Memory Care in Great Falls, Montana: Search Near You, How to Pay, Licensing, Local Resources, and Questions to Ask
Memory care in Great Falls, Montana, offers specialized support for seniors facing Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, ensuring a safe and compassionate environment. With Montana’s strong ranking in assisted living, Great Falls provides top-quality memory care services that focus on enhancing the quality of life for residents. These communities are designed to provide personalized care and engaging activities in a secure and nurturing setting, offering peace of mind for families.
Some communities are available for private pay, and others for Medicaid-paid residents. Memory Care provides protective oversight, personal services, social care needed because of impaired capacity to live independently, and regular supervision on a 24-hour basis.
Memory Care Communities near Great Falls, Montana
About Memory Care in Great Falls, MT
In Great Falls, Montana, memory care is defined as a specialized form of long-term care tailored to meet the unique needs of seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and other memory-related conditions. These facilities provide a secure and structured environment where residents receive 24/7 supervision and personalized care designed to enhance cognitive function and maintain quality of life. Services include assistance with daily activities, medication management, and tailored cognitive therapies, along with social and recreational programs that promote mental and emotional well-being. The staff in memory care communities are specifically trained to handle the challenges of memory loss, ensuring that each resident receives compassionate, individualized care in a safe and supportive setting.
Considerations when looking for Senior housing in Great Falls, MT
The estimated population of Great Falls, Montana is 60,422 with 19.7% of tha tnumber being those ages 65 and older. In Great Falls, the summers are short, warm, and mostly clear and the winters are freezing, snowy, windy, and partly cloudy. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 18°F to 86°F and is rarely below -8°F or above 96°F.
Cities near Great Falls, MT
- Vaughn, MT – 12 miles northwest
- Fort Benton, MT – 40 miles northeast
- Cascade, MT – 25 miles south
- Belt, MT – 22 miles southeast
- Choteau, MT – 52 miles northwest
Pricing and How to Pay for Memory Care
Paying for senior care depends on several factors. On average, residents can expect to pay $5,400 per month for memory care services. These fees encompass personalized care, engaging activities, and comfortable accommodations, ensuring a fulfilling retirement experience. Keep in mind these costs may fluctuate depending on factors such as location and facility amenities.
You want to consider your payment options for assisted living, memory care, and care homes. For these services, Medicare is NOT an option for payment.
The most common payment for these services would be out of pocket Private Pay and assessing a combination of retirement funds, personal savings, and pension payments.
Medicaid can also be an option, be sure to see if you or a loved one qualifies.
Long-Term Care insurance is also a possible option in cases of chronic conditions, be sure to see if you or a loved one qualifies.
For our Veterans and spouses of veterans, be sure to assess Veteran Aid and your eligibility for these benefits.
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.
Local Hospitals and Healthcare Providers in Great Falls, MT
Benefis Health System
- Address: 1101 26th St S, Great Falls, MT 59405
- Phone Number: (406) 455-5000
Great Falls Clinic Hospital
- Address: 3010 15th Ave S, Great Falls, MT 59405
- Phone Number: (406) 216-8000
Advanced Care Hospital of Montana
- Address: 3528 Gabel Rd, Billings, MT 59102
- Phone Number: (406) 373-8000
Great Falls VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic
- Address: 1400 29th St S, Great Falls, MT 59405
- Phone Number: (406) 727-7587
Cascade County Family Health Services
- Address: 915 1st Ave S, Great Falls, MT 59401
- Phone Number: (406) 454-6973
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 (along with 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.
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.
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