Memory Care in Louisiana

As families search for senior living, Louisiana should stand out for those seeking a tropical climate and a cultural mix unlike anywhere else in the United States.

Louisiana’s positioning at the mouth of the Mississippi River made it a key point of trade throughout Colonial North America, and today in “The Pelican State” you’ll find traditions, cuisine, music, and architecture rooted in African, Haitian, French, Spanish, Italian, and Native American heritages. The geography of Louisiana is also defined by water, as the swamps and wetlands of the Mississippi River Delta — combined with sea-level rise and man-made canals — create an ever-changing coastline where the state’s land borders the Gulf of Mexico. The result is a truly unique place, with generations of residents at once embodying a fierce devotion to historical customs and a fluent understanding of new ideas and practices.

Currently, A Place for Mom partners with more than 35 senior living communities in Louisiana that provide memory care.

The median monthly cost of memory care in Louisiana is about $5,300.

Louisiana licenses adult residential care providers (ARCPs) (assisted living and memory care communities) to provide memory care for people with dementia. Because of this, memory care units abide by the same regulations, though there are additional dementia care-specific policies in place as well. The Louisiana Department of Health, Health Standards Section (HSS) licenses and regulates ARCPs, while also ensuring compliance with state memory care standards.

ARCPs do not need an additional license to offer memory care, but they must create an Alzheimer’s Special Care Unit (ASCU) for the facility. An ASCU must provide a special program or special unit for residents with dementia. A facility that advertises, markets, or otherwise promotes itself as providing specialized memory care services also qualifies as an ASCU and is subject to the same regulations.^[01]

Further, Louisiana mandates ARCPs must complete the Alzheimer’s Special Care Disclosure Form and submit it to the Louisiana Department of Health when renewing or changing an existing license. This form must also be given to anyone seeking treatment in the ASCU and any representatives or sponsors of that person. The form is required to contain the following information:^[02]

• A written statement of the Alzheimer’s special care program’s overall philosophy and mission that reflects the needs of residents with dementia
• Admission, discharge, and transfer criteria
• A description of the process and assessment the facility will implement to create a resident’s plan of care, and how the facility will respond to changes in their condition
• Specifics concerning staff training and continuing education practices
• A description of the physical environment and design features to support those with cognitive impairments
• The types and frequency of resident activities
• A statement of philosophy on how families will be involved with care plans and the availability of family support programs
• Any fees for care and additional program fees

Prior to admission, residents must undergo an assessment of their physical and mental status, as well as any needs with activities of daily living (ADLs). This information is used to develop a resident’s plan of care within 21 days of admission. The facility reviews these plans annually and revises them if a resident’s condition changes.

Facilities must also provide and allow access to a secure, enclosed area adjacent to the facility so residents can go outside safely.

Memory care staff education and training requirements

There isn’t a required staff-to-patient ratio for memory care facilities, and staff don’t need specific training before being hired. However, staff who provide direct care to ASCU residents must receive at least eight hours of dementia-specific training within 90 days of employment. Employees also need to take eight hours of dementia-specific training annually. This training must include topics such as communicating with people with dementia, behavior management, promoting independence in ADLs, and understanding/dealing with family issues.

Staff who have regular contact with residents, but don’t provide direct care, must undergo four hours of dementia-specific training within 90 days of employment. These employees are only obligated to take two hours of annual dementia training. Their training is more generalized, with the primary topic being communicating with people with dementia.^[03]

Louisiana Department of Health contact information

Louisiana Department of Health
628 N. 4th Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Phone: 225-342-9500

How to look up the latest inspection and complaint reports

The Bureau of Licensing conducts unannounced annual inspections of adult residential care providers (ARCPs). Inspections can occur sooner if someone files a complaint and its severity warrants an investigation. Authorized local, state, and federal agencies coordinate with the Bureau of Licensing for inspections.

Unfortunately, Louisiana does not make inspection reports as readily available as other states. If you’re curious about a specific facility, you’ll need to submit a Public Records Request (PRR) by fax, mail, or directly through the Health Standards Section (HSS) website. Keep in mind that if you’re sending an inspection or complaint report request through the HSS website, it’ll ask you to create an account first. You can also contact a long-term care ombudsman to ask about a facility’s violation history.