Lutheran Assisted Living and Senior Care

What Is Lutheran Senior Care?

When people talk about Lutheran senior care, they are referring to communities and facilities affiliated with the Lutheran Church. Lutheranism, a branch of Christianity, is a way of life for more than 10 million Lutherans in the US, 60 percent of whom are over the age of 50.1 For that reason, Lutheran senior care centers help older adults uphold a lifestyle that honors their faith by incorporating Lutheran values into their programs, environment, activities, and mission.

These places provide seniors with day-to-day interactions and a community that nurtures not just their physical and emotional health, but also their spiritual well-being. If you’re not a Lutheran but want to be a part of the community, do not worry! Anyone is welcome at these facilities, even if they’re not of the Lutheran faith.

How Is Lutheran-Based Senior Living Different From Non-Religious Care?

Since taking care of individuals’ spiritual needs is at the core of Lutheran-based senior care, many facilities have a full-time or part-time chaplain to offer weekly worship services. The chaplains also assist with prayer groups, Bible classes, and administering communion. Some facilities even have chapels on their campuses for residents who can’t make it to regular services. Other spiritual amenities offered at some facilities include:

• Ecumenical devotions and prayer
• Singing of hymns and other musical performances
• Private pastoral care visits
• Faith-based support for caregivers

Since people of all faiths are welcome at Lutheran-based senior care facilities, there is also an effort to provide services for other denominations. For example, Catholic Mass is often offered as well. Many facilities encourage patients to voice their spiritual needs so they can accommodate residents to the best of their ability, especially if they are not able to get out on their own.

Who Operates Lutheran-Based Senior Care Centers?

Lutheran nursing homes, assisted living communities, and other care centers are usually run by nonprofit organizations. These organizations are often faith-based Lutheran ministries. They take all the profit the facility makes and use it for further care for patients. At these facilities, the board of directors consists of health care providers and clergy members who can ensure that the mission of the Lutheran church is achieved through caregiving.

How Much Does Lutheran Senior Housing Cost?

When it comes to senior care, religious affiliation doesn’t affect the cost. The amount you pay for senior housing usually depends on the type of care and room. More specialized care, including memory care, will cost more because it requires more caregiving. In 2024, the median cost of assisted living facilities is $4,917 per month and in-home care is about $5,500 per month. You can expect similar averages for Lutheran senior care as well, though prices will vary greatly by state and your chosen facility.4

Insurance may also help with the costs of Lutheran senior housing. Skilled nursing and rehabilitation are covered under Medicare, but assisted living is not typically covered. You may also be able to use Medicaid under state regulations, so check to see if it will provide for some of the cost.

You can look up the typical cost of senior care for your city or state to understand how much Lutheran senior living will cost. The pricing will most likely be the same, as senior care that includes religious services doesn’t have a major impact on the cost.

Tips for Finding Lutheran Senior Living

If you’re searching for Lutheran assisted living, nursing homes, day care, respite care, or other facilities near you, there are ways to find high-quality care that fits your needs. One resource is Lutheran Services in America (LSA). LSA is a not-for-profit organization that provides health and human services to seniors, children, immigrants, refugees, and the homeless. It is made up of over 300 Lutheran social ministry organizations that serve millions of people. We’d recommend calling LSA to learn if they offer any housing or care resources in your area.

You can also do an online search for local Lutheran senior communities to find the one nearest to you. For instance, if you’re looking for assisted living in Florida, go to a search engine and type “Lutheran assisted living in Florida.” The search results will lead you to local Lutheran senior communities.

Some local senior living centers may also provide religious services, even if they’re not considered a Lutheran community, so call them to ask what services they offer. If you’d like a better idea of what the facilities look like and offer, you can visit the community’s websites to view photos and testimonials from residents. Once you find some facilities, you can schedule an in-person tour to see if it’s the right fit for you.

Where Can I Find Lutheran Senior Living?

We used the tips above to find some local Lutheran senior living communities across the country. Although this is only a small selection of Lutheran senior communities in the U.S., it can help you get a better sense of what to expect at these facilities. All Lutheran senior communities offer care rooted in Lutheran values, though some facilities offer different levels of care. You can use this list to begin your search for the facility that best suits your needs or the needs of a loved one.

• Lutheran Jamestown: Founded in 1886 in Jamestown, New York, Lutheran Jamestown serves both seniors and youths with special needs. Their mission is to offer care that supports the journey of life with compassion, dignity, and respect.
• National Lutheran Communities and Services: NLCS has a long history and started as a small cottage for seniors in Washington, D.C. in 1890. With communities located in both Maryland and Virginia, the organization is dedicated to providing seniors with wonderful choices for retirement living.
• Lutheran Senior Life: This organization offers senior care in its communities throughout western Pennsylvania. Their mission is to continually transform and elevate health, wellness, and social services for seniors.
• Lutheran Home: Since 1892, Lutheran Home has provided person-centered care in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Their mission is to empower people to live vibrant, grace-filled lives every day.
• Liberty Lutheran: Liberty Lutheran offers senior care that honors older adults’ choices and well-being. Based in Ambler, Pennsylvania, they aim to faithfully serve individuals and families who are facing life-changing situations.
• Bethel Lutheran Home: Bethel Lutheran is an award-winning facility that offers a quiet residential community in Selma, California. Their goal is to promote the highest quality of life possible for seniors at reasonable prices.