At the heart of the Acadiana region of south Louisiana, Lafayette is well-known for its Cajun food, Zydeco music, warm weather, and equally warm hospitality. With a cost of living below the national average and many health care options, Lafayette is a reasonable place for retirees to live out their senior years. Seniors with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia can find memory care to meet their needs, too.
Within a 10-mile radius of downtown Lafayette, there are five memory care facilities in A Place for Mom’s network. Many of these facilities provide their residents with memory-enhancing activities, medication management, security features, on-site nursing, and hallucination and delusion care, all to reduce disorientation and agitation and improve residents’ wellness while keeping them safe.
In our guide below, find all the information you need to choose a Lafayette memory care facility. We’ve covered pricing, payment options, regulations and inspections, local hospitals, transportation, amenities and services, and senior-friendly area attractions around Lafayette Parish.
We have had a great experience so far at Brookdale Lafayette. The facility is very clean and the staff is very helpful. The staff has taken care of my dad’s needs and have been very helpful in helping him...
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
The average cost of memory care facilities in Lafayette is $4,824 per month, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary research.[01] This figure includes accommodations, meals, associated fees, and add-on service expenses, such as specialized therapies, 24-hour monitoring, and other ancillary services. This is the average, although the total costs of specific locations vary.
The values below indicate the typical baseline prices for the area and do not include service fees.
Seniors and their families can finance memory care stays through many means, including private funds, public funds, and veterans benefits. In this section, learn about the options for private payments, Medicare, Medicaid, and VA benefits for memory care.
Many seniors and their families may use private funds to pay for memory care services. These funds include personal savings accounts, pensions, Social Security benefits, distributions from retirement accounts, investment income, inheritances, and any of the following resources:
Number of veterans who live in Lafayette
About 22% of Lafayette veterans are 75+
Veterans enrolled in VA health care may also qualify for the Aid and Attendance benefit, which tops up their monthly VA Pension. This is available for vets who need help with daily activities, have limited eyesight, are confined to bed quite a bit, or are in a nursing home. Find eligibility requirements, plus details on application processes and evidence required, for the Veterans Pension here and the Aid and Attendance benefit here.
To have the best chance of receiving the maximum benefits to which you’re entitled, it’s best to contact a veteran services officer for help. Veterans can get help navigating VA benefits from local veteran services organizations (VSO) like the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Disabled American Veterans (DAV), whose contact information can be found 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, the state’s Medicaid program for low-income seniors, does not cover the cost of living in a memory care facility. But that doesn’t mean it’s not helpful.
Most of Medicaid’s long-term care coverage is provided through the Home and Community-Based Services waiver program. These HCBS waivers, also called 1915(c) waivers, allow states to use Medicaid money to provide senior care at home or in assisted living-type facilities (this includes memory care). Louisiana’s HCBS program is made up of four distinct waivers and programs: the Adult Day Health Care Waiver, the Personal Care Services for the Elderly, the Community Choices Waiver, and the Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) waiver. Another program, My Place Louisiana, aids clients in transitioning from a qualifying facility to a home and community-based living environment.
Contact the local Area Agency on Aging or the long-term care ombudsman program listed below for assistance in researching and applying for the various Medicaid options.
Read this FAQ About Louisiana Medicaid to learn more about the services Medicaid covers, what’s required for applications, and how Medicaid works. Apply for Medicaid or learn more about its benefits by visiting the Louisiana Medicaid Self-Service Portal (SSP). Other options for applying include calling Medicaid Customer Service at 888-342-6207, applying in person at the regional Medicaid office (contact information below), or contacting any Medicaid Application Center in Louisiana.
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
Medicare is a government health insurance program for adults 65+ receiving Social Security retirement benefits or those younger than 65 receiving Social Security disability payments for at least 24 months. Medicare pays inpatient hospital care, some doctors’ fees, and other medical services for adults 65 and older with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Many prescription medicines are also covered by Medicare Part D.
Medicare may assist in paying for services such as inpatient hospital care, physician costs, some medically essential products, and short-term skilling nursing care for up to 100 days. Certain hospice care, whether provided at home, in a nursing facility, or in an inpatient hospice facility, may be funded for seniors.
Those with memory loss issues may also be eligible to participate in the Medicare Advantage Value-Based Insurance Design Model. This program provides Medicare Advantage subscribers with chronic diseases (such as dementia) with enhanced benefits, lower cost sharing, and more flexible plans from Medicare Advantage providers.
