existing community services, emphasizing access to resources for older adults and people with disabilities, and advocate for enhanced and additional services.

Strategies for Objective 1:

Community partners selected the following strategies to achieve this:

  • Develop and share educational materials about available services for older adults and people with disabilities.
  • Promote social and recreational programs, including adaptive fitness classes and Village Network models.
  • Strengthen community resource hubs to improve access to health programs and services. Expand 211 as a key connection point

Objective 2:

Address biases and stigmas surrounding aging or disability through education and community dialogue to foster a culture of respect and inclusion.

Strategies for Objective 2:

Community partners selected the following strategies to achieve this:

  • Use storytelling and outreach efforts to increase understanding, promote inclusion, and highlight both needs and contributions of older adults and people with disabilities.
  • Partner with key stakeholders to do workforce development and training on the unique needs of diverse populations.

Goal 2 – Increase Access to Community Living

Ensure older adults and people with disabilities have the supports and services needed to live at home and engage in community life.

Leadership

Missoula Aging Services oversees Goal 2.

Objectives and Strategies

Objective 1:

Strengthen the network of services and support systems that enable individuals to maintain independence and participate fully in their communities

Strategies for Objective 1:

Community partners selected the following strategies to achieve this:

  • Assess gaps and work to secure funding to improve in-home services.
  • Explore options to enhance or supplement public transit.
  • Provide caregivers with resources and training, including access to respite care and mental health support, to sustain their vital roles effectively.
  • Partner with local organizations and government programs to expand home modification and chore services.

Objective 2:

Advocate for affordable and suitable housing to meet the needs of older adults and people with disabilities.

Strategies for Objective 2:

Community partners selected the following strategies to achieve this:

  • Partner with existing housing advocacy groups to advocate for policies and initiatives that prioritize affordable, accessible housing.
  • Create and sustain a shared data resource on affordable and suitable housing needs.