Memory Care in Billings, MT

Billings Montana: Search Near You, How to Pay, Licensing, Local Resources, and Questions to Ask

The city of Billings is the perfect launchpad for wilderness sports. The mountains are close for hiking and sightseeing. The Yellowstone river runs along the perimeter of the city, perfect for fishing. Hunting and rodeo are also big attractions in Billings.

Table Of Contents

Billings Montana: Search Near You, How to Pay, Licensing, Local Resources, and Questions to Ask
About Memory Care in Billings
Considerations when looking for care in Billings
Cities Near Billings
Pricing and How to Pay
Local Hospitals and Healthcare Providers in Billings

About Memory Care in Billings

Memory care in Montana is care provided through assisted living facilities. All assisted living communities have the opportunity to extend their license to encompass memory care units. This care license is called Category C and requires approval from the Department.

All facilities must provide personal services such as laundry, housekeeping, and local transportation; assistance with ADLs; assistance using mobility and other assistive devices; recreational activities; assistance with self- administration of medications; 24-hour on-site supervision by staff; and assistance in arranging medical appointments.

Facilities with a Category C endorsement may serve residents who have severe cognitive impairments that render the individual incapable of expressing needs or of making basic care decisions but who do not require physical or chemical restraint or confinement in locked quarters. The individual may be at risk for leaving the facility without regard for personal safety but is not a danger to self or others.A resident must have a practitioner’s written order for admission and written orders for care to be admitted as a Category C resident. A facility with a Category C endorsement may provide care to meet the needs of individuals with severe cognitive impairment that renders them incapable of expressing needs or making basic care decisions. Category C facilities may also serve residents who are categorized as A and B.

Considerations when looking for care in Billings

Due to conflicts in licensing, facilities are not specified as category C (or Memory Care) on care availability.com. Instead, search through the many assisted living options in this booming city of 117,445 people. The weather is classic mountain climate with the cold season lasting from November 18 to February 27, with an average daily high temperature below 46°F and the hot season from June 14 to September 10, with an average daily high temperature above 79°F.

Adult Care Home Communities near Billings, Montana

Click Here For Full Search Results: Adult Care Home Communities Near Billings, Montana

Cities Near Billings

Lockwood – 7 miles east of Billings
Huntley – 15 miles east of Billings
Laurel – 16 miles west of Billings
Toluca – 37 miles east of Billings

Pricing and How to Pay

The Montana Medicaid Big Sky 1915(c) Waiver program provides adult residential living services to elders and people with disabilities in ALFs.

It is important to take your time when exploring payment and coverage options.

Medicare – NO:

Medicare does NOT pay for Assisted Living.
People 65 years and older and individuals with end stage renal disease are eligible for Medicare benefits, no matter their income.
Coverage is meant for people in need of short-term care.

Private pay – YES:

Many families pay for assisted living with private funds.
Private pay can be a combination of retirement funds, personal savings, and pension payments.
Family members may contribute funds to pay for assisted living or other senior housing and care.

Medicaid – MAYBE:

Medicaid provides health coverage to millions of Americans. Eligible participants include: low-income adults, elderly adults and people with disabilities.
Medicaid is administered by state, according to federal requirements. The program is funded jointly by each state and the federal government.
Every state has their own individual Medicaid assistance program.
National guidelines are in place do decipher how states must spend Medicaid money, but with allowances toward the guidelines.
The state determines what levels of care will be covered by Medicaid, who is eligible, and how much the state will reimburse the care community.
If you are unsure whether you qualify for Medicaid, you should apply. You may be eligible depending on your household income, family size, age, disability and other factors.

Long-term Care Insurance – MAYBE:

Long term care insurance is a great way to pay for assisted living, and planning ahead is important when considering how to pay for senior housing and care. Nearly 75% of people over the age of 65 will require long-term care and services at some point. Buying into long-term care insurance when a person is in their 50s and 60s is the most common time to do so.

Long-term care insurance helps cover the costs of chronic medical conditions.
Individuals and couples with the ability to pay into long-term care insurance have the advantage of a head start in allocating funds for senior care.

