Home Care in Mississippi

The average starting cost of home care in Mississippi is $25 per hour, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data. Based on our ranking methodology, the top-rated home care agencies in Mississippi are Treasured Gems Home Care, LLC, Home Instead - Ocean Springs, MS or Senior Helpers of Central Mississippi. Home care can help older adults remain in familiar surroundings while receiving support with daily routines, companionship, and personal care.

From Jackson and Gulfport to Southaven, Brandon, Biloxi, and smaller communities, Mississippi families may have different provider options depending on where they live. When comparing agencies, families often look for dependable caregivers, flexible schedules, and services that can adjust as their loved one’s needs change.

Home care provides nonmedical support with everyday activities, such as bathing, dressing, meal preparation, light housekeeping, errands, and companionship. Home health care is different because it involves medical services delivered by licensed health professionals. Some providers offer both types of care, but A Place for Mom’s network focuses on nonmedical home care agencies. A Place for Mom partners with 77 home care agencies in Mississippi to help families explore local options.

Home care in Mississippi costs $25 per hour, compared with the national average of $32. Rates can vary across the state, with costs in Southaven and Olive Branch generally trending higher than in Jackson and Hattiesburg.^[01] What a family pays will also depend on the agency, the services provided, and how often their loved one receives care.

Monthly expenses are largely shaped by the care schedule. Occasional visits may be enough for companionship, errands, meal preparation, or light housekeeping. Someone who needs regular help with bathing, dressing, mobility, or other personal care may need a fuller schedule. The estimates below use Mississippi’s average hourly home care rate:

• Part-time care (20 hours/week): $2,080 per month
• Full-time care (44 hours/week): $4,575 per month

Home care rates in Mississippi may also be affected by:

• The type and amount of help your loved one needs
• Specialized support, such as dementia care
• The number and length of visits
• Evening, overnight, weekend, or holiday schedules
• 24-hour or live-in care
• Caregiver experience and training
• The availability of caregivers in the local area
• Agency minimum-hour requirements

Mississippi families may use private funds, public benefits, or a combination to pay for nonmedical home care. Depending on eligibility, VA benefits or Mississippi Medicaid programs may help cover some services delivered at home.

Private pay options

Private pay gives families more flexibility when choosing an agency, arranging a schedule, and deciding which services their loved one receives. Common private payment sources include:

• Social Security benefits
• Savings, investments, or pensions
• Long-term care insurance
• Life insurance conversion
• Reverse mortgages

Families may rely on one payment source or combine several. For example, long-term care insurance may cover part of the cost, while Social Security benefits, retirement income, or savings help with the remaining monthly expenses.

VA benefits

Eligible veterans and surviving spouses in Mississippi may qualify for benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that help with care at home. Depending on the program, this support may include help with daily activities, temporary relief for family caregivers, or additional pension payments that can be used toward care.

Veterans enrolled in VA health care may qualify for home- and community-based services, including:^[02,03,04]

• Homemaker and Home Health Aide Care, which may provide help with bathing, dressing, eating, mobility, and other daily activities
• Respite Care, which provides short-term support while giving family caregivers time away from caregiving responsibilities

Eligibility and availability can vary based on the veteran’s needs and local VA resources. Some veterans may also have a copay.

VA Aid and Attendance provides additional monthly pension payments to eligible veterans and survivors who need help with daily activities or are largely confined to their homes. Families may be able to use these funds toward the cost of nonmedical home care.^[05]

Mississippi families can contact Mississippi Veterans Affairs for help understanding state and federal benefits or connecting with a Veterans Benefits Specialist.^[06]

Read more: Home Care Options for Veterans: Eligibility and Services

Mississippi Medicaid

Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that helps eligible people pay for health care and long-term services. In Mississippi, the program is called Mississippi Medicaid. For adults who need nonmedical support at home, the main options are the Elderly and Disabled Waiver and the Independent Living Waiver.

