Memory Care in Louisiana

Q: How much does memory care cost in Louisiana?

The average monthly cost for memory care in Louisiana is $4,563 per month, based on a rough estimate where memory care is priced 20% to 30% higher than standard assisted living. This figure is about 19% more affordable compared to nursing home care in the Bayou State.

Q: Does Louisiana Medicaid pay for memory care?

Yes. Louisiana&#8217;s Medicaid waivers for home and community-based services cover seniors who are financially eligible and require a nursing facility level of care. Some recipients may also qualify for more than one waiver program, and some programs are subject to waiting lists.

Q: Does Medicare pay for memory care?

Medicare doesn&#8217;t directly pay for memory care services in residential facilities. However, it covers care planning and cognitive assessment costs for eligible seniors diagnosed with dementia, and it may provide partial coverage of skilled nursing services and hospice care.

Q: What are activities of daily living?

Activities of daily living are routine self-care tasks such as eating, bathing, dressing, toileting and mobility. These ADLs require basic life skills for them to be properly performed, and they are used for evaluating an individual&#8217;s abilities and long-term care needs.

Q: What security features are present in memory care facilities?

Memory care facilities are secured by controlled-entry access and 24-hour monitoring and alert systems that detect incidents of wandering. Residential units are equipped with emergency call systems, and residents may wear medical alert pendants or bracelets for added safety.

Q: How Many Memory Care Facilities Are in Louisiana?

Louisiana offers support for people with dementia in 85 memory care facilities. The caregivers in these facilities are trained to provide specialized care to support Louisiana residents with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Residential memory care is often necessary when family members can’t provide the kind of care a person with memory loss needs. These facilities offer a safe, secure environment while easing the burden of caregiving from loved ones. <a href="https://www.caring.com/answers/how-many-memory-care-facilities-are-in-louisiana/">Read More</a>

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.

The Cost of Memory Care in Louisiana

Note: Typically, memory care services are offered within assisted living facilities, and costs are usually between 20-30% higher than assisted living. No current authoritative source for memory care pricing currently exists, so we’ve estimated the costs below by adding 25% to assisted living rates as shown in Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey.

Memory care in Louisiana is $4,685 per month, very similar to costs in Arkansas, at $4,700 per month. Mississippi’s memory care is a few hundred dollars less each month, at $4,375, and Texas’ rates are several hundred more, at $4,998 each month.

Memory care pricing can vary across cities in Louisiana. In many locations, costs are higher than the state average. For instance, at $6,000 each month, Houma’s rates are about $1,400 above the state average, while Baton Rouge ($5,156) and New Orleans ($4,966) are several hundred higher. In Shreveport ($4,838) and Lafayette ($4,813), prices are closer, but still slightly higher. Contrast this to Monroe, where rates drop significantly to $3,313 per month.

Baton Rouge

$5156

Houma

$6000

New Orleans

$4966

Shreveport

$4838

Lafayette

$4813

Monroe

$3313

In addition to memory care, Louisiana has other types of senior care. Nursing home prices for a private room are approximately $1,400 more than memory care, at $6,060, while residing in a semiprivate room costs $5,759 per month. Seniors receiving care at home pay, on average, $3,623 per month, and if they need health care services at home, that rate increases to $3,718. In assisted living facilities, where seniors have less need of around-the-clock care, prices are $3,748 on average, while single-day visits to an adult day health care center cost $1,788.

Adult Day Health Care

$1788

Assisted Living

$3748

Home Care

$3623

Home Health Care

$3718

Memory Care

$4685

Nursing Home (semiprivate)

$5759

Nursing Home (private)

$6060

Does Medicaid Cover Memory Care in Louisiana?

Note: For the purposes of this guide, when we say “Memory Care” we are referring to memory care provided in a “social setting,” such as an Assisted Living Facility. This is the most common way to receive Memory Care and is the best fit for all but the frailest seniors. Sometimes the actual service of memory care can be provided in a Nursing Home (“medical setting”), so the financial assistance options will be very different. To learn more about the financial assistance options available for memory care provided in a nursing home, read our guide to Nursing Home Care in Louisiana.

If seniors in need of memory care services also qualify for Medicaid, they can apply for one of the three possible Home and Community-Based Programs: Long-Term Personal Care Services, Community Choices Waiver or the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, available in select counties only. These programs provide a wide variety of services both medical and non-medical.

What Memory Care Services Are Covered by Medicaid in Louisiana?

Louisiana’s Home and Community-Based Programs do not cover room and board in residential memory care, services can help support individuals in their home and community through therapies, assistance with daily living activities or respite care for caregivers. These supports are also designed to help delay nursing home placement and provide those living with dementia help with personal care, transportation, meals and other useful services.

Memory Care Waiver Programs in Louisiana

Beneficiaries of these programs can receive supportive care services either at a private residence or an adult daycare facility. Most are designed to help recipients stay in their homes and delay nursing home placement and include assistance like companionship, personal care services or skilled nursing care.

