Dementia Care in Meridian, MS: In-Home Alzheimer's Care

Local figures

Dementia Care in Meridian, MS: the local picture

583

residents 85 or older (1.7% of all residents)

6,205

residents 65 or older (18% of Meridian)

44%

of residents 65+ report a disability (40% in Lauderdale County)

6+

Medicare-certified nursing homes within 25 miles

Meridian has about 583 residents aged 85 or older among 6,205 aged 65 or older. The risk of Alzheimer’s rises steeply with age, and the Alzheimer’s Association estimates that about a third of people 85 and older have Alzheimer’s dementia.

44% of residents 65 and older report a disability (40% in Lauderdale County). The Census counts cognitive difficulty as one kind, alongside hearing, vision, walking, self-care and living independently.

39% of older Meridian residents in households live alone. For someone with memory loss who lives alone, a few hours of daily check-ins are often the first step.

Meridian compared with Lauderdale County and Mississippi

Census figure	Meridian	Lauderdale County	Mississippi
Residents 85 or older	1.7%	2.0%	1.7%
Residents 65 or older	18%	19%	17%
Residents 65+ with a disability	44%	40%	41%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	39%	35%	30%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	20%	18%	15%
Residents 5+ who speak a language other than English at home	4.6%	3.8%	4.3%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$33,359	$40,877	—

Older residents in towns around Meridian

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Residents 85+
Newton, MS	27 mi	714	113
Livingston, AL	33 mi	350	23
Philadelphia, MS	37 mi	1,135	162
Pearl River, MS	43 mi	598	144
Forest, MS	46 mi	700	57
Waynesboro, MS	49 mi	850	56

Nursing homes near Meridian

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Trend Health & Rehab Of Meridian LLC	Meridian, MS	0.6 mi	4 of 5	58	(601) 282-1300
The Oaks Rehabilitation And Healthcare Center	Meridian, MS	1.0 mi	1 of 5	82	(601) 482-7164
Arabella Health & Wellness Of Meridian	Meridian, MS	1.4 mi	1 of 5	84	(601) 483-1467
Diversicare Of Meridian	Meridian, MS	1.7 mi	1 of 5	120	(601) 482-8151
Poplar Springs Nursing Ctr, LLC	Meridian, MS	3.2 mi	2 of 5	89	(601) 483-5256
Marion Health And Rehab, LLC	Marion, MS	3.4 mi	1 of 5	120	(601) 294-3515

Hospices serving Meridian

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Harpers Hospice Care Inc	Meridian, MS	2.7 mi	(601) 483-4134
Hospice Care Group, LLC	Quitman, MS	22 mi	(601) 776-8880
Gentiva	Newton, MS	29 mi	(601) 683-7500
Quality Hospice Care, Inc	Philadelphia, MS	36 mi	(601) 656-5252

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

What it covers

What a dementia caregiver can help with

Keeping a predictable daily routine
Gentle help with bathing, dressing and toileting
Meals, hydration and medication reminders
Calming approaches for sundowning, agitation and repeated questions

Cost

What dementia care costs in Meridian

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, which is 36% of the $2,780 monthly median income of Meridian households headed by someone 65 or older. 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 dementia caregiver

An estimated 7.2 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s dementia, according to the Alzheimer’s Association 2025 Facts and Figures. Most live at home, cared for by family. The Association’s 24/7 Helpline (1-800-272-3900) is free.

Questions worth asking: Tell me about someone with dementia you cared for. What worked? What do you do when a client becomes agitated in the late afternoon? How do you keep someone safe who tries to leave the house? More in our dementia care guide.

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

Questions

Dementia Care in Meridian: common questions

What nursing homes are near Meridian?

The closest Medicare-certified nursing homes are Trend Health & Rehab Of Meridian LLC in Meridian (0.6 mi, 4 of 5 overall); The Oaks Rehabilitation And Healthcare Center in Meridian (1.0 mi, 1 of 5 overall); Arabella Health & Wellness Of Meridian in Meridian (1.4 mi, 1 of 5 overall). Ratings are from Medicare Care Compare.

How much does dementia care cost in Meridian?

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, which is 36% of the $2,780 monthly median income of Meridian households headed by someone 65 or older. 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).

When does someone with dementia need care at home?

Common signs are missed meals or medication, getting lost in familiar places, unsafe cooking or driving, and a family caregiver who is exhausted. Many families start with a few hours a day and add hours, nights or live-in help as the disease progresses.

More near Meridian

More senior care near Meridian

Dementia Care in nearby cities

Other care in Meridian

More for Meridian families

Sources

Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year; 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.

In-Home Dementia and Alzheimer's Care in Meridian, MS