Eastern Montana Veterans Home
Save2000 Montana Avenue, Glendive, MT 59330
For more information about senior living options: (844) 490-3973
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Two very different voices surface in the stories surrounding a Montana Veterans Home: a family's warm recollection of his father's care and a traveling nurse's sharply critical account of the same setting. Taken together, they sketch a complex portrait of a place that can feel like a home for some residents while also becoming a source of frustration and tension for others who work there. The contrast highlights how personal experience, staffing realities, and local culture can all shape the quality of care in ways that aren't always visible from the outside.
The family narrative centers on a father who moved into the Veterans Home after losing safety and independence at his own house. For nearly two years, the facility became his home, a choice that reflected both necessity and a belief that he would be cared for with dignity. The writer notes that the move happened during a period when North Dakota's oil boom drew many young workers away, leaving home health care in short supply. In that context, the Montana Veterans Home (referred to as EMVH in the recounting) was praised as an excellent option. The writer emphasizes the positive first impression: Dad was greeted warmly when he moved in, thanked for his service, and told that this was his home and that he would be cared for with respect. A particularly notable detail is that he was in a shared room, and if his wife had survived, she could have moved in with him. Those small touches - feeling welcomed, the sense of belonging, and the option for companionship - made a meaningful difference in his daily life.
Shortages and practical challenges did pepper the experience, of course. The family portrait includes a poignant mention of the CNA shortage, a common issue in many facilities. Yet even with staffing gaps, the narrator paints a picture of careful oversight and family involvement that helped keep Dad safe: the writer describes hiring a counselor to check in on him regularly and notes that Dad formed a bond with one of the regular caregivers. The presence of a familiar, trusted person - someone connected to Dad's history and daily routines - allowed the author to take trips home with the reassurance that he remained in capable hands. These strands - genuine care, continuity with caregivers, and the ability to stay connected to loved ones - compose a framework in which the facility could be experienced as a true home rather than a cold institution.
After the father's passing, the narrator's reflections pivot to a broader sentiment about Montana's VA homes, even noting, with a sense of pride, that Montana VA facilities have earned strong reputations. The closing sentiment is more than nostalgia; it points to a belief that, in the right circumstances, these homes can deliver compassionate, respectful care that honors service and family ties. The family's experience is less about any single failing and more about a generally positive trajectory: a place that can make an elderly person feel seen, supported, and valued in a way that matches the intention behind moving him there in the first place.
Against this positive frame, a second voice disrupts the narrative with a starkly different experience. This PSA, clearly aimed at fellow traveling nurses, recounts a visit to the Veterans' Home that left the writer feeling unwelcome and professionally undermined. The nurse describes encountering what they perceived as extreme intolerance and antisocial behavior from staff, who supposedly prioritized their own needs over patient care. According to the reviewer, the facility ended up in a difficult situation with the Montana State Department of Health for not properly providing care to the more needy patients during their tenure. The account claims that the nurse followed the licensed practical nurse (LPN) scope of practice in Montana and New York, but the staff and administration failed to communicate effectively, contributing to a broader sense of dysfunction.
A central hardware of the critique is the alleged action of the Director of Nursing (DON), who allegedly canceled the contract without any conversation or notice. The writer contends that day staff fabricated concerns about the nurse, which somberly led to the contract termination. This perspective frames the conflict in terms of in-house politics, pay structures, and overt cultural clashes - tensions that the nurse attributes, at least in part, to a "culture" in a small town where outsiders might be met with suspicion or hostility. The reviewer's personal vulnerability - an African American man navigating a remote town with limited transportation options and challenging weather - adds a layer of unease to the travel experience, turning logistics and safety concerns into factors that influence professional judgment and comfort.
The description grows more dramatic as it underscores the practical difficulties of working in such a place: a tiny airport, no Uber options, a lack of nearby amenities, and a sense that the environment could be both isolating and intimidating. The nurse's vivid memory of a precarious flight - "the pilot had to put a key in the ignition and it wouldn't start for a few hours because of the weather being so cold" - is paired with a personal fear that the setting was not conducive to a supportive, safe work environment. The reviewer uses strong language to convey frustration with the town's culture and with the facility's leadership, labeling the staff as "ignorant & childish" and criticizing the administration's communication as insufficient. The piece closes with the observation that the owning company (GMC) was relinquishing ownership of the home, while insisting that those remaining must take responsibility for how the Veterans Home is perceived and for maintaining professional standards of care.
Taken together, these two narratives illuminate a broader truth: a Veterans Home can be experienced as a caring, respectful household by some families, while simultaneously contending with internal tensions, staffing constraints, and cultural barriers that complicate the work of delivering consistent, patient-centered care. The positive family story emphasizes the importance of a welcoming environment, respectful treatment, and continuity of caregivers, all of which help preserve a resident's dignity and sense of home. The negative traveling-nurse account highlights how discrepancies in culture, communication, and leadership can undermine care, even in facilities that have the potential to provide excellent service.
Ultimately, the contrast underscores why ongoing attention to staffing stability, transparent communication, and inclusive, professional workplace cultures matters so deeply in long-term care. For families, it affirms the value of staying closely engaged with loved ones' care and seeking out reliable, consistent caregivers who can build trust over time. For administrators and policymakers, it serves as a reminder that even well-intentioned facilities can falter when there is poor internal communication, unclear expectations, or a workforce that feels unsupported or marginalized. And for the broader public, it reinforces that behind every facility's reputation are real people - residents, families, and staff - each navigating the daily realities of aging, illness, and care in a place that is supposed to be a home.
The Eastern Montana Veterans Home in Glendive, MT is a vibrant assisted living community that offers a range of amenities and care services to ensure the comfort and well-being of its residents. The community features a beauty salon where residents can get pampered, as well as cable or satellite TV in each room for entertainment. Transportation is made convenient with community-operated transportation services and arrangements for non-medical transportation to doctors appointments.
Residents have access to a computer center for staying connected with loved ones or engaging in personal interests. The dining room provides restaurant-style dining experiences with delicious meals prepared and served by the staff. Special dietary restrictions are catered to, including diabetes diets.
A variety of recreational facilities are available on-site, including a fitness room, gaming room, small library, and outdoor space like gardens. Residents can engage in daily activities arranged by the community or organize their own resident-run activities.
Care services at Eastern Montana Veterans Home include 24-hour supervision and assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, and transfers. Medication management is provided, ensuring that residents receive their required medications on time. Mental wellness programs contribute to the emotional well-being of residents.
The location is convenient with several amenities nearby. There are three cafes, parks, and pharmacies within close proximity. Seventeen restaurants offer various dining options for residents who wish to explore the local culinary scene. Transportation options are readily available nearby, making it easy for residents to get around town. Places of worship are also accessible for those seeking spiritual support.
With its array of amenities and care services, Eastern Montana Veterans Home provides a comfortable and supportive environment where veterans can enjoy their retirement years surrounded by fellow comrades-in-arms.
Eastern Montana Veterans Home is located at 2000 Montana Avenue, Glendive, MT 59330 in Prairie County, Montana
Eastern Montana Veterans Home on seniors.fyi includes 7 photos including images showing interior, living room, television, exercise, rehabilitation, caregiver, bingo, building, and more.
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