Find Assisted Living Homes in Montana

According to Montana state law, an assisted living facility is defined as residential congregate housing with the purpose to providing or coordinating personal care, 24-hour supervision, assistance with all daily activities and health related services. While some states provide legislative guidelines on the distinction between assisted living communities and others like personal care homes or residential care homes, Montana may use the terms interchangeably as the market demands more clarification on the differences between these care types. 

There are currently 206 assisted living communities operating in Montana.

Find ASSISTED LIVING Facilities In MONTANA

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Assisted Living Communities in Montana – Cost Comparison

City Monthly Minimum Monthly Maximum Monthly Median
Billings $2,950 $4,975 $3,775
Great Falls $2,300 $4,600 $3,061
Missoula $2,100 $4,800 $3,800

The average cost of assisted living in Montana is $3,560 per month. Compared to the national average, Montana falls in the middle of the cost range for long-term care. Within the state, average area costs vary depending on the location. However, the median costs for long-term care within the state fall right above the state average. 

For more information about assisted living costs in Montana, check out Genworth’s 2015 Cost of Care Survey.

Recreation & Attractions in Montana

Known for its unique terrain of Great Plains transitioning into the high Rockies, Montana offers a myriad of adventure activities featuring its notable environment. Brimming with natural beauty, Montana is home to multiple famous national parks. The Glacier National Park is a stunningly scenic park with walking trails through and around the majestic glaciers from which the park was named.

Most notable, the Yellowstone National Park is a favorite destination for locals and visitors alike. Yellowstone National Park offers many picnic locations, walking trails, explorations of the distinctive floral and plant life indigenous to Montana. To experience the real essence of Montana, the Montana Rockies offer a multitude of recreational activities from scenic overlooks to extreme mountain sports. Down in the valleys of Montana, the rivers are premiere spots for the fishing enthusiast.

Montana offers an array of tours given by experts with vast knowledge of the land and rivers via the Montana Angler Fly Fishing. For those who love the scenery of the outdoors, but prefer a more leisurely experience, the Gates of the Mountains Boast Tour offers just that! During this 20-mile boat tour excursion, visitors float through the Gates of the Mountain, a large canyon on the Missouri River, featuring unique rock formations and indigenous wildlife.

The Montana Historical Society Museum features the history of the first settlers to recognize the uniqueness and began to call the Montana wilderness home. With a spectrum of display and galleries, the Montana Historical Society Museum takes visitors through time with native Montana paintings, photographs, and archaeological artifacts. For those art lovers, the C.M. Russell Museum features western style paintings created by the famous cowboy painter Charles M. Russell.

Montana’s Climate, Geography, & Culture

Montana is a state of incredible beauty and natural landscapes. Montana residents are outdoor enthusiasts and are proud of the splendor their state has to offer.

Due to the Continental Divide, Montana experiences a varying climate with distinct weather differences occurring on the east and the west sides of the state. Beginning in November, Montana’s winters are characterized by two opposing forces. In the east, it is common that temperatures fall below freezing into the single digits. The heaviest snowfall occurs between November and March with snow accumulating between 50-70 inches annually. In the west, it is common that winter temperatures are mild, with readings rising into the 50-degree range. Montana winters are interrupted by several days of warm spells, which the residents refer to as “Chinook” weather.

As spring arrives, the snow is transformed into light rainfall occurring most frequently between May and July. On the western side of Montana, summer temperatures rise into the mid 70 to low 90-degree range. On the opposite side of the Montana’s big sky, temperatures will be higher, rising into the high-80 to mid-90-degree range. It is common for heat waves to arrive in the summer bringing temperatures around 100 degrees.

Montana’s Assisted Living Centers Regulations & Laws

Assisted Living facilities are regulated by a state-to-state basis. Every state has a publicly accessible legal document outlining the regulations, licensing, operation and other rules for assisted living and personal care homes. The official document outlining the regulations of residential care for assisted living facilities in Montana can be obtained via the official Montana Department of public Health and Human Services website.

Public records concerning citations, inspections, violations and the like can be requested via the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services website. However, there is not a specified page to directly request these materials, therefore personal contact with the department to request records will be necessary. Under the Freedom of Information Act, requests for public records cannot be denied by the state. 

Crime & Safety in Montana

When looking for a new place to live, it is always important to consider the safety of the community you are in. Montana has crime rates that are lower than the national average. If you are not sure where to start your search, we recommend starting your search with these communities in Montana:

LocationViolent Crimes Per 1,000 ResidentsProperty Crimes Per 1,000 Residents
Colstri0.003.85
Livingston0.568.6
East Helena0.978.25
Dillon2.368.26

(Source: safewise.com)

Payment Options for Montana Assisted Living Homes

Home and Community Based Services Waiver (Big Sky Waiver)

For those seeking financial assistance, Montana’s Medicaid offers the Home and Community Based Services Waiver to elderly residents who qualify for nursing home level care but opt to reside in an elderly care community. The waiver is also referred to as the Elderly/Physically Disabled Waiver and Big Sky Home and Community Based Services. Under this program, services provided in the assisted senior living home will be covered for participants. This program also allows participants to self-direct the services being provided within the assisted living facility. To find out if you are eligible for this Medicaid program, please visit the official Home and Community Based Services Waiver web page.

Assisted Living Family Loans

Alternate payment options are available. Families can apply for an assisted living family loan. This provides temporary or long-term financial assistance when paying for assisted senior care. The program allows multiple people to contribute to payment.

Senior & Elderly Rights for Assisted Living Communities in Montana

While residing in the facility, a resident retains constitutional civil rights, rights of privacy, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion. The resident also retains the right to personal possessions, autonomy over personal finances, bodily autonomy, and power of attorney. The resident has a right to be informed of the process to file a complaint of unsatisfactory living situations, abuse, neglect and the like. A complete list of resident rights as guaranteed by the state of Montana can be obtained via the official Montana Secretary of State Website.

Montana Assisted Living Homes: Medical Record Rules & Regulations

Montana assisted living homes are required to provide appropriate health services that are ordered by an attending physician, as well as keep all medical information confidential, accurate, and complete. Medical records shall be readily accessible upon request and should be kept for a period no less than 5 years from death or discharge date.

Residents in Montana assisted living centers have access to their medical records and can request a copy of all or a portion of their medical records. They can also request a copy of some or all of the information, and it is to be provided at a cost not to exceed the community standard.

Finding the perfect senior care community is only part of making your loved one’s senior living transition smooth. At SeniorCaring, we know that it is also equally important to be aware of what other community services and resources are available to your family’s senior. Choose your location and find local resources for your senior.