The capital of Louisiana is a dream for those looking for a vibrant and restful lifestyle. As the second most populous city in the state, there’s plenty to see and do, and many ways to be social. Whether you want to explore the outdoors, play shuffleboard at Independence Park, or enjoy a local production at Theatre Baton Rouge, the city has plenty to offer.
Senior apartments are a good option for active seniors interested in living among their peers. Sometimes, senior apartments offer amenities and services related to the aging population they serve. If you’re looking for housing that allows you to keep your independence but takes the headache out of home maintenance, then a senior apartment in Baton Rouge is probably for you.
In this guide, you’ll discover the many senior apartment options in Baton Rouge. All of our listings are within a 10-mile radius of the Baton Rouge downtown area. Many seniors also consider independent living communities, which sometimes offer additional senior-specific services and amenities. With this guide, you can learn how seniors typically pay for senior apartments, what features they offer, and some of their regulations in Baton Rouge. We also outline hyperlocal information on health care services, transportation options, and activities for seniors in the area.
How do we rank Baton Rouge senior apartments?
Our goal is to help you find high-quality apartments that fit your needs. Using our 20+ years of experience in senior living, we developed a proprietary rating system based on the following:
We had tried another assisted living facility previously, and my loved one did not like it at all. At Magnolia, she absolutely loves it. There are more activities - they do really well with those. They...
We developed a proprietary recommendation system that orders Baton Rouge community options based on factors we know are important to seniors and their families:
We collect proprietary data from our network of 14,000+ senior living communities in the U.S., with regular refreshes of data and information
We have 387,000+ reviews from senior living residents and family members that provide first-hand accounts about senior living communities
The average cost of a senior apartment is $1,116 per month, according to A Place for Mom’s 2022-2023 proprietary research.[02] Senior apartments in Baton Rouge typically include the cost of utilities in your monthly rent and provide convenient amenities such as on-site maintenance, on-site security, and elevator access. Additional fees not included in your monthly rent could include a parking fee or pet rent.
Senior apartment living in Baton Rouge can be ideal for seniors who are still active and don’t have health care service needs. The figures below represent the average starting costs of senior apartments across the greater Baton Rouge, Louisiana, area and can help you to compare costs of living throughout the area.
Seniors typically pay for senior apartments through personal resources and savings, but some individuals may also qualify for assistance from programs like veterans benefits and housing assistance. If care needs arise in the future, you may want to consider home care or assisted living. In that case, you may also apply for assistance from Medicare, Medicaid, or a combination of methods. In this guide, you can find advice for private pay, VA benefits, public assistance, and other options.
You may choose to use private income sources like personal savings, investment returns, Social Security benefits, and pensions to fund senior apartment living. Depending on your financial circumstances, you may also want to consider the following options:
Number of veterans who live in Baton Rouge
64% of Baton Rouge veterans are 65+.
Seniors who served in the military may be able to receive veteran-specific benefits that could help defray the costs of senior apartments.
Veterans with disabilities and injuries sustained during service may be able to claim the Aid and Attendance benefit, which can be used to offset any costs of living that improve quality of life. This could include rent on a senior apartment. This benefit is paid out in addition to the VA Pension.
Baton Rouge has a large population of veterans and a thriving network of VA offices and veterans service organizations (VSOs) where veterans can receive help and advice on how to successfully apply for benefits. The local Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, and Disabled American Veterans chapters can offer support, advice for accessing local services, and can sometimes assist veterans with legal representation.
Additionally, the East Baton Rouge Parish VA office and the West Baton Rouge Parish VA office are helpful resources when applying for benefits, as well as the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs, which is also located in Baton Rouge.
Below are some relevant programs, resources, and places to visit for more information.
Resources for Baton Rouge veterans
East Baton Rouge Parish VA office
1755 Florida Blvd., Third Floor
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Phone: 225-342-5248
Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. (by appointment only)
West Baton Rouge Parish VA office
West Baton Rouge Courthouse Annex
883 7th St.
Port Allen, LA 70767
Phone: 225-342-6686
Office hours: Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. (by appointment only)
Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs
Galvez Building, Second Floor
602 N 5th St.
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Phone: 225-219-5000
Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of Louisiana
10185 Mammoth
Baton Rouge, LA 70814
Fax: 225-925-5095
Contacts:
Precilla Wilkewitz, lavfw@aol.com
Tori LeBlanc, lastatevfw@yahoo.com
Disabled American Veterans, Department of Louisiana
Galvez Building, Room 226
602 N 5th St.
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Phone: 225-219-1046
American Legion Department of Louisiana Headquarters
Galvez Building, Room 226
602 North 5th St.
Baton Rouge, LA 70821
Phone: 225-219-1941
Louisiana Medicaid benefits don’t cover senior apartments. However, if a senior who is living in a senior apartment requires medically necessary in-home care, Medicaid can help cover these costs through a home and community based services waiver program. One such program is the Long-Term Personal Care Services Program. Accepted applicants can receive assistance with activities of daily living from the comfort of their apartment.
