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Assisted Living Mississippi
Known for its Southern charm, vibrant music scene and distinctive culture, Mississippi ranks No. 19 out of 50 states on our 2024 Senior Living Report. The Magnolia State earned high marks for its low median assisted living rate of just $3,500 per month, which is $1,000 below the nationwide median. Mississippi also has a relatively low crime rate, and residents rarely need to contend with traffic jams or freezing cold temperatures.
Seniors aged 65 and older make up 16.4% of Mississippi’s population, which sits just shy of 3 million. The state is home to a number of top-ranked health care facilities including the Mississippi Baptist Medical Center in Jackson and the 545-bed Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg.
In this guide, you’ll find an overview of assisted living costs in Mississippi and neighboring states, as well as information on financial aid programs for seniors who need long-term care. There are also links to a number of free and low-cost resources for older adults and a summary of the regulations for licensed assisted living communities in Mississippi.
The Cost of Assisted Living in Mississippi
When trying to decide how to pay for assisted living, one of the first questions that comes up is "How much does it cost?" With the impact of inflation, it's more important than ever to have up-to-date information when making a financial plan for senior living. To help shed light on real senior living prices, Caring.com has compiled proprietary cost data from its network of over 75,000 senior living providers to offer insight into the average cost of assisted living in Mississippi and its 12 cities.
The Cost of Assisted Living in Mississippi's Top Cities
Fees for assisted living vary across Mississippi. Facilities in Southaven are typically less expensive than the average of $3,996, with average fees of $3,650 per month. In Oxford, seniors typically pay $4,085 per month for assisted living services, while Tupelo and Hattiesburg have fees much higher than the average, at around $4,463 and $5,237 per month, respectively.
Mississippi
$3,996
Southaven
$3,650
Hattiesburg
$5,237
Oxford
$4,085
Tupelo
$4,463
Inflation's Impact on the Cost of Assisted Living in Mississippi
Although assisted living fees in Mississippi have been affected by inflation, the projected increase of 5% between 2022 and 2024 is less than the U.S. average surge of 17.9% over the same period. This is a minor increase than most neighboring states, as seniors in Louisiana may expect an increase of around 12.6% in 2024, and those in Arkansas may 12% more than they did two years ago. Seniors in Tennessee and Alabama have been affected even more severely by inflation, with assisted living fees expected to increase to 34% and 32%, respectively.
| Location | 2022 Cost (Historical) | 2023 Cost (Current) | 2024 Cost (Estimated) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | $3,693 | $3,996 | $3,881 |
| U.S. Average | $4,070 | $4,459 | $4,802 |
| Louisiana | $3,473 | $3,903 | $3,913 |
| Arkansas | $3,960 | $3,840 | $4,439 |
| Tennessee | $3,383 | $4,201 | $4,543 |
| Alabama | $3,316 | $3,798 | $4,405 |
The Costs of Other Types of Senior Living
Assisted living communities typically charge $3,996 monthly for accommodations, housekeeping, meals and personal care. Memory care communities offering similar services plus skilled dementia care typically charge $4,679. Seniors looking for accommodation but a more independent lifestyle with less direct support may consider independent living communities, which typically charge around $3,096 per month.
Assisted Living
$3,996
Memory Care
$4,679
Independent Living
$3,096
Does Medicaid Cover Assisted Living in Mississippi?
While Mississippi’s Medicaid program does not cover room and board costs for beneficiaries who need assisted living care, many enhanced services available in assisted living facilities are included in the Assisted Living Waiver.
What Assisted Living Services Are Covered by Medicaid in Mississippi?
Under the Assisted Living Home and Community-Based Waiver, eligible seniors may receive help with activities of daily living such as bathing, transferring and grooming. The waiver also covers a number of additional supports ranging from therapeutic social programming to medication administration and transportation.
