11 Communities in Flathead County, Montana

The average cost of assisted living in the county is $4,738 a month. This guide is a starting point covering the cost of assisted living care in the county, as well as financing options to pay for it. You’ll find in-depth information on 11 Assisted Living Communities in Flathead County.

• Assisted living: $4,738
• Nursing home semiprivate room: $8,821
• In-home care: $4,719
• Adult day health services: $2,552

According to Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care study, the cost of assisted living in Flathead County is higher than both the state average of $3,919 and the national average of $4,000. Flathead County is the most expensive area in the state for assisted living; it’s $768 more than the larger community of Billings ($3,970), and significantly more costly than smaller communities, such as Great Falls ($3,350) and Idaho Falls, ID ($3,213).

Senior care cost data wasn’t available for Flathead County, so data for the closest city, Missoula, was used.

The cost of senior care services varies by type, location and the number of service hours required. In Flathead County, the cost of nursing home care in a semiprivate room is nearly $4,000 more expensive than assisted living and in-home health care services. Assisted living is slightly more expensive than home health care, however, assisted living costs usually include living expenses, such as rent, utilities and food, while home health care does not. Seniors and their families should take these factors into account when deciding on the best long-term care plan. Cost of Homemaker/Home Health Aide Comparison Chart

• Assisted living: $4,738

• Homemaker services: $4,719

• Home health aide: $4,719

• Adult day health: 2,552

• Nursing home care (semiprivate room): $8,821

The Montana Medicaid program is administered by the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) agency. It’s a health insurance program for Montana residents of all ages and includes resources and health care for various groups, including pregnant women, the disabled and seniors.

Montana Medicaid provides a broad range of services, including behavioral and physical health care, X-ray and laboratory, rehabilitation, prescription assistance and audiology and hearing aids. It also offers long-term care for the disabled and the elderly, such as nursing home care and assisted living. 

To qualify, adults must:
 

• Be a resident of the state of Montana
• Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or legal alien
• Be pregnant, blind, disabled or over 65
• Have a monthly income of no more than $771 (individual) or $1,542 (couple)
• Have no more than $2,000 in assets for an individual or $4,000 for a couple (a primary home is exempt if it worth under $585,000, as is a vehicle)

 

For more information on Montana Medicaid, visit the DPHHS agency website. To apply, visit their application website or call the Office of Public Assistance at (888) 706-1535.

The Big Sky Home and Community Based Services Program is for disabled or senior Medicaid recipients who need a nursing facility level of care. The waiver lets them receive this care in their home, in an assisted living facility or in adult foster care instead of a nursing home. The program covers various services, including skilled nursing care, medication management, nutrition, personal care and occupational, physical and speech therapy.

To be eligible for this program, applicants must:

 

 

 

• Be eligible for Medicaid
• Require a nursing facility level of care

 

Seniors and their families work with a nurse and a social worker to implement an individualized plan of care unique to a participant’s needs. This waiver is not an entitlement program so there may be a waiting list. For more information about this HCBS waiver, visit the Community and Services Bureau section of the DPHHS website, or call Mountain Pacific Quality Health at (800) 219-7035.

 

 

Optional State Supplementation

Montana offers Optional State Supplementation to Supplemental Security Income recipients who reside in assisted living facilities, group homes and foster care. The amount of supplementation is $94 (individual) or $193 (couple) per month. Montana’s OSS program is administered by the Social Security Administration and is automatically added to the recipient’s federal SSI payment. To apply for Montana OSS, contact the local Office of Adult Protective Services or call (844) 277-9300.

Veterans Aid and Attendance Program

The Aid and Attendance (A&A) or Housebound Pension are supplemental cash programs administered by the VA and increase a veteran’s monthly pension amount.

To qualify for A&A, veterans must meet one of the following conditions:

 

 

• They are bedridden
• They live in a nursing home due to mental or physical incapacity
• They require assistance from another person to perform daily living activities such as feeding, dressing, adjusting prosthetic devices or attending to the wants of nature
• Their visual acuity is limited to 5/200 or less in both eyes, even when using corrective lenses, or concentric contraction of the visual field is 5 degrees or less




• To qualify for the Housebound pension, a veteran must be mainly housebound due to permanent disability. The disability doesn’t have to be service related.
  
  The VA requires the applicant to submit documentation of at least 90 days of active wartime service and an honorable discharge. The financial requirements for eligibility are complicated, so applicants are encouraged to contact their local VA benefits office for assistance in applying to the program or call (800) 827-1000 for more information.
  
  Assisted Living Bridge Loans
  
  Seniors who need funds immediately can obtain loans through Elderlife Financial Services. Applicants can receive up to 12 months of payments either as a lump sum or a line of credit, depending on the applicant’s situation. These loans are a convenient option for seniors and their families who are waiting on the sale of a home or going through the process of benefit approval.
  
  Six cosigners can apply for a single loan, lessening the importance of individual credit scores on the approval process, and because family members of a senior can apply, age and health are not factors in approval. The company will require documentation on the source of anticipated funding. Contact Elderlife Financial at (888) 228-4500 for more information.

 

 

Flathead County has several organizations that help connect seniors and their families to resources and support. These associations help seniors navigate the variety of services available to them. Flathead County Agency on Aging
40 11th St W, Suite 100, Kalispell MT 59901
(406) 758-5730 Community Action Partnership of NW MT
214 Main St, Kalispell, MT 59904
(406) 752-6565

The Flathead County VA health system provides services such as resources, health care and benefits information to elderly veterans. To apply for benefits, contact Montana Veterans Services at (406) 542-2501.

Kalispell Vet Center
690 N Meridian Rd, Suite 101, Kalispell, MT 59901
(406) 257-7308

Kalispell VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic
31 Three Mile Dr, Kalispell, MT 59901
(406) 758-2700

Senior Homes has an extensive directory of senior living options, with care and living providers across the United States.