Talk to a local advisor for free
Located in northern Louisiana, Monroe has a population of 47,294 people, 14.4% of whom are seniors aged 65 or older. The city’s seniors benefit from a cost of living that’s more than 23% below the national average and more physicians per capita than most of the country. With its mild winters, Monroe’s weather enables its seniors to enjoy the city’s outdoor attractions, such as Forsythe Park and Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge year-round, and with numerous art galleries and museums, seniors have ample opportunities for cultural enrichment.
According to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey 2020, Monroe’s seniors spend an average of $3,150 per month on assisted living. In the city and surrounding area, residents can choose between three assisted living facilities and a range of other types of senior living communities.
Hundreds of thousands of American seniors utilize assisted living, a figure that is only growing. For these seniors, assisted living combines residential housing,assistance in daily activities, and some healthcare. These communities also strive to provide an atmosphere that is comfortable and engaging for their residents… Read More >
Compared to what most seniors in Louisiana and nearby states are paying for assisted living, Monroe’s $3,150 average monthly cost of assisted living is quite affordable. Across Louisiana, seniors are paying $489 more each month on average, while throughout the nation older adults generally spend $1,150 more on assisted living than seniors in Monroe. In Texas, seniors pay $848 more each month than Monroe’s seniors, making it the most expensive bordering state, while Mississippi and its $3,713 average cost of assisted living is the cheapest nearby state.
Monroe’s cost of assisted living is also cheaper than the majority of Louisiana’s cities. In Shreveport and Alexandria, seniors spend around $311 and $206 more per month, respectively, while older adults in New Orleans and Lake Charles are paying over $1,000 more each month for similar care and amenities. At $3,049 a month, Houma is one of few Louisiana cities with a lower cost of assisted living than Monroe.
The Louisiana Medicaid program doesn’t pay for care within an assisted living facility, but it offers several waivers and home and community-based services. The Community Choices Waiver and the Long-Term Personal Care Services program can help seniors get the care they need in a community setting, such as an assisted living facility.
To learn more about these programs, along with the eligibility requirements and application process, visit our Assisted Living in Louisiana page.
| Contact | Description | |
| Ouachita Council on Aging, Inc. | (318) 387-0535 | The Ouachita Council on Aging manages a variety of programs and services for Louisiana’s older adults. It offers legal assistance, housekeeping services, health screenings and a personal emergency response system loan program. Through its caregiver support program, family caregivers can receive temporary relief with in-home respite care. The agency also operates the local senior center, which offers seniors transportation to medical appointments. |
| Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs | (318) 435-2141 | At the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs, former members of the armed services can receive assistance with enrolling in VA health care, applying for military pensions and learning about available tax exemptions. The L.D.V.A. also provides vocational rehabilitation for its retired members who became disabled during their service. |
| Ouachita Carolyn Rose Senior Center | (318) 387-0535 | Operated by the Ouachita Council on Aging, the Ouachita Carolyn Rose Senior Center serves as the local aging community’s access point to a number of helpful resources, as well as a place for seniors to socialize with like-minded neighbors. It hosts fitness classes, arts and crafts workshops and educational activities, such as computer classes. The senior center also provides weekly congregate meals and nutrition counseling. |
| Retired Senior Volunteer Program | (318) 345-3716 | The University of Monroe’s R.S.V.P. program connects Monroe’s seniors with volunteer opportunities that match their skills and abilities. Volunteers have worked with nonprofits, such as LifeShare Blood Center and the American Red Cross, as well as public service agencies, including local police and fire departments. The program accepts volunteers aged 55 and older. |
| Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program | (318) 484-2260 | When seniors in Monroe’s assisted living communities encounter issues with finances, care quality and other matters, workers at the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program advocate on their behalf to quickly resolve problems and ensure residents’ rights are not being infringed. For more information, seniors should contact the Central Louisiana Area Agency on Aging. |
Louisiana’s Department of Social Services creates the rules and regulations that govern the state’s assisted living facilities. Learn more about the state’s assisted living laws on our Assisted Living in Louisiana page.