Assisted Living Waiver Programs in Mississippi
Assisted Living Waiver
Mississippi’s Assisted Living Waiver is designed to delay or prevent institutionalization of individuals who meet the criteria for placement in a skilled nursing facility. AL Waiver beneficiaries reside in a Medicaid-approved licensed personal care home assisted living facility where they receive the AL Waiver services, which may include:
- Professional case management
- Enhanced personal care
- Homemaker services, including laundry and housekeeping
- Non-medical attendant care
- Medication monitoring and administration
- An attendant call system
- Transportation to local non-emergency medical appointments
- Therapeutic recreational programming
- Intermittent skilled nursing services
To qualify for enrolment in the Assisted Living Waiver, applicants must:
- Be Medicaid-eligible either as a Supplemental Security Income recipient or be a low-income applicant who has an annual income at or below 300% of the SSI federal benefit rate
- Be age 21 or older
- Be deemed clinically eligible following completion of an assessment using the Long-Term Services and Supports tool
Once approved, Waiver participants need to have their functional eligibility verified by a physician every 12 months.
To apply for the Assisted Living Waiver, seniors can contact the Mississippi Access to Care Center (MAC Center) by calling (844) 822-4622. Alternatively, prospective applicants can also call the Office of Long Term Care, Mississippi Division of Medicaid at (800) 421-2408.
How to Know If You’re Eligible for Medicaid in Mississippi
In Mississippi, anyone who qualifies for Supplemental Security Income is automatically approved for Medicaid. Alternatively, non-SSI applicants can qualify for Medicaid if they meet current income and asset limits, as well as residency and citizenship requirements.
In general, applicants must:
- Be age 65 or older, be legally blind or have a permanent disability
- Meet current Medicaid income and asset limits
As of 2023, single applicants may have an annual pre-tax income of no more than $32,904.
| Household Size | Number of Applicants | Income Limits Per Year* | Asset Limits: Applicant(s) | Asset Limits: Non-Applicants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One Person | 1 | $32,904 | $4,000 | |
| Two People | 1 | $32,904** | $4,000 | $148,620 |
| Two People | 2 | $65,808*** | $6,000 |
* Depending on the facility setting, a recipient may not be able to keep income up to this level.
** Income limit is for applicant only.
*** Income is limited to $2,742 per month per spouse.
How to Apply for Medicaid in Mississippi
Seniors can submit their Medicaid application online through Mississippi’s secure web portal, Access.ms.gov. Alternatively, applicants can also download, print and mail or fax in their application; apply in person at one of the 30 regional Medicaid offices or complete a phone application by calling the Office of Eligibility at (800) 421-2408.
Information You Will Need
When applying for Medicaid, you’ll be asked to verify your age, residency, citizenship and financial information by providing:
- Government-issued ID that displays your date of birth and place of residence
- Proof that you are either a U.S. national, citizen, legal alien or permanent resident
- Current financial statements including all bank accounts, investments, real estate and securities
- Your Social Security number
- Any insurance policies in your name
- Proof of income from all sources, including government benefits, company pensions and rental income
How to Get Help Applying for Medicaid
There are a number of organizations and programs that offer assistance to seniors who are applying for Medicaid.
| Program | Contact | Services provided |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Access to Care Centers | (844) 822-4622 | Operated by the Mississippi Department of Human Services, Mississippi Access to Care Centers, or MAC Centers, offer free, unbiased information to seniors who need help applying for public benefits such as Medicaid. Staff at MAC Centers can also provide seniors with up-to-date information on long-term care eligibility, as well as various programs and services for older adults. |
| Medicaid Regional Offices | (800) 421-2408 (601) 359-6050 | Seniors who prefer to apply for Medicaid in person can contact the nearest Medicaid regional office. Office locations are available on the Mississippi Division of Medicaid website. |
| Medicaid Eligibility Hearings | (800) 421-2408 | Medicaid applicants and beneficiaries can appeal any action taken by the Division of Medicaid within 30 days by requesting a Medicaid eligibility hearing. In general, hearings are conducted over the phone, but the hearing officer has the discretion to schedule an in-person hearing. |
Does Medicare Cover Assisted Living in Mississippi?
The short answer is that no, Medicare does not cover the cost of assisted living in Mississippi. Assisted living facilities are considered to be a “residential setting” and not a “clinical setting,” (think nursing homes). While Medicare doesn’t cover the cost of care received in an assisted living community, it does still cover things like approved medications, doctor visits, medical equipment, etc., just like it would if you lived at home.
For more information about when Medicare can be used to pay for senior living in a nursing home, and for Medicare-related resources, see our guide to Nursing Homes in Mississippi.
