Lafayette, Louisiana, is a vibrant city with a population of about 130,000 people and a unique blend of history, culture, and outdoor activities. From delicious Cajun cuisine to lively music festivals, it’s a place that offers plenty of opportunities for entertainment and exploration for everyone. And for seniors who require additional support to enjoy their golden years in comfort and safety, the city is home to a range of senior living communities, including assisted living facilities.
Assisted living facilities are designed to give seniors personalized care in a residential setting, whether that be a private or shared bedroom or an individual apartment. Most assisted living residents have access to visiting medical professionals, planned programs, and in-house staff to assist them with activities of daily living around the clock.
In this guide, A Place for Mom provides listings for our six partner assisted living facilities in the area, outlines typical living costs and payment options, shares information on local transportation, lists area hospitals and health care options, and notes some local attractions that seniors and their families may enjoy visiting.
The Brookdale has been a great experience for my parents after leaving their home of 48 years. This was a very tough year for my parents and Brookdale immediately became home to them. Any issues they may...
The staff is extremely friendly - they check on the in laws multiple times a day. The housekeeping is good - laundry is done once week unless you pay more for it. This has been an issue, it would be nice if...
Our loved one is doing well at The Blake at Lafayette community. The staff members are caring and provide good quality of life care. Based on the experience we have had so far, we would absolutely recommend...
I would recommend the facility. Having a loved one with dementia increases the level of concern. I have cameras so I can check on her now, since she no longer will answer a phone.
Mom loves it there! Highest quality of care she has received from the past 3 retirement facilities. Food - not so great. Activities - not much to speak of. But, the friendliness and personal care...
Based off of our personal experience, I would recommend Avanti Senior Living at Lafayette to others looking.
I love this community, They have a website and post pictures of all the activities they do. They go above and beyond to make sure my loved one is taken care of and I would recommend this community to...
Garden View is a very home like, friendly facility. The design makes it easy for clients to meet each other and for staff to observe clients at all times. Staff is both efficient and friendly. Family...
We developed a proprietary recommendation system that orders Lafayette community options based on factors we know are important to seniors and their families:
We collect proprietary data from our network of 14,000+ senior living communities in the U.S., with regular refreshes of data and information
We have 387,000+ reviews from senior living residents and family members that provide first-hand accounts about senior living communities
According to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data, assisted living facilities in our Lafayette partner network have an average monthly cost of $4,429 for residents.[01] Compared to the national average, the cost of living in Lafayette is relatively low, making it an attractive option for those on a budget.[02]
Assisted living cost averages are based on multiple factors, including floor layouts, amenities, and fees paid by residents in our network. The prices include meals, access to in-home care, medication management, as well as wheelchair-accessible living spaces.
The starting prices for assisted living in Lafayette and the neighboring areas are shown in the accompanying chart.
This guide contains information on how to pay for an assisted living stay with private funds, VA benefits, Medicare, and Medicaid. The resources to learn about each kind of payment are available here.
Assisted living residents pay for their stays with a range of financial options, such as personal savings, investment income, pensions, and Social Security benefits. Yet seniors and their families may want to explore other possibilities beyond these. Depending on their situation, they may find the following methods of paying for assisted living to be more advantageous:
Number of veterans who live in Lafayette
About 22% of Lafayette veterans are 75+
In Lafayette, veterans service organizations (VSOs) and VA offices offer information to help veterans get government benefits. Senior veterans can get help with living expenses from local resources and VA benefits and use VA Pensions to pay for their assisted living facility stays.
Veterans should check to see if they qualify for the VA’s Aid and Attendance benefit, which adds money to their Pension for anything that helps improve their quality of life.
For assistance with the complicated VA benefits application process, contact a veterans service officer. Local veteran organizations, such as American Legion, can assist veterans in registering for VA benefits. Veterans in Lafayette can also get assistance from the resources listed below.
