About the Region
New Orleans continues it's come back, from the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina. Infrastructure
continues to be restored, and businesses are reopening their doors, see individual Parish updates below.
This website intends to provide continuing updates on the recovery efforts. While some neighborhoods, such
as the Garden District, the French Quarter, Uptown, most of Metairie and the west bank appear normal, many
other parts of town lay as a wasteland of broken down houses, businesses and parks where no one is sure
whether they will ever return, much less to normal. These areas include Lakeview, Gentilly, New Orleans
East, Chalmette, Arabi. All total, over 225,000 houses were destroyed because of breaches in levees that
caused 80% of the city to flood.
New Orleans is located on the coastal plain of the United States that incorporates the Mississippi Delta
in the southeast corner of the state of Louisiana. Marshes, bayous, and lakes surround it. One of the
largest inland salt-water lakes, called Lake Pontchartrain, borders New Orleans to the north. It boasts a
24-mile span bridge, the Causeway, which links New Orleans to the popular north shore communities of
Mandeville, Covington, and Madisonville.
New Orleans Metro Area
The name New Orleans comes from French explorers Iberville and Bienville who named the city Nouvelle
Orleans, after the Duke of Orleans. New Orleans nickname is the Crescent City. The city actually sits on a
parcel of land that is below sea level. This topography has caused New Orleans to be adversely affected by
floods and hurricanes in the past. Even before Hurricane Katrina, the surging waters of the Mississippi, the
Industrial Canal and other canals in the Greater New Orleans area, and Lake Pontchartrain have been
mitigated by a vast system of spillways, pumping stations and levees. The U.S.Army Corps of Engineers is
responsible for the construction and maintenance of these levees. The breaches in the levees and the system
for maintaining it are currently under much debate.
New Orleans is a cosmopolitan city with a rich cultural diversity stemming from a heritage of immigrating
Americans, French, Spanish, and French Acadians who became known as Cajuns. New Orleans is composed of many
wonderful neighborhoods and surrounding towns that are in the process of rebuilding from Hurricane Katrina.
Louisiana refers to its counties as parishes, given its rich Catholic heritage. Those that make up the
Greater New Orleans area are Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John
the Baptist, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington.
The culturally diverse population of New Orleans has brought with it many overlapping customs and
celebrations that have become a part of the city's heritage. Such celebrations have led to the promotion of
tourism for the area. Today the city's economy is strongly reliant on tourism. Due to the affects of
Hurricane Katrina, tourism has dropped off considerably. As New Orleans continues its recovery, a hurricane
does not keep Mardi Gras celebrations from being reinstated. This year Mardi Gras Carnival season officially
began with the celebration of the Feast of the Epiphany. This is also known as the King's Day or Twelfth
night. This celebration is dated back five thousand years ago to various pagan celebrations and was made a
Christian Holiday in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII.
New Orleans Climate
New Orleans has a semi-tropical climate. The coldest month is January with temperatures around 55
degrees. July and August are the hottest months with temperatures that range from 81 to 85 degrees with high
humidity. Annual precipitation is around 63.5 inches per year. From July through October, tropical winds can
bring high tides and heavy rains to the area. Seniors migrating to the area seem to enjoy the lack of snow
and ice. The option of hot and humid New Orleans verses cold, wet and snow of the northern states seems to
appeal to incoming seniors.
New Orleans Attractions:
Mardi Gras Festival
From the large convention center, legalized "gaming" (gambling is illegal) and historical points
of interest, such as the French Quarter and the Garden District, the city offers locals and tourists many
wonderful points of interests and local events. The most famous local celebration is Mardi Gras, which
celebrates "the feast before the fast" of Ash Wednesday/Lent. Locals and tourists enjoy the party
atmosphere that Mardi Gras brings to the city. Mardi Gras is so popular with the locals that most of the
non-tourist based local businesses close to enjoy the celebration, and everyone participates in the Mardi
Gras theme, Laissez les bon temps roulez or Let the Good Times Roll! For more information on Mardi Gras see
Local links.
