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With more than 1,500 deaths caused by Alzheimer’s, Mississippi places third nationwide among the highest death rates related to this disease. The Magnolia State is also on par with the United States, where Alzheimer’s ranks sixth among its leading causes of death. From approximately 57,000 cases in 2020, an estimated growth of 14% in five years means there would be 64,000 older Mississippians diagnosed with this disease by 2025. In addition, at least 20% of hospice and readmitted hospital patients in the state have dementia. To address the needs of Mississippi’s growing Alzheimer’s population, there is a projected need for a 396% increase in the number of geriatricians by 2050.
Offering specialized support in secured homelike settings, memory care facilities may be a viable option for Mississippian seniors and families affected by dementia. These residential establishments provide cognitively impaired individuals with round-the-clock supervision, calming environments, structured routines and expert care by specially trained staff. Evidence-based programs may include therapeutic social and recreational activities, brain-healthy meal plans and other nonpharmacological interventions that aim to improve a resident’s quality of life. Mississippi has an average memory care cost of $4,405 per month, lower than the U.S. median of $5,064.
This guide presents helpful information on memory care in Mississippi. It discusses the state’s estimated memory care costs, related financial assistance programs, government regulations and free resources.
An area’s SeniorScore rates the overall living condition of a place when it comes to the needs and well-being of aging residents. This senior livability index is data-driven and uses over 100 variables from government and private databases to produce unbiased scores. Falling below the U.S. average of 72, Mississippi has a final SeniorScore of 68. Four general categories make up this rating, providing further insight on what factors might make the Hospitality State a considerable option for memory care.
The General Quality of Life in Mississippi scores the highest at 69 for the warm subtropical climate that keeps seniors relatively comfortable almost year-round. Finances gets the second-highest SeniorScore of 68 for the state’s overall affordability and senior-friendly taxation, which fully exempts all forms of retirement income. In addition, senior care in the Magnolia State is significantly less expensive than most areas in the country.
Mississippi’s Recreation and Leisure has a SeniorScore of 54. Aside from a high number of churches and municipal parks throughout the state, there are plenty of recreational attractions related to music, national history and nature. Memory care facilities may offer scheduled trips to the Gulf Coast beaches and the Mississippi Blues Trail. Health and Safety is rated 53 for the state’s average number of hospitals and senior care facilities, as well as the below-average life expectancy of approximately 75 years.
Tupelo Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is a 120 unit skilled nursing facility situated in Tupelo, Mississippi. The facility is in a generally middle class area, with an average per-household income of $41,740. With around 18,000 poeple living in ...
Gulfport Care Center is a 90 unit senior community located in Gulfport, Mississippi. The facility is in a mostly middle class area, with a median per-household income of $47,514. It is heavily populated, with around 46,000 individuals residing ...
Located at 1530 Broad Ave in Gulfport, Mississippi, The Boyington Health and Rehabilitation is a 180 unit skilled nursing facility. The encompassing area is heavily populated, with roughly 23,000 residents in the zip code of 39501. It is ...
Winona Manor Health Care and Rehabilitation Center is located at 627 Middleton Rd in Winona, Mississippi. It is a 120 bed nursing facility. The neighboring area has an average population density, with approximately 9,000 residents in the 38967 ...
Oasis Health and Rehab of Yazoo City is located at 925 Calhoun Ave in Yazoo City, Mississippi. It is a 180 room nursing home facility. The facility is in a generally low income area, with a median family ...
Trinity Mission Health and Rehab of Great Oaks is a 60 unit nursing facility situated in Byhalia, Mississippi. The surrounding area has an average population density, with roughly 18,000 individuals residing in the zip code of 38611. It ...
Golden Living Center-Meridian is located at 4728 Highway 39 N/box 3604 in Meridian, Mississippi. It is a 120 room senior care facility. The facility is in a predominantly low income area, with a median per-family income of $28,324. ...
Neshoba County General Hospital - Nursing Home is located at 1001 Holland Ave in Philadelphia, Mississippi. It is a 160 room nursing facility. The community is in a largely low income area, with a median per-family income of ...
