Assisted Living in Louisiana
Louisiana is a popular retirement destination for seniors. The state has a small but steadily growing senior population, with 15.4% of residents being over the age of 65 as of the July 2019 census estimates. The median monthly fee for an assisted living facility in Louisiana is $3,650 per month. Louisiana is home to 199 assisted living facilities as well as several hundred senior living facilities, giving seniors the opportunity to choose from a huge list of care providers to get the experience that suits them best.
Take some time to read the guide below to learn about the options available in Louisiana to ensure that you or your loved ones get the best possible care.
SeniorAdvice's Guide to Assisted Living in Louisiana
Louisiana has a senior score of 73%. This means that it ranks better than average in terms of quality of life, health care options, leisure and cost of living for seniors. The state has a lot to offer for those considering where to spend their retirement years.
SeniorScore™ for Louisiana
The SeniorScore™ is calculated based on over 100 variables, some of which are shown below. The final score is curved based on a linear curving method. For More info visit senioradvice.com/seniorscore.
- Louisiana's SeniorScore™ of 73 is higher than the national average of 72.
- Louisiana has high access to Medicare registered healthcare providers.
- Louisiana has a high number of hospitals within the state.
- Louisiana has an average number of senior living facilities within the state.
- Louisiana has a high number of home healthcare providers operating in the state.
- The average life expectancy in Louisiana is 75.7, compared to the national average of 78.6.
- Louisiana has a very high overall property crime rate compared to national averages.
- Louisiana has a very high overall violent crime rate compared to national averages.
- 26% of the population in Louisiana are seniors, compared to 29% nationally.
- Louisiana has 163 golf courses in the state.
- Louisiana has a high number of municipal parks throughout the state.
- Louisiana has 2,122 churches in the state.
- The property taxes average 0.98% of total income in Louisiana, which is significantly lower than the national average of 2.79%.
- The property taxes average 0.40% of property value in Louisiana, which is significantly lower than the national average of 1.09%.
- The average sales tax in Louisiana is 7.88%, which is significantly higher than the national average of 6.97%.
- The average state income tax in Louisiana is 2.68%, which is significantly lower than the national average of 3.38%.
- The mean household income in Louisiana is $61,140, which is lower than the national average of $64,580.
- Louisiana's median household income is $45,666, which is significantly lower than the national average of $51,560.
- The average per capita income in Louisiana is $23,884, which is lower than the national average of $25,611.
- Assisted living costs in Louisiana average $40,020 per year, which are lower than the national average of $42,700.
- Nursing home costs in Louisiana average $61,059 per year, which are significantly lower than the national average of $92,481.
- Costs for adult daycare in Louisiana average $16,552 per year, which are lower than the national average of $17,931.
- Costs for home healthcare in Louisiana average $34,881 per year, which are significantly lower than the national average of $46,197.
- The unemployment rate is about 8.16% in Louisiana, which is lower than then national rate of 8.26%.
- The overall cost of living in Louisiana is average compared to national averages.
- 1.47% of the senior population in Louisiana are financially responsible for at least one grandchild.
- Louisiana receives an average of 59.0 inches of rain per year.
- Louisiana has an average annual temperature of 66.9 degrees fahrenheit.
- Louisiana has an average low temperature of 56.0 degrees fahrenheit.
- Louisiana has an average high temperature of 76.8 degrees fahrenheit.
- Louisiana has an average population density of 470 people per square mile.
- Louisiana has a very low public school quality ranking.
- Louisiana has a very low public school safety ranking.
- Louisiana has a low graduation rate of 81.67%.
Louisiana's cost of living is similar to the national average, although charges for senior care tend to be lower. Hospital and general health care also rank well compared to many parts of the United States. The average life expectancy in Louisiana is 75.7 years. Louisiana residents have access to a number of golf courses and nature parks, giving them the opportunity to explore nature and get regular outdoor exercise.
Top Assisted Living Facilities in Louisiana
Sage Rehab Hospital and Outpatient Services - Skilled Nursing Facility is situated in the Westminster area of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It is a 15 unit nursing care facility. The neighboring area has a dense population, with about 26,000 ...
St. Margaret's at Mercy is a 112 room senior care facility situated within the Mid-City neighborhood of New Orleans, Louisiana. With a median family income of $27,500, the facility is in a mostly working class area. It is ...