Resources for Lafayette veterans
Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs
Officers Paul Fontenot and Nakeisha Foots
2100 Jefferson St., Room 403B
Lafayette, LA 70501
Phone: 337-262-5628
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. (by appointment only)
Email: paul.fontenot2@la.gov
Email: nakeisha.foots2@la.gov
Veterans Benefits Administration Regional Office
1250 Poydras St.
New Orleans, LA 70113
Phone: 800-827-1000
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9822
100 Van Dyke Court
Lafayette, LA 70503
Phone: 337-278-0807
Disabled American Veterans
201 Energy Parkway, Room 103
Lafayette, LA 70508
Phone: 337-856-6157
American Legion Post 69
1450 Surrey St.
Lafayette, LA 70501
Phone: 804-724-1618
Catholic War Veterans of the U.S.A.
703 Cobblestone Road
Lafayette, LA 70508
Phone: 337-237-8282
Blinded Veterans Association
2100 Jefferson St.
Lafayette, LA
Phone: 225-219-5000
Louisiana Medicaid is the state’s Medicaid program. It doesn’t fund rent at assisted living communities but covers medically necessary in-home health care services for those who qualify for the Home and Community-Based Services waiver program.
The Home and Community-Based Services Waiver Program, popularly known as the HCBS waiver, can also help with in-home care expenditures. Louisiana’s HCBS program comprises two waivers and two state plan programs:
The Louisiana Personal Care Services Program provides personal care coverage at home or in assisted living facilities to seniors who qualify for institutional level of care. Personal care providers, such as assisted living facilities, are reimbursed by Medicaid for assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs). And another program, My Place Louisiana, assists residents in moving from a qualifying facility to a home and community-based living environment utilizing one of the waivers or programs listed above.
Find assistance in choosing among the various Medicaid choices by contacting your neighborhood Area Agency on Aging or the long-term care ombudsman program. Apply online for Louisiana Medicaid, find the nearest Medicaid Application Center if you want to go in person, or call the Louisiana Medicaid hotline to apply over the phone.
Lafayette resident Medicaid resources
Louisiana Department of Health
628 N. Fourth St.
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Phone: 225-342-9500; 888-342-6207
Fax: 225-342-5568
Email: MyMedicaid@la.gov
Baton Rouge Regional Medicaid Office
117 Production Drive
Lafayette, LA 70508
Phone: 888-342-6207
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Cajun Area Agency on Aging
160 Industrial Parkway
Lafayette, LA 70508
Phone: 337-262-5990
Fax: 337-262-1365
Email: cajnltc@lusfiber.net
Louisiana Ombudsman Program
Phone: 800-738-2266; 337-572-8940
Email:d.adams@lusfiber.net
Email: n.burch@lusfiber.net
My Place Louisiana Program Manager
Phone: 888-342-6207
Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Email: MyPlaceLouisiana@la.gov
While Medicare doesn’t cover the cost of assisted living facility rent or assistance with activities of daily living given in the facility, it pays for various medical expenses, including hospital stays, doctor visits, and medical equipment used at an assisted living facility. To be eligible for Medicare, patients must be 65 or older, under 65 and receiving Social Security disability benefits, or diagnosed with ALS or end-stage renal disease.
Medicare typically doesn’t cover custodial care but may fund skilled nursing care under specific conditions. This care may be reimbursed by Medicare Part A in assisted living facilities. These treatments, such as physical therapy and sterile dressing changes, are typically administered or supervised by a licensed nurse or doctor.
Additionally, the Louisiana Medicare Savings Program helps pay some Medicare premiums. Applying is essential for determining your eligibility for Medicaid. To apply, fill out an application and send it to Medicaid by mail or fax; call 1-888-342-6207 for Medicaid Customer Service; or apply in-person at a Medicaid office near you.
The state pharmaceutical assistance program, Louisiana Health Access, provides low-cost prescription medications to people on fixed incomes to help offset medical bills. The state’s Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) also offers seniors free health insurance advice on navigating Medicare, though note that it doesn’t pay for medical expenditures.
PACE Lafayette (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) is a nonprofit program that provides health and supportive services to seniors who prefer to live in their communities rather than nursing institutions. It provides expert guidance and emotional support to seniors.
