Montana State Plan on Aging – 2011-2015

Overview

Montana’s older population is one of the largest in the country. By 2025 Montana is presumed to rank between third and fifth in the nation in the percent of older adults 65+, which will account for at least 25 percent of the Montana population. In preparation for this aging demographic, the Montana Department of Aging created and submitted its state age plan to meet the requirements of the Older Americans Act.

Key Points

This plan focuses on the impact of the aging Boomer generation, as well as the needs of the current older population as they continue to grow older. The overarching goals of the plan are to prepare older adults to make informed decisions about their health, enable older adults to age in place for as long as possible, encourage older adults to stay active and healthy, ensure the rights of older people, and maintain effective and responsive management.

Other plan highlights include:

1. In the next 15 to 20 years, Montana’s 65+ population is expected to increase by 9,512 people per year.
2. By 2025 there will be only 14 counties in Montana whose 60+ population will be less than 30 percent of their total population, and there could be around 150 communities with 60+ populations between 39 and 70 percent of their total population.
3. Some of the key challenges Montana faces as the older population increases are transportation issues, nutrition education and services, home and community based services, health related issues, advocacy issues, maintaining the independence of the older population, and the need to provide proper education and training on care planning.
   

How to Use

The Montana State Plan on Aging offers insight to local officials and planners on how to advance the statewide development of in-home and community-based services to better meet the needs of the older population. Additionally, it provides information on education of these services in order for caregivers and older adults to make informed decisions and plan for their future. It also highlights the necessity of providing leadership in addressing issues that relate to older Montanans.

View full report: Montana State Plan on Aging – 2011-15 (PDF – 1.5 MB)