Home Care in Mississippi
Situated along the Gulf Coast, Mississippi has a population of close to 3 million residents, with more than 16% being seniors over the age of 65. A bit below the national average of 72, Mississippi's senior score of 68 is supported by its appealing financial details but weighed down by its lower marks in recreation, health and leisure. With its relatively low property taxes, cost of care and overall cost of living, the state enables seniors to get more value for their dollar, facilitating a high quality of life.
Considering that Mississippi's average annual temperature is around 64 degrees, inclement weather rarely prevents seniors from exploring the state's many outdoor attractions, such as swamp tours and day trips to Ship Island and numerous parks and nature preserves. From admiring the perfectly restored cars of their youth at the Tupelo Auto Museum to seeing the hundreds of monuments at Vicksburg National Military Park, seniors have plentiful options for cultural enrichment.
In this guide, seniors can find helpful comparisons detailing home care costs within Mississippi and nearby states and multiple resources for free care services and financial assistance programs.
Top Home Care Agencies in Mississippi
Located at 10598 D'iberville Blvd Suite B in Diberville, MS, Saads Healthcare of D'Iberville is a senior in-home care company offering home care services along with in-home nursing care. They have been serving clients in Mississippi since 1979. They can ...
Located at 1716 Government St Ste C in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, Home Instead Senior Care is a senior home care provider that offers in-home health care and personal care. They can provide various personal services such as assistance with reading, ...
Kare In Home Health Services is a senior home care provider based in Gulfport, MS at 10281 Corporate Dr. They provide personal home care services as well as in-home nursing services to senior clients. For nearly 43 years, they ...
Located in Hattiesburg, MS at 1414 South 28th Ave, Forrest General Home Care and Hospice is a home health care service provider that offers personal home care along with in-home nursing care. For almost 39 years, they have been helping ...
Located at 11010 Highway 49, Sute 4 in Gulfport, MS, Tender Loving Care is a senior home health care service provider that offers in-home nursing services in addition to in-home personal care services. Since 2002, they have been helping customers ...
Amedisys Home Health of Collins is a senior home care company located in Collins, MS at 18 Melody Ln. They provide in-home medical services and home care to senior clientele. They have been serving customers in the area since ...
Located in Greenville, Mississippi at 300 South Washington Ave, Delta Regional Medical Center is an in-home care service provider offering personal home care services along with in-home health care. Since 1975, they have been providing care to clients throughout the ...
Located in Vicksburg, MS at 105 Thalweg Dr, Suite B, Mississippi Homecare - Vicksburg is an in-home care service provider offering in-home health services as well as home care services. For nearly 41 years, they have been helping clients ...
Located in Jackson, MS at 5888 Ridgewood Rd Ste C, Comfort Keepers is a home care company offering in-home nursing services and in-home personal care. They offer a variety of medical services including Alzheimer's care, catheter care, occupational therapy, colostomy ...
Located in Columbus, MS at 189 Park Creek Dr, Gentiva Health Services is an in-home care company that offers in-home medical care and also in-home personal care services. They have been in operation in the area for 37 years. They ...
Located at 11703 Highland Cir in Gulfport, Mississippi, Camellia Home Health and Hospice is a senior home health care company offering in-home medical services along with personal home care. Since 1977, they have been providing care to clients in the ...
Baptist Memorial Home Care and Hospice is a senior home health care provider based in Batesville, Mississippi at 548 Highwat 6 East. They provide home care services as well as in-home medical services to seniors. For nearly 41 years, ...
Located in Belzoni, Mississippi at 405 N Hayden St, Mid Delta Home Health Agency is a senior home health care company that offers in-home medical care and also in-home personal care. Since 1978, they have been helping seniors in the ...
Located in Petal, MS at 106 Carterville Rd, Visiting Angels Living Assistance Services is an in-home care service provider that offers home care services as well as in-home health care. They provide various personal services like help with personal hygiene, ...
Located at 2034 East Shiloh Rd in Corinth, MS, Magnolia Regional Health Center Hh and Hospice Agenc is a senior in-home care provider offering personal home care services along with in-home health services. For nearly 40 years, they have been ...
Mississippi Homecare of Richton is a in-home care service provider based in Richton, Mississippi at 205 Elm Ave E. They offer personal home care services and also home health services to seniors. Since 1978, they have been serving customers ...
