Page 4 of Best Independent Living in Montana

Eagles Manor Retirement Community sits at 1501 9th St S, in Great Falls’ Southside neighborhood, and it’s set up for independent living. The mid-rise building offers studio and one-bedroom apartments, with somewhere around 170 residents currently calling it home. Independent living means something specific here. Residents keep their own apartments and run their own day-to-day lives. Amenities and social activities exist to support that, not to replace it with hands-on care.

Walkability sits in the middle range: a Walk Score of 51 means some errands can get done on foot, and there’s a decent spread of nearby amenities, though a car will still come in handy for plenty of trips. On the day-to-day side, residents get two meals a day, access to an on-site hair salon, and weekly housekeeping, so the basics of home upkeep aren’t entirely on their own shoulders. Laundry doesn’t require leaving the building either, since each floor has its own laundry room. Add in transportation services and fitness and recreation options, and there’s a fairly full slate of support built into daily life. A regular calendar of social, educational, and recreational events rounds things out.

Put it all together, and Eagles Manor lands on a fairly specific kind of resident: someone managing well on their own, not in need of daily care, but interested in some built-in structure and a sense of community. The apartment setup, the everyday conveniences, and the steady activity schedule all point the same direction. This is a place meant to support independence, not take it over.

Overview of Parkhaven

Parkhaven is a 62-bed assisted living facility featuring independent cottage homes, assisted living, and memory care at 100 Hamilton Court, Manhattan, Madison County, Montana. The administrator is Crystal Hamilton. The facility offers memory care and respite care with 24-hour staffing. It does not accept Medicaid or Medicare and does not offer rehabilitation services.

Manhattan is located in Madison County in southwestern Montana. Gallatin County Memorial Hospital is the primary nearby acute-care resource.

Five inspections from 2013 to 2019 document 10 total deficiencies, averaging 2.5 per year, 57 percent better than Montana average of 5.8.

September 6, 2019, renewal identified 2 deficiencies: resident bathroom call lights not properly alerting staff due to pager silent mode and low batteries; facility unable to produce documentation for annual fire inspections spanning current year and prior three years. September 21, 2017, renewal found 2 deficiencies: 3 of 6 resident files lacking current medication self-administration orders requiring annual updates; 1 of 6 resident files missing admittance order for Category C level of care. February 17, 2017, complaint investigation documented 1 deficiency: facility failed to report resident fall on January 10, 2017, to provider or family and lacked written policy and procedure for fall notification. September 11, 2015, renewal identified 1 deficiency: no documentation that staff reviewed policy and procedure manual including infection control.

October 16, 2013, complaint investigation documented 4 deficiencies involving resident placement procedures, application and needs assessment, resident service plans for Category A, and resident file documentation.

No fines or license suspensions documented.

Pattern indicates recurring documentation, communication, and safety concerns spanning over a decade without evident improvement.

Resident notification procedures, fire inspection documentation, and medication administration record documentation warrant direct review.

Families should ask administrators directly about current protocols and corrective measures taken since 2019 inspection before enrollment.

Nestled in the heart of Missoula, Montana, Benton Independent Living is a vibrant senior living community that provides independent living options for senior residents. The community is dedicated to creating an environment where residents can live on their own terms, with freedom, comfort, and peace of mind. At Benton, residents have the opportunity to enjoy an active and fulfilling lifestyle while receiving the support they need.

Benton Independent Living offers a variety of amenities and services to enhance the well-being of its residents. From well-appointed assisted living apartments to a range of social and recreational activities, there is something for everyone. With a team of dedicated staff members available to provide assistance and support, Benton Independent Living is committed to helping residents maintain their independence and enjoy a fulfilling retirement.

Overview of Big Sky Senior Living

Big Sky Senior Living is a 95-bed assisted living facility offering independent living, assisted living, and memory care at 3701 Elizabeth Warren Ave, Butte, Silver Bow County, Montana. Located 4.4 miles from the city center. The administrator is Jake Kelly. The facility offers memory care with 24-hour staffing.

It does not accept Medicaid or Medicare and does not offer respite care, secured living, or rehabilitation services.

Butte is located in Silver Bow County in southwestern Montana. St. James Healthcare and Butte Community Hospital are the primary nearby acute-care resources.

Inspection history documents 6 total visits or inspections. The records indicate 2 inspections identified deficiencies, though specific deficiency counts per inspection, dates, inspection types, and substantive findings are not accessible. No complaint investigations are documented. Detailed inspection history, deficiency categorization, state average comparisons, and regulatory outcomes require direct access to full state inspection records from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.

Families should seek specific inspection records and compliance documentation directly from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.

Overview of Affinity at Billings

Affinity at Billings is an upscale 55+ retirement community where management heavily promotes an active lifestyle for seniors who can choose from an array of social opportunities in and out of the community. Affinity at Billings is sure to provide a delightful lifestyle for seniors with a touch of elegance.

The premier independent living community for retired seniors in Billings ensures that their residents’ living experience is centered on the wellness and independence of each individual and that everyone maintains an active and comfortable lifestyle. They offer a fitness center, an indoor pool, an arts and crafts studio, an internet cafe, a game room, a billiards room, and a dog park.

Overview of Sweetwater Assisted Living

From its remarkable amenities to thoughtfully designed living spaces, every detail in Sweetwater Retirement Community has been carefully curated to offer an extraordinary retirement experience. This distinguished residence boasts a diverse range of options, including independent living and assisted living for seniors, ensuring that every individual finds their perfect home. Here, residents will find joy in even the simplest tasks and events, as the community transforms mundane moments into cherished experiences.

