The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Gulfport, MS for 2024

Located along the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, Gulfport has a subtropical climate categorized by warm and pleasant weather. Summers are humid, but the 219 sunny days each year may appeal to seniors who enjoy spending time outdoors, and the low cost of living is easier on the budget. Around 72,105 residents live in Gulfport, with seniors accounting for 13.9% of the population. The Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey says seniors pay $4,195 per month for in-home care. Home care includes nonmedical assistance and housekeeping, while home health care includes light medical services from licensed professionals. For serious medical conditions, Memorial Hospital, located right in Gulfport, performs well in eight categories, including diabetes management, heart health and spinal surgeries.

Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in the Gulfport area – complete with services offered and reviews from families who’ve actually used the service. In addition to our in-depth provider listings, we’ve compiled resources to help seniors and their families to access all the tools they need to age in place safely and gracefully.

According to the Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey, seniors in Gulfport pay $4,195 per month for in-home care. This rate is about $380 higher than the Mississippi median, but it falls $760 short of the U.S. average. Costs are similar a little to the north in Hattiesburg, but rates drop to $3,434 in the middle of the state in Jackson. New Orleans, Louisiana, an hour southwest, has identical costs to Gulfport, and in Mobile, Alabama, to the east, home care is $380 less than in Gulfport.

Although home care is a popular option, there are other types of care available for those with different preferences or needs. For example, assisted living is about $400 less per month and provides a residential community with social engagement. While both forms of in-home care allow seniors to age in place for the same cost in Gulfport, home health care includes light medical services provided by skilled professionals. Home care provides personal assistance and some housekeeping services. Nursing homes offer the most comprehensive services and cost $3,120 more than home care.

Given the high cost of in-home care, many people use one or more forms of financial assistance to cover the expenses. Below, we explain some of the most common sources of financial help for paying for in-home care. If none of these options are available to you, you can reach out to your Area Agency on Aging or Aging and Disability Resource Center to learn about local resources.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: Long-Term Care Insurance covers expenses related to senior care, including in-home care. Depending on the policy type, beneficiaries may receive a cash payment to use towards long-term care or reimbursement for qualifying long-term care expenses. Note that there are limitations- typically a maximum benefit of $150 per day- and exact coverage terms vary depending on the exact policy, so always check the details.
• Medicare: Medicare does not cover in-home care because it is classified as custodial, or non-medical, care. However, some Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans, which offer expanded benefits, may cover in-home custodial care.
• Medicaid: Medicaid coverage of in-home care varies between different states because it is not a federally mandated benefit. Currently, all states cover some in-home care either through their standard Medicaid or a waiver program. The specific coverage rules are set individually by each state.
• Veterans’ Benefits: The Aid and Attendance benefit is a monthly cash payment that beneficiaries can use to pay for senior care, including in-home care services. To qualify for A&A, Veterans must already receive the VA pension and meet several additional requirements, including needing assistance with the activities of daily living. Contact the Department of Veterans Affairs to learn more.
• Reverse Mortgages: Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs) are federally insured loans that are available to homeowners age 62 and over. Reverse mortgages allow you to access a portion of your home’s equity in cash, tax free. Many seniors use reverse mortgages to finance their care expenses, including in-home care. Note that although there are no monthly payments due on reverse mortgage loans, borrowers do have to repay the loan once the last surviving homeowner passes away, moves, or sells the home.