The 5 Best Memory Care Facilities in Flathead County, MT for 2024

In Flathead County, which is home to 100,000 residents, roughly one in five residents are aged 65 and over. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services reports that a little less than 8 percent of seniors who rely on Medicare services are living with Alzheimer's disease or dementia. This is considerably lower than the national average of 11.3 percent. 

Flathead County is home to three memory care facilities, including two in Kalispell and one in Whitefish. In this county, as in all of Montana, memory care services are provided in Category C assisted living facilities. 

• In Flathead County, short-term particle pollution levels are very high, with the county receiving an "F" for this type of pollution from the American Lung Association. This may exacerbate the symptoms of certain conditions in seniors, which may be a concern for some families researching memory care options. Ozone pollution levels are very low, however, with the county receiving an "A" for this type of pollution. 
• While Social Security income is taxable in Montana, seniors below a certain income level receive a tax deduction to offset this expense. All other types of retirement income are taxed as regular income. This may be a consideration for families who are transitioning their loved one to a memory care facility to Flathead County from outside of the state. 
• The cost of living in Flathead County is a little high, coming in at 6 percent more than the state average and 9 percent higher than the national average. Healthcare costs are about 5 percent below the national median, however, which may leave more money in the budget for memory care expenses. 
• In Flathead County, year-round temperatures range between 16 degrees and 80 degrees, which is a bit cooler than the national average. The county receives nearly 90 inches of annual snowfall, versus the national average of 26 inches, which may impede winter travel for families visiting loved ones in memory care here. 

Memory Care costs in Flathead County start around $6,030 per month on average, while the nationwide average cost of memory care is $5,694 per month.

It’s important to note that memory care rates in Flathead County and the surrounding suburbs can vary widely based on factors such as location, the level of care needed, apartment size and the types of amenities offered at each community.

Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Memory Care in Montana page.

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

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

For more information about different ways to finance memory care, visit our Memory Care in Montana page.

Flathead County-area memory care communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all memory care communities in Montana are required to follow. Visit our Memory Care in Montana page for more information about these laws.