Located in Gulfport, Mississippi at 1505 E Pass Rd, Comfort Keepers is an in-home care provider offering in-home health care along with personal care. They can provide different personal services such as home maintenance, assistance with exercise, transportation assitance, medication ...
Located at 2900 North Hills St in Meridian, Mississippi, Amedisys Home Health of Meridian is a home health care provider offering in-home medical care along with home care. For nearly 40 years, they have been providing care to customers throughout ...
Mississippi Homecare of Eupora is a senior home health care service provider located in Eupora, MS at 8 North Dunn St. They offer in-home personal care and home healthcare to senior clientele. Since 1978, they have been providing care ...
Located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi at P O Box 16509, Wesley Home Care is a senior home health care provider that offers in-home health services in addition to personal care services. For almost 40 years, they have been serving customers in ...
The Cost of Home Care in Mississippi
On average, seniors in Mississippi pay $3,432 a month for home care and $3,527 a month for home health care. Home care typically includes assistance with daily living tasks and chores, while home health care agencies may provide a range of medical services such as skilled nursing, rehabilitation and medication administration. Usually, the cost of home health care is either equal to or slightly higher than home care.
The Cost of Home Care in Mississippi Compared to Nearby States
With the average American senior paying around $4,290 a month for home care and $4,385 for home health care, the $3,342 and $3,527 most seniors in Mississippi pay for the respective types of care is relatively affordable. From Mississippi's four neighboring states, Louisiana is narrowly the most economical, with home care costs only 6.2% less than Mississippi's. At $3,813 for home care and $3,892 for home health care, Tennessee is Mississippi's most expensive neighbor.
| Cost of Home Care | Cost of Home Health Care |
Mississippi | $3,432 | $3,527 |
The United States | $4,290 | $4,385 |
Louisiana | $3,218 | $3,241 |
Arkansas | $3,623 | $3,623 |
Tennessee | $3,813 | $3,892 |
Alabama | $3,394 | $3,432 |
The Cost of Other Senior Care Options in Mississippi
At $6,844 a month, nursing home care is the most expensive type of care in Mississippi. Mississippi's average cost of assisted living is less than $100 more than the $3,432 most seniors in the state are paying for in-home care and just $3 over the state's cost of home health care. For adult day care services, seniors are paying $1,398 a month, on average.
- In-Home Care: $3,432
- Home Health Care: $3,527
- Adult Day Care: $1,398
- Assisted Living Facility: $3,524
- Nursing Home Care: $6,844
The Cost of Home Care in Mississippi's Top Cities
In the city of Jackson, the median costs of home care and home health care are both $3,194 a month, making it the most affordable city in the state. Home care costs in Hattiesburg and Gulfport are both in line with the state's average of $3,432; however, Hattiesburg's $3,813 average cost of home health care and the $3,623 a month seniors in Gulfport are paying are both more than the state's $3,527 average home health care spending.
| Cost of Home Care | Cost of Home Health Care |
Mississippi | $3,432 | $3,527 |
Jackson | $3,194 | $3,194 |
Hattiesburg | $3,432 | $3,813 |
Gulfport | $3,432 | $3,623 |
Financial Assistance for Home Care in Mississippi
Elderly and Disabled Waiver
Operated and administered by Medicaid, the Elderly and Disabled Waiver enables low-income seniors to receive a variety of helpful services, including home-delivered meals, adult day health care, personal care services and in-home respite care. The waiver also helps seniors connect with qualified speech and physical therapists. To qualify, seniors should be eligible for Medicaid or have an income below 300% of the SSI benefit rate and meet the program's medical criteria.
Contact Information
Seniors can call the Mississippi Department of Medicaid at (601) 359-6050 to learn more about eligibility and the application process.
Independent Living Waiver
Another Medicaid program, the Independent Living Waiver is a home and community-based services waiver designed to help seniors remain in their homes by providing services typically found in a nursing facility. Case management, home and accessibility modifications, personal care and specialized medical equipment are some of the services provided by the waiver program. Eligible seniors should qualify for one of Medicaid's several categories, such as Social Security Income or the Low-Income Families and Children Program.
Contact Information
For more information about how to apply and the eligibility criteria, seniors can call (601) 359-6050 or visit the Mississippi Department of Medicaid.
