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Independent Living in Montana

Montana is known as a retirement haven due to its senior-friendly tax policies and affordable cost of living. There’s no sales tax in Montana, and senior residents can save about 5.1% on their day-to-day expenses while enjoying life surrounded by beautiful and untouched natural scenery. The state has a population of just over one million people, and 19.3% of its residents are aged 65 and older, which is almost 3% more than the U.S. average.

Montana retirees have access to 65 hospitals and benefit from health care costs that are below the national median. The state is home to Flathead Lake, the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi, and it’s a great place to enjoy a four-season climate. Billings, the state’s largest city, receives an average of 46 inches of snowfall per year but enjoys pleasantly warm summers, with July highs of about 88 degrees.

Independent living communities offer seniors individual homes or apartments with total autonomy but very little in the way of maintenance responsibilities. They’re ideal for seniors who don’t need help with daily living tasks but would prefer to have assistance options available if needed. The average cost of independent living in Montana is $2,738 per month.

This guide provides more information about independent living costs, financing options and assistance programs available to seniors in Montana.

The Cost of Independent Living in Montana

Note: Assisted Living costs are generally 30%-40% higher than Independent Living costs throughout the United States. However, no authoritative source specifically tracks those Independent Living costs. In the following material, we estimate Independent Living costs at 35% lower than the Assisted Living costs in Genworth Financial’s Cost of Care Survey.

Montana’s estimated average monthly cost for Independent Living, $2,893, is just a tad below the national average of $2,925. However, that still makes Montana one of the more expensive states in its region of the U.S. on that metric. To the south, Wyoming’s average monthly costs come in at $2,709, and Idaho is a bit cheaper than that at $2,495. Just to the east of Montana, the Dakotas have the lowest prices in the area for Independent Living at $2,204 in North Dakota and $2,178 in South Dakota. 

Prices for Independent Living across the state fall within a relatively narrow band, according to Genworth Financial’s data. The most expensive costs are on the far west side of the state in Missoula, where seniors can expect to pay on average roughly $3,023 per month for such lodging. Prices drop a little lower in Billings, which carries costs of approximately $2,967 a month. They’re at their cheapest in Great Falls, which runs around $2,698.

Missoula

$3023

Great Falls

$2698

Billings

$2967

Other options for seniors seeking long-term lodging in Montana include in-home care through Homemaker or Home Health Aide services. These are good choices for seniors who wish to age in place; both services cost roughly $5,339 per month. Assisted Living is slightly cheaper than in-home care at $4,450 per month. Adult Day Care is the least expensive option at $2,600 a month but generally isn’t a sufficient level of support for seniors who need observation on nights and weekends. Nursing Home care is the most robust but also carries the steepest price tag at $7,574 per month for a semiprivate room and $8,060 for a private one.

Homemaker

$5339

Home Health Aide

$5339

Adult Day Health Care

$2600

Independent Living

$2893

Assisted Living

$4450

Nursing Home (semiprivate room)

$7574

Nursing Home (private room)

$8060

Can You Use Medicare or Medicaid to Pay for Independent Living in Montana?

Unfortunately, you cannot use Medicaid and Medicare to help pay the monthly fee for residing in an Independent Living community. For seniors who need help with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), there may be financial assistance programs available to help cover the cost of care in Independent Living. For more information about financial assistance for those who need a higher level of care, read our guide to Assisted Living in Montana.

Read on for more information about using alternative means to make Independent Living more affordable, such as retirement funds, the sale of a home, etc.

Paying for Independent Living in Montana

Independent living may be offered in a stand-alone retirement community or a facility that offers a complete continuum of care including skilled nursing services. In addition to residential accommodations, independent living communities may offer services such as entertainment, transportation and prepared meals. Since independent living is designed for seniors who don’t need daily help, it’s typically not covered by insurance or government programs. Seniors may sell their home to pay for independent living. A reverse mortgage is an option that lets a senior retain ownership of their home while using their equity to finance the move. Long-term care insurance may also pay for some of the services delivered in these communities. 

Independent Living Resources in Montana

Making a major life change can be challenging, but Montana has lots of programs available to help seniors get comfortable and enjoy a healthy and safe retirement. Below are some free or low-cost resources that might help seniors make connections in the community or access local services. 

ResourceContactService
Area Agencies on Aging(800) 551-3191Through a network of public agencies and private nonprofit organizations, Montana operates 10 Area Agencies on Aging to connect seniors with local resources. Some AAA locations may offer programs such as free transportation, nutrition, health benefits or other services. There may be eligibility guidelines for specific programs. 
Elder Montana Advocates(406) 444-5622Elder Montana Advocates, which works with the Department of Health and Human Services, gives retirees a voice in their state and local government. This nonprofit organization regularly drafts and proposes legislation designed to address concerns of senior residents, and it currently has an 80% success rate at passing proposed legislation. Membership is open to all Montana seniors aged 55 and older, and members who wish to can seek leadership positions on the Board of Directors through internal elections.
Long-Term Care Ombudsman(800) 332-2272The Long-term Care Ombudsman program helps residents of long-term care communities resolve conflicts or handle allegations of abuse or neglect. An Ombudsman can explain resident rights to seniors, and provide advocacy and advice about issues that may arise in a community living situation. 
Montana Veteran Affairs Division(406) 324-3742The Montana Veteran Affairs Division can assist former members of the military with benefit applications and appeals. It can also offer assistance with applying for programs specific to Montana, such as free vehicle registrations for seniors who qualify. 
State Health Insurance Assistance Program(800) 551-3191SHIP connects seniors with trained counselors to discuss their available Medicare benefits. SHIP counselors can help seniors determine when they might be eligible to start receiving benefits and what the cost might be under each type of Medicare plan. Counselors can also explain coverage differences and expected out-of-pocket costs. Additionally, SHIP hosts presentations about long-term care insurance, which may cover some independent living costs.

Directory of Independent Living Facilities in Montana

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Independent Living in Montana

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Caring.com

Caring.com is a leading online destination for caregivers seeking information and support as they care for aging parents, spouses, and other loved ones. We offer thousands of original articles, helpful tools, advice from more than 50 leading experts, a community of caregivers, and a comprehensive directory of caregiving services.

 

The material on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal, financial, professional, or medical advice or diagnosis or treatment. By using our website, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

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