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In-Home Care in Louisiana

Louisiana has a relatively large senior population, as 15.9% of its more than 4.6 million residents are 65 and over. There are multiple reasons Louisiana may appeal to older adults, including financial benefits. Social Security and public pension income isn’t taxed, and the cost of living in Louisiana is lower than the national average. There are top-rated hospitals in the state, including Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge and Willis Knighton Medical Center in Shreveport.

The average cost of home care in Louisiana is $3,623 per month. Home care — also called in-home care — differs from home health care in multiple ways. In-home caregivers provide companionship and help with activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), which include companionship, bathing, dressing, meal preparation and shopping — among other tasks. Home health care is a medical service; caregivers may dress wounds, administer medications and therapies, monitor vital signs and provide other health-related services.

This guide provides costs and comparisons for home care in Louisiana. You’ll also find information about applying for Medicaid and a list of free resources for seniors.

The Cost of In-Home Care in Louisiana

As reported by the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, in-home care costs $3,623 per month in Louisiana. The national median cost is higher at $4,957, as is Oklahoma’s estimated cost of $4,862 per month. Other states also have a higher average monthly cost for in-home care, including Texas ($4,576) and Arkansas ($4,185). Mississippi and Alabama both have an average monthly cost of $3,813 for home care, which is about $200 more than the Louisiana average.

Louisiana

$3623

The United States

$4957

Oklahoma

$4862

Texas

$4576

Arkansas

$4185

Mississippi

$3813

Alabama

$3813

Louisiana’s cities vary when it comes to in-home care costs. New Orleans’ cost is the highest on our list at $4,195, while Lake Charles is close behind with an estimated monthly cost of $3,909 for in-home care. Baton Rouge and Lafayette share an estimated cost of $3,813, while seniors in Shreveport can expect to pay $3,241 for home care.

Lake Charles

$3909

Baton Rouge

$3813

Lafayette

$3813

New Orleans

$4195

Shreveport

$3241

There are other care types for older adults to consider. In addition to in-home care ($3,623), there’s home health care ($3,718) for seniors aging in place who need medical services. Adult day health care is less expensive ($1,788) and is an option for seniors in need of daytime medical care. Assisted living ($3,748) is an option for seniors who need assistance with daily activities and prefer to live in a senior community, while nursing home care ($5,759) in a semiprivate room is the most comprehensive and costly care type.

In-Home Care

$3623

Home Health Care

$3718

Nursing Home Care

$5759

Assisted Living

$3748

Adult Day Health Care

$1788

Does Medicaid Cover Home Care in Louisiana?

Louisiana Medicaid covers in-home care through several waiver programs. Seniors who receive Medicaid may also qualify for additional services through one or more of these programs, which provide in-home assistance with ADLs and related tasks.

The Long-Term Personal Care Services Program (LT-PCS) is for Medicaid recipients in need of at-home assistance with everyday tasks. The Community Choices Waiver (CCW) is similar but also provides health-based services as well. Another program through which seniors can receive home care is the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), which provides a wide variety of other care types including skilled nursing and adult day health care.

Home Care Waiver Programs in Louisiana

Seniors in need of home care have several options when it comes to coverage. As mentioned, Medicaid recipients may qualify for these waiver programs, which are geared towards the elderly and/or disabled. They provide in-home care, including help with ADLs, and the CCW and PACE programs also provide certain types of medical care.

CONTACTAREA SERVED SERVICES PROVIDED
Long-Term Personal Care Services Program (LT-PCS)(877) 456-1146Entire stateMedicaid recipients who need help with everyday activities such as toileting, dressing and meal preparation may qualify for the LT-PCS program. Light housekeeping, laundry and escort/transportation to medical appointments are also services that Louisiana seniors can receive through this program.
Community Choices Waiver (CCW)(877) 456-1146Entire stateThe CCW adds in-home care and more to the list of covered Medicaid services. Seniors who meet age and financial requirements may qualify for this waiver, which provides services that include but aren’t limited to skilled maintenance therapy services, medical equipment and assistive devices, in-home care, home health care and nutritional counseling.
Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)(504) 945-1531 for greater New Orleans
(225) 490-0604 for Baton Rouge
(337) 470-4500 for Lafayette
Most Louisiana zip codesSeniors in a PACE provider service area who don’t exceed income eligibility limits may qualify for this program. Many services are performed at a PACE center and transportation is provided. Examples of services that seniors can receive through this program include in-home care and home health care, inpatient care, primary care, assistive devices and various types of therapies.

