Independent Living Frequently Asked Questions

Lambeth House is a not-for-profit residential community for persons ages 62 and above.  With lovely common areas and 118 homes in independent living, Lambeth House offers an active, burden-free lifestyle, the camaraderie of neighbors and friends, plus a wide array of services and amenities that promote independence and wellness.

Two major benefits Lambeth House provides in contrast to traditional neighborhood living are lifestyle and LifeCare.  We will explore both of these in more detail below.

Home ownership brings with it the burdens of upkeep and maintenance.  Many people are ready to relinquish those obligations and chores in exchange for the joys of more free time, more fun, and greater independence! Lambeth House is maintenance-free; you will find that living here allows you to focus your time and energy on the things you most enjoy.  The Lambeth House lifestyle is also more engaging:  each day, you can choose among programs and activities planned specifically around your interests, such as enriching lectures, off-site excursions, exercise classes and evening receptions – yet how you spend your time is always your choice.

We know moving can be difficult, especially if you are moving from a home you have lived in for many years.  However, it is a short-term challenge for long-term gain.  The rewards are many, and we often hear from new residents, “I wish I had moved here sooner!”  On your visits, we encourage you to talk to our residents to hear first-hand about their experiences, and let us know if there is anything we can do to make your transition an easy one.

No. Moving to Lambeth House involves an entrance fee, which is 90% refundable to you or your estate regardless of the tenure of your residence, but there is no “purchase” or property transfer.  The entrance fee makes LifeCare possible, and monthly fees provide for use of your residence and common areas, maintenance and basic utilities, plus a wide array of services, programs and amenities. Since there is no home purchase, there are also no property taxes!

Considering all the amenities and benefits that Lambeth House provides, you will see that it is a great value.  One simple monthly fee covers regular living expenses and MUCH more:

• Your private residence:  choose from a variety of appealing home styles, all of which feature a full kitchen, sprinkler system, washer and dryer, and spacious closets
• 15,000 square feet of beautifully maintained common areas including parlors, library, fitness center, card/game room, auditorium, penthouse, courtyard, office, and private dining room
• A flexible meal plan which includes restaurant-style dining at your choice of lunch or dinner
• A full schedule of cultural, educational, social, and wellness programs – including concerts and lectures here at Lambeth House, plus frequent outings to New Orleans’ best restaurants and destinations
• Weekly housekeeping and flat laundry service
• Private, scheduled transportation
• All utilities except telephone
• Emergency call-and-response system and 24-hour staffing
• Interior maintenance (including appliances)
• Maintenance of building, common areas, and exterior landscaping
•  Assisted living and nursing care, if needed

Fees vary depending on the size of residence you choose.  Our entrance fees begin at $338,000 – again, 90% refundable – and monthly fees begin at $3,548. For couples, the second person monthly fee is $1,639, and if one spouse moves to supportive living while the other remains in independent living, the only added expense is for additional meals.

LifeCare at Lambeth House benefits all residents of independent living, but one must qualify as being in “good health” at the time of move in.  Too often, we hear from prospective residents who “always planned to move to Lambeth House” but waited, then experienced an unexpected change in health.  While one can move directly into assisted living or nursing care at Lambeth House, monthly fees are dramatically higher than our LifeCare rates, and availability cannot be assured.

Considering the savings that LifeCare can provide over the long-term, the entrance fee is a very sensible investment.  On your next visit, let us know if you would like to discuss this in detail, and please feel free to bring your financial advisor along.

In January, fees are subject to standard inflationary increases, which have historically been at or below 4% each year.  Lambeth House’s fees are highly competitive in comparison to similar communities in the U.S., and since we are a not-for-profit 501(c)(3), you can rest assured that our “bottom-line” commitment is simply to ensure the highest quality of life for all of our residents.

Visit Lambeth House, select your home, and reserve it with a 10% deposit of the entrance fee.  It is an easy and exciting process.  Our residents are eager to welcome you and we are here to assist you every step of the way!

Absolutely. Should the need arise, assisted living and nursing care residents have the choice of evacuating with Lambeth House or with family. If they evacuate with Lambeth House, assisted living residents go to St. James Place and nursing care residents go to St. Clare’s Manor, both of which are highly regarded and well-established communities located in Baton Rouge.

Lambeth House can give you and your family more peace of mind. Like many premier continuing care communities across the U.S., Lambeth House offers LifeCare – in fact, we are the only New Orleans senior living community to do so. For residents in independent living, LifeCare guarantees priority access to on-site assisted living and nursing care, if ever needed, at little or no increase in expense. LifeCare is effectively like insurance – it protects your assets by reducing risk associated with rising costs of long-term care.