Known for its lively arts and culture scene, Lafayette is a popular and economical choice for retired seniors. In addition, the city’s moderate climate is advantageous for older adults with health concerns exacerbated by extreme temperatures, providing a comfortable and safe environment for seniors to thrive.
Those looking for services associated with a senior living facility, which they might categorize as a nursing home, find that many facilities specialize in memory care or assisted living. While memory care facilities provide 24-hour specialized care and long-term housing for seniors with memory loss, assisted living facilities support seniors who are somewhat active but require assistance with daily living activities. Nursing homes, on the other hand, provide round-the-clock medical care. While we don’t partner with nursing homes, we do collaborate with six assisted living and memory care facilities within the 10-mile radius of downtown Lafayette.
This guide focuses on our partner facilities in Lafayette. It will cover different types of senior care facilities, how to pay for them, what rules and regulations apply, how to find transportation in the area, and what activities and amenities the city of Lafayette has to offer.
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 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...
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.
Based off of our personal experience, I would recommend Avanti Senior Living at Lafayette to others looking.
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...
Garden View has been absolutely wonderful, starting with the management, housekeeping, activities provided for residents, meals provided, etc. I can honestly say that we have had absolutely NO complaints...
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
In a Lafayette nursing home — a facility that offers patients 24-hour short- and long-term care — a private room has a monthly median cost of $5,870.[01]
In A Place for Mom’s network, assisted living facilities cost $4,429, and memory care facilities cost $4,824 on average. Individual expenses vary, but these numbers reflect a total cost that includes fees and add-ons.[02]
Residents in our partner assisted living and memory care facilities have access to comprehensive personal care and medication management. They also have access to wheelchair-accessible rooms, chef-prepared meals, and common socialization areas where they can chat with friends or participate in planned activities.
Nursing homes, assisted living, and memory care facilities in Lafayette are usually financed by seniors and their families through a variety of means. Below, we’ve covered all information regarding payment choices for senior living and care, such as private payment methods, VA benefits, Medicare, and Medicaid.
Some people finance their senior living stays with savings they’ve accumulated over time. These funds may originate from a 401(k), individual retirement account, stock portfolio, or personal bank account.
The overall cost of a stay in a skilled nursing, assisted living, or memory care facility can come from any combination of funding options. Articles on additional sources of funding are available below.
Number of veterans who live in Lafayette
About 22% of Lafayette veterans are 75+
Veterans in the Lafayette area can use the VA Aid and Attendance (A&A) benefit, a supplement to the conventional VA Pension, if they’ve already qualified for a Pension. A&A can help pay for a skilled nursing home, assisted living complex, or memory care facility. To be eligible for A&A, you must need help with daily activities, have a sight impairment, be bedfast, or be a nursing home resident.
Because the application is quite complex, it’s important to seek assistance from a veterans services officer to register for veterans benefits. In Lafayette, you can find this help at the VA office or through veterans services organizations, such as the Disabled American Veterans or Veterans of Foreign Wars.
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
The state’s Medicaid program, Louisiana Medicaid, does pay for custodial care in nursing homes, though it doesn’t pay for board or lodging in an assisted living or memory care facility. Visit the Louisiana Medicaid Self-Service Portal (SSP) to learn more about coverage and to apply for Medicaid.
Note that Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers can be utilized to pay for some medically essential expenses for those who prefer to receive long-term care services in their homes or communities rather than in a nursing home. In Louisiana, the HCBS program consists of four waivers and programs: the Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), Personal Care Services for the Elderly, Community Choices Waiver, and the Adult Day Health Care Waiver. The programs offer different services, so follow the links to find the one most relevant to your situation. And note that My Place at Louisiana, a program run by the Office of Aging and Adult Service, helps individuals move from a qualifying facility to a home and community-based environment.
Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities can avail themselves of advocacy services through the Capital Area Agency on Aging’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. Contact the local agency on aging if you need assistance learning more about the various Medicaid options.
Additional 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.netEmail: 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
You may already know that Medicare – the government’s health insurance program – covers medical expenses for individuals aged 65 and older, people under 65 with Social Security Disability benefits, and people diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or end-stage renal disease.
