Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District

This program includes information to caregivers about available services, assistance to caregivers in gaining access to services, individual counseling, organization of support groups and caregiver training to assist caregivers in making decisions and solving problems relating to their caregiving roles, and supplemental respite services to complement care by caregivers.  The services are provided to the caregiver.  Caregiver is defined as: 1) any individual, regardless of age, providing care for a person 60 years of age or older, or 2) a grand parent or other relative, 60 years of age or older, caring for a child 18 years of age or younger.

Caregiver Counselling

Provides an opportunity for the caregiver to receive one on one guidance and instruction about options and methods for providing support to caregivers in an individual or group setting.  The caregiver and professional develop a treatment plan to work through issues related to caregiver stress, burnout, role overload, grief and many other caregiving related issues.

Support Groups 

Provided by caregiver counselling providers.  Is a group of caregivers with same or similar need(s) meeting with a professional for discussion, guidance, advice, and best practices to work through issues related to caregiver stress, burnout, role overload, grief, and many other caregiving related issues. 

Available in all counties

University of Southern Mississippi - Institute of Disability Studies

Phone: (601) 266-5163

Services the following counties: Forrest, Jones, Lamar, Marion, and Perry County

Smith and Smith Associates

Phone: (601) 466-3748 or (800) 784-1464

Services the following counties: Covington, George, Greene, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson Davis, Pearl River, Stone, and Wayne County

Grandparent Counselling

Recognizes the needs fo grandparents caring for grandchildren and for caregivers of those 18 and under with mental retardation or developmental difficulties and the diverse needs of Native Americans.

Available in Forrest, Jones, and Covington County

Pinebelt Association for Families

Phone: (601) 582-0909

Respite

Provides temporary relief time for the regular of primary caregiver ( spouse, child, relative) of an ill, frail, infirmed, functionally impaired older individual or dementia patient that requires constant in home care.

The purpose of respite care is to:

• prevent , delay, or avoid premature or unnecessary institutionilization
• prevent elder abuse
• prevent or reduce physical and emotional stress on the family
• give the primary caregiver some much needed personal time away from home and caregivers role
• prevent caregiver's burnout
• give the caregiver an interval of rest from the burden of constant care

Available in all counties

Nursing Manangement Inc.

Gulfport Office

Phone: (228) 385-9196 or (800) 448-3634

Services the following counties: Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson County.

Hattiesburg Office

Phone: (601) 584-9196 or (800) 448-3634

Services the following counties: Forrest and Jones County.

Oxford Health Care

Gulfport Office

Phone: (228) 896-8117 or (800) 664-8031

Services the following counties: George, Pearl River, and Stone County.

Hattiesburg Office

Phone: (601) 584-8811 or (800) 824-4649

Services the following counties: Covington, Jefferson Davis, Lamar, and Marion County.