Best known for its barrier island excursions, a casino with outstanding restaurants and boutiques and a sprawling outlet mall, Gulfport is an ideal retirement option for active seniors. It has nearly 72,000 residents, about 14% of whom are aged 65 and over. The city’s modest cost of living lets older adults maintain a comfortable standard of living, while the warm climate and a reliable, easy-to-use public transportation system makes it easy to explore everything the region has to offer. Two senior centers are located within the city and offer various social and recreational programs, and the local library hosts regular activities and has public computers and free wireless internet.
Assisted living is well-suited for those who want to stay active in their community but need some personal care services. There are three assisted living facilities, officially known as personal care homes, in Gulfport. Monthly rates are very affordable at $3,738 per month, which is about 13% lower than the national median.
Hundreds of thousands of American seniors utilize assisted living, a figure that is only growing. For these seniors, assisted living combines residential housing,assistance in daily activities, and some healthcare. These communities also strive to provide an atmosphere that is comfortable and engaging for their residents… Read More >
The Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey shows that Gulfport is among the most economically priced cities in the nation for assisted living. Seniors in this city pay approximately $3,738 per month for care, which is consistent with the statewide median of $3,713 and several hundred dollars lower than the national rate of $4,300. Gulfport’s care costs are fairly on par with regional averages. In Louisiana and Arkansas, average assisted living rates are a little lower at $3,639 and $3,500, respectively. Alabama is the cheapest neighboring state for this level of care at $3,150, and Tennessee is the priciest at $4,039.
Gulfport is the cheapest surveyed city in Mississippi for assisted living, with monthly fees coming in at $3,738. In Jackson, care costs are closer to the national median at $4,348, and in Hattiesburg, assisted living fees are higher at $4,500. In the nearby city of New Orleans, LA, seniors pay $4,163 per month, and in Mobile, AL, rates are competitive at $3,318.
The Mississippi Division of Medicaid administers the Assisted Living Waiver, which covers assisted living services for seniors who meet clinical eligibility and income requirements. This waiver is applicable for services provided by state-licensed Personal-Care Home-Assisted Living facilities. The waiver provides services such as case management, personal care, medication oversight and administration, transportation, therapeutic social and recreational programming and transportation.
To learn more about this waiver, including its covered services and eligibility requirements, see our Assisted Living in Mississippi page.
Contact | Description | |
Senior Centers | Frances Fredericks Senior Center: (228) 868-8416 Lyman Senior Center: (228) 832-2606 | There are two senior centers in Gulfport providing a range of social and recreational opportunities to older adults in the region. These centers host daily congregate meals, games and fitness classes. They also have specialists that provide information and referral services to help members connect with supports in the community, along with transportation services to the centers and local points of destination. |
Area Agency on Aging | (228) 868-2311 | The region’s Area Agency on Aging administers free and low-cost services to older adults, helping them maintain as much independence as possible while obtaining necessary community-based supports. Through the agency, older adults can access advocacy services, legal assistance, transportation and congregate meals. The agency also administers the statewide Senior Health Insurance Information Program, which provides older adults with free, unbiased healthcare options counseling. This program is operated primarily by trained volunteers who can answer questions about Medicare benefits, Medicaid and long-term care insurance and how these may cover assisted living fees. |
Retired Senior Volunteer Program | (228) 896-0412 | RSVP is the nation’s largest volunteer network for older adults. Through the local chapter, seniors in Gulfport receive one-on-one help finding volunteer opportunities in the community that fit their interests and abilities. Opportunities vary throughout the year and may include providing friendly phone calls for local housebound seniors, teaching classes at senior centers, providing museum tours or tutoring local schoolchildren. In exchange for their services, volunteers are invited to recognition events and receive regular newsletters. |
Veterans Affairs | (228) 865-4027 | The county’s Veterans Affairs office supports qualifying veterans and their families by helping them access federal, state and local benefits, including those that may cover assisted living services. Through the office, veterans can apply for the Aid and Attendance benefit, pension programs and disability compensation. The office also screens for eligibility for VA assisted living placement, which may be an affordable alternative for care. |
Mississippi Center for Legal Services – Gulfport Office | (228) 896-9148 | Mississippi Center for Legal Services provides free civil legal services for older adults. Its licensed legal professionals help seniors resolve issues related to federal benefits, such as Social Security overpayment or canceled Medicare policies. The office can also help older adults moving to residential care to review and understand assisted living contracts and apply for the Medicaid Assisted Living Waiver. |
Long-Term Care Ombudsman | (228) 382-4165 | The state’s long-term care ombudsman program advocates on behalf of seniors in assisted living. Gulfport’s ombudsman can help local seniors compare local assisted living facilities and identify options for covering the cost of care. They can also help resolve issues that arise in facilities, such as intake and discharge procedures and problems with the quality of care. |
In Gulfport, assisted living facilities must comply with the Mississippi State Department of Health’s regulations for scope of care, care planning, staffing and building requirements. To learn more about these guidelines, refer to our Assisted Living in Mississippi page.