Medicare covers skilled nursing, but only to a certain extent and not for long-term care. In a skilled nursing facility, Medicare-covered services include but are not limited to:
Medicare doesn’t cover custodial costs for memory care or assisted living, such as room and board/rent, but it could help with medically necessary in-home care medical needs. Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) may fund skilled nursing facility (SNF) treatment (on a short-term basis), and in that case, services like changing sterile dressings must be medically required for you.
The Louisiana Medicare Savings Program also helps pay certain Medicare premiums and deductibles for low-income seniors. For help paying for medications, the Louisiana Health Access Program is available for those who qualify. Finally, if you need the level of care that would normally be given in a nursing home, you might qualify for PACE Lafayette (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly), which coordinates comprehensive care with the goal of keeping seniors out of the nursing home setting.
The Lafayette Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) offers seniors free health insurance counseling on how to use Medicare if you need help or have questions. Contact your local long-term care ombudsman or Social Security office for further information on qualifying benefits and enrollment. Both can advocate for the health care rights of residents in memory care centers and assist families in understanding living alternatives and financing options.
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
Nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and memory care facilities are all licensed and regulated by the Health Standards Section of the Louisiana Department of Health. Nursing homes are also subject to federal regulations as well as state laws and regulations for nursing facilities. Assisted living facilities are licensed as Adult Residential Care Providers, as are memory care facilities, which then have to adhere to requirements for an Alzheimer’s Special Care Unit (ASCU).
While nursing homes provide skilled nursing care and 24-hour medical supervision, assisted living and memory care do much the same without the medical care component. Assisted living regulations require 24-hour supervision and personal care and assistance to be available, as well as health-care-related services. The goal is for residents to be able to live as independently as they possibly can. Assisted living facilities also have to provide planned activities and plenty of opportunities for residents to socialize. Taking care of meals, housekeeping, laundry, and transportation are also stipulated in the regulations.
Memory care (Alzheimer’s Special Care Units) has to meet the same standards as assisted living with two additions. First, the facility itself must provide a safe, secure area for residents to be able to go outside. Second, specialized training must be provided to staff on how to understand behaviors and best care for residents with dementia or Alzheimer’s.
To make sure facilities are following Louisiana laws and regulations (as well as federal regulations for nursing homes), annual inspections are required. You’ll have to submit a public records request if you want to see inspection reports because they’re not made available online.
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.
Lafayette does not currently have formal COVID-19 restrictions citywide. However, some facilities may have rules that visitors and residents must follow.
In general, the Louisiana Department of Health makes the following recommendations about reducing the spread of COVID-19:
COVID-19 vaccinations and booster shots are recommended but not mandated.
Mask-wearing is recommended as an especially good idea if you’re in a crowd.
After leaving a common area, staff are to use a hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol or spend at least 20 seconds washing their hands with soap and water.
Keeping your distance from others in a crowded setting is recommended.
Lafayette is beloved for its rich culture, warm climate, and Southern hospitality. That warmth carries over to its senior living communities, where seniors can find help with daily activities and chores like laundry and housekeeping are taken care of. The senior living facilities in A Place for Mom’s network also offer an abundance of on-site social activities for active seniors. And the locations in Lafayette are true to the parish’s French Cajun culture, as 33% of in-network facilities are French-speaking, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data.[06]
While A Place for Mom does not partner with nursing homes, we do partner with six facilities in Lafayette that provide a combination of senior care types, with options for independent living, assisted living, and memory care all within the same community. One is a standalone assisted living facility; three are both assisted living and memory care facilities; and two offer a mix of assisted living, independent living, and memory care. There is one additional in-network facility within a 25-mile radius of downtown that combines assisted living and memory care.[07]
Lafayette nursing homes provide individualized activities to dementia patients. To ensure their safety, all facilities in our network have qualified staff members present and awake 24 hours a day, and some have wander guards or similar systems in place. At two-thirds of our partner locations, staff members have received specialized memory care training, and the community has been secured against wandering and roaming.
