Lake Charles, Louisiana, is a thriving industrial city located just 30 miles from the Texas border. This community of 81,000 has an average number of seniors who represent about 16% of the population. Older residents can enjoy a mild Southern climate, and the city has a lively waterfront offering entertainment and gambling. The community is also home to a Mardi Gras museum and several noteworthy art collections.

Seniors who aren’t comfortable living alone or who need extra help around the house may consider assisted living. These facilities provide private apartment-style accommodations, 24-hour staffing and ongoing recreational activities to help residents build social connections and maintain their health. According to Genworth Financial’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey, the median cost of assisted living in Lake Charles is $4,000 per month, which is higher than other parts of the state but lower than the national average.

This guide provides an overview of the Lake Charles area, including local amenities and senior services. It also includes a detailed comparison of assisted living prices and a directory of local agencies that help seniors and their families.

Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in Lake Charles, LA

2016, 2019, 2020

The Verandah Independent and Assisted Living

5851 Gray Market Drive , Lake Charles, LA, 70605

The Verandah Independent and Assisted Living facility is conveniently located near downtown Lake Charles, close to dining and shopping venues. Friends and relatives note that the residents find the fa … (read more)
The Verandah Independent and Assisted Living facility is conveniently located near downtown Lake Charles, close to dining and shopping venues. Friends and relatives note that the residents find the fa … (read more)
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2016, 2019, 2020

2013

Brookdale Lake Charles

2420 Country Club Rd., Lake Charles, LA, 70605

Brookdale Lake Charles, nestled away in the heart of Lake Charles, Louisiana, is a warm and friendly senior community run by friendly staff members who go out of their way to make sure all residents a … (read more)
Brookdale Lake Charles, nestled away in the heart of Lake Charles, Louisiana, is a warm and friendly senior community run by friendly staff members who go out of their way to make sure all residents a … (read more)

The Gardens Assisted Living

1401 Country Club Road, Lake Charles, LA, 70605

My wife was at The Gardens Assisted Living. It was good until the COVID thing started and that’s why I took her out of there before it got out of hand. She had pretty good care there, but they were un … (read more)
My wife was at The Gardens Assisted Living. It was good until the COVID thing started and that’s why I took her out of there before it got out of hand. She had pretty good care there, but they were un … (read more)

Sage Oak Assisted Living and Memory Care of Lake Charles

5650 Weaver Road , Lake Charles, LA, 70605

At Sage Oak Assisted Living and Memory Care of Lake Charles, the cleanliness and the amenities that they had to offer were really nice. Since they are newly built or whatever, there wasn’t any staff, … (read more)
At Sage Oak Assisted Living and Memory Care of Lake Charles, the cleanliness and the amenities that they had to offer were really nice. Since they are newly built or whatever, there wasn’t any staff, … (read more)

Villa Maria Retirement Center

3905 Kingston Place, Lake Charles, LA, 70605

Villa Maria Retirement Center is located near I-210 in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Seniors appreciate being able to furnish the spacious studio apartments themselves, so they feel more at home, and they … (read more)
Villa Maria Retirement Center is located near I-210 in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Seniors appreciate being able to furnish the spacious studio apartments themselves, so they feel more at home, and they … (read more)

Cedarwood Manor, Inc.

800 Avenue J, Lake Charles, LA, 70615

The food that is served to the residents comes from the parish jail! I know this first hand bc I was in the work release program on the second floor and made their trays personally!
The food that is served to the residents comes from the parish jail! I know this first hand bc I was in the work release program on the second floor and made their trays personally!

Chennault Place Inc

1200 Canvasback St, Lake Charles, LA, 70615


COVID-19 Rules for Assisted Living in Lake Charles

Since most COVID-19 rules for Assisted Living Communities and other Senior Living Facilities are set at the state level, you can view the specific rules for your state on our Guide to Assisted Living in Louisiana. Keep in mind that every community has specific policies that they put in place to protect their residents, so you should contact your local community for more information. Additionally, you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more – find contact information here.