Located at 81 Windsor Blvd in Columbus, Mississippi, The Windsor Place Skilled-Nursing Center is a 140 unit nursing facility. The facility is in a predominantly middle income area, with an average per-household income of $39,653. With roughly 24,000 ...
Merit Health Wesley TCU is located within the West Hattiesburg neighborhood of Hattiesburg, Mississippi. It is a 25 unit skilled nursing facility. With around 38,000 people residing in the zip code of 39402, the encompassing area is densely ...
Dixie White House Health and Rehabilitation Center is a 60 bed nursing home facility situated in Pass Christian, Mississippi. The surrounding area has a medium-density population, with about 14,000 individuals living in the zip code of 39571. It ...
Hattiesburg Health and Rehab is a 184 bed nursing facility located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. With about 44,000 residents in the 39401 zip code, the surrounding area is heavily populated. It is a mostly lower income area, with ...
The Meadows of Fulton is a 130 unit senior care facility. It is located at 1905 South Adams St in Fulton, Mississippi. The community is in a mostly middle income area, with an average per-family income of $35,741. ...
Woodland Village Nursing Center is a 132 bed nursing facility. It is located at 5427 Gex Rd in Diamondhead, Mississippi. The neighboring area has a medium-density population, with about 9,000 individuals living in the zip code of 39525. ...
Located around the West Hattiesburg area of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Bedford Care Center of Hattiesburg is a 152 unit senior care community. The encompassing area is heavily populated, with around 44,000 people residing in the zip code of 39401. ...
Cleveland Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is a 120 bed nursing facility located in Cleveland, Mississippi. The neighboring area has an average population density, with roughly 19,000 residents in the 38732 zip code. It is a largely middle income ...
Bedford Care Center of Petal is a 60 unit senior housing community. It is located at 908 S George St in Petal, Mississippi. The neighboring area has a dense population, with about 22,000 residents in the 39465 zip ...
Grace Health and Rehab of Grenada is a 137 unit nursing facility. It is located at 1966 Hill Dr in Grenada, Mississippi. The facility is in a largely lower income area, with a median family income of $32,592. ...
Brandon Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is located at 355 Crossgate Blvd in Brandon, Mississippi. It is a 230 bed nursing home facility. The community is in a primarily middle class area, with a median household income of $62,237. ...
McComb Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is a 140 bed nursing facility situated in Mccomb, Mississippi. With an average per-household income of $28,673, the community is in a largely low income area. It is heavily populated, with around 23,000 ...
Cost comparisons for memory care are based on 25% additions to assisted living costs. A higher pricing of 20 to 30% over AL is assumed as no authoritative data on memory care costs currently exists for any state. Memory care usually costs more than standard assisted living due to the higher level of care, specialized staffing requirements, larger caregiver-to-resident ratios and enhanced security features in memory care facilities. In Mississippi, residential memory care may be provided by licensed personal care homes with Alzheimer’s disease/dementia care units.
Older Mississippians should expect to pay $4,405 per month for memory care, according to Genworth Financial’s Cost of Care Survey for 2019. This is around $700 lower than the U.S. average of $5,064 and makes the state among the affordable areas in the Southern region. The Magnolia State’s cheapest neighboring states for memory care are Arkansas and Alabama, which are close to $4,000, saving seniors approximately $300 to $400 per month. Louisiana is about $160 more costly at $4,563. Tennessee is the most expensive bordering state at $4,875, costing seniors nearly $500 more compared to Mississippi.
The Cost of Memory Care in Mississippi’s Top Cities
Memory care in Mississippi is generally more expensive in the state’s larger urban areas. Jackson, the state’s capital and largest city, is the most expensive area at $5,204 per month, surpassing the U.S. average of $5,064. The Gulfport area comes second at $4,563. Hattiesburg is the most affordable metropolitan area for memory care at $4,469, but it costs about $60 more than the state average of $4,405.
