Family Caregiver Resources for Montana

En español | Caregiving may be one of the most important, and challenging, roles you’ll ever take on. No matter where you are in your caregiving journey — starting to plan; taking care of a family member in your home, in a facility, or from a distance; or managing end-of-life caregiving responsibilities — having resources at your fingertips will make the process easier.

AARP developed this family caregiver guide with you, the caregiver, in mind and as a starting point to help you find the services and support you might need throughout your journey.

To order a print copy of this online guide, call the toll-free AARP Family Caregiving Resource Line at 877-333-5885 and indicate which state(s) you would like to receive. A copy will be mailed to you.

Caregiver Corner 
A page on the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services website featuring a list of frequently asked caregiving questions.

Lifespan Respite Coalition (800-224-6034)
Provides information about resources and services for family caregivers, including training, support groups, respite care and a registry of trained respite providers. Offers a voucher program that helps caregivers with limited resources take a break from their caregiving responsibilities. A respite package is delivered to those who qualify, and the vouchers help cover community-based respite care services.

Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers of Veterans (855-488-8440, option 3)
Provides caregivers of eligible veterans with resources, education, support, a financial stipend, health insurance and beneficiary travel.

Montana Public Assistance
Administers services for low-income older adults, including Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, where eligible households receive food assistance through an Electronic Benefits Transfer card to cover a portion of their food budget, as well as nutritional education.
Public Assistance and Nutrition Assistance: 888-706-1535; Medicaid: 800-362-8312

MontGuide: Family Financial Management
Online collection of guides by Montana State University offers a range of helpful guidance for caregivers on estate planning, Medicaid and long-term care costs, power of attorney, spending plans, wills and more.

Veterans Caregiver Support (833-422-7382)
Offers primary family caregivers enrolled in the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers access to expert- led legal and financial planning services.

Adult Protective Services (844-277-9300)
Protects adults age 60 and older or vulnerable adults from abuse, neglect and exploitation. Connects victims or their caregivers with local resources, including law enforcement, medical experts, community support groups and more. If you suspect immediate harm, please call 911.

Legal Services Association (800-666-6899)
Provides free civil information, advice and representation to low- income Montanans. The program fights against scams on seniors, assists veterans in need of benefits help, and helps individuals leave situations of violence or abuse. MontanaLawHelp.org is operated by MLSA and offers specific legal information on a range of topics, including housing, money, wills, power of attorney and more.

Legal Services Developer Program (800-332-2272)
Offers training and resources in elder law to older adults, family caregivers and social workers; provides referrals to pro bono and local legal services.

Office of Consumer Protection (800-481-6896)
Protects consumers from deceptive and unfair business practices, and educates them about their legal rights.

Alzheimer’s Association Montana Chapter (800-272-3900)
Provides care, support and research for those with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia and those caring for them.

Big Sky Rx Program (866-369-1233)
Montana’s Big Sky Rx Program is a government service that helps eligible low-income Medicare clients pay for Medicare-approved prescription drug insurance premiums.

State Health and Insurance Assistance Program (800-551-3191)
Free, confidential health-benefits counseling for Medicare beneficiaries and their families or caregivers educates and empowers people to make informed benefit decisions.

Long-Term Care Ombudsman (800-332-2272)
Provides consumer protection advocacy services to residents of long-term care facilities such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, specialty care facilities and boarding homes. Anyone can use an ombudsman to report a concern and get help resolving problems, including residents, residents’ family members and friends, and long-term care facility employees.

Montana Fair Housing (800-929-2611)
Educates consumers on their housing rights and responsibilities, provides a list of wheelchair-accessible housing. Advocates for victims of housing discrimination and provides dispute-resolution assistance.

Montana Housing (800-761-6264)
Assists with home purchase, down payment assistance, mortgage servicing, reverse annuity mortgages, rental housing assistance and multifamily rental development.

Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (877-424-3838)
Provides rental assistance to homeless veterans and their families. The program operates in conjunction with case management and clinical services issued by local Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers.

Area Agencies on Aging (800-551-3191) Address the needs and concerns of older Montanans and provide an overview of aging, disability and caregiver resources available at the local level.

Aging and Disability Resource Centers Information Referral & Assistance (800-551-3191)
Offers an online directory linking to many aging and disability services and resources that help empower individuals to navigate long-term support options. Provides resources for dementia, hospice care, assisted living, in-home services, veteran services, legal services, respite for caregivers and more.

Community Services for Seniors and People with Disabilities (800-332-2272)
Allows people who would otherwise be institutionalized to live in their own home and community. Case management teams of nurses and social workers develop care plans that may include homemaker services, dietary advice, psychosocial consultations, transportation services, respite care and more.

Fort Harrison Regional Veteran Benefit Office (800-827-1000)
Helps veterans and their families access benefits, programs.

Medicaid Transportation Services (800-292-7114)
Helps approved Medicaid recipients obtain travel assistance benefits for transportation to and from medical appointments; may include mileage, meals and lodging under certain circumstances.

Compassion & Choices (800-247-7421)
Offers planning tools and advance planning consultation services related to end-of-life options, including access to medical aid in dying.

End-of-Life Registry & Advance Health Care Directives (866-675-3314)
Online registry stores advance health care directives in a secure database and makes them available to health care providers.