Home Modification and Repairs for Older Adults: Challenges and Opportunities for State Units on Aging: This report by the USC Fall Prevention Center of Excellence and ADvancing States reports on a national survey

MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES/SENIOR AND LONG TERM CARE (State Unit on Aging)

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. Program(s) with home modification or repairs include:

1. Money Follows the Person (MFP) Transition Services
Program Description: For individuals who are transitioning from an institutional setting to qualified housing in a private residence or residential setting and meet the Money Follows the Person requirements, the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services covers transition service costs of up to $4,000 of goods and services, including home accessibility adaptations.
Population Served: Eligible for Money Follows the Person: https://dphhs.mt.gov/sltc/mfp#:~:text=Money%20Follows%20The%20Person&text=MFP%20is%20 

2. Montana Big Sky Waiver Program: Elderly and Physically Disabled
Program Description: A case management team examines an individual’s medical and psychosocial needs and develops a plan of care that may include environmental accessibility adaptations.
Population Served: Individuals age 65 and older and individuals with physical and other disabilities ages 0 to 64 who are financially eligible for Medicaid and meet the minimum level of care requirements for nursing facility placement.

MONTANA STATE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM

MonTECH, Montana’s Assistive Technology Program through the University of Montana
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.

MONTANA STATE FALL PREVENTION COALITION

Montana Fall Prevention Coalition
For an up to date list of all state fall prevention coalitions, visit: https://www.ncoa.org/resources/list-of-state-falls-prevention-coalitions/

1. To locate the Area Agency on Aging in your state, please contact Eldercare Locator at https://eldercare.acl.gov/Public/Index.aspx

2. Data Brief: Building Community Capacity to Serve Older Adults: The Role of Area Agencies on Aging in Home Modifications and Repairs
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.”

3. Featured Efforts:

Living Independently for Today and Tomorrow (LIFTT)
Billings, Montana
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.