PACE, the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, and the Community Choices waiver are two ways to potentially get help with daily activities. If you don’t qualify for full Medicaid, you can submit an application for the Louisiana Health Access Program. This program is only for seniors who are under the age of 65 and don’t already qualify for Medicare.
As with Medicaid, Medicare in Louisiana does not cover rent on senior apartments. Still, helpful programs do exist to help low-income seniors with pharmacy and other health care costs through the Louisiana Medicare Savings Program.
The links below will guide you to local programs and offices that can help you make sense of your entitlements. The local ombudsman can also offer advice on any of the above programs and can be found at the Capital Area Agency on Aging. The state Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIP) also offers counseling on benefits.
Baton Rouge resident Medicaid and Medicare resources
2521 Wooddale Blvd.
Baton Rouge, LA 70805
Phone: 225-922-2988
Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4.30 p.m.
Louisiana Medicaid
Louisiana Department of Health
628 N 4th St.
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Phone: 225-342-9500
Medicaid Customer Service: 1-888-342-6207
Baton Rouge Social Security Administration office
5455 Bankers Ave.
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Phone: 1-866-613-3070
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Louisiana Medicare Savings Program
628 N. Fourth St.
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Phone: 225-342-9500; 1-800-633-4227
Louisiana SHIIP program
1702 N. Third St.
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Phone: 1-800-259-5300
Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) Baton Rouge
7436 Bishop Ott Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
Phone: 225-490-0604
Hours: 24 hours a day
Peggy Essick, Ombudsman Coordinator
6554 Florida Blvd., Suite 221
Baton Rouge, LA 70896-6038
Phone: 225-922-2525 or 1-800-833-9883
pessick@capitalaaa.org
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4.30 p.m.
Seniors in Baton Rouge may be eligible for public assistance programs as well as Social Security benefits. Keep in mind that these options usually depend on your work history and financial situation.
Housing assistance for seniors in Baton Rouge
Housing assistance programs in Louisiana can help seniors afford their senior apartments. The East Baton Rouge Parish Housing Authority (EBRPHA) office will be able to set you up with relevant programs and resources. The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, formerly known as Section 8, can help pay a portion of the rent. In order to use an HCV, seniors must rent from an apartment community that is part of the HCV program.
Social Security benefits for seniors in Baton Rouge
Social Security benefits can also be claimed to offset living costs associated with a senior apartment. It’s important for seniors to apply for the right types of benefits. The following are several options to consider:
Baton Rouge resident public assistance resources
East Baton Rouge Parish Housing Authority (EBRPHA) office
222 St. Louis St.
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Phone: 225-389-3039
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Baton Rouge Social Security Administration office
5455 Bankers Ave.
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Phone: 1-866-613-3070
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Volunteers of America South Central Louisiana
7389 Florida Blvd., Suite 101A
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
Phone: 225-387-0061
Louisiana doesn’t require senior apartments to be licensed differently from other apartment types. However, they are rental properties, so they fall under many state, federal, city, and county housing laws. Senior apartments are subject to inspections and landlords must obtain a permit for most changes on the property. This includes electrical work, fencing, changing or relocating water heaters, and more.
Additionally, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has laws specifically for Section 8 of the Housing Act, which protects tenants. Most senior living apartments require tenants to be over 55 under the Fair Housing Act, and some have higher age minimums.
Special regulations also exist for residents with disabilities, based on the Fair Housing Act, Section 504, and Americans with Disabilities Act, including the need for adequate parking facilities, accessibility modifications to stairways and entrances, and allowing service animals. Louisiana outlines their landlord and tenant laws in their online guide.
Louisiana Department of Health contact information
628 N 4th St.
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Phone: 225-342-9500
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4.30 p.m.
There are no COVID-19 regulations that apply particularly to senior apartments, but local guidance recommends certain actions and precautions for residents of Baton Rouge:
Masking. The City of Baton Rouge has lifted the mask mandate, but some businesses may still require a mask.
Facility cleanliness. Practices like regular hand washing and maintaining a high level of cleanliness are still recommended for facilities.