Senior Care Cost Comparison in Mississippi
Memory care is the second costliest senior care option in Mississippi at $4,405 per month, next to nursing home care, which costs seniors $2,800 more at $6,844 for semi-private accommodations. Home health care and standard assisted living have similar costs close to $3,530, about $500 less than memory care. This difference may be justified by the higher level of assistance provided in memory care facilities, as well as the included accommodations and specialized programs. For seniors with mild cognitive impairment and are able to stay functional at home, adult day care may be the most cost-saving senior care option at $1,328 per month.
Assisted Living Waiver
Address: 550 High Street, Suite 1000, Jackson, MS 39201
Phone Number: (601) 359-6050
Website: https://medicaid.ms.gov/programs/assisted-living-waiver/
The AL Waiver of Mississippi Medicaid covers the costs of home and community-based services provided in licensed personal care homes for assisted living (PCH-AL). Eligible memory care residents may benefit from case management, personal care, medication assistance, intermittent skilled nursing and therapeutic, social and recreational programming.
To be clinically eligible for the AL waiver, applicants must require a nursing facility level of care as certified by a physician every 12 months. Financial eligibility may be based on either SSI criteria or 300% of the federal benefit rate. Applicants earning above the income limit may be qualified by paying the excess amount monthly through an income trust with Mississippi Medicaid.
Elderly and Disabled Waiver
Address: 550 High Street, Suite 1000, Jackson, MS 39201
Phone Number: (601) 359-6050
Website: https://medicaid.ms.gov/programs/elderly-and-disabled-waiver/
The E&D waiver program pays for long-term care services provided in community settings. Covered services for Medicaid-eligible seniors may include case management, personal care services, physical and speech therapy, institutional respite and one-time community transition services. The same clinical and financial eligibility requirements for the AL waiver apply for this program.
Healthier Mississippi Waiver
Address: 550 High Street, Suite 1000, Jackson, MS 39201
Phone Number: (601) 359-6050
Website: https://medicaid.ms.gov/medicaid-coverage/who-qualifies-for-coverage/healthier-mississippi-waiver/
The Healthier Mississippi Waiver is a Medicaid program that provides select State Plan services to low-income recipients who are not qualified for Medicare. These health benefits aim to delay the institutionalization of eligible seniors.
Subject to a maximum number of enrollments, this waiver program qualifies seniors 65 and older with monthly incomes up to 135% of the federal poverty level. In cases where current enrollees become Medicare beneficiaries, they may be reviewed for eligibility in a Medicare cost-sharing coverage group.
Memory care facilities may operate in Mississippi when issued with the Alzheimer's Disease/Dementia Care Unit Designation in their certificates of licensure. These licensed facilities include nursing homes and personal care homes for assisted living. They are regulated by the Division of Health Facilities Licensure and Certification of the Mississippi State Department of Health. Assisted living facilities that provide memory care must satisfy the state’s minimum standards of operation for PCH-AL facilities and A/D units.