How to Know if You’re Eligible for Medicaid in Louisiana

In order to qualify for Louisiana Medicaid, there are income and asset limits based on household size. For single seniors, the annual income limit is $10,092 and assets can’t total more than $2,000 in value. Couples can’t have a yearly income in excess of $15,132 or assets worth more than $3,000.

2022 Basic Medicaid Income Limits for Seniors in Louisiana

NameIncome limits*Asset limits
Single Person$10,092$2,000
Two-Person Household$15,132$3,000

* per year

There are various other requirements that must be met to receive Medicaid. Senior applicants must:

  • Be age 65 or older, or
  • Blind and/or disabled
  • A Louisiana resident
  • A United States citizen or qualified non-citizen

How to Apply for Medicaid in Louisiana

Seniors can apply for Medicaid online through the Louisiana Department of Health’s self-service webpage. If you prefer in-person help, visit a Medicaid application center. Some of these centers serve residents on a walk-in basis while others require appointments, so call ahead. Telephone applications can be taken through Healthy Louisiana Enrollment at (855) 229-6848. Paper applications can be printed and mailed, faxed or delivered to your local Medicaid application center.

What Information You Will Need

There are certain documents you’ll need to include with your Medicaid application. This includes:

  • Identification
  • Social Security card
  • Proof of income
  • Employer information
  • Copies of insurance policies

How to Get Help Applying for Medicaid

There are various offices and agencies that provide Medicaid application assistance. Services are free of charge, and there may be various other senior-oriented services available.

ProgramContactArea ServedServices provided
Louisiana Medicaid(888) 342-6207Entire stateSeniors can get help with applying for Medicaid through the Louisiana Department of Health Medicaid office. Customer service is available through the toll-free number, and there’s a directory of local offices where residents can obtain personalized in-person service. This website has a section titled Helpful Information that may answer some questions.
Medicaid.gov(877) 267-2323NationwideAnother way to get help with Louisiana Medicaid is through the national Medicaid site. There are informative articles to read, along with a toll-free number for customer service.,Email assistance is available through this office at Medicaid.gov@cms.hhs.gov.
Area Agencies on Aging (AAA)(225) 342-7100Entire stateThe Governor’s Office of Elderly Affairs publishes a directory of Louisiana AAA offices. These agencies not only provide help with Medicaid applications but also offer an array of other free resources and services to seniors.

Does Medicare Cover In-Home Care in Louisiana?

In general, Medicare does not cover the cost of non-medical home care. That being said, there are situations in which Medicare provides some coverage for medical home care, referred to as “Home Healthcare.” There are several eligibility restrictions for coverage, including that individuals must be homebound and have a referral from their doctor specifically for home healthcare services.

Below is an overview of some of the skilled medical professionals whose in-home services are typically covered by Medicare – for more in-depth information, refer to our Guide to Home Healthcare.

  • Physical Therapists: Physical therapy is used to help patients recover from injuries (broken bones, knee injuries, etc.), treat ongoing conditions such as arthritis, and assist in recovery from surgeries and procedures such as a knee or hip replacement.
  • Visiting Nurses: Licensed nurses can provide a number of medical services for those who don’t need to stay in the hospital, but do need regular medical services such as wound care, changing feeding tubes, etc.
  • Occupational Therapists: Occupational therapists help seniors regain or maintain the ability to accomplish normal, daily tasks, such as bathing, dressing, eating, and other daily activities.
  • Speech Therapists: Speech therapists help seniors who are struggling to adequately communicate due to a stroke, dementia, or any other cause regain the ability to functionally communicate using a variety of means. Additionally, speech therapists help to keep seniors independent by modifying diets, teaching special techniques to swallow safely, and retraining associated muscles.