Veteran Aid and Assistance – MAYBE:

This benefit is available to some military veterans and surviving spouses who live in an assisted living community and those who have in-home care.

There are specific guidelines, but a veteran may qualify for as much as $2,050 each month.
A veteran with a sick spouse may be eligible for $1,600 per month.
If a veteran has passed, their surviving spouse can qualify for $1,300 per month.

Questions to Ask

Finding an assisted living community, can be overwhelming. Here are some tips on things to be observant of:

Make sure the facility is clean and well maintained. You can tell a lot about the operation by noting What is clean and maintained. Are doorknobs loose or damaged? Do you see any frayed carpet or trip hazards?
Visit during lunch hour to observe what the residents are eating. Ask questions about the nutrition program. Is there diversity in meals, healthy fruits and vegetables served at all meals, drink options?
Speak to residents and/or family members to learn their perspective.
Ask about staff and resident engagement. Get a feel for how staff interact with residents.
Ask about the life enrichment programs. Activities are crucial when it comes to quality of life and play a key role in care for older adults.
And finally (there is a plethora of more things to consider), get to know the leadership in the building. If you feel good around the executive director, head nurse, lead activities director and even the chef or janitor, it is a good sign you can trust them with the care of your loved one.

Local Hospitals and Healthcare Providers in Billings

St. Vincent Healthcare

1233 N 30th St, Billings, MT 59101

Yellowstone Medical Center

2900 12th Ave N, Billings, MT 59101

Billings VA Clinic

1775 Spring Creek Ln, Billings, MT 59102

Resources and Links – Montana

Montana Office on Aging The Aging Service Bureau is housed in the Senior and Long Term Care Division under the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. The office is responsible for the administration of the Older American Act through the ten Area Agencies on Aging.

Area 2 Agency on Aging is an Adult and Disability Resource Center providing information and assistance to elderly individuals and adult individuals with a disability. They connect individuals to needed services, provide counseling on long term care needs, help with applications for assistance to various programs and help develop programs to meet the needs of local residents. Area 2 serves those in Judith Basin, Fergus, Petroleum, Wheatland, Golden Valley, Musselshell, Sweet Grass, Stillwater, Yellowstone, Caron, and Big Horn.

Area 5 Area Agency on Aging is an Adult and Disability Resource Center providing information and assistance to elderly individuals and adult individuals with a disability. They serve those in Beaverhead, Deer Lodge, Granite, Madison, Powell, and Silver Bow.

Missoula Aging Services Missoula Aging Services provides a wide array of programs and services for older adults, people with disabilities and those who care for them. As a one stop shop, comprehensive services and referrals are available (both an Area Agency on Aging and an Aging and Disability Resource Center). Programs include homemaker and respite services, hospital to home transitions, retirement services, personal consultations, help with Medicare/Medicaid/Social Security, transportation assistance, Meals on Wheels, liquid supplements, congregate (group) meals, farmers’ market coupons, veteran directed care, caregiver support groups, companions for older adults, hundreds of volunteer opportunities, certified local ombudsman (advocates), onsite resource library, community classes (Medicare workshops, training for caregivers, balance improvement), elder abuse prevention, and statewide Medicare fraud prevention.

Area 8 Agency on Aging It is the mission of Cascade County Aging Services to promote an enhanced quality of life for a diverse population of older adults residing in this community by providing a comprehensive and coordinated system of services such as information and assistance, Senior Medicare Patrol, State Health Insurance and Assistance (SHIP), congregate and home delivered meals.

Eldercare Locator This is a great resource to search for specific care in specific counties and cities. This database is a nationwide resource that connects older Americans and their caregivers with trustworthy local support resources. Connect with services such as meals, home care or transportation, or a caregiver education or respite from caregiving responsibilities. The Eldercare Locator is a public service of the Administration on Aging (AoA), an agency of the U.S. Administration for Community Living.

Medicare provides a search feature to find & compare providers near you, most senior housing and care providers are included on CareAvailability.com. Find & compare plans in your area. Determine if you qualify for premium savings

Medicaid offers information on how to apply for Medicaid, eligibility criteria, links to local state offices, and additional resources

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. Whether you are living with Alzheimer’s or caring for someone with the disease, information and resources are available.