State Profile: Montana
Welcome to the Montana State Profile Page! This page features a sample of survey and research results from a comprehensive review of state and local home modification activities across the country. It has a special focus on the aging population and the efforts of State Units on Aging, Area Agencies on Aging, and Native American aging service programs that are funded by the Older Americans Act Title VI Grants for Indian Tribal Organizations.
Check back as new updates will be posted periodically! Have any changes or additions? Please contact homemods@usc.edu
SPOTLIGHT ON STATE LEVEL HOME MODIFICATION ACTIVITIES
This section shares information that demonstrates the need for home modification in this state and highlights some of the state's important home modification efforts, policies, and funding sources.
This report by the USC Fall Prevention Center of Excellence and ADvancing States reports on a national survey
State Units on Aging (SUAs) are designated state-level agencies that develop and administer state plans that advocate for and provide assistance, including home modifications or repairs, to older residents, their families, and adults with physical disabilities. SUAs administer funds, including Older Americans Act funds, which may be used to support home modification or repair services through local Area Agencies on Aging and other state and local entities.
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Montana Money Follows the Person Program
Money Follows the Person (MFP) is a demonstration program that helps Montana shift its long-term care system by reducing the use of institutionally based services and increasing the use of home and community-based services (HCBS). MFP is focused on helping individuals transition from inpatient facilities to the community. Services include home accessibility adaptations.
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Montana Big Sky Waiver Program: Elderly and Physically Disabled
The Big Sky Waiver (BSW) Program allows people who would otherwise be institutionalized to live in their own home and community. The services are made available through the Senior and Long-Term Care Division (SLTCD) with the Department of Public Health & Human Services (DPHHS). A case management team examines an individual’s medical and psychosocial needs and develops a plan of care that may include environmental accessibility adaptations.
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Montana Assistive Technology Program
The State Assistive Technology Grant Program, funded under the Assistive Technology Act of 2004, supports comprehensive, statewide programs in each state that improve the provision of assistive technology (often home modification-related) to individuals with disabilities of all ages. MonTECH is Montana’s federally-funded assistive technology program.
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Falls Prevention Program
The mission of the Montana Falls Prevention Program is to empower older adults in Montana to reduce their risk of falls by providing accessible, evidence-based fall prevention programs, promoting awareness of fall risks, and coordinating efforts across health care providers and community partners to create safer environments for all Montanans to live independently.
SPOTLIGHT ON LOCAL HOME MODIFICATION EFFORTS
This section shares information that demonstrates the need for home modification in this state and highlights some of the state's important home modification efforts, policies, and funding sources.
This Data Brief highlights key findings from the 2019 National Survey of Area Agencies on Aging on how Area Agencies on Aging are providing and funding home modification and repair activities. It was developed by the USC Fall Prevention Center of Excellence in partnership with the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging as part of the Administration for Community Living project, “Promoting Aging in Place by Enhancing Access to Home Modifications.”
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Independent Living Program
Living Independently for Today and Tomorrow (LIFTT), a non-profit Center for Independent Living, serves individuals of all ages who have been personally impacted by a disability. It is funded by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. LIFTT focuses on ensuring individuals have safe, clean, accessible and affordable housing. An Independent Living Specialist helps with providing information about home modifications such as building a ramp, installing grab bars and widening doors as well as connecting individuals with loan programs that address assistive technology. LIFTT is also part of the Montana Housing Task Force, a grassroots effort to promote visitability in the state of Montana. LIFTT provides services to residents of Big Horn, Carbon, Carter, Custer, Dawson, Fallon, Garfield, Golden Valley, McCone, Musselshell, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Rosebud, Stillwater, Treasure, Wibaux and Yellowstone counties.