Assisted Living in Mississippi: A Family Guide

Facts checked September 28, 2026 against official Mississippi sources

What assisted living is called in Mississippi, what it costs, how Medicaid can help, how to check a community’s license and inspections, and who to call if something goes wrong. Every fact links to the official source.

Licensed by

Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH), Division of Health Facilities Licensure and Certification¹

Licensed communities on Lilisity

183 assisted living, 30 with memory care

Medicaid help

Limited: Assisted Living Waiver (Mississippi Division of Medicaid)²

Typical cost

$4,369 a month (state median, CareScout 2025)

Long-term care ombudsman

1-888-844-0041³

File a complaint

1-800-227-7308⁴

What assisted living is called in Mississippi

• Personal Care Home - Assisted Living (PCH-AL)Mississippi's assisted living license. The home runs around the clock and serves people who need assisted living services.⁵
• Personal Care Home - Residential Living (PCH-RL)The home runs around the clock and serves people who need personal care help, or mental health services because of functional limits.⁶
• Alzheimer's Disease/Dementia Care Unit (A/D Unit) designationA licensed personal care home or nursing home can set up a separate dementia unit. If it meets the extra rules, the designation is printed on its license.⁷

Memory care rules

A personal care home may run a separate Alzheimer's or dementia unit. It must meet extra state standards on top of its regular license, and the unit designation is printed on the license.⁷

Questions to ask memory care about nights.

What assisted living costs in Mississippi

The median cost of assisted living in Mississippi is $4,369 a month, below the national median of $6,200 (CareScout Cost of Care Survey 2025, collected July to November 2025). Prices vary with the apartment, the level of care and the community, so ask each one for its current rate sheet, including care-level fees.

If more care is needed later: nursing home costs in Mississippi, with CareScout medians and the private-pay rates Mississippi nursing homes publish.

Plan with our free tools: how long will the money last? and home care or assisted living?

Paying for assisted living in Mississippi

Medicare does not pay for assisted living. Families pay from savings and income, long-term care insurance, or benefits such as VA Aid and Attendance (estimate it). Who actually pays for long-term care.

Medicaid. Mississippi's Assisted Living Waiver pays for services for people who qualify and would otherwise need nursing home care, if they live in a licensed PCH-AL home that is approved as a Medicaid provider. Program: Assisted Living Waiver (Mississippi Division of Medicaid).² Medicaid does not pay rent or meals in assisted living in any state, and not every community accepts it, so ask each one.

How to check a community in Mississippi

Look up a license. MSDH posts a Health Facilities Directory as a PDF. It lists licensed personal care homes and other facilities, with addresses. Search Mississippi’s records.¹

Always visit in person, at a mealtime or in the evening if you can. Bring the tour scorecard and the 8 tour questions.

If something goes wrong

Complaints about care or conditions. MSDH takes complaints about licensed personal care homes, online or by phone on weekdays. You can stay anonymous. Problems with an adult outside a care facility go to other agencies. Call 1-800-227-7308 or file online.⁴

Abuse, neglect or exploitation. Call 844-437-6282. How to report.⁸ If someone is in danger, call 911.

The long-term care ombudsman is a free advocate for residents of assisted living and nursing homes: they help resolve problems with a community, including move-out notices. Call 1-888-844-0041 or find your local ombudsman.³

Find assisted living in Mississippi

Assisted living by city

Every community and county in Mississippi · 1 with verified resident testimonials

Sources

1. Licensing agency, license lookup (msdh.ms.gov)
2. Medicaid (medicaid.ms.gov)
3. Ombudsman (mdhs.ms.gov)
4. Complaints (msdh.ms.gov)
5. License types (msdh.ms.gov)
6. License types (msdh.ms.gov)
7. License types, memory care rules (msdh.ms.gov)
8. Reporting abuse (mdhs.ms.gov)
9. CareScout Cost of Care Survey 2025 (state medians)

Facts checked against these official sources on September 28, 2026. Rules and programs change; confirm with the agency before making a decision. General information, not legal or financial advice.