Montana Mountains. Quote: Providing statewide unity on aging issues and planning to meet the needs of Montana's aging population

The Montana Area Agencies on Aging Association (M4A) is a private, non-profit organization that provides a unifying voice on issues that promote independence, dignity, and economic viability for Montana’s aging adults.

Montana’s Area Agencies on Aging grew from the Older Americans Act of 1965 which developed federal, state, and local structures to administer programs to help the elderly maintain their health and independence in their homes and communities. As local, grass-root resources, Area Agencies have advisory counsels who review and comment on all programs affecting aging citizens.

M4A is the leading source of information for Montanans, policymakers, and service providers on aging, healthy living and benefits. Programs and services are designed to improve the physical, social and emotional well-being of older adults and to reduce the burden on families and caregivers. 

Stakeholders in an Aging Montana

M4A advocates for our members who are directly working with older adults in communities across the State. We work towards policy issues that we believe are critically important to ensure that older adults, people with disabilities, and their caregivers live with dignity and independence. Our stakeholders include:

  • An increasing number of Montanans. Within ten years, a quarter of Montana residents will be aged 65 or older, comprising the fifth largest per capita population of older community members in the country. This change in demographics, in the voting base, and in the population requiring services is unprecedented in the history of our country.
  • Community Senior Centers – offering critical services to our communities and offering opportunities for civic engagement, reducing isolation, and nutritional assistance – our senior centers help us achieve our mission and prioritize those who need services.
  • All Montanans. We are all stakeholders in an graying state. Policymakers at all levels must understand the significant shift in demographics facing our communities in the coming years. The policy decisions we make today affect the quality of life for all – not only today – but as we join the ranks of older Montanans.