Scope of Care | In addition to personal care services, daily meals and supplemental services (ex. medication assistance, emergency response) provided by PCH-AL facilities, A/D units shall provide therapeutic activities seven days a week and social services that support the residents and their family members. |
Care Plan Requirements | The staff shall develop an individual care plan for each A/D unit resident based on medical examinations and functional assessments by a licensed physician and/or nurse practitioner/physician assistant. Care plan development shall involve families whenever possible and appropriate, and care plan reviews for each resident shall be done at least quarterly or more frequently as needed. |
Medication Management Requirements | For PCH-AL residents who cannot self-administer prescription medication, medication administration must be done by a licensed nurse. Schedule drugs may only be administered by unlicensed staff under direct supervision by a licensed nurse or physician. |
Staff Screening Requirements | Before employment, all facility personnel shall undergo health screenings by a licensed physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant or registered nurse. Testing for tuberculosis is required upon employment, and those who tested negative shall be retested annually. Individuals who have been previously positive require reevaluations during their annual health screenings. Every new PCH-AL employee shall undergo criminal history record checks and, if applicable, disciplinary checks with professional licensing agencies. Before permitting new employees to provide direct care to AL residents, PCH-AL facilities must ensure that there are no disqualifying records based on their criminal history checks. All direct care staff shall be verified as not listed on the Mississippi Nurses Aide Abuse Registry. |
Staff Training Requirements | Each new A/D staff shall undergo an orientation program on the facility’s philosophy, policies, and dementia care procedures. All facility staff who may be in direct contact with A/D unit residents shall receive ongoing in-service training at least quarterly. |
Medicaid Coverage | Mississippi Medicaid’s waiver programs cover select long-term care services in licensed PCH-AL facilities with A/D units. Eligible memory care recipients must require a nursing facility level of care and meet the financial criteria for Medicaid. |
Reporting Abuse | Suspected incidents of abuse, neglect and exploitation toward residents in licensed personal care homes shall be reported to the Mississippi State Department of Health at 800-227-7308 or the Office of the Attorney General, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit at 800-852-8341. An online complaint form may also be completed for submission. |
Alzheimer’s Mississippi is a donor-supported nonprofit organization that supports individuals, families and caregivers affected by dementia. Serving Mississippians in all 82 counties throughout the state, it offers care consultations, family education and support groups. This organization also hosts signature benefit events and supports Alzheimer’s clinical trials and other research efforts.
Alzheimer’s Association Mississippi Chapter
The Mississippi Chapter of Alzheimer's Association advocates for the well-being of 55,000 Mississippians and 207,000 caregivers affected by dementia. In addition to the 24/7 toll-free helpline, this organization offers support groups, education programs, fundraising events and resource referrals that benefit affected individuals and their communities.
MDHS Division of Aging and Adult Services
Address: 200 S Lamar Street, Jackson, MS 39201
Phone Number: (601) 359-4929
Website: https://www.mdhs.ms.gov/adults-seniors/
DAAS functions under the Mississippi Department of Human Services, operating with a mission to promote safe, independent living for seniors 60 and older. As the state unit on aging, it manages Mississippi’s home and community-based services and administers the Adult Protective Services program. It also provides a range of advocacy, protection and education programs through the state’s Area Agencies on Aging, senior centers, adult day centers and community action agencies.
Mississippi Access to Care Network
Address: 200 S Lamar Street, Jackson, MS 39201
Phone Number: (844) 822 - 4622
Website: https://www.mississippiaccesstocare.org/
The MAC Network serves as a No Wrong Door central access point for Mississippi’s long-term care programs and social services provided by multiple state departments such as the MDHS, Division of Medicaid, Department of Rehabilitation Services and Department of Mental Health. Its MAC specialists help identify the needs and appropriate services for seniors and the disabled by offering information and referrals on long-term services and supports, as well as person-centered counseling services and Medicaid waiver screenings. In addition to six MAC Centers serving all counties throughout the Magnolia State, MAC services may also be provided by phone, at home or in any convenient location for the recipient.
Mississippi has 10 AAAs based on the 10 Planning and Development Districts of the state, designated by DAAS and mandated by the Older Americans Act. Each AAA locally administers federal programs including the Family Caregiver Support Program, State Health Insurance Program and Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. Other services include senior nutrition programs, legal assistance, senior center programs, transportation and outreach services.
The mission of Mississippi Veterans Affairs is to honor Mississippian veterans by providing quality assistance, care and services. It provides claims assistance and outreach programs through certified Veterans Service Officers available in MSVA field offices, county offices and VA Medical Centers throughout the state. Obtaining certain compensation, services and other benefits may help aging and disabled veterans pay for memory care. Mississippi also has State Veterans Homes that accommodate eligible veterans and military spouses who do not require hospital care.
Low-income Mississippians 65 and older may be entitled to receive Supplemental Security Income. Recipients of these monthly federal cash benefits may also be eligible for Medicaid and other government assistance programs, helping augment their budgets for memory care. SSI applicants may contact the Hospitality State’s SSA field offices, which are located in 23 cities.
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