Paying for Assisted Living Facilities in Mississippi
Medicaid in Mississippi offers Medicaid Waivers, which help seniors receive services to delay the need for nursing home care. One waiver, the 1915(c) Assisted Living Waiver, provides personal care services to qualified seniors who reside in assisted living facilities. While the waiver does not cover room and board, it does cover homemaker services, medication management, transportation assistance and temporary skilled nursing services.
In Mississippi, the Medicaid waiver programs are not entitlements. This means that only a certain number of slots are available for enrollment. Once all the slots are filled, eligible applicants are put on a waiting list.
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Have monthly income of $2,250 or less
- Have $4,000 or less in liquid countable assets.
To learn more about eligibility requirements, visit the local Social Security office to apply for Medicaid in person, or they may apply online at Mississippi Medicaid's website.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Not all assisted living residences in Mississippi accept payments from these programs. Always check with the assisted living community about which forms of payment they will accept, as well as any reduced rates offered for lower-income residents.
Other Financial Assistance Options for Assisted Living in Mississippi
Seniors who are not eligible (due to location, financial situation, or other factors) for other types of financial assistance, do still have some options. See the table below for an overview of some of the most common ways to make Assisted Living affordable.
| Name | HowToApply | HowItWorks |
|---|---|---|
| Aid and Attendance | Learn more and apply online at va.gov. | Veterans who receive a VA pension may also be eligible for the Aid and Attendance benefit, a monthly cash allowance that veterans receive in addition to their standard pension amount. The benefit is intended for veterans in need of long-term care services and may be used towards paying for Assisted Living. |
| Reverse Mortgages | Learn more about your options and how to apply at ftc.gov | If you own a home, you may be able to use a reverse mortgage to help pay for Assisted Living. Reverse mortgages are loans that one can take out against the value of their home, essentially converting some of the home's equity into cash. Reverse mortgage loans do need to be repaid with interest, typically within 12 months of receiving the loan. |
| Long-Term Care (LTC) Insurance | Learn more about Long-Term Care Insurance and how to apply for a policy at acl.gov. | Seniors who already have long-term care insurance may be able to use it to pay for Assisted Living. Most policies cover at least a portion of the cost, but it depends on the specific policy terms. Note that older adults who are already in need of Assisted Living will not typically be eligible to sign up for a LTC insurance policy. |
Free and Low-Cost Resources for Seniors in Mississippi
There are many resources in Mississippi that assist seniors in their retirement. Caring.com has compiled information on local organizations, programs and agencies and categorized them into care types for easy reference.
Area Agency on Aging
Retirees can find support and advice on various senior-related issues from their local Area Agency on Aging. The agency provides advice on topics such as financial assistance programs, in-home care and long-term care planning. It also connects seniors and caregivers with community-based resources.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Area Agencies on Aging | Mississippi's Area Agencies on Aging provide seniors aged 60 and older with access to critical services, helping them maintain a high quality of life. They organize services such as congregate and home-delivered meals, legal assistance and advocacy. Specialists can refer seniors to other assistance programs they may qualify for and discuss long-term care options. AAAs also provide access to home and community-based programs, including case management, home care and respite care, and they coordinate transportation services and caregiver support programs. |
Cash Assistance Programs
Cash assistance programs in Mississippi provide financial support to help low-income retirees remain in their own homes for as long as possible. Seniors and caregivers can apply for tax rebates and reductions, discounts on vital services and help covering the cost of heating and cooling their home.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Lifeline Program | 800-234-9473 | The LifeLine Program offers a discount on landline or mobile telephone service, ensuring that participants can stay in contact with loved ones. |
Food Assistance Programs
Local organizations help ensure elderly citizens have a balanced diet and receive essential vitamins and minerals to remain healthy. Through nutrition programs, congregate meals, home-delivered meals and food pantries, these programs help Mississippi seniors afford the nutritious food they need.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Food Network | 601-353-7286 | The Mississippi Food Network, headquartered in Jackson, hosts an Emergency Food Assistance Program that helps local seniors access free food that meets the nutritional requirements associated with aging. Donated food items are distributed via the food pantries, community kitchens and shelters of its many community-based partner organizations. At-risk seniors are eligible for a monthly shelf-stable package delivered through the network's Senior Grocery Program. Inquire online or by calling 601-353-7286. |
