Know of someone with a 100th Birthday?
According to the Montana Aging Services Division, Montana ranks fifth in the United States for its senior population percentage, showcasing a significant demographic shift. In response, the Governor’s Advisory Council on Aging has established a Centenarian Recognition program, which includes a ceremony, certificate, and luncheon to honor Montanans reaching or surpassing 100 years of age by December 31st each year. Montana currently ranks 6th in the nation for the number of adults aged 65 and older. According to the US Census this population group is estimated to be 20.5 percent for 2024, while the national average for the same period is 17.7 percent. By 2030 it is projected that 23 percent of Montanans will be 65 and older. There are more people living to be 100 or older than ever and the United state ranks second in the world, behind Japan.
The Governor’s Conference on Aging annually honors Montana’s centenarians, acknowledging each year past 100 as a remarkable milestone. We aim to identify and celebrate not only those reaching this age milestone this year but also those who have surpassed it, including identifying Montana’s oldest citizen. We encourage submissions even from those previously recognized, as every year is a significant achievement worthy of celebration. Some of these “Seasoned Citizens” are able to attend the banquet and a brief of their life experience is shared with the conference attendees and invited guests. Individuals reaching this aging milestone are also acknowledged by the Governor with a Certificate of Recognition.
The Senior and Long-Term Care Division with the Montana Department of Health and Human Services, and the Governor’s Council on Aging is seeking your help to identify those Montanans who have reached this milestone. If you know of a Montana Centenarian who is or will be 100 or older in 2025 and would like to nominate them for recognition, please go to dphhs.mt.gov/sltc/GovernorsConferenceonAging/Centenarians. You will find the nomination forms at the website or by going to the following links:
- Apply to be a 2025 Montana Centenarian Directly Online [mt.accessgov.com]
- Apply to be a 2025 Montana Centenarian Using a Printable Form(PDF)
- Register for the 2025 Centenarian Luncheon(PDF)
The banquet is an inspiring and moving testament to the importance of celebrating aging and sharing stories of resilience. The deadline for submission to be recognized at this year’s conference is September 1, 2025. Applications are accepted throughout the year. E5P
