Aging & Long Term Care of Eastern Washington

09/14/2026

Beneficiaries can receive covered services and supports from WA Cares providers! They can get services to help them live independently at home, like in-home personal care, home modifications, home-delivered meals and adaptive equipment like a walker or bath chair. They can also use their benefits to pay a loved one (including their spouse) to care for them.

Beneficiaries can find registered providers at waclc.org/wacares.

To get in person application assistance, to speak with a person about becoming a provider, or for trainings and presentations on WA Cares, contact us, your local Area Agency on Aging at (509) 960-7281.

Visit https://www.altcew.org/the-wa-cares-fund/ to learn more about local support.

09/13/2026

Happy Grandparents Day! 💙

Did you know that more than 43,000 people in Washington are caring for a relative’s child?

The financial, legal, and emotional issues of raising a relative's child can be challenging. But services and support as you learn to negotiate the system can be a lifesaver.

helps fund Kinship Caregiver Support programs in Spokane, Whitman, northern Ferry, Stevens, and Pend Oreille counties.

For more information on Kinship Caregiver support, visit our website at https://www.altcew.org/programs-services/family-raising-family/

09/12/2026

If you qualify for Extra Help, you can cut your Medicare Part D (drug coverage) premium to $0 and greatly reduce your copayments. Find out if you’re eligible for this Medicare program: https://go.medicare.gov/3HPZoMz

Call your local Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) at (509) 625-4801 for free, unbiased and confidential support. SHIBA is a service of the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner. Learn more about SHIBA: https://www.altcew.org/programs-services/medicare/

Help this Medicare is just a phone call away! We can help you review Medicare plans and compare your options for coverage. Give us a call at 509-625-4801. We’re a free, unbiased service. For Medicare counseling and information sessions, look at our Event Calendar. Get Help with Medicare The Statew...

09/11/2026

Caring for a loved one can be stressful, overwhelming, and isolating. But you don’t have to do it alone!

The Caregiver Stress-Busting Program is an evidence-based, small-group program designed to help caregivers learn techniques to manage stress, develop problem solving skills, improve quality of life, discover local resources, and connect with other caregivers.

This is a 9-week program, with 90-minute weekly sessions in a virtual format. Upcoming sessions begin on September 24th.

Space is limited and registration is required, reserve your spot by calling (509) 458-7450 Option 2.

09/10/2026

Check and Connect: More Than a Phone Call 📞

Living alone can be isolating, especially when health and mobility challenges make it hard to leave home. One volunteer for our Check and Connect program shared just how much a friendly phone call can mean:

“The Check and Connect program enriches lives in the most basic ways, as so many people just need to know someone cares about them. We can change the world with small gestures every day, and a phone call can be that small gesture that means so much… My clients count me as a friend. We laugh and chat and tell stories. One gal who I’ve been talking to for a year says ‘Love ya!’ when we’re saying goodbye. Does that make my day? Yes, many times over. I am grateful for the lift my ALTCEW friends give me.”

Programs like Check and Connect help reduce loneliness, improve mental health, and build connection, one call at a time. 💛

Needing support for yourself or a loved one? Learn more about this program: www.altcew.org/check-and-connect

Consider volunteering with Check and Connect: www.altcew.org/volunteer/community-living-connections

09/09/2026

Happy International Sudoku Day!

Sudoku is a fun number puzzle that is played all around the world and enjoyed by millions. The goal of the puzzle is to fill in the blanks with numbers so that each row, column, and square has the numbers 1-9 only once each. Try your hand at the one below!

Your medical insurance, on the other hand, doesn't have to be a puzzle. The Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) can help you understand your Medicare rights and options. Our well-trained volunteers counsel people of all ages, adults living with disabilities, and people getting ready to retire about their Medicare choices and options.

Learn more about SHIBA: https://www.altcew.org/programs-services/medicare/

SHIBA is your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), a free, unbiased, and confidential service of the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

09/08/2026

While nothing has changed yet, new Medicaid rules are coming later this year. Not every Apple Health (Medicaid) member will be impacted.

Adults may have to renew their Apple Health coverage twice a year and prove that they work, go to school, or volunteer.

Aging & Long Term Care's Case Managers are contacting affected clients and assisting to connect them with medical clinics and other services to help them with their immigration needs and basic needs like home delivered meals and bathing assistance.

They are encouraging these clients to reach out to their DSHS financial workers if they have questions or need to provide documents.

Learn more at hca.wa.gov/hr1-changes

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Aunque todavía no ha cambiado nada, nuevas normas de Medicaid entrarán a finales de este año. No todos los miembros de Apple Health (Medicaid) se verán afectados.

Es posible que tengas que renovar su cobertura de Apple Health dos veces al año y demostrar que trabajan, estudian o realizan voluntariado.

Aprende más en hca.wa.gov/hr1-changes

09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day!

We hope everyone had a safe and fun weekend! Our offices are closed today, but will return to normal hours on Tuesday, September 8th.

09/06/2026

The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) plays a vital role in the fight against healthcare fraud by empowering Medicare beneficiaries to:

👍 Be educated about common fraud schemes, including telemedicine, genetic testing, and durable medical equipment fraud highlighted in the DOJ announcement.

👍 Review medical bills and statements to help beneficiaries spot suspicious billing patterns and medically unnecessary services.

👍 Report suspected fraud to appropriate authorities.

The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) program empowers and assists Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers to prevent, detect, and report healthcare fraud, waste, and abuse through outreach, counseling, and education.

To learn more about Washington Senior Medicare Patrol program or to report suspected Medicare fraud, call 1-800-562-6900 or visit:
https://www.insurance.wa.gov/insurance-resources/medicare/report-medicare-fraud/how-identify-and-report-medicare-fraud-and-abuse

Tips from Senior Medicare Patrol to prevent, detect, and report Med...

09/05/2026

People For People is excited to announce that transportation services are back in Whitman County and surrounding communities! These services help residents stay connected to medical appointments, employment, education, shopping, and other essential services.

👉 Attend their Community Open House on Thursday, September 10th, from 4:30–6:00 p.m. at the Catalyst Church, 1185 W. Fairview Avenue, Colfax, WA 99111.

The open house is an opportunity for community members to learn more about available transportation services, meet the People For People team, ask questions, and share their transportation needs. Everyone is welcome!