| Mississippi Meals on Wheels | Mississippi Meals on Wheels operates congregate meal sites and home-delivered meals throughout the state, ensuring that seniors ages 60 and over receive suitable nutrition. To be eligible, older adults must meet age requirements; the program is focused on those whose limited mobility makes shopping for groceries and preparing meals difficult. Meals are provided based on a sliding-fee scale that takes individual financial circumstances into account. Some community programs offer meals for those with special dietary needs and cultural or ethnic preferences. | |
| Mississippi Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | 800-948-3050 | The Mississippi Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program helps low-income seniors ages 60 and over obtain healthy food for balanced nutrition. Applicants must meet income guidelines before they're administered an electronic benefits transfer card. This card functions like a debit card and can be used at grocery stores, convenience stores and farmers' markets throughout the state as well as on websites that accept EBT. The card can only be used toward food, including bread, meat, fish and poultry, dairy products and produce. |
Financial Assistance for Senior Living
Low-income elderly individuals in senior living communities can access financial assistance through local-run programs. These Mississippi resources offer advice, guidance and support to help older adults pay for the services offered by long-term care providers.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Assisted Living Waiver | 800-421-2408 | The Assisted Living Waiver could help you avoid a nursing home and move into an assisted living facility instead. Depending on your needs, the waiver could provide you with homemaker services, daily living assistance, medication management, transportation and a range of other services. |
Free Used Medical Equipment
Due to the high cost of purchasing new medical equipment, several organizations in Mississippi collect lightly used medical devices such as wheelchairs, ramps and walkers and distribute them to local seniors and residents in need.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi START'S Device Reutilization Program | 800-852-8328 | Mississippi's Project S.T.A.R.T. refurbishes donated medical equipment and loans it to the state's disabled and chronically ill residents for free. Wheelchairs, folding ramps and bedside toilets are just a few examples of the types of equipment seniors can borrow for up to 90 days. |
Home Repair and Modifications
Seniors and those with disabilities can access a variety of local resources to help them pay for home repairs and modifications. Programs in Mississippi have different eligibility criteria and often assist retirees by providing grants or loans.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Section 504 Home Repair Program | 601-965-4316 | The U.S.D.A. Home Repair Grant provides the state's seniors with financial assistance for making health and safety repairs to their homes. The maximum grant amount is $10,000. If the home is sold within 3 years, the loan has to be repaid. |
| Mississippi Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) | 800-421-0762 | The W.A.P. enables low-income residents to receive free energy efficiency upgrades, lowering their overall energy costs. Placing insulation in walls and floors, replacing ductwork and repairing furnaces are some of the program's typical services. |
Senior Centers
Senior centers in Mississippi bring together residents through recreational activities and events. Many also offer advice and support on senior issues, run wellness and nutrition programs, and connect older adults with other resources in the local area.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Division of Aging and Adult Services for Seniors | 800-948-3090 | As part of the Mississippi Department of Human Services, the Division of Aging and Adult Services helps seniors throughout the state in numerous ways, including offering financial assistance programs that can cover some or all of the cost of care. Seniors aged 60+ and their caregivers can seek answers and assistance by contacting one of the ten Area Agencies on Aging located in Mississippi and managed by DAAS. |
Medicaid Resources
Navigating the Medicaid system is often difficult and confusing. Several Mississippi resources help older adults by providing advice on Medicaid options, waiver programs and eligibility criteria to help seniors receive the right health care benefits.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Elderly and Disabled Waiver | 800-421-2408 | The Elderly and Disabled Waiver provides in-home services according to care plans developed by the registered nurse and social worker assigned to each program participant. If you're approved for this waiver, you could receive: • Home delivered meals • In-home respite care • Assistance with personal hygiene • Home health visits • Physical or speech therapies |
| Mississippi Independent Living Waiver | 800-421-2408 | Medicaid's Independent Living Waiver is a Home and Community Based Services waiver. Its main services are case management and personal care assistance, but some seniors can also receive home accessibility modifications and medical equipment. |
Social Security Offices
Social Security offices in Mississippi help seniors and disabled people access the benefits they're entitled to. Older adults can contact their local office for information about receiving retirement benefits, disability allowance and Supplemental Security Income.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Social Security | Social Security is a source of income available to retirees and people who can no longer work because of a disability. The money for Social Security comes from a payroll tax levied on employers, employees and self-employed individuals. When you retire, you'll receive monthly payments based on how much you earned when you were working. |
Tax Assistance
