6 Assisted Living Facilities in Lake Charles, LA

Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in Lake Charles

• Seniors with respiratory concerns can breathe freely in Lake Charles, as the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality regularly gives the area a "good" air quality rating. The area is warm and humid nearly year round, though, which can be difficult for those with chronic sinus woes.
  
  
• While the area gets a lot of rainfall and is at risk for the occasional tropical storm or hurricane, average lows are 59.1 degrees F and average highs are 78.1 degrees F, making Lake Charles a good choice for seniors that like to spend time outdoors — especially in spring and fall.
  
  
• The cost of living index in Lake Charles is lower than both the state and  national averages, making it an affordable location for seniors. Utility costs are especially low when compared to other areas, so seniors can afford to keep apartments cool during the hot summers, even if their ALF requires them to pay part or all of their own utility costs.
  
  
• The crime rate in Lake Charles is well above the national average, and statistically, 1 in 21 people in the city become victims to crime. Seniors in secure assisted living facilities are less likely to be victimized by local crime, so security may need to be a consideration when looking at communities in the area.
  
  
• The Lake Charles area is home to world-class medical facilities, including Lake Charles Memorial Hospital, CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital and CHRISTUS Lake Area Hospital, in the event of medical emergencies or illness.
  
  
• Lake Charles is a bastion of Cajun and South Louisiana culture. Seniors can visit the Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu, paying only 50 percent of the standard admission price, or walk the boardwalks at Prien Lake Park for free.