What to Consider About Assisted Living in Lake Charles

Assisted living facilities in Lake Charles are licensed as adult residential care providers by the Louisiana Department of Health, Health Standards Section. The state has four licensing categories based on the size of the facility as well as the type of accommodations and services they offer.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in Lake Charles

  • Lake Charles offers residents a competitive cost of living that’s about 15% lower than the national average and slightly lower than other parts of the state. Nearly all essentials, including housing, groceries, health care and utilities, are more affordable than average, which benefits budget-conscious seniors.
  • Health care access in Louisiana’s fifth-largest city is about average. Although the area has fewer physicians compared to similarly sized cities, there are a number of hospitals nearby. Lake Charles Memorial Hospital and Ochsner St. Patrick Hospital are both rated as high-performing by U.S. News & World Report.
  • Louisiana is tax-friendly for older adults despite the area’s high sales tax rate of 10.3%. Social Security benefits aren’t taxed, however, and seniors can claim a $6,000 exemption on other forms of retirement income, which increases to $12,000 for couples filing jointly. The state has low property tax rates and generous homestead exemptions for seniors.
  • Older adults in Lake Charles who don’t have reliable transportation or need help getting around town may qualify for free rides through the Calcasieu Council on Aging. Rides are available through fixed-route bus lines, door-to-door paratransit services and volunteer drivers.
  • Crime in Lake Charles is higher than the national average, but numbers have improved in recent years. The city has a violent crime index of 40.5 compared to the national average of 22.7. Property crime is nearly twice the national average at 61.2 versus 35.4. For seniors who live alone, assisted living may be a safer alternative due to staffing and other security measures.
  • Lake Charles is a comfortable location for most seniors. The city has a mild Gulf-influenced climate with winter lows around 40 degrees and summer highs around 90. The area receives an above-average 62 inches of rain annually. However, there’s no snow, and residents can enjoy approximately 213 sunny days for outdoor recreation.

Paying for Assisted Living in Lake Charles

With a median cost of $4,000 per month, assisted living in Lake Charles is between the state median of $3,748 and the national average of $4,500.

The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities

Assisted living prices in Lake Charles are about midrange when compared to other regional cities. Residents pay about $250 more than the state median but $500 less than the national average. More affordable locations include Lafayette at $3,850 and Alexandria at $2,900, which provides an estimated savings of $1,100 per month. Seniors in the state capital of Baton Rouge pay just $125 more per month for care. However, prices increase by $800 to $4,800 in Houma.

$4000

Lake Charles

$3748

Louisiana

$4500

United States

$2900

Alexandria

$3850

Lafayette

$4125

Baton Rouge

$4800

Houma

The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care

Seniors who aren’t ready to transition to a residential care facility can use home care or home health care for approximately $3,909 per month depending on how many hours of assistance they need. Alternatively, seniors can travel to a daytime health care center. These programs have a median cost of $1,788 statewide. Seniors who choose assisted living facilities can save over $1,800 per month compared to those who reside in nursing homes or skilled rehabilitation centers.

$3909

In-Home Care

$3909

Home Health Care

$4000

Assisted Living Facility

$5887

Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Lake Charles

Eligible seniors in Lake Charles, Louisiana can find a number of state and federal assistance programs to help with the cost of an assisted living facility. These include the Community Choices Waiver (CCW) and Supplemental Security Income Category G.

Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Assisted Living in Louisiana page.

Paying For Assisted Living in Louisiana

More Ways to Pay for Assisted Living

While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for assisted living, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance assisted living costs include:

  • Veterans Benefits
  • Life Insurance Policy
  • Long-Term Care Insurance
  • Reverse Mortgage

For more information about different ways to finance assisted living, visit our Assisted Living in Louisiana page.

Free Assisted Living Resources in Lake Charles

Seniors in Lake Charles who are considering assisted living or are looking for ways to maintain their independence can contact the following agencies for assistance. Numerous resources are available to help with nutrition, transportation, medical care and healthy aging.

Resource

Contact

Description

(337) 474-2583

This Area Agency on Aging provides an extensive array of services for seniors and their families. The agency's long-term care ombudsman can answer questions about assisted living. It also offers transportation, community-based care and referrals to other supportive services.

(337) 437-3399

Calcasieu Parish sponsors a wide variety of programs for older adults, including senior games, volunteer opportunities and lifelong learning programs. The parish Police Jury distributes food boxes to local seniors, and volunteers are available to help residents with grocery shopping and errands.

(337) 491-1269 / (337) 433-0805

Residents of Lake Charles can visit one of two local senior centers. The Second Avenue Park Senior Citizen Center is part of a community-based recreation facility and aquatic center. The Calcasieu Council on Aging operates a second facility located on Fifth Street. Both offer crafts, clubs, recreational activities and health screenings.

(337) 491-2312

Located in the Calcasieu Parish Courthouse, this state office helps veterans and their dependents access benefits provided by the state and federal governments. Resources may be available for veterans who are disabled, require long-term care or want to move into assisted living. Service officers help with applications, appeals and record-gathering.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Lake Charles

Lake Charles Assisted Living Communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all Assisted Living Facilities in Louisiana are required to follow. Visit our Assisted Living in Louisiana page for more information about these laws.

Louisiana Laws and Regulations