Seniors can apply for tax assistance from several Mississippi resources. Elderly residents and those with disabilities could be eligible for tax exemptions on medical expenses, reductions on property tax and other tax assistance programs.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Homestead Exemption | 601-923-7618 | The Homestead Exemption saves seniors money on their property taxes. Those who qualify can exempt $7,500 of value from what it's been assessed. |
Utility & Energy Bill Assistance
Low-income seniors who are struggling to meet the costs of maintaining their homes can find support from organizations that offer assistance with utility and energy bills. Mississippi retirees could also qualify for emergency funding programs if they're in danger of losing utility services due to unpaid invoices.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) | 800-421-0762 | L.I.H.E.A.P. can pay the balance of past due home energy bills, including those with disconnect notices. This program can help you if you're at risk of losing your heating or cooling during the year's hottest days. |
Veteran's Services
Mississippi retirees who have served in the U.S. military can find support from local veteran services. These offices and organizations help vets access the benefits they're eligible for and provide advice and information on a variety of issues.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi VA Benefits and Health Care | Mississippi VA Benefits and Health Care services include specialized assistance for senior veterans. For medical, seniors have a wide range of options at the Biloxi and Jackson medical centers, as well as several outpatient locations. Seniors over 65 and those with disabilities may qualify for additional pension funds to pay for in-home care services, such as home health aid costs and skilled nursing. |
Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Mississippi
Mississippi assisted living facilities are governed by state laws and regulations. These regulations are enforced by inspectors from the Mississippi State Department of Health’s Division of Health Facilities Licensure and Certification.
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Assisted Living Service Plan Requirements | Prospective residents must be thoroughly examined by a licensed medical doctor, physician assistant or nurse practitioner within the 30-day period preceding admission to an assisted living facility to verify their eligibility for admission. |
| Assisted Living Admission Requirements | Assisted living facilities are only able to admit and retain residents whose needs can be safely met within the facility. Residents in a wheelchair may be admitted as long as they can perform transfers independently and propel their wheelchair forward. ALFs can’t admit or retain residents who need physical restraints, have behavioral issues or communicable diseases, pose a threat to others, or who need medical treatments such as gastric feeding or intravenous fluids. |
| Assisted Living Scope of Care | Assisted living facilities provide supervision and nonmedical care on a 24/7 basis to residents who require assistance with activities of daily living. Facilities must also provide laundry services, regular age-appropriate social activities, three meals each day, and emergency response services. |
| Assisted Living Medicaid Policy | Assisted living facilities in Mississippi cannot accept Medicaid for the room and board portion of a residents' monthly fees, but participating facilities can participate in the Assisted Living Waiver 1915(c). |
| Assisted Living Facility Requirements | In Mississippi, up to four residents can be housed in each assisted living room. Private units are not required. At least one gender-specific toilet, sink and bathtub, or shower must be provided on each floor of the facility. There must be at least one toilet for every six residents; in other words, if a facility has 25 residents, it must have seven toilets for each gender. There should also be a tub or shower stall for every 12 residents or fraction thereof. |
| Medication Management Regulations | Assisted living residents can self-administer medications with or without assistance from a caregiver. Residents who are unable to self-administer their medication can only be assisted by a licensed nurse, and facilities are not allowed to administer any IM, IV or subcutaneous medications with the exception of B-12 and insulin. |
| Staffing Requirements | A full-time operator or a designated employee must be on-site at all times. When the operator is off duty, there must be another qualified staff member to stand in as acting operator. Facilities must schedule a licensed nurse to administer medications for a minimum of 8 hours per day, and facilities must maintain a staff-to-resident ratio of 1:15 or better between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily. |
| Staff Training Requirements | Facility operators must complete at least 2 concurrent days of training with the licensing agency prior to commencing duties at the facility. Direct care staff must complete ongoing training related to their duties at least once every 90 days. Dementia care staff must be thoroughly orientated on dementia care standards, including management of common behavior issues such as wandering and sundowning. |
| Background Checks for Assisted Living | All facility operators and direct care staff must pass a pre-employment criminal background check and attest that they are not registered on Mississippi's Nurses’ Aide Abuse Registry. |
| Requirements for Reporting Abuse | Staff in all long-term care facilities are mandated reporters. This means that they are legally obligated to report any observed or suspected cases of elder abuse, neglect or exploitation to Adult Protective Services. |
Frequently Asked Questions
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