Assisted Living in Shreveport, LA

Assisted Living Costs in Shreveport

According to Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care study, at $3,393, Shreveport’s average monthly cost for assisted living is moderately lower than the national average of $4,000 and slightly lower than the state average of $3,500. Shreveport falls midway on Louisiana’s assisted living cost spectrum for cities, which include Monroe ($2,950) and Hammond ($3,075) on the one end and Baton Rouge ($4,000) and Huma ($4,325) on the other.

Cost of Assisted Living Comparison Chart

• Shreveport: $3,393
• National average: $4,000
• State average: $3,550
• Baton Rouge: $4,000
• Hammond: $3,075
• Houma: $4,325
• Lafayette: $3,400
• Monroe: $2,950
• New Orleans: $3,610

Care Cost Comparison

Cost for senior care is dependent on a number of factors, including degree of care and location. In Shreveport, nursing home care ($5,241) in a semiprivate room is much more expensive than the cost of assisted living. Home health aides are $300 less per month than assisted living, and homemaker services are even lower at $500 less per month. When deciding on level of care, it’s important to remember that home services do not include rent, utilities, food and other living expenses, which may be included in assisted living or nursing home care.   

• Assisted living: $3,393
• Homemaker services: $2,860
• Home health aide: $3,051
• Adult day care: $1,842
• Nursing home care (semiprivate room): $5,241

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Shreveport

Medicaid in Louisiana

Medicaid, a nationwide supplemental health insurance program, is available to low-income residents of all ages in Louisiana. Coverage includes inpatient/outpatient hospital services, durable medical equipment, home health, nursing home facility, dental coverage and hospice. If an individual already receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI), then they automatically qualify for Medicaid.

To qualify for Louisiana Medicaid and long-term care services, seniors must be 65 or older, be a permanent resident of Louisiana, earn less than 3 times the SSI benefit rate ($2,313 individual or $4,626 couple) and possess $2,000 or less in resources (single) or $3,000 (couple). Exempt assets include: 

• One home valued at $572,000 or less
• One automobile
• Burial funds of $10,000 or less
• Household furnishings, jewelry and life insurance valued at $10,000 or less

Medicaid takes all other assets into consideration when determining eligibility, including investments, retirement savings, pensions, wages, IRAs and savings bonds. For a complete list, see the Applying for Medicaid Long Term Care Services Checklist. 

The “Spend-Down” program is available for those whose income exceeds allowed amounts. Excess income and assets may be used to pay for health-related costs, such as medical bills, home modifications or debt, until the applicant meets Medicaid income and asset limits, at which point Medicaid will kick in and begin to cover the cost of care. It’s important to be aware that income and assets cannot be given away or sold for less than the market value during this period, as Louisiana has a “Look Back” period of 5 years. If an applicant is found in violation, a delay in Medicaid benefits may result. To learn more, contact Louisiana’s Department of Health Medicaid division at (877) 523-2987 or visit your local Shreveport Medicaid Office.

Community Choices Waiver Program

Louisiana’s Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS), which offers in-home and community services, are available to individuals who need assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, dressing, meal prep and grooming. Those who meet Medicaid eligibility, are 21 years and older and meet nursing home level of care, can apply for the Community Choices Waiver Program. Its services are designed to keep seniors in their homes and communities and delay transfer to a nursing home facility.

Services that may be available through HCBS:

• Case management
• Transition intensive support coordination
• Personal assistant services 
• Adult day health care services
• Home modifications to aid in self care
• Medical supplies
• Physical, occupational and speech therapies
• Nurse services
• Home delivered meal services
• Respite care and transportation

 There is a waiting list for this program.

For more information about Louisiana’s Medicaid options for either long-term facility care or the Community Choices Waiver Program, call the LDH Office of Aging and Adult Services at (877) 456-1146. 

Residential Options Waiver

Seniors who are receiving Medicaid and live at home or in an assisted living facility may be eligible for the Residential Options Waiver (ROW). This program is designed for individuals who are developmentally disabled prior to the age of 22 and also meet Intermediate Care Facility-Intellectual Disability (ICF-ID) level of care. An assessment is required to determine eligibility. ROW covers services such as companion care, transition services, medical equipment and nursing services. For a complete list of services covered and general ROW information, visit Louisiana’s DOH ROW page. To apply for ROW, contact the Northwest Louisiana Human Services District either in person or by phone at (318) 741-7455.

Other Financial Assistance Programs for Assisted Living

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits

SSI is a federally funded program available for seniors who are either under age 65 and disabled or age 65 and older with limited income and assets ($2,000 for individuals, $3,000 for couples). Income (from any source) that is above the allowed amount is subtracted from the SSI federal benefit rate of $771 (individual) or $1,157 (couple) a month . To learn more or to apply, visit Social Security’s SSI page or call (800) 772-1213.   

Aid & Attendance and Housebound VA Pensions

Louisiana veterans who receive a VA pension and are in need of assistance from another person for daily living or are housebound, may be eligible for payments in excess of their current pensions. Individuals who do not qualify for the VA pension because of excessive income may still qualify.

To qualify for the Aid & Attendance monthly pension amount, seniors must meet one of the following:

• Require assistance from another person for tasks associated with daily living, such as bathing, changing and preparing meals
• Live in nursing home due to mental or physical incompetence
• Legally blind
• Bedridden

To qualify for the Housebound pension, seniors must be largely housebound due to a permanent disability; the disability doesn’t have to be service related. 

To learn more, visit the Department of Veteran Affairs’ Pension page, write to the Milwaukee Pension Center (which services Louisiana), visit the regional Fort Polk office or call (337) 531-7258.

Assisted Living Resources in Shreveport

Senior Centers in Shreveport, LA

There are 10 senior centers located throughout the Shreveport area. Offerings include free fitness programs, nutrition education, arts and crafts, games, choirs and hot meals. 

Caddo Council on Aging
1700 Buckner Street, Suite 240, Shreveport, LA 71104
(318) 676-7900

Volunteers of America, North Louisiana
360 Jordan Street, Shreveport, LA 71101 
(318) 716-7336

Veterans Affairs

Eligible veterans may qualify for health care, pensions and other benefits by visiting the Shreveport US Veterans Celt Center or Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs. VA health care is available at Overton Brooks, the local VA medical center.

Overton Brooks VA Medical Center
510 East Stoner Avenue, Shreveport, LA 71101
(318) 221-8411

US Veterans Affairs Department
Celt Center
2800 Youree Drive, Shreveport, LA 71104
(318) 861-1776

Bossier Parish Department of Veterans Affairs
2292 Barksdale Boulevard A, Shreveport, LA 71112
(318) 741-8391

Community Aid Agencies

The Caddo Council on Aging offers seniors a variety of services, including Meals on Wheels, legal services, medical and housekeeping services. It also provides ongoing advocacy and support for the Shreveport senior population.

Caddo Council on Aging
1700 Buckner Street, Suite 240, Shreveport, LA 71101
(318) 676-7900