Montana?s 150,000 residents over the age of 65 are really not that much
compared to most other states. But when you consider that seniors make up
15.2% of the total population, which is the fifth highest ratio in the
nation, it is apparent that caring for Montana?s growing senior population
is of great concern to the state.
Montana?s Senior & Long Term Care Division (SLTC) mission is ?To advocate
and promote dignity and independence for older Montanans and Montanans with
disabilities by: Providing information, education, and assistance;
Planning, developing and providing for quality long-term care services;
Operating within a cost?effective service delivery system.?
To accomplish this mission, Montana offers a wide array of services and
programs for seniors. They include:
-- Adult Day Care: Daily services for frail and physically-impaired
seniors.
-- Adult Foster Care: A “family” setting for up to four seniors, with
personal assistance provided for the residents.
-- Adult Protective Services: Reducing the risk of abuse, neglect or
exploitation of seniors.
-- Healthy Living: Programs to help seniors live more healthy lives,
including nutrition education, exercise and emotional support.
-- Home Health Services: Part-time nursing and therapy in a senior’s
home.
-- Hospice Program: Help for seniors who are terminally ill, as well as
support to their families.
-- Legal Services: Legal education as well as pro bono and legal services
for seniors.
-- Long-Term Care Ombudsman: Advocating for residents of long-term care
facilities.
-- Meals on Wheels: Meals delivered directly to the homebound seniors.
-- Personal Assistance Service: Helping seniors in their homes with such
activities as bathing, dressing, grooming and meal preparation.
-- State Health Insurance Program: Better known as SHIP, providing unbiased
information about Medicare and Medicaid program.
It is not a service offered by Montana, but all seniors should think about
getting a medical alert system. Having such a system can speed response
time to your home in the event of an emergency, and in a state like
Montana, which is so large and remote, this could help save your life.
All medical alert companies operate in every state, including Montana. At
first glance it appears every company offers the same things, but that is
not the case; there are differences in price and services. You can compare
the offerings from more than a dozen top companies here.
About 16% of Montana’s population served in the military, the fourth
highest in the nation. Roughly a third of those veterans are over the age
of 65, and Montana is committed to making sure that their selfless service
is returned.
Montana operates and manages one Veterans Nursing Home in Columbia Falls
and oversees a contract for another home in Glendive. Between the two
facilities, nearly 200 veterans get the care they so richly deserve.
| Billings | Great Falls | Helena | Missoula |
