Lutheran Assisted Living: What to Look For and Where to Find It

Lutheran assisted living provides the same support with personal tasks as other assisted living communities — however, care is offered with the Lutheran faith in mind. This means that a senior can receive help with activities of daily living (ADLs) like bathing and dressing while also having access to on-site activities and events that reinforce Lutheran values. They can participate fully with like-minded individuals in a community that values each person’s dignity.

Typically, Lutheran assisted living and most religious communities are run by nonprofit organizations. Since spirituality is important to the residents in these communities, they may have a full- or part-time pastor on staff. Some communities have an on-site chapel, while others may help provide transportation to services.

For seniors who haven’t been able to attend their parish church regularly, an on-site chapel provides them with a new faith community. Additionally, it may be a place where they can mark significant milestones, such as a wedding anniversary, with a special ceremony.

Lutheran communities provide several opportunities for your loved one to be active in their faith. This includes the following:

• The Divine Service
• Ecumenical or nondenominational services
• Praise and worship through song or daily devotions
• Spiritual guidance
• Bible studies
• Listening to religious podcasts or other audio material through Alexa-enabled devices

Read related article:Beyond Bingo: The 50+ Best Activities for Seniors in Assisted Living

Is assisted living the right fit?

Does my loved one need to be a practicing Lutheran?

While Lutheran assisted living communities focus on the Lutheran faith, being Lutheran isn’t an admission requirement. Many seniors searching for Christian assisted living communities may feel at home in a Lutheran community. Depending on the residents’ needs, some Lutheran communities may offer services that cater to different Christian denominations.

As you tour communities, you’ll get a sense of how large a role religion plays in the community and whether it would be a good fit for your loved one.

Is the cost of a Lutheran assisted living community different than other communities?

While each community is different, it’s unlikely that you’ll pay a significantly higher or lower price to live in a Lutheran assisted living community instead of a nonreligious community.

The monthly median cost of care in an assisted community is $4,807.^[01] Where you live and the amount of care your loved one needs can also affect assisted living costs.

Read more:Is Assisted Living Tax Deductible? What You Need to Know

As with any other assisted living community, you’ll want to feel confident that the places you consider in your search can meet your loved one’s needs. Consider these questions when you’re touring:

• Is the community clean and well-maintained?
• Do residents seem engaged and happy in their surroundings?
• Outside of religious events or services, are the activities provided ones that my loved one would enjoy?
• How does the staff apply the values of the Lutheran faith to the community’s care philosophy?
• Does the community offer multiple levels of care to meet my loved one’s needs now and in the future?
• What is the community’s pricing structure, and does it fit our assisted living budget?

You may also want to refer to A Place for Mom’s touring checklist for additional questions.

Read related article:Questions to Ask Assisted Living Facilities When Touring

Assisted living questions? Get expert help

If your loved one is active in their church, their current pastor may be able to provide some information on local resources. However, they may not know about all the communities in your area or which ones would provide the care your loved one needs.

At no cost to you, the Senior Living Advisors at A Place for Mom can offer guidance on religious assisted living communities within your budget.

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