Program	Contact	Service provided
Long-Term Personal Care Services	(877) 456-1146	Available to Medicaid recipients 65 and older who meet nursing home admission criteria, Long-Term Personal Care Services helps seniors with basic personal care, assistance with eating and food prep, transportation and grocery shopping. The LTPCS program supplements other community supports, and the number of services will depend on an assessment that determines how much assistance is needed with daily living tasks.
Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly	(504) 945-1531	Provided by an interdisciplinary team of health professionals, PACE is provided to those Medicaid recipients living in the New Orleans area. Recipients need to be 55 and older and require a nursing home level of care. Home health, respite services, transportation and more are included in the PACE program.
Community Choices Waiver	(877) 456-1146	The Community Choices Waiver differs from the LTPCS program in that beneficiaries create individual service packages using the provided budget. The wide array of services includes home modifications, including assistive technology and monitoring systems, personal care and caregiver respite.

How to Know If You’re Eligible for Medicaid in Louisiana

Receiving Medicaid in Louisiana depends on applicants’ income, assets, age and citizenship, among other criteria. Single applicants can earn no more than $30,276 in a year, and the same is expected in situations where only one person of a two-person household is applying. Held assets cannot exceed $2,000 for single applicants, but in a two-person household where only one individual is seeing coverage, the non-applicant is able to keep $137,400 in assets. Income limits double, to $60,552, for two-person households where both people are applying, and assets increase to $3,000. Other specific qualifications include:

65 and older, have a disability or be legally blind
Full-time Louisiana residency, permanent resident or legal alien
Annual gross income of $30,276 or less when applying as an individual
Assets totaling no more than $2,000

2022 Basic Medicaid Income Limits for Seniors in Louisiana

	Income limits*	Asset limits
Single Applicant	$30,276	$2,000
Two-Person Household (Only One Person Applying)	$30,276	$2,000 for applicant $137,400 for non-applicant
Two-Person Household (Both People Applying)	$60,552	$3,000

*Per year

Louisiana has a “Spend Down” program, also called Medically Needy Program, for seniors whose incomes exceed the limits. Seniors can spend down their income paying for high medical bills until their income reaches eligibility limits. The MNP monthly amounts are $100 for an individual applicant and $192 for a couple in some urban areas, and even lower, $92 and $167 for those living in rural areas. In a similar way, seniors can spend down their assets on qualifying purchases, such as home modifications, paying off existing debt or prepaying funeral or burial costs.

How to Apply for Medicaid in Louisiana

Applications for Medicaid in Louisiana can be completed online, through the Louisiana Medicaid Online Application, at one of the statewide Medicaid Application Centers, or by downloading, printing, and bringing a completed application to Medicaid as directed on the form. Help completing the forms is available online or at your local Medicaid office. Assistance is also available by calling the Medicaid hotline at (888) 342-6207, Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Information You Will Need

When preparing your Medicaid application, you will need proof of income and assets from the past five years, which includes all opened or closed bank and investment accounts, a Social Security award letter, any Veterans benefits, and all other forms of income.

In addition, you will need to include:

Government ID such as driver’s license to verify residency status and citizenship
Home appraisal
Income tax returns from the previous five years
Any vehicle or home titles
Any prepaid funeral or burial arrangements
Will, power of attorney or other documents pertaining to your estate or care

How to Get Help Applying for Medicaid

Seniors applying to Medicaid in Louisiana have access to help with completing their applications or general questions either online, by phone or in-person, at their local Medicaid office.

Program	Contact	Service provided
Medicaid Regional Offices	Varies by location	Staff is available to answer questions in person during weekday normal operating hours.
Medicaid Toll-Free Hotline	(888) 342-6207	Agents are available weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to help with application questions.
Medicaid Online Question Form	Online	Applicants can complete a short questionnaire including contact information so staff can contact them with more information about Medicaid and Medicaid-related programs.

Does Medicare Cover Memory Care in Louisiana?

The short answer is that no, Medicare does not cover the cost of memory care in Louisiana. As was mentioned above, this doesn’t apply to Memory Care received in a Nursing Home. Since it is the most common to receive memory care in a “social setting” (such as an assisted living facility), Medicare won’t be a viable financial assistance option for most seniors who need Memory Care. However, Medicare will still cover things like approved medications, doctor visits, medical equipment, etc., just like it would if you lived at home.

For more information about when Medicare can be used to pay for Memory Care in a nursing home, and for Medicare-related resources, see our guide to Nursing Homes in Louisiana.

Other Financial Assistance Options for Memory Care in Louisiana

Seniors who are not eligible (due to location, financial situation, or other factors) for other types of financial assistance, do still have some options. See the table below for an overview of some of the most common ways to make Memory Care affordable.