More Ways to Pay for Home Care
Since the programs mentioned above might not cover all the costs associated with home care, and not everyone may be eligible, alternative payment methods will often need to be explored. Some of these alternatives include out-of-pocket arrangements with siblings, annuities, reverse mortgages, private insurance, and more. Read SeniorAdvice's Guide to Paying for Home Care to find out more about your payment and financing options.
Mississippi Home Care Rules and Regulations
The Division of Aging and Adult Services within the Mississippi Department of Human Services oversees the state's home care agencies. The Division ensures that agencies maintain compliance with the state's regulations regarding patient record-keeping, staff education and background requirements, and agency licensing and requirements for providing varying levels of personal care and health care services.
Scope of Care | Home care and home health care providers in Mississippi may offer some or all of the following: - In-home respite care
- Personal care services
- Case management
- Adult day care
- Transition assistance
- Home-delivered meals
Homemakers in Mississippi have been redefined as personal care attendants who perform tasks such as assisting with eating and personal hygiene, operating kitchen appliances, purchasing groceries, cleaning living areas and doing laundry. Agencies may also provide extended services, including physical and speech therapy, home health aide and skilled nursing. |
Care Plan Requirements | In addition to input from the patient, Mississippi requires that care plans are developed with a physician or podiatrist, relevant agency staff members and a member of the senior's family. Care plans must be updated every 60 days and include information about the recipient's problems, goals and care approach. |
Medication Management Requirements | Medications may only be administered by a registered nurse. |
Staff Screening Requirements | New employees must undergo a background and record check. Prior convictions for elder abuse and many other felonies automatically disqualify an applicant. New staff members who will regularly be in contact with seniors must also pass a health screening conducted by a licensed physician or registered nurse. |
Staff Training Requirements | Training requirements vary between provider types. Personal care attendants must have at least a GED and complete a 40-hour personal care services course, while in-home respite care providers need at least four years of experience working with the elderly. |
Medicaid Coverage | Mississippi's Medicaid program covers up to 25 home health visits per year, but those who qualify for the Elderly and Disabled Waiver may receive nearly unlimited visits for personal care. |
Reporting Abuse | Incidents of abuse and negligence should be reported to the Division of Aging and Adult Services at (601) 359-4929 or the Vulnerable Person Abuse Hotline at (844) 437-6282 |
Free Home Care Resources in Mississippi
Seniors in Mississippi have access to many programs and services that help older adults maintain their independence and safely age in place. Below, we've compiled a few of the most helpful resources:
Area Agencies on Aging Mississippi
The goal of Mississippi's Area Agencies on Aging is to connect seniors with a range of programs and services to improve their quality of life. The state has 10 AAA offices, with each serving different counties, to help Mississippi's older adults obtain home-delivered meals, homemaker services, respite care and other services. Most programs cater to low-income seniors.
Contact Information
To find their local Area Agency on Aging and learn more about its programs and services, seniors can contact the office that serves their county.
Mississippi Weatherization Program
The Mississippi Weatherization Assistance Program helps low-income seniors reduce their home heating and cooling expenses by covering the cost of home modifications that increase energy efficiency. Individuals who receive Supplemental Security Income or are enrolled in the Aid to Families with Dependent Children program are automatically eligible.
Contact Information
To find out more about income requirements, seniors can call the MDHS at (601) 359-4500. The easiest way to apply is online.
Mississippi Access to Care Centers
Seniors and their families can coordinate with Mississippi Access to Care Centers to find more information about options for long-term care and available support services to enable remaining at home. The agency's representatives can also help seniors complete the application process for programs of interest.
Contact Information
Regardless of their income or eligibility for any particular programs, interested parties can call (844) 822-4622 to learn more about the services available from their local MAC Center.
Homemaker Services Program
Mississippi's Homemaker Services Program is administered by the state's Area Agencies on Aging in coordination with the Mississippi Department of Human Services. Qualified applicants can receive assistance with housekeeping, laundry, meal preparation and activities of daily living such as eating, dressing and bathing. To be eligible, applicants must be at least 60 years old and be limited in some way either physically, mentally or functionally.
Contact Information
Any of the state's AAA offices can help seniors apply for the program.
Family Caregiver Support Program
The Family Caregiver Support Program is administered in partnership with the state's 10 AAA offices. The program provides respite care, counseling and information about additional services and how to access them. To qualify, an individual must be responsible for caring for a person aged 60 or older.
Contact Information
For more information, caregivers can reach out to their local AAA office or call the Mississippi Department of Human Services at (601) 359-4500.