State Ranks 49th in Long-term Care Support

For people in need of long-term care, Mississippi is not a hospitable state, according to a scorecard released by AARP, the Commonwealth Fund and the SCAN Foundation.

Mississippi ranks 49th in the type and quality of long-term care services available, and gets low marks for affordability, access, choice of setting and provider, and quality of life. The state ranks 50th in effective transitions—the way in which long-term care is coordinated with health care services and social support.

In a move urged by AARP Mississippi, legislators established a committee to study family caregivers’ needs and identify ways to assist them in caring for aging relatives at home. The recommendations are due Dec. 1.

If you are a caregiver, email msaarp@aarp.org or call 866-554-5382 toll-free to share your story.