The 3 Best Memory Care Facilities in Lake Charles, LA for 2024

The vibrant community of Lake Charles offers a favorable environment for retirees seeking a low cost of living, warm weather year-round and high access to health care. While the city has a large senior community that accounts for 16% of its 85,000 residents, information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that Alzheimer’s-related deaths are decreasing. In 2016, about 5% of deaths in the county were linked to Alzheimer’s, compared to 2% in 2020. During that 4-year period, the total number of deaths from all causes increased by 34%, but the number of Alzheimer’s-related deaths dropped by 46%.

Dementia care can be challenging for families, and oftentimes, residential care becomes the safest and most practical option. Memory care facilities in Lake Charles offer a welcoming, nurturing environment that encourages residents’ independence and cognitive health through evidence-based programming and social activities. Residents can enjoy three meals daily, and they have individualized care plans that reflect their unique needs.

This guide provides more about memory care in Lake Charles, including regulations these facilities follow and resources available to seniors and families affected by dementia. It also breaks down memory care pricing and ways to pay.

In Lake Charles, memory care facilities are licensed as assisted living facilities and monitored by the Louisiana Department of Health. This department publishes comprehensive information on licensing standards related to care planning, staffing and security requirements for memory care facilities. It also has a complaint form where individuals can report concerns regarding a facility’s noncompliance with state standards.

• The cost of living in Lake Charles is relatively low, making the city an attractive option for seniors with limited financial resources. On a 100-point index based on national living costs, the city rates 83.1, indicating the cost of living is 17% lower than in a typical U.S. city. Opting for memory care provides all-inclusive pricing, giving many seniors even greater control over monthly expenses.
• Property-related crimes are somewhat prevalent in Lake Charles, which may make memory care a good option for vulnerable seniors, and historically, violent crime rates are also high compared to national norms. On a 100-point index, the city rates 61.2 for property crime and 40.5 for violent crime, which is high compared to national respective scores of 35.4 and 22.7. Memory care facilities keep residents safe through measures such as security gates, surveillance cameras and alarm systems.
• The weather in Lake Charles is very warm throughout the year, which may appeal to those who enjoy participating in therapeutic outdoor activities. Spring and late fall have the most pleasant months, with highs ranging from 70 to 85 degrees, although summers are hot with highs in the 90s and high humidity levels. Memory care residents typically have outdoor areas to enjoy when the weather is favorable, and many facilities have individual climate controls in residents’ rooms to support year-round comfort.
• Health care costs in Lake Charles are consistent with national norms, and there are 173 doctors per capita, about 18% less than in a typical U.S. city. Even so, the city is home to four major medical facilities: Christus Ochsner St. Patrick Hospital, Lake Charles Memorial Hospital, Christus Ochsner Lake Area Hospital and Avail Hospital Lake Charles. This supports high access to medical care for those managing chronic conditions, such as dementia.
• Seniors in Lake Charles don’t pay state income taxes on public pensions or Social Security benefits. Private pensions and withdrawals from retirement accounts are taxable, but seniors can claim a $4,500 deduction to minimize the financial burden. Sales taxes are high, but opting for memory care can help seniors reduce unexpected expenses.

Note: Residential memory care is usually offered in assisted living facilities, and in general, memory care rates tend to be 20-30% higher than assisted living rates. No national database currently tracks memory care costs in the United States, so we’ve estimated the monthly memory care costs listed below by adding 25% to the rates listed in Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey.

In Lake Charles, seniors pay $5,000 per month for memory care.

Memory care facilities in Lake Charles charge approximately $5,000 per month for care, which is about $300 higher than the Louisiana average but competitive compared to the nationwide norm of $5,625. In nearby Lafayette, care costs are more affordable than in Lake Charles at $4,813, and in Alexandria, seniors pay $3,625 for care. Lake Charles may be a budget-friendly alternative to Baton Rouge, where memory care facilities charge $5,156 for services, or Houma, where care costs are $1,000 per month higher than in Lake Charles.

Memory care facilities in Lake Charles charge $5,000 per month for dementia services. This is about $890 less than the monthly cost of nursing home care, but it’s costlier than other long-term care options in the city. Seniors who don’t have memory-related disorders pay $4,000 per month for assisted living, and those who live in their own homes pay $3,909 per month for in-home care and home health care.

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

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

For more information about different ways to finance memory care, visit our Memory Care in Louisiana page.