Independent Living 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 20 independent living communities in Louisiana.

The median monthly cost of independent living in Louisiana is about $1,900.

Louisiana state agencies only regulate independent living communities if they share a building or campus with an assisted living or memory care facility. As a result, independent living communities primarily need to abide by general rental and housing regulations. However, some communities have their own resident age requirements, with most in Louisiana requiring residents to be 55+.

Regulations for independent living communities on a senior care campus

When independent living communities share a campus or building with an assisted living and/or memory care unit, they must follow the same policies as those facilities. The Louisiana Department of Health, Health Standards Section (HHS) refers to these long-term care facilities as adult residential care providers (ARCPs) and is responsible for regulating and licensing them.

Regulations for stand-alone independent living communities

Landlords and tenants are responsible for complying with housing and apartment guidelines since there are no statewide regulations for stand-alone independent living communities. Landlords have many obligations to tenants, such as:^[01]

• Delivering the property to the tenant at the agreed time and in good condition
• Maintaining the property in a suitable condition for the purpose for which it was leased
• Protecting the tenant’s right of peaceful possession for the lease’s duration
• Not making alterations to the property
• Paying taxes, assessments, and other charges to the property
• Recording the property’s lease in the parish where the property is located, in case the property is sold during the lease’s term

Similarly, tenants have their own responsibilities to the landlord. They must:^[01]

• Pay the rent in accordance with the lease terms
• Return the property in the same condition as when it was leased, except for normal wear and tear
• Refrain from altering the property, unless the landlord provides written consent
• Allow the landlord to make all necessary repairs that can’t be postponed until the end of the lease
• Use the property for the purpose for which it was leased
• Promptly inform the landlord about damages or needed repairs
• Accept liability for damage that exceeds normal wear and tear caused by them or guests

Protections against discrimination

The Fair Housing Act, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act are all federal laws protecting Louisiana tenants from discrimination. The Louisiana Equal Housing Opportunity Act further safeguards tenants from unfair practices based on:^[02]

• Race
• Color
• Religion
• Sex
• Disability
• Familial status
• National Origin
• Natural, protective, or cultural hairstyle

Landlords are also responsible for allowing reasonable accommodations and modifications to a property. Reasonable accommodations are provided at the landlord’s expense and are intended to allow a disabled renter the same opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling as anyone else. Reasonable accommodations include things like a parking space close to the building’s entrance and waiving a no-pets policy for emotional support animals or seeing-eye dogs.

Reasonable modifications are physical changes to a property that allow someone to use and enjoy it to the fullest. A landlord must allow someone with a disability to make modifications, at their own expense, if such changes are necessary. For example, installing a grab bar in the bathroom, widening doors, and lowering light switches all qualify.^[03]

How to find independent living community inspection reports

Louisiana doesn’t require inspection reports at a state level. Nonetheless, the state heavily advises both tenants and landlords thoroughly survey the property before signing a lease and after the residency concludes. Both parties should also sign a written statement confirming the property’s condition.^[01]

State inspections and complaint investigations

Conversely, independent living communities sharing a campus or building with an assisted living and/or memory care unit undergo unannounced annual inspections. The Bureau of Licensing conducts these inspections by coordinating with local, state, and federal agencies to ensure compliance with state regulations. Notably, inspections can occur earlier if a complaint is filed that is serious enough to justify an investigation.

Finding state inspection reports

These inspection reports aren’t available unless someone specifically requests them. To obtain inspection data regarding a specific facility, you’ll need to submit a Public Records Request (PRR) by mail, fax, or directly through the Louisiana Department of Health, Health Standards Section (HSS) website. If you’re submitting an investigation or complaint report request electronically, you’ll have to create an account first. The long-term care ombudsman is also available to answer questions about a facility’s violation history.

Louisiana Department of Health contact information

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