New Orleans Jazz festival
As New Orleans reinstates it's Mardi Gras carnival, it is also planning it's annual Jazz and Heritage
Festival. One of the world's notable cultural events is the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. This
years event dates are April 28th -30th and May 5th -7th, Plan now for New Orleans style Jazz and
Entertainment. It is noted, that Tulane University is the new home for The New Orleans Jazz orchestra
playing an integral part of New Orleans recovery efforts, by continuing to provide one of New Orleans
cultural treasures. Probably the single most product that New Orleans exports is it music, from jazz to
zydeco, one cannot visit New Orleans without experiencing this vital aspect of its culture as a whole. It is
truly, what makes New Orleans the unique cultural center it is. The best time to experience the diversity of
music that comes out of New Orleans is each spring at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival when
every night club and other possible venue participates in live music concerts celebrating all music that has
its roots in New Orleans. Moreover, let us not forget the food! Oysters, crayfish, catfish, andouille,
etoufee', jambalaya, gumbo, bread pudding, is your mouth watering yet? Alternatively, if you are thirsty for
one of the signature drinks such as hurricane, grenade, sazerac, or old-fashioned, you just have to
experience it to get it...the food, the music, and the culture.
Grand Isle State Park
Grand Isle state park, part of Jefferson Parish is one of New Orleans favorite tourist's destinations. After
suffering major devastation from hurricane Katrina's storm surge Grand Isle is reporting migrant species
returning to their favorite fishing spots. These species are a boon to the local economy commonly known as
tourists. Restaurants and hotels are beginning to open their doors again. The Butterfly dome will soon
reopen as well. Special events include the Carnival Parade in February, The Grand Isle Migratory Bird
Celebration, and The Taste of Grande Island Shrimp boil and silent auction both in April. For more details,
see Local Links.
Additional Area Attractions:
Museums - Odyssey's Shipwreck Museum, The American Italian Museum, the Backstreet Museum, The
National D-Day Museum, The Preservation Resource Center Museum, The Cabildo, The Historic New Orleans
collection, The confederate Museum, the Tulane Museum of Natural History, The Pharmacy Museum.
Cultural Arts - The Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans Museum of Art, The Ogden Museum of
Southern Art.
Historic Homes -The Beauregard-Keyes House, The Edgar Degas House, Gallier House Hermann Grima
House, and The Pitot House.
Outdoor - Sculpture Gardens, The Audubon Zoo, The New Orleans Historical Jazz Park, and Jazzland
Louisiana's newest theme park.
Other Attractions of Interest-Harrah's New Orleans Casino, Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World, St. Louis
Cathedral, and Riverwalk Marketplace.
New Orleans is a unique city with a celebration of life from the arts to history to excellent French and
Cajun cuisine. As New Orleans continues its massive recovery from hurricane Katrina and as attractions
continue to open, their doors we will update this site accordingly to keep our seniors informed.
New Orleans Region
This edition of the New Orleans Seniors Resource Guide Book & Internet Directory indexes senior
housing, senior support services and professional senior-oriented businesses for the parishes of Jefferson,
St. Bernard, St. Tammany, St. Charles, and St. John the Baptist. All of New Orleans metro area is included:
uptown, downtown, the lakefront and New Orleans east. Information about Parishes and their towns and cities
are listed below for further post hurricane information see Local links.
Orleans Parish - and its larger communities of Algiers and 9th Ward along with its smaller
districts of Bayou St John, Mid City, Gentilly, Lakeview, Lakefront, and New Orleans East. Orleans Parish is
coextensive with New Orleans city. New Orleans central business district is known as "Uptown" and
its famous central tourist district is known locally as the" French Quarter." Please refer to New
Orleans Metro Area and Attractions listed above for more information.
Jefferson Parish - Its cities encompass Metairie, unincorporated Jefferson, Harahan, Kenner,
Gretna, Terrytown, Harvey, Marrero, Westwego, and Bridge City. Jefferson Parish is located south of New
Orleans, is noted as a sportsman's paradise. Jefferson Parish is abundant with recreational opportunities
and nature watching. Along its waters area are extensive scenic wetlands hosting magnificent wildlife
including alligators and hundreds of species of fish. Take a swamp tour and see the spectacular Cyprus
trees, or if you are a bird enthusiast do not miss the bountiful opportunities of rare species of
Louisiana's state bird the brown pelican. Along the shores of Lake Pontchartrain are the purple martins that
return each year to their favorite nesting grounds. Jefferson Parish includes activities for fitness and
leisure offering something for everyone. Experience a stay at a Victorian Bed and breakfast or take in a
game at Zephyr Stadium. On the cultural side, absorb the variety of classical and contemporary entertainment
at the Jefferson Performing Arts Society.
St Bernard Parish - Its larger cities are unincorporated Arabi, Chalmette, Meraux Versailles, and
Violet. St. Bernard has many other smaller cites as well. Located east and adjacent to New Orleans, St
Bernard Parish is encompassed by two thirds of it area of marshlands formed by the Mississippi River Delta.
St Bernard Parish offers residents and visitors an abundance of recreational opportunities along with a high
standard for living. Amenities in the area include all business services along with commercial
establishments, low crime rates, and good schools for families.