Social distancing. Social distancing of at least six feet is advised in public places.
Quarantining. It’s still recommended that those with symptoms and their close contacts self-isolate.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana is home to over 31,000 seniors and could be a great place to search for your next apartment move.[03] Bordered by conservation areas and parkland, the Baton Rouge area provides a blend of natural and urban living, with plenty to do in quirky, historical surroundings.
While Baton Rouge offers a few more independent living options, seniors can still find apartments with several amenities and floor plans.
Apartment amenities
Seniors can enjoy plenty of opportunities to meet new neighbors with thoughtfully designed common areas. Most senior apartments feature a community room, an outdoor patio and grilling space, and walking trails. Many apartment complexes allow residents to bring their dog or cat with them for an additional fee.
Activities and social events
Some senior apartments in the greater Baton Rouge area offer a calendar of social events. This can help new residents get a feel for the community. Common activities may include things like movie nights, game nights, or seasonal celebrations.
Other senior living facilities, such as independent living communities, and apartments in the wider Baton Rouge area can provide a diverse range of options for seniors and their families to consider. Available amenities at A Place for Mom’s partner facilities include arts and crafts rooms, beauty salons, private decks and balconies, and fitness centers.
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Number of seniors over the age of 65 living in Baton Rouge as of 2021
Percentage of seniors 65 and older who are not in the labor force within the Baton Rouge population
Average annual retirement income for Baton Rouge seniors 65 and older
Baton Rouge offers a plethora of health care options to support the aging population. The city offers many distinguished physicians and health care facilities to choose from. Find information on Baton Rouges’ top-rated hospitals below.
Ranked first in Baton Rouge and third overall in Louisiana, Our Lady of the Lake is a well-renowned facility with both medical and cardiac ICUs. The hospital has been rated as high performing in 12 specialties, including lung cancer surgery, heart attack, and diabetes care.
Baton Rouge General is a full-service hospital and part of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, with emergency services on-site as well as behavioral and surgical services. It’s especially high performing in the areas of heart failure and kidney failure.
The most popular way to get around Baton Rouge is by car, and the city is well set up for drivers. However, for seniors looking to explore their surroundings without the need of a personal vehicle, public transportation, like the Capital Area Transit System, could be a great choice, with routes and schedules to suit retired folks and reduced fares for those 65 and over.
For those keen to get their steps in around town, the neighborhoods of Downtown, Garden District, and Mid City South are known as the most walkable in Baton Rouge.
The scores listed below are based on a 100-point scale used by Walk Score (higher numbers indicate that a location is more easily walkable). The scores describe how well senior residents will be able to travel the city on foot, bicycle, or public transit. Scores are based on the infrastructure of walking trails, bike routes, transportation options, and public density in Baton Rouge.[05]
Activities in Baton Rouge express the eccentricity of Louisiana culture. From Cajun cooking classes to swamp visits, seniors can truly expand their horizons here.
As a historic city, Baton Rouge is the ideal place to participate in a historical walking tour. Spot the Louisiana architecture and landmarks while getting in some gentle exercise. Places to spend a longer visit include the Louisiana State Capitol and Magnolia Mound Plantation, which offers a discounted admission for seniors over 65.
For those interested in gaming, consider the following options:
There are also a host of outdoor activities in Baton Rouge to enjoy, including the following options:
Seniors who use a walker or wheelchair can enjoy the wide walking paths at Independence Community Park. The park is home to the botanical gardens, which features a sensory garden and rose garden and other specialized spaces.
Baton Rouge is home to the Louisiana State University Tigers where you can root for some nationally ranked sports teams. For sports fans, there’s also Rougarou, a Texas Collegiate League summer baseball team.
Seniors may also find kindred spirits at one of the area’s senior centers:
The Parc Senior Living, Hooper Springs Senior Living and Catholic-Presbyterian Apt are the top-rated Senior Apartments facilities near Baton Rouge, LA. These Senior Apartments facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Senior Apartments in Baton Rouge is $2,300 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
World Population Review. (2023). Cities in Louisiana by Population (2023).
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary research.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Baton Rouge city, Louisiana [Data set].
U.S. News and World Report. (2023). Best Hospitals in Baton Rouge, LA.
Walk Score. (2023). Baton Rouge.
Ask an A Place for Mom local advisor at no cost.
World Population Review. (2023). Cities in Louisiana by Population (2023).
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary research.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Baton Rouge city, Louisiana [Data set].
U.S. News and World Report. (2023). Best Hospitals in Baton Rouge, LA.
Walk Score. (2023). Baton Rouge.