As is the case elsewhere in the nation, the number of people with Alzheimer’s in Montana is on the rise. Montana’s population is significantly older than average, however, with almost one in five (19.3%) residents aged 65 or over. There are 22,000 seniors with Alzheimer’s in Montana as of 2020, and this number is expected to rise to 27,000 by 2025. Alzheimer’s ranks sixth in the state’s top causes of death as of 2019, with 326 residents passing away due to the disease and many more hospitalized. Montanans have access to great care at hospitals such as St. Patrick, which has high ratings in several areas of concern for seniors, but this certainly isn’t a long-term solution for those with Alzheimer’s.
Specialized help is available via memory care programs. This level of care is similar to and an extension of assisted living, and it is often provided in a separate area within such a facility. Staff provide personal assistance, supervision, meals and activities. The average monthly cost of memory care in Montana is $5,562, while the U.S. average is just $63 higher.
Memory care can be offered on its own in a community designed for those with dementia or Alzheimer’s. More often, though, it’s provided as a service in a separate wing of an assisted living facility. Memory care programs are designed specifically for those with memory impairment, and the facilities often coordinate social activities and schedules specifically for the needs of those living with Alzheimer’s or dementia.
This guide explores the cost of memory care in more detail, including the possibility of financial assistance, and also lists useful resources.