The E&D Waiver is a statewide program for people aged 21 and older who meet Medicaid’s financial requirements and need a nursing facility level of care. Applicants must also complete a comprehensive long-term services and supports assessment.^[07]

Depending on the person’s approved care plan, nonmedical services may include:^[07]

• Personal care services
• In-home respite care
• Home-delivered meals
• Environmental safety services
• Community transition services for people moving out of a nursing facility

Personal care services may help with eating, bathing, dressing, personal hygiene, meal preparation, and essential housekeeping. They may also include supervision, help accessing community resources, and assistance during transportation or community activities.^[07]

The Independent Living Waiver serves eligible people age 16 and older who have severe orthopedic or neurological impairments. Participants must also be medically stable and able to communicate their needs. Services may include personal care attendant support, accessibility modifications, specialized equipment and supplies, and transition assistance.^[08]

Both programs are Home and Community-Based Services waivers rather than entitlement benefits. Enrollment depends on meeting the program requirements and the number of waiver spaces available.^[09]

Read more: Medicaid Home Health Care and Nonmedical Home Care: Your Questions, Answered

Medicare

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for adults 65 and older and some younger people with disabilities. It may cover limited help with bathing, dressing, grooming, or toileting when your loved one is also receiving qualifying skilled care through Medicare’s home health benefit. Medicare generally doesn’t pay for ongoing personal care, companionship, meal preparation, or housekeeping when those are the only services needed.^[10]

Read more: Does Medicare Cover Home Health Care?

Mississippi doesn’t license private-pay nonmedical home care agencies, while home health agencies that provide medical services are licensed by the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH). Because A Place for Mom’s network consists of nonmedical home care providers, the information below focuses on the rules that apply to those agencies.^[11,12]

Does Mississippi require home care agencies to have a license?

No. Mississippi doesn’t issue a license to private-pay nonmedical home care companies. If a company also provides services that meet Mississippi’s definition of home health care, it must be licensed for those medical services.^[11,12]

Does Mississippi conduct inspections of home care agencies?

No. Mississippi doesn’t conduct licensing inspections of private-pay nonmedical home care agencies because the state doesn’t license them. Licensed home health agencies are subject to MSDH surveys and inspections.^[11,12]

What are hiring practices for home care agencies in Mississippi?

Mississippi doesn’t set statewide training requirements for caregivers employed by private-pay nonmedical home care agencies. Because screening, onboarding, and training practices can vary by provider, families should ask each agency how it evaluates caregivers before they begin working with clients.^[13]

Different requirements apply to personal care attendants employed by agencies that receive Mississippi Medicaid reimbursement. These attendants must complete 40 hours of training, demonstrate competency in 21 areas, and complete annual training that covers 10 topics and includes a scored exam.^[13]

Provider agencies furnishing certain Mississippi Medicaid personal care and waiver services must complete fingerprint-based national background checks and required registry screenings for applicable workers.^[14]

When comparing private-pay agencies, ask about background checks, reference checks, caregiver training, supervision, backup care, and how the agency handles complaints or missed visits.

Choosing a home care agency in Mississippi is easier when you know how care will be arranged and what happens if your loved one’s needs change. Look for a provider that communicates clearly, explains its policies, and can offer the services and schedule your family needs. Consider the following as you compare agencies:

• Review caregiver training. Ask what caregivers learn before working with clients and whether they receive ongoing education.
• Read reviews and testimonials. Look for patterns in feedback about reliability, communication, compassion, and caregiver consistency.
• Request clear pricing information. Ask about hourly rates, minimum service requirements, weekend or holiday rates, overnight care, cancellation fees, and additional charges.
• Confirm available services. Make sure the agency can provide the support your loved one needs, such as companionship, bathing, dressing, meal preparation, light housekeeping, transportation, or dementia care.
• Ask how care is supervised. Find out who manages the care plan, how often supervisors check in, and whom your family should contact if your loved one’s needs change.
• Plan for backup care. Ask what the agency does when a scheduled caregiver is sick, late, or unable to visit.
• Meet potential caregivers. A good personality fit can help your loved one feel more comfortable receiving support at home.

A Place for Mom helps families compare home care agencies and find providers that match their loved one’s care needs, budget, and preferences. In states that require nonmedical home care agencies to be licensed, A Place for Mom verifies the licensing status of agencies in its network twice each year.

Read more: How to Choose a Home Care Agency