The Guest House is a 177 room senior care community situated within the Jenkins Pinecroft Subdivision neighborhood of Shreveport, Louisiana. The encompassing area is heavily populated, with around 26,000 people residing in the zip code of 71118. ...
Ollie Steele Burden Manor is a 22 room senior care community located in the Westminster area of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. With around 26,000 people residing in the 70809 zip code, the surrounding area has a dense population. It ...
Situated within the Tall Timbers-Brechtel neighborhood of New Orleans, Louisiana, Carrington Place of New Orleans is a 186 bed senior housing facility. The community is in a generally middle income area, with an average family income of $60,101. ...
Gamble Guest Care - The Bradford is located within the Jenkins Pinecroft Subdivision area of Shreveport, Louisiana. It is a 146 bed senior community. The neighboring area is densely populated, with roughly 26,000 people residing in the ...
Willow Wood at Woldenberg Village is located within the Tall Timbers-Brechtel neighborhood of New Orleans, Louisiana. It is a 120 bed senior community. The community is in a primarily lower income area, with a median per-household income of ...
Avalon Place is located at 4385 Old Sterlington Rd in Monroe, Louisiana. It is a 115 unit senior housing community. With approximately 38,000 people residing in the 71203 zip code, the encompassing area is heavily populated. It ...
Located at 505 Robert Blvd in Slidell, Louisiana, Greenbriar Community Care Center is a 174 room senior housing facility. The encompassing area is heavily populated, with approximately 36,000 individuals living in the 70458 zip code. With a median ...
Situated within the Brownfields area of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Baton Rouge Health Care Center is a 145 unit skilled nursing facility. The neighboring area has an average population density, with about 15,000 poeple living in the 70811 zip code. ...
Located at 2021 Rayne Crowley Hwy in Rayne, Louisiana, Camelot Place is a 130 unit senior housing facility. With around 17,000 individuals living in the 70578 zip code, the surrounding area has an average population density. It is ...
The Oaks of Louisiana is a 160 unit senior care facility. It is situated nearby the Springlake University Terrace area of Shreveport, Louisiana. The encompassing area has a medium-density population, with roughly 16,000 residents in the 71115 ...
Wynhoven Healthcare Center is a 188 room skilled nursing facility situated nearby the East Riverside area of Marrero, Louisiana. The neighboring area is heavily populated, with around 57,000 residents in the 70072 zip code. With an average per-household ...
Chateau De Notre Dame is a 171 unit senior community. It is located within the Gert Town neighborhood of New Orleans, Louisiana. With approximately 15,000 people residing in the 70125 zip code, the neighboring area has an average ...
Located near by the Broadmoor Anderson Island Shreve Isle. area of Bossier City, Louisiana, Gamble Guest Care - Colonial Oaks is a 120 bed senior care community. The facility is in a generally middle income area, ...
Carrington Place of Baton Rouge is located within the Westminster neighborhood of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It is a 172 bed senior housing community. The community is in a predominantly middle class area, with an average per-household income of ...
Guest Care Center At Spring Lake is located in the Ceder Grove Lynbrook area of Shreveport, Louisiana. It is a 160 bed senior care community. With an average household income of $63,201, the facility is in a ...
Gamble Guest Care - Alpine is a 144 unit senior care facility located in Ruston, Louisiana. The encompassing area is heavily populated, with about 32,000 individuals residing in the zip code of 71270. With a median family income ...
St James Place Nursing Care Center is a 64 bed nursing facility. It is located in the College Town neighborhood of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The neighboring area is densely populated, with about 34,000 poeple living in the zip ...
The Columns Community Care Center is a 140 bed senior housing facility. It is located at 3025 4th St in Jonesville, Louisiana. The surrounding area has an average population density, with roughly 9,000 individuals living in the zip ...
The Cost of Assisted Living in Louisiana
The median monthly cost of assisted living facilities in Louisiana is $3,650. This means that assisted living facilities in Louisiana typically charge less than comparable facilities in most parts of the United States. A typical assisted living facility in Louisiana charges slightly more than a similar level of facility in neighboring states such as Arkansas or Alabama, but it is less expensive than a similar property in Texas.