To apply for Medicare, visit the Medicare website, contact 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), or go to a Social Security Administration office in the Lafayette region. Contact your local long-term care ombudsman for more help finding the benefits for which you’re qualified and for assistance enrolling. They can advocate for assisted living facility residents’ health care rights and assist families in understanding living options and payment methods.
Lafayette resident Medicare resources
Social Security Administration
106 Corporate Blvd.
Lafayette, LA 70508
Phone: 800-772-1213
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Medicare Savings Program Mailing and Faxing Information
Medicaid Application Office
P.O. Box 91278
Baton Rouge, LA 70821-9278
Fax: 877-523-2987
Louisiana Ombudsman Program
Phone: 800-738-2266; 337-572-8940
Email: d.adams@lusfiber.net
Email: n.burch@lusfiber.net
Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP)
1702 N. Third St.
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Phone: 225-342-5301; 800-259-5300
Louisiana Health Access Program
1450 Poydras St., Suite 2136
New Orleans, LA 70112
Phone: 504-568-7474
Fax: 504-568-3157
Email: lahap@la.gov
PACE Lafayette
501 W. St. Mary Blvd., Suite 200
Lafayette, LA 70506
Phone: 337-470-4500
Lafayette’s assisted living communities must be licensed by the Louisiana Department of Health Health Standards Section, though these facilities are not labeled as assisted living but as Adult Residential Care Providers. Memory care facilities that are combined with assisted living facilities are subject to these regulations because the regulations apply to both types of care.
There are four categories used to group Adult Residential Care Providers:
The assisted living regulations call for 24-hour supervision and assistance to be available, as well as health-care-related services that make it possible for residents to live as independently as possible. Opportunities for socialization, including planned activities, must be provided. Transportation, meals, laundry and housekeeping services, and medication assistance are also required.
To ensure compliance with the Louisiana laws and regulations, annual inspections are required. These reports are not available online; however, you can submit a public records request for this information.
Louisiana Department of Health
628 N. Fourth St.
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Phone: 225-342-9500
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
In Lafayette, no strict COVID guidelines are being implemented citywide, though some health care institutions may have their own best practices they’d like visitors and residents to follow.
The Louisiana Department of Health makes recommendations for businesses and facilities to follow:
Lafayette is a desirable place to live for its warm climate, rich cultural legacy, high-quality entertainment, excellent colleges and universities, and classic Southern hospitality. That warmth and hospitality carries over to assisted living environments, where seniors can find help with daily activities from washing to housekeeping. These facilities also offer an abundance of on-site social activities for active seniors. Note that our partner assisted living facilities in Lafayette are true to the area’s French Cajun culture, as 33% of our partner facilities accommodate French-speaking residents, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data.[01]
Within a 10-mile radius of downtown Lafayette, there are six in-network assisted living facilities, one of which is a standalone assisted living institution. Three locations combine assisted living and memory care, and two are combination assisted living, independent living, and memory care facilities. One additional partner assisted living and memory care facility can be found within a 25-mile radius of downtown.
Half of our partner assisted living facilities have full medication management available, while 67% have some degree of specialized memory care training for staff.[01] Nearly all our partner facilities also offer on-site hospice care. Residents with rehabilitation needs can also reap the benefits of visiting occupational, physical, or speech therapists (at 83% of in-network locations). Additionally, the staff oversees long-term care, resident diabetes care, and incontinence care.
Thanks to the full-time activity directors on staff at most of our partner facilities, residents aren’t short on things to do, including day visits to nearby attractions like parks and museums. Residents have access to indoor and outdoor common areas where they can connect with others or visit with family and friends, and two-thirds have enclosed courtyards for walking safely outside. Some of our partner facilities have yoga or stretching classes. Most facilities in our network are pet-friendly as well.
Seniors can access on-site dining options for vegetarian, gluten-free, and low-sodium meals at many facilities. Many locations also offer happy hours, birthday and holiday parties, or picnics to create social opportunities for seniors.