To create a stimulating environment, senior living communities create social events and immersive activities for their residents to enjoy. Within our Lafayette network, 67% of senior care facilities have an arts and crafts area and offer devotional activities on-site. Half of the locations offer day trips and outings, yoga, barbecues, and cafes or bistros. Most have activity directors, TV lounges, birthday parties, and art classes.
The communities feature indoor and outdoor social amenities, walking paths, and enclosed courtyards for everyday exercise. Seniors and their families can also readily reach nearby attractions such as theaters, parks, and museums.
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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
In addition to two VA clinics, part of the VA Alexandria Health Care System, the Lafayette area is home to many renowned hospitals. Continue reading to find out more about the top medical facilities in Lafayette:
Lafayette General Medical Center has been awarded in three categories by U.S. News & World Report for being high performing in hip fractures and two other specialties..
U.S. News and World Report lauds Our Lady of Lourdes for being high performing in heart failure, kidney failure, colon cancer surgery, and three other areas.
There are public transportation options available in Lafayette, but given their mobility and health limitations, nursing home, assisted living, and memory care residents in Lafayette are unlikely to use public transportation alone. They may instead rely on transportation provided by their care community, such as shuttle buses or vans, or on private transportation arranged by family members or caretakers. According to A Place for Mom’s proprietary research, 83% of partner assisted living and memory care facilities offer complimentary transportation and 50% provide at-cost transportation.[02]
If a senior care community doesn’t provide transportation but visitors require it, they can use the Lafayette Transit System (LTS), a bus network offering accessible routes for older adults and people with disabilities around the city. Every bus in the fleet complies with the ADA. It has reserved seating for older adults and those with disabilities. LTS drivers are also trained to help riders with disabilities. They can give riders more time to board and disembark, and they can help tighten seat belts or other restraints, though note that they aren’t trained or prepared to provide continuous supervision or caregiving during a ride.
Acadiana Transit, a paratransit service provided by Lafayette Transit, is another transportation option for elders accompanied by caregivers. To use the paratransit service, visit the paratransit application page, where you can find instructions to send in an application by email. If you or a loved one cannot use conventional bus services due to a disability or medical condition, learn more about paratransit services by reading the Paratransit Rider’s Guide.
Lafayette is known as America’s Happiest City, with a busy nightlife, a thriving music scene, and abundant shopping and dining options. Combined with this joy, the city also has small-town charm and a welcoming neighborhood environment.
The Lafayette region is close to various indoor and outdoor, interactive, and passive activities that those living in memory care or assisted living facilities can safely enjoy.
To learn more about the city’s roots, residents and their families can visit the Vermilionville Living History Museum and Folklife Park, which focuses on the Acadian, Native American, and Creole people settled in the area. It’s a fun and instructive outing with many exhibits, demonstrations, and live music performances. This park is wheelchair-accessible and offers audio tours for those who are blind or visually impaired.
Similarly, the Lafayette Science Museum offers something for everyone to enjoy. Seniors can explore several interactive exhibits catered to different interests and abilities.
Music enthusiasts can attend a performance at the Acadiana Center for the Arts, which offers various performances catering to a wide range of interests and wheelchair-accessible seating. Or families may enjoy a visit to the Heymann Performing Arts Center, which showcases concerts and events ranging from classical to popular music. It’s also wheelchair accessible and offers hearing aids to individuals with hearing difficulties.
If you’re looking for outdoor excursions, visit the Lafayette Farmers and Artisans Market, a terrific place to buy fresh food, homemade goods, and listen to live music. There’s plenty of seating available, and it’s wheelchair-accessible.
Courtyard Retirement and Assisted Living, Brookdale Lafayette and The Blake at Lafayette are the top-rated Nursing Homes facilities near Lafayette, LA. These Nursing Homes facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Nursing Homes in Lafayette is $4,216 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
Genworth Financial. (2021). Cost of Care Survey.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
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.
Ask an A Place for Mom local advisor at no cost.
Genworth Financial. (2021). Cost of Care Survey.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
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.