Louisiana has mild winters and ample attractions that may appeal to seniors in independent living. There are parks and gardens, entertainment venues and plenty of cultural destinations. Approximately 15.9% of the state’s residents are 65 and over, amounting to more than 735,000 seniors. For those in independent living, the state’s tax-friendly status and low cost of living are two financial factors that may appeal.

Independent living communities are a suitable option for Louisiana seniors who don’t require assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs). Services such as housekeeping and laundry are often included in the monthly rate, as well as access to amenities such as fitness centers, on-site beauty salons and restaurant-style dining. Some of these senior communities are pet-friendly with manicured grounds for dog-walking and outdoor recreation.

Find independent living costs in this guide, along with cost comparisons for nearby states and other types of senior care. This guide also contains a list of free or low-cost resources for seniors in independent living, along with the contact information for each.

How Much Does Independent Living Cost in Louisiana?

Note: There currently isn’t authoritative data on the average cost of Independent Living Facilities nationwide, so instead, we use the cost of Assisted Living to estimate it. Since the cost of Independent Living is typically 30-40% lower than the cost of Assisted Living, the numbers below were calculated by subtracting 35% from the cost of Assisted Living as reported in the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey.

The cost of independent living in Louisiana is $2,436, which is just below the nation’s average cost of $2,925 per month and within several hundred dollars of the costs in neighboring states. Monthly independent living costs in Texas are higher than in Louisiana at $2,599. Oklahoma also has a higher cost for independent living at $2,506, while Arkansas’ monthly cost estimate is $2,444. In Mississippi, seniors can expect an independent living cost of around $2,275 per month.

The Cost of Independent Living in Louisiana’s Top Cities

Louisiana cities vary when it comes to independent living costs. Houma has the highest at $3,120 while Monroe’s monthly independent living cost estimate is the lowest at $1,723. Other cities are close to the state average of $2,436, such as Shreveport at $2,516. Lake Charles’ independent living costs are around $2,600 and Baton Rouge’s are slightly higher at $2,681. In comparison, New Orleans has a monthly independent living cost of $2,582.

The Cost of Independent Living vs. Other Types of Care

Louisiana seniors have multiple options when choosing long-term care, and costs vary depending on what’s included. While independent living costs around $2,436 per month, adult day health care services are less at $1,788. There are homemaker services that cost around $3,718 per month and home health aides at a cost of $3,623 per month.

For seniors who need a higher level of care, there are assisted living communities that cost an average of $3,748 per month. A semiprivate room in a nursing facility can be expected to cost around $5,759 per month.

Does Medicare or Medicaid Cover Independent Living in Louisiana?

The short answer is no, Medicaid and Medicare do not cover the cost of living in an independent living community. That being said, those who need help with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), may be able to take advantage of financial assistance programs in Louisiana to partially or fully cover the cost of care in Assisted Living. For more information about financial assistance for those who need help with ADLs, read our guide to Assisted Living in Louisiana.

For more information about other ways to make Independent Living more affordable, such as retirement funds, the sale of a home, etc, read the section below.

How to Make Independent Living More Affordable in Louisiana

There are a variety of ways seniors in independent living can pay for monthly costs. In addition to retirement income and savings, some ways to offset expenses include:

• Annuities: Seniors can apply the regular payouts from an annuity towards monthly independent living costs.
• Long-term care insurance: Using long-term care insurance to cover eligible services — which may include transportation, meals and housekeeping — is another option for seniors to consider.
• Reverse mortgage: Homeowners aged 62 and over may qualify for a reverse mortgage loan, which provides payouts based on home equity.
• Home equity lines of credit: Home equity lines of credit also provide payouts that seniors can apply to independent living costs.
• Life insurance: Seniors may be able to cash in their life insurance policy or withdraw a portion to pay for independent living.

Free Independent Living Resources for Seniors in Louisiana

In Louisiana, there are many free resources and affordably priced services for all seniors — including those in independent living. They include advocacy and legal services, veterans’ services, nutritional programs and counseling, to name just a few.

Resource	Contact	Description
Louisiana Office of Aging and Adult Services	(866) 758-5035	Through the Louisiana Office of Aging and Adult Services, seniors can access long-term care services, home- and community-based services, protective services and referrals to other senior programs. The Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is administered by this state office and provides care for all seniors in need, with office locations in Lafayette, Baton Rouge and Greater New Orleans.
Governor’s Office of Elderly Affairs	(225) 342-7100	There are many services available through the Louisiana Governor’s Office of Elderly Affairs, which is also where seniors can find their local Area Agency on Aging (AAA). These agencies are local hubs that direct senior residents to the services, resources and referrals they need.
Louisiana Senior Centers	(225) 342-7100	A list of state senior centers is available through the Governor’s office. These centers are found all over the state and provide healthy socialization and nutritional programs, as well as recreational activities and fitness classes for older adults.
Louisiana Department of Veterans’ Affairs	(225) 219-5000	Through the statewide Louisiana Department of Veterans’ Affairs website, seniors can locate their regional VA office. This department has a 24/7 crisis line senior veterans can reach at (800) 273-8255 and sponsors a variety of educational and fundraising programs.
AARP Louisiana	(888) 687-2277	The Louisiana AARP has free resources for seniors, including safe-driving courses and tax preparation services. There are volunteer opportunities to keep seniors engaged with their communities and educational webinars on many topics of interest to seniors.

COVID-19 Rules and Restrictions for Louisiana Independent Living Communities

The following rules and guidelines were obtained from ldh.la.gov, as well as other state-level government sites. Among others, these rules apply to independent living communities and assisted living facilities.

This data has been most recently updated on 2/8/2022, but keep in mind that COVID-19 is a rapidly evolving crisis, so all of the below information can change at any time. For additional questions and up-to-date information, you can contact your loved one’s senior living facility or your local Area Agency on Aging.

Visiting Loved Ones

Can I visit my relative in person if he/she wants emotional support from me?	Yes (Conditions Apply)
Can I visit my relative in person for end-of-life compassion care?	Yes
Will my loved one be required to self-quarantine after I visit him or her?	No (Conditions Apply)
Do I need to wear PPE and/or a cloth mask if I do visit my relative in person?	Yes (Conditions Apply)
Are Hairdressers and other non-medical contractors still allowed in senior living facilities?	Yes (Conditions Apply)
Does the state recommend or require that senior living facilities assist families with setting up virtual visit alternatives?	Yes
Are visitors being screened for elevated temperatures?	Yes
Are visitors being asked questions about health, travel, and potential virus contact?	Yes

Outings and Group Activities

Are residents allowed to leave the facility for non-medical reasons?	Yes
Are residents of senior living facilities who leave and return required to self-quarantine?	No (Conditions Apply)
Are senior living facilities required to cancel all group outings?	No
Are residents still eating together in the dining hall?	Yes (Conditions Apply)
Are facilities still allowed to host group activities within the community?	Yes (Conditions Apply)

Safety Measures for Staff & Contractors

Are staff members and contractors being screened for elevated temperatures?	Yes
Are staff members and contractors being tested for Coronavirus?	Yes (Conditions Apply)
Are staff members and contractors being asked questions about health, travel, and potential virus contact?	Yes

Safety Measures for Residents

Are staff members required to regularly screen residents for coronavirus symptoms?	Yes
Are residents relied on to screen themselves and self-report potential coronavirus symptoms?	No
Are staff members required to take residents’ temperatures?	Yes
Are residents being tested for coronavirus?	Yes (Conditions Apply)