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Helena is the state capital of Montana and home to 33,000 residents. Approximately 19% of the city’s population are aged 65 or older. During the gold rush, Helena was founded as a gold camp and earned the nickname Queen City of the Rockies. Helena has a continental climate, with short summers and freezing winters. The temperature in Helena averages between 13°F to 86°F, which is ideal for seniors who enjoy outdoor winter activities and do not want to live in a place with extreme heat. Hidden inside of a canyon, Helena offers seniors lots of small-town charm with many modern conveniences such as shops, restaurants, museums and entertainment venues. Helena is home to the Montana State Capitol as well as the grand neo-Gothic Cathedral of Saint Helena.
Assisted living may be the right choice for seniors who enjoy a measure of independence but require some help with housekeeping, daily living tasks and medication management. In Helena, MT, rates for assisted living care average about $4,150 per month, according to the Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey. This is less than both the national average of $4,500 and the Montana state average of $4,450.
In this guide, seniors can learn about assisted living costs in Helena, MT in comparison to nearby cities and access resources to help them make care decisions.
Hundreds of thousands of American seniors utilize assisted living, a figure that is only growing. For these seniors, assisted living combines residential housing,assistance in daily activities, and some healthcare. These communities also strive to provide an atmosphere that is comfortable and engaging for their residents… Read More >
COVID-19 restrictions and rules for Assisted Living Facilities are typically set by the state – to see the rules in your state, you can read our guide to Assisted Living in Montana. Keep in mind that there may be other policies that communities put in place to protect their residents, so you should contact your local community for more information. Additionally, you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more – find contact information here.
Helena, MT, seniors will typically pay around $4,150 a month for assisted living.
Helena’s assisted living rates are lower than both the state and national averages. While Helena’s prices stand at $4,150, the Montana average rises to $4,450. The national average cost is higher at $4,500 per month.
The cost of assisted living in Helena is on the low end, compared to other Montana cities and most cities in neighboring Idaho and Wyoming. In Montana, Billings and Missoula both have higher rates at $4,564 and $4,650 respectively. In Idaho to the west, Idaho Falls’ prices come in under Helena’s at $3,500. Other Idaho cities cost more on average, with Pocatello at $4,206 and Coeur d’Alene at $4,675. In Wyoming to the south, Casper’s assisted living costs average $4,844 per month.
Note: Data for Helena was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Great Falls, was used instead.
Since not everyone can afford to pay for assisted living out-of-pocket, it’s important to find alternative methods to help make assisted living more affordable. Some of these options include:
For more information about your options for making assisted living more affordable, visit our guide to Assisted Living in Montana.
| Contact | Description | |
| Area IV Agency on Aging | (406) 447-1680 | Part of the Rocky Development Council, the Area IV Agency on Aging works to improve the health and well-being of seniors in the Helena area. The agency provides community resources and services for seniors and their caregivers and funds programs such as congregate meals, home-delivered meals, transportation and telecare for six counties. |
| Montana Veterans Affairs Division | (406) 324-3740 | The Montana Department of Veteran Affairs provides Veterans of the armed services with help to claim benefits, as well as legal assistance and administrative services. The Aid and attendance benefit helps to cover the costs associated with assisted living care. |
| Helena Senior Center | (406) 447-1680 | The Helena Senior center offers adults the opportunity to interact with other seniors in a welcoming social environment. Lunch is provided daily, as well as activities such as exercise class, line dancing, wood carving and bingo. Special workshops are conducted throughout the year on topics such as income tax and Medicaid assistance. |
| Rocky Mountain Development Council | (406) 447-1680 | The Rocky Mountain Development Council aims to improve the quality of life and empower seniors to live with dignity. A wide range of programs is provided for seniors, including the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), the Senior Companion Program and the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP). Nutrition programs are also offered, including the daily dinner club and Meals on Wheels. |
| Governor’s Advisory Council on Aging | (406) 444-1956 | The Governor’s Advisory Council on Aging advocates for older Montana residents and acts as the advisory body to the Governor. The council advocates for issues that affect senior residents and provides them with resources to assist in care planning. The majority of the 11 council members are over the age of 60. |
Assisted Living Facilities in the Helena area are required to follow a set of rules and regulations that are determined at the state level. For an overview of those rules and regulations, see the information below. For more specific information, talk with your local community or Area Agency on Aging.
