Respite Care in Meridian, MS: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Meridian, MS: the local picture

6,205

residents 65 or older (18% of Meridian)

61%

of residents 65+ in households live with someone, often a family caregiver

44%

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

13

Medicare-certified hospices serve Meridian ZIP codes

Most older adults in Meridian live with someone: 61% of residents 65 and older in households do. When one of them needs care, the person they live with usually provides most of it, and respite is what keeps that sustainable.

About 2,554 Meridian residents aged 65 or older report a disability (44%) (40% in Lauderdale County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 13 hospices serving Meridian ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Meridian compared with Lauderdale County and Mississippi

Census figure	Meridian	Lauderdale County	Mississippi
Residents 65+ with a disability	44%	40%	41%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	39%	35%	30%
Residents 65 or older	18%	19%	17%
Residents 85 or older	1.7%	2.0%	1.7%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	20%	18%	15%
Households with no vehicle	14%	9.5%	6.3%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$33,359	$40,877	—

Older residents in towns around Meridian

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Newton, MS	27 mi	714	52%
Livingston, AL	33 mi	350	42%
Philadelphia, MS	37 mi	1,135	40%
Pearl River, MS	43 mi	598	56%
Forest, MS	46 mi	700	50%
Waynesboro, MS	49 mi	850	48%

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
Halcyon Hospice- Philadelphia	Philadelphia, MS	36 mi	(601) 656-7411

Nursing homes near Meridian (ask about short stays)

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

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 respite caregiver can help with

Taking over the usual routine while you are away
Meals, medication reminders and personal care
Company and activities
Overnight cover for a weekend or a trip

Cost

What respite 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 respite caregiver

Family caregivers carry most long-term care in the U.S., and burnout is a common reason a home arrangement breaks down. The federal National Family Caregiver Support Program funds respite through local Area Agencies on Aging, and the ARCH National Respite Locator lists respite programs by state.

Questions worth asking: Can you do a short paid visit first, while I am home? Are you available at short notice if I am ill? Can you stay overnight, and what do you charge for it? More in our respite care guide.

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

Questions

Respite Care in Meridian: common questions

Which hospices serve Meridian?

Medicare lists 13 hospices for Meridian ZIP codes, including Harpers Hospice Care Inc, Hospice Care Group, LLC, Gentiva.

How much does respite 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).

Does Medicaid or Medicare pay for respite care?

Medicare pays for short inpatient respite stays only for people on its hospice benefit (Medicare.gov); the hospices on this page serve Meridian. Many state Medicaid home and community-based programs, veterans’ programs and the National Family Caregiver Support Program fund respite. Our guide Medicaid programs for family caregivers: who can be paid, and the rules in 12 states covers Mississippi.

More near Meridian

More senior care near Meridian

Respite 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.

Respite Care in Meridian, MS