As mentioned above, in-home care is distinctly different from home healthcare. But, there can be some overlap in services between the two types of care. So, while Medicare doesn’t cover non-medical in-home care, there are in-home care services that may be covered in special circumstances when they’re provided in conjunction with home healthcare (such as an occupational therapist helping with eating or dressing)

Other Financial Assistance Options for In-Home Care in Louisiana

While the above programs help many people finance in-home care, they will not cover all costs for everyone. There are other ways to pay for in-home care, including out-of-pocket arrangements with siblings, annuities, reverse mortgages, private insurance and more. Read Caring.com’s Guide to In-Home Care Costs to learn more about these alternative payment options.

Free and Low-Cost Resources for Seniors in Louisiana

There are free services for Louisiana seniors, including energy assistance and home repair programs. Older adults can access nutritional programs and even receive free transportation through various government and nonprofit agencies. Most of these resources are statewide, although some only cover certain areas.

ResourceContactArea ServedService
LIHEAP Energy Assistance(225) 763-8700Entire stateThrough LIHEAP, seniors in Louisiana can receive help paying their energy bills. This service has financial eligibility requirements and is federally funded.
Single-Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants(318) 343-4467Entire stateSenior homeowners can receive federal grants for necessary home repairs through the USDA. Like most assistance programs, this one is income-dependent. The phone number listed is for the Monroe area; on the website’s contact page, you’ll find phone numbers for other offices in the state.
Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)(800) 522-3333Entire stateEligible seniors can receive free monthly food boxes through CSFP, a statewide government program. Some of the items these boxes contain include canned meat, produce, cheese, oatmeal, pasta or rice, dry milk and peanut butter.
Louisiana Law HelpOnlineEntire stateThis website helps seniors navigate the complex legal process and can direct them to free legal aid services throughout the state. There are links to court forms, housing and disaster-relief programs, and many other helpful resources on this statewide resource.
United Way of Southwest Louisiana 2-1-12-1-1Southwest LouisianaThe United Way of Southwest Louisiana provides many free services to the area’s seniors. Through the website, seniors can learn more about the area’s 2-1-1 service. Call 2-1-1 for crisis intervention, food services, senior transportation, financial assistance and many other services.

In-Home Care Laws and Regulations in Louisiana

In an effort to protect those who require in-home care, the state of Louisiana maintains strict regulations regarding who can provide care.

TopicRule
Scope of CareA home care provider is defined as a company, either for profit or not-for-profit, that provides home care services for individuals in need.
Care Plan RequirementsCaregivers must put together individual service plans for each client that meet their goals and objectives based on the individual's strengths and areas of need.
Medication ManagementMedication management is considered an instrumental activity of daily living and is included in care plans as necessary.
Staff Screening RequirementsStaff members are required to undergo background checks prior to hiring. Those hired cannot have a criminal record or appear on sex offender registries.
Staff Training RequirementsStaff members must undergo comprehensive training before being permitted to work with clients.
Medicaid CoverageMedicaid programs can be used to cover care where eligible or applicable.
Reporting AbuseElder abuse can be reported to Elderly Protective Services at 1-833-577-6532 or (225) 342-0144, 24 hours a day.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Find an In-Home Care Provider in Louisiana

Whether you are looking for yourself or a loved one, finding a quality home care provider can be a stressful process. When you hire an in-home care aide you’re placing a lot of trust in the hands of the person by inviting them into your home, so you’ll want to be diligent in your search. At Caring.com, we’re here to help – we’ve created a helpful checklist below that can help guide you through the process of both determining your needs and finding a home care agency that will provide the best care possible.

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Finding a Home Care Provider Checklist
Finding a Home Care Provider Checklist

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Caring.com

Caring.com is a leading online destination for caregivers seeking information and support as they care for aging parents, spouses, and other loved ones. We offer thousands of original articles, helpful tools, advice from more than 50 leading experts, a community of caregivers, and a comprehensive directory of caregiving services.

 

The material on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal, financial, professional, or medical advice or diagnosis or treatment. By using our website, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

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