There are plenty of reasons why more than 730,000 seniors ages 65 and older, nearly 16% of the population, call Louisiana home. Tenth in the nation for Alzheimer’s cases, Louisiana has seen a rapid rise in Alzheimer’s, with numbers increasing by 149% since 2000. In 2020, 92,000 seniors 65 and older had Alzheimer’s, and that number is expected to increase to 110,000 by 2025. This is expected to have a deeply significant cost impact for both families and taxpayers alike. Caregivers account for more than $3 trillion in unpaid care, while the cost of providing paid care is expected to top $1.1 trillion by 2050.
With some of the lowest property taxes in the country and an absence of Social Security or public pension taxes, Louisiana offers seniors the ability to keep more of their retirement money. The climate is hot and rainy, but there are no frigid winters to endure, appealing to seniors looking for a more temperate environment. The cost of living is also significantly lower than the national average, and health care costs are slightly lower as well. There are 11 physicians for every 100,000 residents, which is lower than the 210 per 100,000 U.S. average. Seniors pay, on average, approximately $4,685 per month for memory care services.
Memory care can either be offered on its own in a community designed especially for those with dementia or Alzheimer’s, or, more often, it’s provided as a service in a separate wing of an assisted living facility. Memory care programs are designed specifically for those with memory impairment, and the facilities often coordinate social activities and schedules specifically for the needs of those living with Alzheimer’s or dementia.
As well as an overview of memory care costs, this guide provides a comparison of those costs with other types of long-term care. Memory care financing options, a resource directory and an explanation of state regulations for memory care programs are also included.