An Adult Residential Care Directory is available on the Department of Health & Hospitals' website, to assist individuals in locating assisted living (adult residential care) services in their area. Providers are listed in alphabetical order, with addresses and phone numbers. Click on the company name for more information and a map showing the provider's location.
What is Assisted Living? Assisted Living is a combination of housing, personalized supportive services and health care designed to respond to individual needs of those who require help with activities of daily living. Residences can be very different in size, appearance and the types of services offered. Each unit must have a room with a cooking device/microwave, refrigerator and private bathroom.
Assisted Living is regulated by the Louisiana Department of Health & Hospitals under the "Adult Residential Care" licensure classification, which includes personal care homes, shelter care homes, and assisted living communities (with individual apartments/units for residents). Assisted Living residences typically offer different levels of care at different costs. Residents may have to move to a higher level of care if the assisted living residence can permanently no longer meet their needs. Residents and/or families pay for services. No financial assistance is available in Louisiana at this time.
Finding Assisted Living Services Finding the right assisted living services is not easy. When researching senior housing, assisted living and retirement residences, you must do your homework and ask the right questions. Listed below are many questions in which to ask staff, residents and family members at residences you visit.
Atmosphere Is the residence attractive and homelike? Visit unannounced at different times of the day. Is the staff friendly and do they know residents by name? Are residents and their families happy and can you talk with them about their experiences? Are visits with the resident welcome at any time?
Physical Features Does the building design meet your needs and the needs of an aging population? Is the residence clean, free of odors and appropriately heated/cooled? Does the residence meet local and/or state licensing requirements?
Needs Assessments, Contracts, Costs & Finances Does the residence have written resident agreements outlining services, prices, extra charges, admission and discharge criteria and house rules? Is there a written plan for the care of each resident? Are the residents' needs assessed periodically? Does the assessment process include the resident, family, staff and physician? Are there any government, private or corporate programs to help pay for services? Are more services available if the resident’s needs change? Is staff available to meet scheduled and unscheduled needs? When may a contract be terminated and what are the refund policies? A disclosure statement may be available discussing ownership and financial solvency of the provider.
Medication & Health Care Does the residence have specific policies regarding storage of medication, assistance with medications, training and supervision of staff and record keeping? Is self-administration of medication allowed? Is there coordination of home care visits from a nurse or physical therapist, etc.? Are staff available to assist residents who experience memory, orientation or judgment losses? Does a physician or nurse visit the residents regularly to provide medical checkups? How does the residence respond to a resident’s medical emergency? To what extent are medical services available, and how are services provided?
Services Can the residence provide a list of available services? Is staff available to provide 24-hour assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) if needed? ADLs include: dressing, eating, mobility, hygiene and grooming, bathing, toileting and incontinence, using telephone, shopping, laundry. Does the residence provide housekeeping services in residents' units? Is transportation to the doctors’ offices, hairdresser, shopping, etc. provided? Can residents arrange for transportation on a fairly short notice? Are pharmacy and physical services offered on-site? Are barber/beautician services offered on-site?
Individual Unit Features Are different sizes and types of units available? Are single and double occupancy units available? Is a 24-hour emergency response system accessible from the unit? Are bathrooms private with handicapped accommodations for wheelchairs and walkers, if needed? Are residents able to bring their own furnishings for their units and what may they bring? What is provided? Is a kitchen area/unit provided with a refrigerator, sink and cooking element? Do residents have their own lockable doors?
Social & Recreational Activities Does the residence have an organized activities program, such as a posted daily schedule, events in progress, etc? Do residents participate in activities outside of the residence? Are pets allowed? Does the residence have its own pets?
Food Service Does the residence provide three nutritionally balanced meals 24 hours, 7 days per week? Are snacks available? May a resident request special foods? May residents eat meals in their units? May residents eat meals at a time they would like or is there a set schedule?
For additional resources, vist the websites listed below: Assisted Living Federation of America - www.alfa.org American Association of Retired Persons - www.aarp.org Aging & Disability Resource Centers - www.louisianaanswers.com
Complaint Resolution To make a complaint about the quality of services in an assisted living residence, contact the Louisiana Department of Health & Hospitals, Health Standards Division at (225) 342-5778. To make a complaint about the quality of life in an assisted living residence, contact your local Ombudsman. Contact your local Council on Aging for the telephone number or call the State Ombudsman’s office at (225) 342-7100.
For more information, please contact us: Louisiana Assisted Living Association, PO Box 1231, Denham Springs, LA 70727. Phone: 225-791-5811
