Dementia Care Resources in Mississippi: Programs, Agencies, and Support

Finding the right resource in Mississippi's fragmented care system means knowing which agency does what — because calling the wrong office wastes days you may not have. This is the practical directory of every state-level program, hotline, and agency that serves families navigating dementia care in Mississippi.

Mississippi Access to Care (MAC) Network

Phone: 1-844-822-4622

The MAC Network is your single best first call. It is a free, statewide navigation service that connects families with long-term care options, screens for program eligibility, and initiates referrals to Medicaid waiver programs. MAC Centers are staffed by trained specialists who can:

• Explain available home and community-based services
• Initiate the LTSS (Long-Term Services and Supports) assessment for waiver eligibility
• Connect you with local personal care homes and nursing facilities
• Provide information about Medicaid, Medicare, and private-pay options

MAC Centers operate through the 10 regional Planning and Development Districts across the state. Each center covers specific counties, so when you call the statewide number you will be routed to your regional office.

Area Agencies on Aging (AAA)

Mississippi's 10 Area Agencies on Aging serve as the local backbone of elder services. They administer federal Older Americans Act programs including:

• Family Caregiver Support Program — respite care, supplemental services, and caregiver counseling
• Home-delivered meals (Meals on Wheels)
• Transportation assistance for medical appointments
• Legal assistance for advance directives and benefits issues
• Health promotion programs and senior center activities

To find your county's AAA, visit the Mississippi Department of Human Services aging division or call your MAC Center. The Central Mississippi AAA, for example, covers Hinds, Madison, and Rankin counties — the Jackson metro area.

Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS)

Operated under the Mississippi Department of Human Services, DAAS oversees statewide aging programs and coordinates federal and state funding for:

• Area Agencies on Aging
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
• Adult Protective Services
• Elderly nutrition programs
• Caregiver support grants

DAAS does not serve families directly but funds and oversees the local agencies that do. If your local AAA is unresponsive or you need to escalate a concern, DAAS is the oversight body.

Alzheimer's Mississippi

Phone: 601-987-0020

Alzheimer's Mississippi (affiliated with the national Alzheimer's Association) provides:

• 24/7 helpline for crisis support and care consultation
• Local support groups for caregivers (both in-person and virtual)
• Education programs on disease progression, behavior management, and communication
• MedicAlert + Safe Return enrollment for wandering prevention
• Training for professional caregivers and first responders on dementia interaction

They do not provide direct care services or financial assistance, but they are an essential resource for emotional support and caregiver education — particularly in the early months after diagnosis when families are overwhelmed.

Mississippi Department of Mental Health (DMH)

The DMH operates community mental health centers across the state that provide:

• Diagnostic evaluation and cognitive testing for dementia
• Behavioral health services for agitation, aggression, and psychosis in dementia
• Crisis stabilization when behavioral symptoms become unmanageable at home
• Referrals to appropriate care settings

If your parent is experiencing severe behavioral symptoms (aggression, hallucinations, extreme agitation) that in-home caregivers cannot manage, the local community mental health center can provide assessment and crisis intervention before the situation escalates to a hospital admission.

Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program

Phone: 1-888-844-0041

The Ombudsman advocates for residents of licensed care facilities. Contact them if:

• A facility is attempting to discharge your parent inappropriately
• You suspect neglect or substandard care in a licensed setting
• The facility is not following the care plan
• You want to check complaint history before placing your parent
• Your parent's rights are being violated (visitors restricted, personal property confiscated)

State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)

SHIP provides free, unbiased counseling on Medicare benefits, supplemental plans, Medicare Advantage options, and Part D prescription drug coverage. This is not directly dementia-specific, but navigating Medicare coverage for diagnostic testing, home health visits, and short-term rehabilitation is essential for managing costs.

Putting It Together

These agencies work best when coordinated. A practical sequence for a family navigating a new or worsening dementia diagnosis:

1. MAC Network (844-822-4622) — initial assessment and program referral
2. Local AAA — caregiver support services and respite
3. Alzheimer's Mississippi (601-987-0020) — education, support group, Safe Return enrollment
4. DMH community mental health center — if behavioral symptoms require clinical management

The Mississippi Dementia & Memory Care Guide maps all of these resources into a coordinated care planning workflow with contact directories organized by county and region, so you reach the right office on the first call.

See more Mississippi guides →