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Located just 55 miles from New Orleans, Houma is a lively city with 32,696 residents, including nearly 5,000 senior citizens. Retirees in the area enjoy the spice of life thanks to the city’s prime location on the bayous of Terrebonne Parish and its busy calendar of community events, which includes everything from Mardi Gras celebrations to the spooky Rougarou Festival just before Halloween. Seniors also benefit from the area’s low cost of living and mild Gulf-influenced climate, which offers high comfort levels throughout the winter.
Health care access is another reason to consider Houma. There are seven hospitals nearby, and two are ranked as high-performing by U.S. News and World Report. Although just five assisted living facilities are located in the immediate area, the cost of care is lower than average. According to Genworth Financial, assisted living facilities in Houma typically charge $3,049 per month, which is $590 lower than the state median and $1,251 less than other parts of the county.
Hundreds of thousands of American seniors utilize assisted living, a figure that is only growing. For these seniors, assisted living combines residential housing,assistance in daily activities, and some healthcare. These communities also strive to provide an atmosphere that is comfortable and engaging for their residents… Read More >
According to Genworth Financial’s Cost of Care Survey for 2020, assisted living prices in Houma are 30% lower than the U.S. average of $4,300 and 16% lower than the state median of $3,639. Prices in Mississippi are approximately $664 higher per month at $3,713, and Texans pay about $949 more per month at $3,998. Although prices in Arkansas are competitive at $3,500, residents still pay roughly $450 more per month.
Houma’s assisted living prices are among the lowest in the state. The only major metropolitan area with lower rates is Hammond at $2,900. Median prices are highest in Lake Charles. Seniors in this community pay $1,676 more per month at $4,725. New Orleans is another pricey option. Its average rates of $4,163 are $1,114 higher than Houma’s. Prices in Alexandria ($3,356), Shreveport ($3,461) and Baton Rouge ($3,618) are closer to the state median. However, seniors in these communities still pay $307 to $569 more per month.
Medicaid may help Houma residents with the cost of personal care provided at home or in a community-based setting. Beneficiaries who meet Medicaid eligibility standards and require a nursing home level of care may qualify for the state’s Long-Term Personal Care Services Waiver or Community Choices Waiver, which can help with the cost of housekeeping, meals and personal assistance. For more details, including eligibility requirements, see our guide to Assisted Living in Louisiana.
| Contact | Description | |
| Terrebonne Council on Aging | (985) 868-8411 | Part of a statewide service network, the Terrebonne Council on Aging provides a wealth of services and informational resources to seniors and caregivers in Houma and surrounding communities. Its Information and Assistance Services benefit more than 2,700 callers every year who need help accessing long-term care and community-based services, including Medicaid waivers for assisted living. The agency also offers telephone reassurance calls, insurance counseling, accessible transportation and medical equipment loans. |
| Houma Senior Centers | (985) 879-4071 | Houma has two multipurpose senior centers operated by the Terrebonne Council on Aging. Residents can visit the Bayou Towers Senior Center on Park Avenue or the Shady Acres Senior Center on West Main Street to participate in recreational activities and fitness classes. These centers also offer nutritional consultations, education and other supports, including access to government-sponsored independent living apartments and help paying bills or scheduling medical appointments. |
| Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs, Terrebonne Parish | (985) 857-3626 | Current and former service members and their dependents can contact certified Veterans Assistance Counselors at the department’s Terrebonne Parish office in Houma for information about government benefits and assistance with VA claims and appeals. The agency assists with pensions, disability payments, long-term care stipends, tax exemptions, financial benefits, final expenses and medical care. |
| Capital Area Agency on Aging | (225) 922-2525 | The Capital Area Agency on Aging is home to the long-term care ombudsman for the Baton Rouge Region. This federally mandated program serves seniors in Houma, Terrebonne Parish and many surrounding areas. It offers information and impartial advice to help consumers assess their needs and select an appropriate long-term care facility. It also advocates for residents who live in assisted living facilities and nursing homes by investigating complaints, resolving disputes and helping seniors exercise their personal rights. |
| Southeast Louisiana Legal Services, Houma Office | (985) 851-5687 | Southeast Louisiana Legal Services is a nonprofit law firm offering free legal services and self-help resources to low-income residents and other vulnerable populations. Legal aid workers at its Houma office can help with questions about housing, government benefits, consumer rights, family law, health care access, advance directives and wills among other concerns. Educational resources and applications for assistance are available online. |
The Louisiana Department of Health licenses four types of Adult Residential Care Providers in the Houma area. Applications, renewals and regulatory compliance checks are handled by the department’s Health Standards Section. For more information, see our guide to Assisted Living in Louisiana.
