2 Assisted Living Communities in Flowood, Mississippi

The average cost of assisted living in the city is $4,123 a month. This guide is a starting point covering the cost of assisted living care in the city, as well as financing options to pay for it. You’ll find in-depth information on 2 Assisted Living Communities in Flowood and several in surrounding areas. The Cost of Senior Care in Flowood, MS

• Assisted Living: $4,123
• Nursing Home Care: $6,251
• In-home Care: $3,241
• Adult Day Health Services: $1,517

The price of assisted living in Flowood averages $4,123 per month, making it the most expensive city in Mississippi for this type of senior care. Its rate is slightly higher than the $4,000 monthly average paid nationally and significantly more than the state median rate of $3,493. Prices in Gulfport ($3,525) and Hattiesburg ($3,485) are much more affordable, as well as those in Monroe, Louisiana ($2,950) and Tuscaloosa, Alabama ($2,935).

Note: Data for senior care costs in Flowood wasn’t available, so data for the nearby city of Jackson was used instead.

The monthly cost of senior living in Flowood depends on various key factors, such as the type of care necessary and whether seniors choose residential, in-home or group center care. The least expensive option is adult day health services ($1,517) provided on weekdays only in a group care center. One-on-one homemaker and home health aide services cost more than double that amount at an average of $3,241 per month. Assisted living costs roughly $900 more, but it generally includes housing and meals. Nursing homes also provide room and board but cost another $2,100 per month, largely because they offer round-the-clock skilled nursing care. Seniors who remain at home still have to pay household bills in addition to the cost of in-home or care center services, which can increase their monthly cost of care significantly.

 

Over 65 million Americans with limited income and assets receive low-cost or free health insurance through the federal and state government-funded national Medicaid program. In Mississippi, the state program administered by the Division of Medicaid pays for services to meet the health care needs of families with dependant children, pregnant women, disabled and blind adults and the elderly. Eligible residents are covered for a range of health care benefits, including doctor and specialist visits, inpatient and outpatient hospital services, emergency room treatment and prescription drugs.

Qualifying for Medicaid

Seniors aged 65 or older and disabled or blind adults aged 64 or younger also qualify for long-term care in a nursing home if they’re U.S. citizens or legal immigrants and have:

• A monthly income of $2,313 or less per person
• Total countable assets or $4,000 or less per individual
• Total combined countable assets of $8,000 per couple if both spouses apply

If only one spouse applies, the applicant is allowed $2,313 in monthly income and $4,000 in assets. Additionally, up to $3,160.50 of their monthly income may be transferred to their spouse as a living allowance. The non-applicant may also claim up to $126,420 of the couples jointly owned assets as a resource allowance per Medicaid’s guidelines to prevent spousal impoverishment.

When determining eligibility, the state considers the applicant’s income from all sources but excludes a number of assets, such as:

• Two vehicles
• Personal effects
• Up to $6,000 in burial funds
• Whole life insurance with a face value of up to $10,000
• A principal home with a value up to $585,000
• Household furnishings

Flowood residents are automatically enrolled in the state Medicaid program if they’re approved for Supplemental Security Income benefits and don’t need to complete a separate application unless they’re seeking retroactive Medicaid coverage.

Seniors can apply for Medicaid online or contact the program’s Office of Eligibility for assistance at (800) 421-2408.

Assisted Living Waiver

Although Mississippi Medicaid only covers long-term care in a nursing home as an entitlement, the program does offer an Assisted Living waiver that covers community-based care services in state-licensed:

• Assisted living facilities
• Personal care homes
• Community residential care facilities
• Congregate housing facilities

To qualify for the AL waiver program, seniors must meet the eligibility requirements for regular Medicaid and need a nursing-facility level of care but be able to live safely in a less restrictive community setting.

Program participants must pay the room-and-board portion of their facility fees, but Medicaid provides case management and reimburses the facility for various support services, including:

• Personal care
• Social, recreational and therapeutic programs
• Medication administration and supervision
• Intermittent skilled nursing care
• Attendant call systems
• Nonmedical transportation

To learn more about the Assisted Living waiver or apply, Flowood seniors can contact the Department of Rehabilitation Services at (800) 443-1000 or visit the Rankin County Office of Special Disability Programs located at 1032 Center Pointe Boulevard, Suite A, in Pearl. 

Aid and Attendance and Housebound Benefits

Flowood senior veterans and their surviving spouses currently receiving a regular VA pension may qualify for an additional monthly amount if they have certain extra-care needs. The VA offers the Aid and Attendance and Housebound programs to seniors who aren’t receiving a disability-related pension and meet the following requirements.

For the Aid and Attendance program, applicants must need care due to one of these conditions:

• Suffers from severe vision loss not improved by corrective lenses

• Are chronically confined to bed

• Requires nursing home care due to physical or mental impairment

• Requires assistance to complete normal activities of daily life, such as bathing, dressing and eating

For the Housebound program, seniors must have a permanent disability that keeps them largely confined to their home.

Applicants can only receive benefits from one of these two programs and must have served at least 90 days of active duty — with at least one day during wartime — and been honorably discharged.

To learn more about the A&A and Housebound programs or for assistance filing for either benefit, Flowood seniors can contact the Rankin County Veterans Services office at (601) 825-2217 ext. 652.

Reverse Mortgage

Flowood homeowners aged 62 or older who need additional monthly income to help pay for assisted living services may consider applying for a reverse mortgage. Just as the name implies, this type of mortgage works in reverse — instead of making a monthly mortgage payment, the homeowner receives a check from their lender each month. The amount received depends on the applicants’ ages and amount of available home equity. The entire mortgage balance must be paid in full when the second borrower moves out or the property is sold.

To learn more details about reverse mortgages and their options, interested seniors can call Elderlife Financial Services at (888) 228-4500.

The Flowood Parks and Recreation Department hosts organized senior activities every Tuesday and Wednesday at the city library. Tuesdays are card days and may also include an occasional guest speaker, bring-your-own sack lunch, group outing for brunch or potluck. Game days on Wednesdays feature dominoes, Yahtzee, Phase10 and Rumi-cube along with all-day bingo once per month.

Primetime Seniors at the Flowood Library
103 Winners Circle Dr., Flowood, MS 39232
(601) 420-3338

The Central Mississippi Planning and Development District is the Area Agency on Aging for Rankin County. The agency serves as a vital information and referral link to local, county and state aging-related resources. The numerous programs and services the agency coordinates include community transition assistance, long-term care advocacy, congregate and home-delivered meals, in-home support, community outreach and transportation. The CMPDD also operates the Mississippi Access to Care center that’s staffed with specialists who provide personalized, confidential counseling on long-term care options. CMPDD Division of Aging Services
1170 Lakeland Dr., Jackson, MS 39296
(601) 981-1516

Senior Homes has an extensive directory of senior living options, with care and living providers across the United States.