The Louisiana Medicare Savings Program also assists with paying some Medicare premiums and copayments. Seniors may apply by printing out an application and mailing or faxing in the completed version or visiting a local Medicaid office on weekdays. Additionally, the Louisiana Health Access Program allows people on fixed incomes to access affordable prescription drugs to help with medical expenses.
Nonprofit programs such as PACE Lafayette (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) offer health and support services to elderly people who want to remain living in their communities rather than in a nursing home. PACE also offers caretakers professional counsel and instruction on creating safe home living environments while providing them with emotional support.
To apply for Medicare, go to the Medicare website, call 1-800-633-4227 (1-800-MEDICARE), or visit the Social Security Administration office in Lafayette. For further details about benefits and enrollment, contact the Lafayette Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP). You can also reach out to the long-term care ombudsman in your area or Social Security office.
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
Memory care facilities in Lafayette must be licensed by the Louisiana Department of Health Health Standards Section as Adult Residential Care Providers. To provide memory care, the facility must also be licensed as an Alzheimer’s Special Care Unit (ASCU).
To provide memory care, the facility must have an enclosed area for their residents to be able to safely enjoy outdoor activities. The staff must also have specialized training that ensures they know how to properly care for people with memory loss symptoms. Other than those two provisions, the rest of the rules and regulations memory care facilities must follow are the same as those for assisted living, such as providing housekeeping, meals, laundry services, medication assistance, planned activities, and 24-hour supervision.
The facilities are inspected at least once a year to make sure they are following Louisiana laws and regulations. While you can’t access the inspection reports online, you can ask for them by using a public records request.
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.
There are no mandates that have to be followed in Lafayette memory care facilities. But the Department of Health provides prevention guidelines and best practices. The state also has a dashboard that shows up-to-date information on cases and hospitalizations.
The state recommends keeping your COVID-19 vaccination records up-to-date and getting any necessary booster shots.
The Health Department urges people to wear masks indoors and in all public spaces, especially if they are interacting with high-risk individuals.
After being in a public place, staff members should use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol or wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
People are encouraged to maintain a six-foot physical distance from others and stay away from crowded locations.
Due to its welcoming community, rich cultural heritage, and favorable weather conditions, Lafayette has become a desirable location for many seniors in retirement. The city offers social and entertaining activities for seniors and their families to share. In the city’s senior living facilities, dedicated communities or specialized wings of assisted living facilities often offer memory care services as well.
At many locations, you’ll find specially designed, secure, home-like environments for seniors with Alzheimer’s and other memory impairments. These facilities can offer residents a busy schedule of social activities or the tranquility of comfortable sitting areas and beautiful Southern courtyards. Many locations offer a countryside feel with easy access to all the amenities and services found in the city center.
Within a 10-mile radius of downtown Lafayette, we have five memory care facilities. Three are combined assisted living and memory care facilities. Two are combination assisted living, independent living, and memory care facilities. This latter care classification is very appealing because it offers multiple housing options for seniors as their care may evolve.
Expanding to a 25-mile radius of downtown, there’s one more combination assisted living and memory care facility within our network.
Lafayette memory care facilities meet the requirements of seniors with dementia by providing personalized activities such as water aerobics and memory exercises. They have skilled professionals awake and on-site 24 hours a day, typically offer hospice care, and some even have wander management systems in place to safeguard residents. The communities are quite secure, so families needn’t worry about the safety of their loved ones.
Memory care facilities can also manage residents’ medication, diabetes, and incontinence if needed. Nearly all of our partner facilities bring in occupational, physical, and speech therapists as needed. More than half of the facilities we partner with have a visiting podiatrist on rotation as well.
Memory care communities aim to keep their residents mentally and socially engaged. More than half of our partner memory care facilities have a designated activity director and an arts and crafts center to provide a stimulating environment for seniors.
The communities typically have indoor and outdoor social facilities, walking pathways, and enclosed courtyards for daily exercise. Nearby attractions such as theaters, parks, and museums are also easily accessible to seniors and their families who would like to spend some time out of the facility together.
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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
The Lafayette area has several notable hospitals, as well as two VA clinics: the Lafayette Campus B VA Clinic and the Lafayette VA Clinic.
