As Montana slowly begins to reopen under a three-phase plan set forward by Gov. Steve Bullock, officials are still recommending seniors and other vulnerable populations shelter in place for the duration of phases one and two.

Older adults statewide, especially those in nursing homes and assisted-living facilities, were some of the first to start sheltering in place after the coronavirus pandemic made it to Montana. And it appears they may be some of the last individuals to experience some semblance of normalcy. This reality has prompted agencies, businesses and organizations throughout the Flathead Valley to continue offering various services to older adults as they continue to isolate.

One such program is Meals on Wheels, a tried-and-true service that operates under the Flathead County Area Agency on Aging and has recently expanded to meet coronavirus-related needs.

Normally, to be eligible for Meals on Wheels individuals must meet several criteria. However, according to Lisa Sheppard, director of the Flathead County Area on Aging, these guidelines have been expanded.

“As a result of COVID, we’ve expanded the eligibility criteria to include those 60 and older who would typically be able to get their own meals but are sheltering in place or self-isolating/quarantining, those whose regular caregiver is not available to help them, those who would otherwise eat in our dining room and those with disabilities under the age of 60 who do not have other readily available meal options,” Sheppard said.

These expanded eligibility guidelines will likely be in place for as long as older adults and other vulnerable populations are recommended to practice physical distancing, Sheppard said.

But as of now, that time-line is hazy. Although phase one launched earlier this week with the reopening of various retail shops and churches, the state has not provided estimates on when phases two and three will begin. And although the state is spearheading the reopening, sheltering in place throughout these phases is only one recommendation.

“We also know that some older adults and people with disabilities may choose to distance until a [COVID-19] vaccine or more effective treatments are available,” Sheppard explained. “It’s also possible that distancing recommendations will continue for all vulnerable populations until that time, or that restrictions may relax and then be reinstated depending on the spread of the virus in the longer term.”

Sheppard said the agency expects individuals who sign up for meal assistance now due to the outbreak will continue to need such services beyond the current crisis. To meet this need, the program has received additional funding through the Families First Coronavirus Act and the CARES Act to support increased assistance through September 2021.

The program is already preparing almost 400 meals a day, but has the capacity to prepare up to 600 meals a day for up to six months from now.

Sheppard said according to the agency’s most recently compiled numbers, more than 100 new Meals on Wheels clients have been added since the third week of March, with about 75% of this uptick being directly related to COVID-19 isolation. In addition, before the county’s outbreak, the program was supplying about 85 frozen meals per week, but that number is now closer to 200.

The meals are packaged and delivered with the support of more than 100 volunteers.

“Most of our longtime volunteers have been able to continue through the crisis and many have taken on additional shifts and routes,” Sheppard said. “We are also so appreciative of the new volunteers who have stepped up to join us, most of whom have committed to continue with us beyond the current situation.”

That being said, Sheppard added the program is always in need of more volunteers to assist with Meals and Wheels and beyond.

“We really want people to know we’re here for them, now and beyond COVID, and that we understand what they’re going through,” Sheppard said. “We can help with meals, but also much more – friendly callers, Medicare and benefits assistance, COVID-related information, caregiver support, in-home services, transportation, veterans services and connection to community resources.”

Meals on Wheels prepares and delivers meals on a donation basis at a suggested donation of $4 per meal, but service will not be denied based on inability to contribute. In addition, safety protocols are in place for drivers, including “no contact” hand-off meals and the use of gloves and home-made masks. The program offers several delivery and pick-up options:

• Frozen meals for pickup or hot delivered lunches Monday through Friday in the Kalispell, Whitefish and Columbia Falls areas; Monday, Wednesday and Friday in Bigfork; and Tuesday and Thursday in Lakeside/Somers. Frozen meals can be delivered in addition to hot lunches for those who need them.

• Snack bags of non-perishable items such as granola and protein bars delivered once weekly.

Prior to delivery call Kalispell at 758-5711, Bigfork at 837-4157, Columbia Falls at 892-4087, Lakeside at 844-3413 or Whitefish at 862-4923.

Kianna Gardner may be reached at 758-4407 or kgardner@dailyinterlake.com.