Name	How To Apply	How It Works
Aid and Attendance	Learn more and apply online at va.gov.	Veterans who receive a VA pension may also be eligible for the Aid and Attendance benefit, a monthly cash allowance that veterans receive in addition to their standard pension amount. The benefit is intended for veterans in need of long-term care services and may be used towards paying for Memory Care.
Reverse Mortgages	Learn more about your options and how to apply at ftc.gov	If you own a home, you may be able to use a reverse mortgage to help pay for Memory Care. Reverse mortgages are loans that one can take out against the value of their home, essentially converting some of the home's equity into cash. Reverse mortgage loans do need to be repaid with interest, typically within 12 months of receiving the loan.
Long-Term Care (LTC) Insurance	Learn more about Long-Term Care Insurance and how to apply for a policy at acl.gov.	Seniors who already have long-term care insurance may be able to use it to pay for Memory Care. Most policies cover at least a portion of the cost, but it depends on the specific policy terms. Note that older adults who are already in need of Memory Care will not typically be eligible to sign up for an LTC insurance policy.

Free and Low-Cost Resources for Seniors in Louisiana

Free or low-cost resources are available to help seniors with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers in Louisiana find community support through counseling and support groups, activities and health care, living will assistance and more. Available services include information about long-term care options, adult day care services and activities and events offered at senior centers throughout the state.

Resource	Contact	Service
Alzheimer’s Association Louisiana Chapter	1-800-272-3900	The Alzheimer’s Association of Louisiana provides a wide number of services and supports for those living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. A number of educational tools are offered online, including courses for caregivers to help them manage the complexities of dementia. Families can call the 24/7 hotline for immediate support and access to pertinent local resources.
Louisiana Answers	1-225-342-7100	Designed to help families find the best long-term care option for their loved one, Louisiana Answers connects individuals with local Aging and Disability Resource Centers. A resource directory with a number of regional and national websites to help navigate long-term care is also provided.
Louisiana Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment	1-225-334-9299	Offering online and in-person education on advance care planning, Louisiana Physicians Orders for Scope of Treatment helps document the end-of-life care plans for those with serious, terminal illnesses. The LaPOST electronic registry allows health care providers to access the documents online, allowing them to integrate plans with their own care protocols.
LousisianaLawHelp.org	Varies by location	Providing free civil legal services relative to elders and long-term care, Louisiana Law Help provides information and links to statewide resources that can assist with common elder care legal issues such as living wills or elder abuse. Families can find a local lawyer in their area that addresses their area of concern by using the online search tool.
Adult Day Health Care Services	Find local facility using directory	Located in various cities across the state, adult day health care centers provide a variety of services for seniors with dementia. Adult day care centers provide respite for caregivers and offer social interaction, structured daily activities and therapies on a daily basis for those living with Alzheimer’s.
Senior Centers	Find local facility using directory	For those seniors with mild cognitive impairment, local senior centers can offer opportunities for socialization alongside physical, educational and mental activities that can stimulate and engage. Transportation is frequently available to and from the centers, and seniors can visit for activities or congregant dining.

Memory Care Laws and Regulations in Louisiana

Assisted living facilities in Louisiana are referred to as Adult Residential Care Programs, and those that provide memory care services are designated with Specialized Dementia Care Programs. These facilities are licensed by the Health Standards Section of the Louisiana Department of Health and have their own general provisions.

Topic	Rule
Scope of Care	Upon request by the public, Adult Residential Care Providers with specialized dementia care programs shall provide written information on the following: The form of care or treatment provided The memory care unit’s philosophy and mission Criteria for inclusion and discontinuance of participation in the memory care program Assessment, care planning and processes for ensuring the care plan’s responsiveness to changes Staffing patterns, training and continuing education The memory care unit’s physical environment and design features Family involvement and availability of family support programs Activities specifically for residents with dementia Frequency of the activities Safety policies and procedures, security monitoring systems Program fees
Care Plans	Within 30 calendar days of a resident’s admission, an ARCP shall develop a Person-Centered Service Plan based on the resident’s assessment.
Medication Management	Medication administration may only be performed by registered nurses, licensed nursing practitioners and those licensed to practice medicine or osteopathy. Intravenous therapy by staff from select ARCPs is permitted on a time-limited basis and must be under the supervision of a licensed RN, physician or advanced practice nurse.
Staffing	ARCPs shall have sufficient and trained direct care staff at all times to meet the residents’ scheduled and unscheduled needs. Within the first 90 days of employment, all ARCP employees must receive dementia training based on dementia-specific training curricula approved by the LDH. In addition, direct care staff shall receive at least eight hours of dementia-specific training annually, while non-direct care employees who have regular contact with residents require at least two hours annually. All other employees shall receive written general information on interacting with residents with dementia.
Medicaid Coverage	Residents enrolled in home and community-based services waivers should have comprehensive care plans developed in accordance with Medicaid’s or the LDH’s policies and procedures. These care plans may substitute PCSPs for reimbursement purposes. However, a PCSP must be coordinated if a resident needs services beyond what the comprehensive plan of care provides.
Reporting Abuse	ARCPs shall report suspected incidents of abuse, neglect, injuries of unknown origin and misappropriation of personal property to the HSS. An initial report shall be submitted within 24 hours of occurrence or discovery of the incident, and a final report must be submitted within five business days regardless of the outcome.