Lafayette General offers general medical and surgical care. It excels in three adult operations and conditions, according to U.S. News & World Report.
Our Lady of Lourdes is a full-service general medical and surgical facility. The U.S. News and & Report says it is notable for six adult procedures and conditions.
Memory care facilities generally provide transportation for medical appointments and group events. But because of their special needs, seniors with dementia in Lafayette, Louisiana, may have limited transportation options, as they’ll need to be accompanied at all times. At memory care facilities in A Place for Mom’s Network in Lafayette, 80% offer complimentary transportation to residents, and 40% offer at-cost transportation; these are likely the best bets for seniors with memory issues who aren’t being transported by family.
If needed, there are public buses and paratransit services available at low costs for seniors to take with their families. Learn about these options below.
Seniors can utilize the Lafayette Transit System (LTS), a bus network with accessible routes for older people and individuals with disabilities. Every bus in the fleet complies with the ADA, and they offer designated seating for the elderly and those with disabilities. LTS drivers have additional training to help riders with disabilities, particularly those with cognitive impairments like dementia. They can provide extra time for boarding, exiting, and assistance with buckling seat belts or other restraints. This mode of transportation is best suited for seniors accompanied by a caregiver.
Another option for seniors accompanied by caregivers is Acadiana Transit, a paratransit service provided by Lafayette Transit. It provides service to people who can’t travel by bus, and it offers a special occasion charter and shuttle service for the elderly. Learn more about paratransit services by consulting the Paratransit Rider’s Guide.
When considering transportation choices for seniors with dementia, it’s critical to prioritize their safety and comfort and assess whether additional care or monitoring is required.
Lafayette, located in south Louisiana, is the hub of the Acadiana region, which is also known as Cajun Country. This city knows how to have a good time, with its vibrant culinary scene and love of Cajun and Zydeco music contributing to earning it the moniker of the “Happiest City in America.”
But Lafayette’s allure extends beyond the cafes, dancehalls, and sights; it also has a rich history dating back to the early 1800s. Visitors can learn more about the region’s history at places like the Vermilionville Historic Village, a living history museum that focuses on Acadian, Native American, and Creole traditions. It’s an interactive and sensory experience suitable for elders who have dementia.
For more interactive experiences, the Lafayette Science Museum is a great choice, with various exhibits that are accessible and fascinating to all ages. There is also disabled access and seats throughout the venue.
Seniors and their families who enjoy the outdoors can visit Girard Park, a popular site in Lafayette for residents and their families. There are accessible walking pathways, picnic spots, and plenty of benches for resting throughout the park. The Lafayette Farmers and Artisans Market has a lot of seating places, too, and it’s wheelchair-accessible. This outdoor market is a terrific place to buy fresh food and homemade goods and listen to live music.
Those who’d love to explore their creative side can visit The Senior Art Studio, a wheelchair-accessible option and an exhibit area for artistic expression. Activities such as painting, porcelain art, arts and crafts, and community puzzle tables are just a few of the programs offered there.
The Acadiana Center for the Arts hosts several immersive exhibitions and concerts for people of all ages. The institution provides events ranging from classical to popular music. Attending a concert at the Heymann Performing Arts Center is a must for music lovers. It’s wheelchair accessible and has hearing aids available for those needing them.
Brookdale Lafayette, Courtyard Retirement and Assisted Living and The Blake at Lafayette are the top-rated Memory Care facilities near Lafayette, LA. These Memory Care facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Memory Care in Lafayette is $4,216 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
The 11 memory care facilities near you in Lafayette, Louisiana typically provide housing, therapies, and care tailored to those who have Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. To find memory care in Lafayette, Louisiana, browse our detailed listings showing photos, floor plans, amenities, activities, and reviews from real families.
Browse A Place for Mom’s listings for memory care in Lafayette, Louisiana, to take a virtual tour. Our local senior living experts can arrange for a live tour of these communities as well.
The cost of memory care facilities in Lafayette, Louisiana ranges from $2100 to $7250. The average Memory Care cost in Lafayette, Louisiana is $4,216. Prices often vary based on care provided, amenities, unit size, and more.
The cost of memory care in Lafayette, Louisiana typically starts at $2100. A Place for Mom’s local, expert senior living advisors can help you find affordable memory care facilities near you and offer advice on how to lower costs and pay for care with VA benefits or public payment options.
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.
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.