The 5 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Helena, MT for 2024

Helena, the state capital, is located in the heart of Montana. The city is home to 33,120 people, including about 6,823 seniors aged 65 and older. Helena is a great retirement destination for seniors thanks to its affordable transportation costs, good air quality and access to premium health care facilities. There are various assisted living communities where seniors can receive the support they require.

Assisted living communities may be the right choice for seniors who are no longer comfortable living independently but do not require the 24/7 medical care that nursing homes offer. Assisted living communities typically provide support with daily living tasks, such as personal care, laundry and transportation. Seniors in Helena pay about $4,150 per month for assisted living care on average, which is lower than both the state and national averages.

This guide offers an overview of assisted living communities in Helena. Continue reading to find out more about the costs of care in Helena and neighboring cities, alternative care options, payment options and a variety of programs and services available to seniors.

Montana Department of Health and Human Services regulates assisted living facilities in Helena and the state of Montana. It ensures that communities are in compliance with the rules and regulations and provides important updates on new rules that may affect long-term care facilities. 

• In Helena, winters tend to be freezing and snowy and summers are short and warm. In summer it is usually clear skies and in winter there is often cloud cover. Throughout the year temperatures vary between 13 degrees and 86 degrees, with it rarely going below -6 or above 95. Warm-weather outdoor activities are best enjoyed during the months of July and August.
• The state of Montana is moderately tax-friendly for retirees. Most Social Security benefits are exempt from taxation, but above a certain income level, a portion is taxed. Most other forms of retirement income are taxed, however, property taxes are low and there is no state sales tax. 
• Overall the cost of living in Helena is equal to the state of Montana and the national average. Although health care sits around the national average, housing prices are higher. However, the costs of utilities and transportation are both significantly lower than average. 
• Helena has a relatively high crime rate of 45 per one thousand residents. When compared to all communities of all sizes in the U.S, it has one of the highest crime rates. The chance of becoming a victim of a property or violent crime is one in 22. Despite the high rates, seniors can still feel safe living there because assisted living communities often have 24-hour staffing and surveillance systems to keep seniors secure. 
• Capital Transit offers public bus services in Helena. It operates Monday through Friday and there are two bus routes available. There is also a complementary ParaTransit Bus for approved ADA applicants that goes every half hour.
• Air quality in Helena is usually good and it is very unlikely to pose any risk to health. The Ozone pollution is rated as A, the highest level, but 24-hour particle pollution is rated F, which is the lowest rating. Nonetheless, it passed the annual particle pollution test.

The average monthly cost of assisted living care in Helena is around $4,150. However, this can vary depending on the exact location of the community and what amenities and services are offered. 

In Helena, the cost of assisted living is around $300 less than the state average and $350 less than the national average. Assisted living costs stay fairly consistent across the state. To the west, in Missoula, seniors pay around $500 more on average, and to the south in Billings, seniors pay about $400 more per month. Across the state border in Idaho Falls, care is much cheaper than Helena, costing around $3,500 per month.

The average cost of assisted living, which usually includes room, board and support with activities of daily living, is around $550 cheaper than both in-home care and home health care. In-home care includes assistance with personal care, whereas home health care consists of light medical services. For the highest level of care, more intensive medical services offered in nursing homes cost about $4,400 more on average per month than assisted living. 

While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for assisted living, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance assisted living costs include:

• Veterans Benefits
• Life Insurance Policy
• Long-Term Care Insurance
• Reverse Mortgage

For more information about different ways to finance assisted living, visit our Assisted Living in Montana page.