A Guide to Lutheran Assisted Living
Date Published: September 3, 2023
Moving to an assisted living community can be a difficult transition for some seniors. One way to make this change a little easier is to select an assisted living facility that matches your core values. One way to do so is by choosing a faith-based community.
The Pew Research Center reports that 65% of seniors state that religion is an important part of their life. If you or your loved one fall into this category, it can be particularly important to find a faith-based assisted living community.
In the United States, there are faith-based communities designed for members of a variety of religions, including Lutheran. This guide provides information about what Lutheran assisted living is, the benefits this option provides and tips for finding a Lutheran senior living community in your area.
What Is Lutheran Assisted Living?
In many ways, a Lutheran assisted living community is like a standard senior living center. Trained caregivers are on hand to assist seniors with activities of daily living, such as bathing, grooming and toileting. In most cases, these communities also offer standard services, including meal preparation, light housekeeping and laundry.
Lutheran assisted living communities also offer faith-based services and amenities, such as:
- on-site chapels
- regular worship services
- an on-staff chaplain.
The addition of these services can help residents feel more comfortable living in the assisted living community and stay connected to their faith.
How Is Lutheran Assisted Living Different From Regular Assisted Living?
While Lutheran assisted living is like regular senior care communities, there are quite a few differences. The most notable distinction is that these communities infuse Christian values into their services and amenities. You can expect to find various specialized services and amenities at many Lutheran assisted living communities, such as:
- On-site chapels
- Daily prayer
- Bible studies
- Weekly religious ceremonies
- Support groups
- Christian symbols
- Celebrating Christian holidays
What Are the Benefits of Lutheran Assisted Living?
Choosing the ideal Lutheran senior living facility requires carefully considering multiple factors to ensure the best match for you or your loved one’s needs. Living at a Lutheran assisted living facility offers several benefits, including:
- Faith-Based Lifestyle: Living in a Lutheran assisted living community allows seniors to maintain their regular religious practices, such as Bible reading, with ease.
- Sense of Belonging: Residing with people who share core beliefs can give seniors a sense of belonging.
- Fellowship: Religious activities can help seniors socialize.
- Spiritual Guidance: Living at a Lutheran assisted living home gives seniors easy access to spiritual guidance from an on-staff or visiting minister.
- Overall Well-Being: Lutheran assisted living communities focus on physical, mental and spiritual health.
- Christian Holidays: Seniors staying at a Lutheran assisted living community can celebrate many Christian holidays, including Christmas, Lent and Easter.
Tips for Finding a Lutheran Senior Living Community
There are hundreds of Lutheran senior living communities located throughout the country. Finding the right one for you can be a little tricky. Below is a look at several tips for finding the right Lutheran senior living community.
- Find communities in your area: The first step is to identify what Lutheran senior living communities are in your specific location. You can contact your local Lutheran minister for more information.
- Search online: Use search terms such as “Lutheran senior living communities near me,” or simply use Caring’s database by adding your ZIP code, city or state.
- Choose an area to focus on: Look for a community close to the places that matter to you, such as entertainment and medical venues.
- Learn about types of care: Different care options, such as memory care and skilled nursing care, can help narrow down communities.
- Tour communities: Once you’ve made a list of just a few Lutheran assisted living communities, be sure to schedule a tour at each one. Exploring the community in person may help you determine which one feels right for you.
What to Look for in a Lutheran Senior Living Community?
Consider the following checklist when selecting the perfect Lutheran senior living community that aligns with your needs and preferences.
How Much Does Lutheran Assisted Living Cost?
The average cost of assisted living in the United States is $4,500 per month, according to data from 2021. Although Lutheran assisted living provides additional faith-based amenities and services, care costs are similar. It’s important to note that assisted living costs vary depending on location, amenities and services provided. For example, average assisted living costs in California are $5,250 per month compared to just $3,500 per month in Mississippi. Therefore, Lutheran assisted living communities that offer a wide range of services and amenities may be costlier than standard communities.
Financial Assistance for Lutheran Assisted Living
In many cases, assisted living services are not covered under Medicare or private insurance, except for long-term care insurance. This is because insurance companies consider these communities residential centers, not clinical care centers. The same is true for Lutheran assisted living communities, except some organizations may offer financial assistance for seniors in need.
However, there are some financial resources available to help cover the cost of Lutheran senior living. Learn more below.
Medicaid Coverage of Lutheran Assisted Living
Medicaid is a federal and state program predominantly managed by individual states. Many states pay for some assisted living services but may not cover the total costs. For example, it may cover personal care services but not room and board. Many states also have waivers and programs that may cover some additional costs, such as:
- Home and Community-Based Services: States can use HCBS waivers to help eligible seniors cover some costs related to assisted living, such as room and board.
- Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly: In some states, the PACE program can help seniors in need cover costs related to assisted living care.
VA Coverage of Assisted Living
VA benefits do not directly cover standard or Lutheran assisted living costs. Veterans may receive help paying for basic medical expenses, such as medical equipment.
The VA also offers a few programs that can offset the costs of assisted living, including:
- Aid and Attendance Benefits: Eligible veterans may receive extra funds to cover the costs of personal care services.
- Veterans Directed Care Program: Eligible veterans may receive extra funding to pay for a caregiver to provide extra support services.
Resources for Lutheran Seniors
A wide array of Lutheran resources cater to the needs of seniors, offering a range of support and services, including:
Lutheran Services in America is active in over 1,400 communities in 46 states. Its Senior Connect program helps seniors fill in gaps in care, such as transportation and medical services.
Lutheran Social Services are local nonprofit organizations that provide seniors with financial support and referral services.
This nonprofit program is specifically designed to help seniors living in rural areas in Minnesota, Montana, South Dakota and North Dakota find the supportive services they need.
The Connect-Home Collaborative program helps seniors and their family members find the services they need to remain living in their homes. The program can also help seniors transition from a hospital stay to home-based care.
Lutheran Seniors Services offers a resource hotline where seniors can receive answers to age-related questions from trained Elder Care Specialists. It can also connect seniors to community-based services if necessary.
ALOA provides free resources for seniors and their caregivers that cover a variety of topics ranging from health and wellness to faith and spirituality. It helps seniors find ways to remain active in their own church community.
Find Lutheran Senior Living
Frequently Asked Questions
A Lutheran senior living community provides accommodations and supportive services to seniors who require assistance with activities of daily living. As faith-based communities, they also infuse religious practices, symbols and services into their programming.
There is no nationally based Lutheran organization that manages or regulates every Lutheran senior living center in the country. Instead, Lutheran senior living centers are typically managed and operated by local nonprofit organizations. In most cases, these local organizations are affiliated with a Lutheran Church in their specific region.
Lutheran senior living communities provide vital services to seniors who require assistance with daily tasks, such as dressing and bathing, and who also want to remain active in their faith-based practices. This combination of services promotes seniors’ physical, mental and spiritual well-being and can be an ideal option for seniors whose faith is a priority in their lives.
Since each Lutheran senior living community is managed independently, the specific services and amenities will vary from facility to facility. However, these communities are just like other assisted living centers you see around the country, except they follow the core beliefs of the Christian faith. Therefore, you are likely to see Christian symbols and services.