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Number of seniors over the age of 65 currently living in Lafayette
Median annual income for Lafayette seniors 65 and older
There are several renowned hospitals in Lafayette, along with two VA clinics that are a part of the VA Alexandria Health Care System. The main medical center is located in Pineville, Louisiana. There are no VA hospitals in Lafayette proper, though there are two VA clinics: the Lafayette VA Clinic and the Lafayette Campus B VA Clinic.
You can discover more about Lafayette’s top health care options by reading the section below.
Lafayette General is the biggest nonprofit regional health system in Acadiana. The facility is highly ranked in three procedures and conditions.
Highly ranked for cardiology care (specifically heart attack response), Our Lady of Lourdes has high-performance ratings in five other adult procedures and conditions as well.
Seniors and their families have some public transit options to get around Lafayette during outings or errands, but most rely on private transportation. Fortunately, 83% of our partner assisted living facilities provide free transportation to residents.
The Lafayette Transit System (LTS) maintains a bus network on various city routes accessible to disabled people and seniors. All the buses in the fleet are ADA-compliant, with preferred seating for seniors and those with disabilities. The transit system offers discounted rates or special services to older adults as well.
Acadiana Transit, a paratransit service offered by Lafayette Transit, is available to those who can’t commute by bus. The service also offers a special occasion charter or shuttle service for seniors. To apply for the paratransit service, go to the paratransit application website. For more information, Lafayette Transit also created a Paratransit Rider’s Guide.
The Lafayette Council on Aging also provides transportation for things like health care appointments and therapy sessions, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays.
Walk Score, which measures the city’s walkability from 0 to 100, puts the city close to the mid-range for its walk- and bikeability. That means people are able to get around by foot or by bike in some areas but there isn’t a lot of infrastructure to support those modes of transportation.[06]
Lafayette is known for live entertainment, historic landmarks, and genuine Southern hospitality. Tourists also come for a rare taste of the authentic Acadian experience. Seniors and their families who are looking for things to do needn’t look too far.
For example, the Vermilionville Living History Museum and Folklife Park is a fantastic site to learn about local history and culture. Vermilionville’s displays, shows, and live musical acts teach visitors about the area’s Acadian, Native American, and Creole traditions. Also, visually impaired visitors can avail themselves of the site’s audio tours and wheelchair-accessible facilities.
Arts lovers can catch a performance at the Acadiana Center for the Arts, which offers various acts ranging from theater to music to dance — sure to entertain seniors of all interests. This performing arts center features wheelchair-accessible seating and audio devices for those who need them. Another local performing arts center is the Heymann Center, which also provides various programs and events that seniors and their families can enjoy.
Those who prefer to get close to nature might visit the Acadiana Park Nature Station. For visually impaired seniors, the facility includes a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk, paths, educational exhibits, and audio displays. For those who love outdoor activities, the Wetlands Golf Course and Farm d’Alene Golf Club are fantastic sites to play golf. These two courses are easily accessible to Lafayette seniors.
Brookdale Lafayette, Courtyard Retirement and Assisted Living and The Blake at Lafayette are the top-rated Assisted Living facilities near Lafayette, LA. These Assisted Living facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Assisted Living in Lafayette is $4,216 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
Payscale. (2023). Cost of Living in Lafayette, Louisiana.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran Status (S2101) [Data Set]. American Community Survey. Census Bureau Tables.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Age and Sex (S0101) [Data Set]. American Community Survey. Census Bureau Tables.
U.S. News & World Report. (2023). Hospitals in Lafayette, LA.
Walk Score. (2023). Living in Lafayette.
Ask an A Place for Mom local advisor at no cost.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
Payscale. (2023). Cost of Living in Lafayette, Louisiana.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran Status (S2101) [Data Set]. American Community Survey. Census Bureau Tables.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Age and Sex (S0101) [Data Set]. American Community Survey. Census Bureau Tables.
U.S. News & World Report. (2023). Hospitals in Lafayette, LA.
Walk Score. (2023). Living in Lafayette.