Assisted living is designed to help people who need assistance with day-to-day tasks such as bathing and grooming. Assisted living residents do not need 24-hour nursing care, and live in independent rooms or apartments. This arrangement enables residents to maintain as much independence as possible, for as long as possible. There are a wide variety of choices available in Louisiana, from large urban centers like New Orleans to smaller cities such as Shreveport. There are plenty of choices throughout the state to suit the needs of anyone.
Choosing a Location
Assisted living facilities are available across Louisiana and are regulated by the Department of Social Services Office of Community Services, Licensing and Regulatory Services. You can find facilities in all the larger urban centers such as Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Some smaller towns such as Gonzales and New Iberia offer assisted living. Assisted living facilities may be part of a larger retirement home or nursing home, or they may exist independently. When choosing a location, pay attention to details such as how clean the facility is. Do some research on Medicare's Nursing Home Compare website to look for the possibility of violations or abuses in the company's history.
Services and Amenities
Assisted living offers a care provider who comes in and helps you with daily activities that may become challenging. Some examples include getting into or out of the bath, or help getting dressed. Lambeth House in New Orleans offers daily housekeeping and laundry services for residents. Some facilities such as Sunrise in Baton Rouge and Azalea Estates in Shreveport allow you to bring your pet to live with you.
Activities
Keeping residents busy and healthy is a goal that all assisted living facilities share. Azalea Estates does this by scheduling activities such bingo or dominoes. Some places arrange scheduled outings or educational opportunities. Fitness and wellness programs are also a part of the services provided. This includes scheduled exercise and wellness visits such as those provided by Sunrise.
Living Accommodations
Living quarters vary from facility to facility, but you always live independently: There are no assigned roommates in assisted living settings. Azalea Estates offers choices of either a suite with a bedroom and bathroom or an efficiency apartment-style home with a full kitchen. Sunrise offers suites with a bedroom and bathroom. Lambeth offers three floor plans with kitchenettes.
Cost
The average cost of assisted living in Louisiana is $2,568 per month, as of 2009. This may seem like a hefty fee, but includes many expenses beyond rent or mortgage. Azalea Estates' website has a worksheet to help you figure these expenses. What do you pay for garbage pickup, electricity, property taxes and food? All are included in your monthly fee for assisted living.