St Tammany Parish - Its cities encompass Slidell, Lacombe, Mandeville, Covington, Madisonville,
and Abita Springs. St Tammany's Parish, is the choice for many to call home. Residents include outdoor
enthusiasts, gourmands, golfers, and lovers of the arts. Tammany's Parish is located on "the other side
of the lake" from New Orleans connected by the Lake Pontchartrain causeway. This Parish boasts itself
of cultural heritage, history and the arts creating a diverseness of community with a cultural identity.
From its local legends and folklore, to outdoor fairs and festivals, livestock shows, seafood and crafts
Tammany Parish offers something for everyone. Abita Springs and Mandeville are resort towns abounding in
romance and history. Tammany's semi-tropical climate provides a great backdrop for outdoor air theatre's and
music companies, which perform many month's of the year. If your looking for a cultural change of venue,
Tammany's restaurants located in old plantation homes offer gourmet Creole and Cajun specialties.
St Charles Parish - and its city of Destrehan, is located along what is known as the German Coast
or in the French the "Cote des Allemandes." West of New Orleans along forty miles of the
Mississippi river, including both sides, is the St. Charles Parish. St Charles Parish offers a rural setting
with all the big city conveniences.It is graced with pre-civil war manors and churches, while entwined with
its mysterious bayous and swamps along the Mississippi. Attractions in the area include Bayou Gauche Airboat
Tours, Big Al's Airboat Experiences, LaBranche Plantation dependency house, Ormond Plantation, and River
Road Museum.
St John the Baptist Parish (St John) - and its city of La Place, is a located north west of New
Orleans on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain and the Mississippi river. Smaller cities include Reserve,
Garyville, Mt Airy, Wallace, Lucy, and Edgard. St John the Baptist Parish offers a multifaceted Parish of
developing suburbs, rural farmlands, business, and commercial settings along with exquisite natural
landmarks. Rich fertile soils provided sustenance for early New Orleans populations. Today St John the
Baptist Parish is a bedroom community for New Orleans offering tourists and residents a unique experience.
The city of La Place is celebrated for its fine Andouille sausage and it Andouille Festival held in October.
Smaller towns in the area create a unique destination for the Christmas season, with its Celebration of the
Bonfires. Local residents set up teepee shaped fires along the shores of the Mississippi for a festive time
together. Located along the River Road, is the historical San Francisco Plantation. Just across the river in
the community of Wallace, is the Evergreen Plantation. See local links for hours and tours of these and many
other local attractions including the St John Theatre and Cajun Swamp Tours.
Tangipahoa Parish - Hammond, the commercial hub for Tangipahoa Parish is located near the
intersection of interstate highways 55 and 12. Over 20,000 residents of this area enjoy fine restaurants,
several modern shopping centers and many beautiful parks for the entire family. Hammond is the home of
Southeastern Louisiana University, which is the fastest growing University in the nation. Ponchatoula, the
oldest incorporated city in the parish, is host to the popular Strawberry Festival every spring. The city
derives its name from the Choctaw Indian language meaning "hair to hang" because of the abundance
of Spanish moss on the trees surrounding the area. America's Antique City, Ponchatoula, is stocked with
numerous art, antique and hand crafted items in the many restored old buildings in the downtown area. Other
towns in Tangipahoa Parish include Amite, Kentwood, Independence, Roseland, Tangipahoa and Tickfaw.
Senior Services in the New Orleans, Louisiana Region
New Orleans Council on Aging has resumed operations to assist seniors sixty and older with support
services for any post Katrina issues. Good news for seniors, local Catholic Charities are planning the
building of 4000 affordable living homes in the New Orleans area. Many seniors will be able to return home
as Katrina destroyed numerous homes. Senior Services in the New Orleans area include information for
applying for medication through Medicare's prescription drug benefits program, health care, help with
utility bills, dental care, support groups to help with recovery clean-up, meals, housing and financial
aide.
New Orleans's unique culture, transportation system, cost of living, and size make it very appealing to
seniors and families as a place to call home. There is a variety of senior housing in New Orleans ranging
from independent retirement communities, continuum of care communities, assisted living, skilled nursing,
Alzheimer's assisted and Alzheimer's skilled nursing. Additional senior support services include a wide
choice of home health care, home medical services, professional senior services, 22 hospitals, and 2 major
research centers. Use our Search Senior Services link to learn more about
the variety of senior housing and senior support services located in the New Orleans.
Visit Local Links to learn more about the New Orleans, Louisiana region:
About the Region Nashville
AS-April 2006 |
