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Who Qualifies for Assisted Living Financial Assistance in Louisiana?
Date Updated: July 26, 2024
Written by:
Rachel Lustbader is a writer and editor with a background in healthcare and technology. Her work has been published on websites including HealthCare.com, BiteSizeBio.com, BetterHelp.com, Caring.com, and PayingforSeniorCare.com. She studied health science and public health at Boston University.
Both of Rachel’s grandmothers had very positive experiences in senior living communities, and Rachel saw firsthand the impact that kind, committed caregivers and community managers can have on seniors’ and their family members’ lives. With her work at Caring, Rachel hopes to help other families find communities, caregivers, and at-home products that benefit elderly loved ones and make life less stressful for family caregivers
In Louisiana, seniors who have high-level care needs may qualify for assisted living financial aid. To qualify for monetary assistance to pay toward Louisiana’s assisted living facilities, seniors must be able to show that they currently need, or will need in the near future, nursing home level of care.
Seniors who are likely to need nursing home placement within the following months may qualify for help via the Long Term Personal Care Services Program. This is an entitlement Medicaid program, whereby everyone who qualifies will receive funding without being wait-listed. Those who don’t qualify for this program may be eligible for fiscal aid via the Community Choices Waiver. A waiting list applies for waiver services.
Long Term Personal Care Services Program
The Long Term Personal Care Services Program is available for seniors who receive Medicaid, need a nursing home level of care, need assistance with at least one daily activity and can manage their own care. They must also meet one of the following requirements to qualify for assistance:
- Currently be in a nursing home but able to leave if community-based services are provided
- Likely to be admitted into a nursing home within the next 4 months
- Have a main caregiver who is 70 or older or disabled
Community Choices Waiver
Louisiana’s Community Choices Waiver program may be available to seniors who are at least 65 years old or disabled and who meet nursing facility level of care requirements. Income and asset limits apply; an applicant can’t earn more than $2,742 per month and can’t have resources worth more than $2,000.
Other Possible Funding Options
Louisiana seniors who don’t qualify for assistance through Medicaid or waivers may be able to get help via the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). This is a joint Medicaid-Medicare program that replaces all eligible benefits under both separate schemes.
Seniors must be eligible for Medicaid to qualify for PACE. They must be at least 55 years old and need a nursing home level of care. The maximum monthly income limit is $2,742, and the asset cap is $2,000 for a single applicant. The program is only available in certain areas of Greater New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Lafayette.
Other funding options include:
- Reverse mortgage
- Aid & Attendance allowance
- Insurance
- Private pay