Companion Care in University, MS: Senior Companions at Home

Local figures

Companion Care in University, MS: the local picture

0

residents 65 or older (0.0% of University)

5.0%

of residents 5+ speak a language other than English at home

$11.47

median hourly wage of home care aides in Mississippi (BLS, May 2025)

About 5.0% of University residents aged 5 and over speak a language other than English at home. The most common are Spanish (93), French, Haitian or Cajun (75), other Asian and Pacific Island languages (34). If the person you care for is more at ease in one of these languages, say so in your posting; many caregivers list the languages they speak.

University compared with Lafayette County and Mississippi

Census figure	University	Lafayette County	Mississippi
Residents 65 or older	0.0%	14%	17%
Residents 5+ who speak a language other than English at home	5.0%	4.2%	4.3%

Older residents in towns around University

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Live alone (65+)
Oxford, MS	1.0 mi	3,682	34%
Water Valley, MS	15 mi	637	32%
Batesville, MS	22 mi	1,114	31%
Holly Springs, MS	29 mi	973	41%
Senatobia, MS	30 mi	1,295	31%
New Albany, MS	31 mi	1,427	22%

Hospitals near University (for rides to appointments)

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Baptist Memorial Hospital North MS	Oxford, MS	3.9 mi	4 of 5	(662) 232-8100
Panola Medical Center	Batesville, MS	24 mi	not rated	(662) 563-5611
Highland Hills Medical Center	Senatobia, MS	27 mi	not rated	(662) 612-0311

Straight-line miles from the center of University. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.

What it covers

What a companion caregiver can help with

Conversation, cards, puzzles and shared hobbies
Walks and outings to the park, library or senior center
Company at meals, and help preparing them
Rides or escort to appointments, church and visits

Cost

What companion care costs in University

At the Mississippi median aide wage of $11.47 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $994 a month in wages. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Mississippi has no state minimum wage law, so the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour applies to employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (U.S. Department of Labor).

Hiring directly, you agree the rate with the caregiver and usually become the household employer (U.S. Department of Labor rules). Some families qualify for programs that pay for care at home; see Medicaid programs for family caregivers: who can be paid, and the rules in 12 states.

Before you hire

What to know before hiring a companion caregiver

Isolation is a health risk, not only a mood. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine found that nearly one in four Americans aged 65 and older living in the community is socially isolated, and linked isolation to higher risks of dementia, heart disease and early death (2020 report).

Questions worth asking: What do you enjoy doing with the people you care for? Are you comfortable driving, and is your car insured for passengers? How do you handle a client who does not want company at first? More in our companion care guide.

CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.

Questions

Companion Care in University: common questions

How many seniors live alone in University?

About 0 residents aged 65 or older, — of older residents in households (Census ACS 2020–2024).

How much does companion care cost in University?

At the Mississippi median aide wage of $11.47 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $994 a month in wages. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Mississippi has no state minimum wage law, so the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour applies to employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (U.S. Department of Labor).

What does a companion caregiver do in University?

A companion keeps an older adult company and helps around the visit: conversation, activities, walks, meals, errands, rides and reminders. It suits someone who is mostly independent but lonely, or a family that wants someone to check in on weekdays.

More near University

More senior care near University

Companion Care in nearby cities

Other care in University

More for University families

Sources

Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year (small-place figures carry wide margins of error); CMS provider data (October 25, 2026); U.S. DOL state minimum wages (July 1, 2026); BLS OEWS May 2025 aide wages, which cover employed aides rather than private rates.

Companion Care for Seniors in University, MS