The home features a state-of-the-art movie theater, a library and computer room, a wellness center, a chapel, a salon, and so much more. Their safety is also paramount, with emergency response systems providing a sense of reassurance and security. They can also seamlessly navigate their surroundings with scheduled transportation services, while the attentive weekly housekeeping ensures a hassle-free lifestyle. Those yearning for independence and privacy will quickly see that Sweetwater’s townhome villas are the epitome of refined living. Beyond the exquisite amenities and captivating living spaces, it is the unique culture of this community that truly sets it apart. Here, a spirit of unity and belonging flourishes, forging lasting connections and creating a tapestry of shared experiences.

East Park Villas, located near historic downtown Helena, MT, is a classic senior living community that provides residents with an excellent independent living experience that combines comfort with style and elegance. An apartment-style, East Park Villas offers comfortable one- and two-bedroom apartments with open floor plans, walk-in showers, and ceiling fans. Conveniently situated close to Helena Regional, City Hill Mall, and Helena Airport, this community is designed to meet the needs of senior residents, providing an inviting and supportive living environment.

East Park Senior Apartments aims to create a welcoming and caring community where seniors can truly feel at home. The dedicated community staff is committed to assisting residents in finding their ideal living space. Amenities include spacious floor plans, modern conveniences, and a location that provides easy access to local attractions and necessities.

Holiday Hunters Pointe is an independent living community at 2801 Colonial Dr in Helena, Montana. As an independent living provider, it’s set up to support older adults valuing their autonomy with access to amenities and social opportunities. Residents live in their own apartments with housing options spanning studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and cottage-style units. This gives people flexibility in selecting a space appropriate for their lifestyle.

The three-story building sits in a residential area of Helena. Its neighborhood has a Walk Score of 14, indicating it’s car-dependent, so most errands and activities require a car instead of being within walking distance. This setting may attract residents and their families wanting a calmer, residential location over a more bustling commercial area.

For those thinking of choosing Holiday Hunters Pointe, touring it in person is a good first step to see various unit types and get a feel for the overall atmosphere and amenities or activities offered. Its location provides a residential ambiance in Helena’s broader community.

Kenhodro Inc. DBA Frontier Assisted Living is a 52-bed assisted living facility specializing in Alzheimer’s and dementia care at 121 S 3rd Street, Livingston, Park County, Montana. Administrator is Carissa Walsh. Offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, and respite care with 24-hour staffing and rehabilitation.

Amenities include beauty salon, television lounge, activities room. Does not accept Medicaid or Medicare.

Livingston is in Park County, south-central Montana. Livingston HealthCare is primary nearby resource.

Twelve inspections from 2019 to 2025 document 81 total deficiencies, averaging 10.7 per year, 84 percent worse than Montana average of 5.8.

September 10, 2025, renewal: 8 deficiencies including no disaster plan review since 2014, incomplete staff training records, residents not provided service plan copies, loose pills in medication cart, uncovered food in refrigerator, carpets needing cleaning. July 15, 2025, complaint: 1 deficiency where a resident did not receive 44 medication doses June 1–11 with no practitioner notification. December 31, 2024, complaint: 2 deficiencies; namely: resident smoking in room, areas with stained bedding and feces. October 16, 2024, renewal: 10 deficiencies including 6 of 6 staff lacking dementia training, 9 of 9 resident files missing service plan copies, missing temperature logs, no fire drills since January 2023.

July 24, 2024, complaint: 2 deficiencies (carpets with debris, bathrooms needing cleaning, freezer dirty). August 9, 2023, complaint: 2 deficiencies (staff not documenting medication effectiveness, unlicensed staff administered lorazepam 60 times).

August 9, 2023, renewal: 21 deficiencies including dirty resident rooms, no disaster plan, no activities, unsecured oxygen, non-flame-resistant window treatments, 20 overnight shifts with one staff. October 6, 2022, renewal: 7 deficiencies including incomplete disaster plan, no policy review since 2016, no activities, missing fire drills. June 8, 2021, complaint: 4 deficiencies (missing corrective actions, medical marijuana not documented, no policy). February 2, 2021, complaint: 5 deficiencies including urine odor, dirty areas, MAR discrepancies, unsecured oxygen.

November 4, 2020, complaint: 4 deficiencies including no keypad codes, facility dirty, cardboard blocking access. May 7, 2019, renewal: 9 deficiencies including uncertified residents, missing corrective actions, staff lacking abuse prevention training, inconsistent practitioner notification. No fines or suspensions.

Chronic pattern spanning 6 years: medication errors, environmental cleanliness failures, unsafe storage, inadequate training, and repeated regulatory violations without improvement.

Medication administration, staff dementia training, oxygen safety, disaster preparedness, environmental cleaning standards, and corrective action documentation should be verified regarding compliance improvements since September 2025.

Nestled in the heart of Butte, Montana, Marquis Assisted Living stands as a beacon of compassionate care within assisted living places. This senior community is dedicated to providing services that cater to diverse needs, including independent living, memory care private homes, and specialized assisted living for dementia patients. The environment is designed to enhance safety, comfort, and quality of life for all residents.

Engaging activities and educational programs create a sense of belonging and purpose for residents. With the assurance of 24-hour staff availability, family members can trust that their loved ones are embraced by a community that understands and supports their unique requirements. Marquis Assisted Living is committed to fostering an environment that promotes well-being and enriches the lives of those entrusted in its care.