Discover Home Care in Louisiana

Home care in Louisiana is designed to provide seniors with the ability to remain in a familiar setting while receiving a range of professional care or assistance. Whether it's companionship, help managing medication or even intensive medical care, home health care can be a great option for many families. Currently, there are about 671 facilities in Louisiana with an average monthly cost of around $3,051.

Find HOME CARE Facilities In LOUISIANA

Find Senior Caring Options by County

Home Care in Louisiana - Cost Comparison

Home care is needed for a wide range of situations which may include recovering from an illness, surgery, or could be due to dementia-related needs among others. To get the professional help you or your loved one needs, you’ll have to decide whether a licensed medical professional or a non-medical paraprofessional would be a more appropriate fit. In many cases, these two positions do overlap, so when interviewing a caretaker be sure to understand what their role will require. With the latter option, services are more likely to include things like housekeeping and linen services, general shopping, transportation, meal prep, and help with other instrumental activities of daily living. 

There are a number of cities throughout Louisiana that have senior home care agencies but the median monthly cost ranges from.

  • Highest Cost: Lake Charles $3,480
  • Lowest Cost: Houma Area $2,732 

CityHomemaker Services Monthly CostsHome Health Aide Monthly Costs
Alexandria$2,765$3,051
Baton Rouge$3,051$3,098
Hammond$3,527$3,527
Lafayette$3,051$3,051
Monroe$2,622$2,622
New Orleans$3,146$3,146

Recreation & Attractions in Louisiana

This state has a large number of historical sites and cultural centers, making Louisiana a vibrant place to explore. Residents and visitors alike can enjoy world-class art at the R.W. Norton Art Gallery or the Biendenham Museum and Gardens. Get a breath of fresh air at The City Park with amazing plantlife and trees, some of which are more than 600 years old. Otherwise, there's always plenty of amazing restaurants, theaters, and energy to keep you coming back for more. 

Even if you aren't as mobile as you once were, Louisiana offers an abundance of places for seniors. There are senior centers throughout the state that provide senior-friendly activities such as crafts, exercise classes, bingo, and seminars. Specialized senior trips are also available to places such as the National WWII Museum, French Quarter, and Houmas House Plantation and Gardens.

Louisiana's Climate, Geography & Culture

The climate in Louisiana is considered semi-tropical with most areas of the state having similar weather throughout the entire year. The differences between the summer and winter are minimal, but the fall, winter, and spring tend to be slightly milder than the summer. The high temperature is typically 92 degrees during the summer and the low is 40 degrees during the middle of winter. Areas closer to the Gulf of Mexico are more humid and receive more rain than those in the more northern regions of the state, with an average of 59 inches of rainfall annually. Lightweight clothing is worn during most parts of the year with a jacket during the colder months. Rainwear is recommended at all times of the year.

Louisiana’s culture is famous for its Cajun and Creole cuisine, jazz music, and of course Mardi Gras! Food is everything here and you'll find some of the best, and most unique forms of seafood in the world here. Today you'll find Lousiana Voodoo alive and well especially in New Orleans. 

Crime & Safety in Louisiana

When trying to find a home care agency in Louisiana it can be helpful to know which areas are safer than others. Overall, Louisiana ranked a 52 for violent crime and a 50 for property crime on a scale of 100 (1 being the lowest crime). Here are some of the safest places to consider finding home care in Louisiana.

LocationViolent Crimes Per 1,000 ResidentsProperty Crimes Per 1,000 Residents
Brusly0.000.39
Elmwood2.0312.90
Abita Springs1.489.41
Harahan1.6115.35

(source: valuepenguin.com)

Louisiana's Home Care Regulations & Laws

According to federal legislation (42 CFR 484.36), Medicare-certified home health agencies are required to employ only health aides who have been trained and evaluated by the approved programs of their state of practice. 34 states in total along with the District of Columbia require a minimum federal standard of 75 hours of training. These regulations provide the subject areas and required skills, as well as the qualifications for trainers approved to administer the competency evaluation process. Additionally, 16 hours of supervised clinical training with 12 hours of continuing education every 12 month period are required to maintain a certification. 

Payment Options for Louisiana Home Care

Paying for home care in Louisiana can be achieved in several ways, each based on what can work the best for your unique situation. 

First off, seniors may look to Medicare to receive coverage for their copayment and deductibles for medical home care through the Medicare Supplemental Insurances program. In order to qualify for Medicare coverage for in-home care, it must be deemed medically necessary. Medicare does not pay for non-medical in-home care services.

Next, U.S. veterans can receive assistance for home care through benefits like the Improved Pension or Homebound and Aid & Attendance Pension. To apply you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging.

Paying privately is also an option for many seniors through several methods. Besides using one’s own savings to pay for care, others may choose to pay through a reverse mortgage, by opening a home equity line of credit or by converting their life insurance policies. Long-term care insurance may also be a reasonable option if purchased earlier in life. 

Medicaid is another joint federal and state insurance program available to seniors and their families with low income. The rules, eligibility requirements, and benefits of Medicaid are state-specific and will vary based on your location. This program refers to care received outside of a nursing home as Home and Community Based Services (HCBS). For more information on your state’s Medicaid requirements, you can click here.  

Senior & Elderly Rights for Home Care in Louisiana

Seniors receiving home care from a Medicare-approved home health agency retain a series of guaranteed rights and protections with the intention of keeping your needs met. Before receiving home care in any form, it is required that the home health care agency provides you with information detailing your rights.

Firstly, you are entitled to choose your own home health agency, although if you are on a managed care plan your choices may be fewer. Caretakers are to treat you and your personal property with respect at all times, minding your preferences for privacy when necessary. You are also encouraged to make decisions about the services medical or non-medical you are to receive. 

Remember, you still retain your rights as a United States citizen as afforded to you by the Constitution and Bill of Rights.

Although there may be the possibility that you will lack the ability to make reasonable or informed decisions about your home health care, you can appoint a family member or legal guardian to act on your behalf. In the case of these rights are violated, contact an elder law professional to help you and your family understand the proper legal actions to take. 

Louisiana Home Care: Medical Record Rules & Regulations

Your protected health information details information regarding your physical and mental health and can also include medical records, billing records, claims adjudication records, and other private documents. Receiving these records can take up to 30 days, or as long 60 days if your healthcare provider utilizes their single extension period. If this limit is exceeded, you must be provided with a written statement as to why the delay occurred.

Seniors receiving home care in Louisiana have the right to obtain copies of their medical records and other protected health information. Although it’s a common misconception that this information cannot be disclosed due to privacy laws, the fact is that you can submit a written request to your health care provider and actually receive copies or digital versions of this information.

Even if they ask, you don’t need to provide a reason for the request. You will likely be charged a fee and the request may be required in writing, but your records belong to you.

Finding the perfect senior care community is only part of making your loved one’s senior living transition smooth. At SeniorCaring, we know that it is also equally important to be aware of what other community services and resources are available to your family’s senior. Choose your location and find local resources for your senior.