- Louisiana: $3,650
- Texas: $3,750
- Alabama: $3,250
- Mississippi: $3,524
- Arkansas: $3,175
The Cost of Assisted Living in Louisiana's Top Cities
The largest city in Louisiana is New Orleans. The cost of assisted living facilities and the cost of living in general are higher here than in other parts of the state, at $4,700 per month. Baton Rouge, however, has a much lower average cost for assisted living, at just $3,313. Fees can vary greatly depending on location, property prices, population density and access to amenities, so seniors should explore their options and consider a few different cities before settling on a retirement location.
- New Orleans: $4,700
- Baton Rouge: $3,313
- Shreveport: $3,723
- Metairie: $4,051
- Lafayette: $3,645
Senior Care Cost Comparison in Louisiana
Seniors have several options when it comes to choosing care plans, depending on how mobile they are and how much day-to-day assistance and medical care they require. At-home care services, assisted living and day care facilities all have some overlap in terms of who they are suited for. At-home care requires a dedicated, trained caregiver to come to a person's home. This typically makes it more expensive than day care, since each caregiver can look after only one household at a time. Adult day care centers work with a larger group during waking hours. Many seniors drop in and out of these facilities during times when their usual caregivers, who are typically family members, are unavailable.
Assisted living facilities occupy a space between in-home care and adult day care. Seniors live at a facility, typically in a private suite, sharing communal areas for dining and recreation. This arrangement allows a good balance between privacy and independence and provides the peace of mind of knowing that help is always available for emergencies. Assisted living facilities also offer a middle ground in terms of pricing.
The median monthly costs of different types of senior care in Louisiana are as follows:
- Assisted Living: $3,650
- In-Home Care (homemaker): $3,216
- Home Health Care (home health aide): $3,241
- Adult Day Care (Adult Day Health Care): $1,625
- Nursing Home Care: $5,676
Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Louisiana
Louisiana Medicaid Long-Term Care
Phone Number: 1-888-342-6207
Website: http://ldh.la.gov/index.cfm/faq/category/24
The Louisiana Medicaid Long-Term Care program offers financial assistance to people who qualify for long-term care services in Medicaid-certified facilities. To qualify for financial assistance, a senior must be a Louisiana resident receiving care in either a nursing facility or an intermediate care facility that cares for individuals with intellectual disabilities, or they must have had an offer for home-based care. The payments are means-tested, with the limits set at $2,000 per individual or $3,000 for a couple residing in the same facility.
Not all seniors looking to move into assisted living facilities qualify for Medicaid support. However, for those who do, the Medicaid payments can greatly offset the cost of the facility. The program reimburses care providers (including assisted living facilities) for the costs of supporting clients with their Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). Check the Medicaid website for more information.
Louisiana Community Choices Waiver
Phone Number: (877) 456-1146
Website: http://ldh.la.gov/assets/docs/OAAS/publications/FactSheets/CCW-Fact-Sheet.pdf
The Louisiana Community Choices Waiver is a program that allows Medicaid recipients who have a disability developed as an adult to receive coverage while they either continue to live within the community or in an assisted living facility. The goal is to help those adults remain a part of the community and avoid the need for nursing home levels of care.
This program is open to adults who are Medicaid recipients and who qualify for institutional levels of care while having an adult-onset disability. Seniors can register for the benefits by contacting the Louisiana Options in the Long-Term Care office.
PACE
Phone Number: (877) 456-1146
Website: http://ldh.la.gov/assets/docs/OAAS/publications/FactSheets/PACE_Fact-Sheet.pdf
The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly is a national program available in almost every state, including Louisiana. PACE aims to ensure that the most frail or vulnerable seniors have the support they need to enjoy a good quality of life in the community and to help them avoid being institutionalized. The program has limited resources, so those who are interested in it should apply early.
Seniors who are not currently registered for Medicaid can still apply for this program as long as their income is no more than 300% of the federal benefit rate each year.
Louisiana Assisted Living Rules and Regulations
Adult residential care facilities and assisted living properties in Louisiana are regulated by the Louisiana Department of Health. This government organization helps to promote the welfare, dignity and independence of seniors.
