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
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 facility to be pleasant and comfortable. The Verandah consistently earns top marks from visitors and relatives for its stellar appearance, accommodating staff, cleanliness and food quality. Visitors are also impressed that the facility offers aerobics and swimming to keep the residents active, as well as a full activity schedule, including games, arts and crafts, book clubs and socializing.
(read less)
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 facility to be pleasant and comfortable. The Verandah consistently earns top marks from visitors and relatives for its stellar appearance, accommodating staff, cleanliness and food quality. Visitors are also impressed that the facility offers aerobics and swimming to keep the residents active, as well as a full activity schedule, including games, arts and crafts, book clubs and socializing.
(read less)
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 are happy. The rooms at the facility are cozy studios or one-bedroom suites, and regular activities include bingo, cooking classes, visiting entertainers and card games. Residents appreciate the laundry and cleaning services and enjoy three meals a day in the classy dining room. Visitors and residents are welcome to socialize in the large outdoor courtyard with a hot cup of coffee.
(read less)
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 are happy. The rooms at the facility are cozy studios or one-bedroom suites, and regular activities include bingo, cooking classes, visiting entertainers and card games. Residents appreciate the laundry and cleaning services and enjoy three meals a day in the classy dining room. Visitors and residents are welcome to socialize in the large outdoor courtyard with a hot cup of coffee.
(read less)
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 understaffed. The attitude of the staff was good. They were good considering they had a lot of patients. The food wasn’t too good though. I wouldn’t recommend it over some other places. The place was clean.
(read less)
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 understaffed. The attitude of the staff was good. They were good considering they had a lot of patients. The food wasn’t too good though. I wouldn’t recommend it over some other places. The place was clean.
(read less)
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, except for the director who gave us the tour of the facilities. But as far as the caretakers, I didn’t see much activity going on with that part. They didn’t open that up to let us meet with any of the caregivers there, so I was not enthused with that part.
The only thing he showed us was the dining area and the sleeping quarters. He didn’t take us on the other side. I don’t know if it was due to the pandemic. I could see from the distance across the breezeway, the courtyard, that the nurses and the healthcare workers were working with patients across there. But he never took us across to see what it entailed, and the activities that they would do. We didn’t get to see any of that. The only thing he gave us a tour of was the sleeping quarters and the dining area where they would be eating. I wasn’t pleased with that part, because it was very claustrophobic.
I got to see a couple of rooms and they were smaller than what my dad’s in now. He would have his little bed and his bathroom. It was a little too compact. There were no appliances. They had a little courtyard area. It wasn’t that big, but they did have one. I mean, the one that he showed us, it wasn’t like a spacious courtyard.
(read less)
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, except for the director who gave us the tour of the facilities. But as far as the caretakers, I didn’t see much activity going on with that part. They didn’t open that up to let us meet with any of the caregivers there, so I was not enthused with that part.
The only thing he showed us was the dining area and the sleeping quarters. He didn’t take us on the other side. I don’t know if it was due to the pandemic. I could see from the distance across the breezeway, the courtyard, that the nurses and the healthcare workers were working with patients across there. But he never took us across to see what it entailed, and the activities that they would do. We didn’t get to see any of that. The only thing he gave us a tour of was the sleeping quarters and the dining area where they would be eating. I wasn’t pleased with that part, because it was very claustrophobic.
I got to see a couple of rooms and they were smaller than what my dad’s in now. He would have his little bed and his bathroom. It was a little too compact. There were no appliances. They had a little courtyard area. It wasn’t that big, but they did have one. I mean, the one that he showed us, it wasn’t like a spacious courtyard.
(read less)
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 love the attentive, knowledgeable and friendly staff. This facility is on the property of a Catholic Church, so residents enjoy many community and religious events, as well as activities including bingo, movie nights and Bible studies. Family members praise the free transportation for shopping, entertainment and medical appointments, along with the convenience of the indoor swimming pool, gym and beauty/barber shop.
(read less)
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 love the attentive, knowledgeable and friendly staff. This facility is on the property of a Catholic Church, so residents enjoy many community and religious events, as well as activities including bingo, movie nights and Bible studies. Family members praise the free transportation for shopping, entertainment and medical appointments, along with the convenience of the indoor swimming pool, gym and beauty/barber shop.
(read less)
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