Scope of Care | Assisted living facilities provide support with lodging, meals and the activities of daily living, while allowing seniors to live in the least restrictive setting possible. |
Care Plan Requirements | Adult residential care facilities in Louisiana are rated based upon four levels, depending on the type of care that they provide and the mobility and health of the residents they can accommodate. |
Medication Management Requirements | Assisted living facilities can support residents with medication management and self-administration. |
Staff Screening Requirements | Owners must supply copies of criminal background checks to the licensing body. All staff members must be properly screened. |
Staff Training Requirements | The facility must devise and follow a plan of onboarding training and refresher screening for all staff members, including caregivers and administrative staff, to ensure that residents receive an appropriate level of care and that safeguarding regulations are fully adhered to. |
Medicaid Coverage | Medicaid coverage is available for certain elements of assisted living, under limited circumstances. Where a resident's needs go beyond the Medicaid program, a separate PCSP must be devised. |
Reporting Abuse | Concerns or complaints relating to assisted living facilities should be reported to the Long Term Care Ombudsman in writing at [email protected] |
Free Assisted Living Resources in Louisiana
The Governor's Office of Elderly Affairs in Louisiana is a central point of contact to help seniors connect with a variety of services through the Area Agencies on Aging. It offers support for those living in assisted living facilities and their loved ones in the event of any concerns or complaints about the management of the facility. It also helps Louisiana residents find care services, assisted living facilities and senior programs in their area. The Long Term Care Ombudsman for Louisiana can be reached through this office.
Contact: (225) 342-7100
The Louisiana Department of Health manages the state's implementation of the Medicaid program, and it should be the first point of contact for any questions about Medicaid benefits. These means-tested benefits can be used to cover a lot of care costs. The state of Louisiana has followed many other states in shifting its care and benefits programs to encourage seniors and adults with disabilities to try to remain in the community as long as possible, avoiding the transition into nursing home or institutionalized care settings. This means that benefits for residential care are limited. However, some assisted living settings are supported under Medicaid, with providers reimbursed for any support they offer with the Activities of Daily Living (ADLs).
Contact: Call 1-800-834-3333
Louisiana Agencies
Office of Aging and Adult Services
Phone Number: (502) 564-6930
Website: http://ldh.la.gov/index.cfm/page/118The Louisiana Office of Aging and Adult Services is an agency formed within the Louisiana Department of Health as part of a reform initiative to improve support for seniors in the state. It brings together all the programs that the Louisiana government runs to support seniors and those with adult-onset disabilities, including long-term care facilities, nursing institutions, and assisted living services. The goal of the office is to develop a long-term care system that offers seniors a variety of choices and allows them to access quality care and the assistance they need while still retaining dignity and independence and remaining fiscally responsible.
Area Agencies on Aging and Independent Living
There are currently 34 Area Agencies on Aging in Louisiana. These agencies offer a variety of services including signposting, as well as legal and material aid to help seniors connect with the services best suited to them. Each local area has freedom to manage its own policies and services, so the offerings can vary significantly. Seniors considering a move to an assisted living facility in Louisiana should investigate the costs for each area and contact the relevant area agency to learn more about the services in the chosen area.
Veteran Affairs Offices in Louisiana
The Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs has several offices spread across the state. These offices work with veterans to provide information about Veteran's Assistance benefits for long-term or short term care, health care and other financial aid. The department also has hardship funding available to support veterans and their families.
Seniors may also be eligible for VA Pensions or VA Disability Payments that may help to offset some of the costs of living in an assisted living facility. The Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs also runs five Veterans Homes across the state that offer long and short-term care, Alzheimer's and intermediate care, and other services for seniors. The properties are located in Jackson, Monroe, Bossier City, Reserve, and Jennings. Contact a local branch of the VA for more information about the facilities or financial assistance that may be available.
Social Security Offices in Louisiana
The Social Security Administration maintains offices in 21 cities across Louisiana, allowing residents to visit facilities to access information about disability benefits, retirement benefits, Medicare and other payments that may be available to seniors in need. The SSA website provides information about available benefits, as well as calculators and tools to help determine eligibility.
The criteria relating to veteran's benefits, Medicare and Medicaid can be complex, so it is a good idea to seek advice before making financial decisions or choosing an assisted living facility. In some cases, tax breaks may be available for those who are paying for their own senior care or the care of a close relative. Seniors should be sure to explore all of the options available to make sure that out-of-pocket expenses are no more than they need to be to get the best possible care for themselves or their loved ones.
Other Cities in Louisiana