Area Agencies on Aging in Mississippi

Structure of Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) in Mississippi

Mississippi’s aging services network is built around ten Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), each serving a specific region of the state. These agencies operate under the Older Americans Act (OAA) and are responsible for coordinating services to support older adults, caregivers, and individuals with disabilities.

Key Aspects of Mississippi’s AAA Structure:

1. Ten Regional AAAs Operated by Planning & Development Districts (PDDs):
   • Unlike many states where AAAs are independent agencies or nonprofit organizations, Mississippi’s AAAs are housed within Planning & Development Districts (PDDs).
   • These PDDs handle economic development, workforce programs, and aging services, making Mississippi’s AAA system unique.
   • This structure differs from states like Florida or California, where AAAs are independent government entities or nonprofits.
2. Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) Provides Oversight:
   • The Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS), Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS), is the state agency that oversees AAAs.
   • MDHS distributes federal and state funds to the PDD-run AAAs, ensuring compliance with OAA guidelines.
   • This is similar to Georgia and Alabama, where state agencies oversee regional AAAs rather than granting them full autonomy.
3. AAAs Primarily Coordinate Rather Than Provide Direct Services:
   • Mississippi’s AAAs do not directly provide services but instead contract with local organizations to deliver:
     • Home-delivered and congregate meals
     • Transportation for seniors
     • In-home support services
     • Caregiver support programs
     • Long-term care ombudsman services
     • Elder abuse prevention programs
   • This is the standard AAA model in many states, including Tennessee and Kentucky.
4. Aging & Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) Are Integrated with AAAs:
   • Mississippi has Aging & Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) that operate within the regional AAAs/PDDs.
   • ADRCs serve as a single-entry point for aging and disability services, helping residents with:
     • Medicare and Medicaid counseling
     • Long-term care options
     • Nursing home transition programs
   • This setup is similar to states like North Carolina and Indiana, which also integrate ADRCs with their AAAs.
5. Emphasis on Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) to Reduce Institutionalization:
   • Mississippi’s AAAs focus on Medicaid waiver programs that support aging in place rather than institutional care.
   • They work closely with the Division of Medicaid to provide home-based alternatives to nursing homes.
   • This is a growing national trend, seen in states like Minnesota, Oregon, and Wisconsin, but Mississippi’s shift has been slower than in states with more extensive HCBS programs.

Comparison with Other States

Similarities:

• Federal Funding & OAA Compliance:
  • Mississippi’s AAAs operate under the Older Americans Act (OAA) and receive funding through the Administration for Community Living (ACL), similar to all other states.
• Regional AAAs Covering Multi-County Areas:
  • Mississippi’s ten AAAs serve multiple counties, much like North Carolina (16 AAAs) and Georgia (12 AAAs).
• Contract-Based Service Delivery Model:
  • AAAs fund local organizations rather than delivering services directly, similar to Texas, Tennessee, and Missouri.
• Integrated ADRCs for Senior and Disability Services:
  • Mississippi’s ADRCs within AAAs mirror programs in states like Indiana, Ohio, and Virginia, offering a single access point for senior resources.

Differences:

• AAAs Are Managed by Planning & Development Districts (PDDs):
  • Unlike most states where AAAs are independent agencies or local government departments, Mississippi’s AAAs are embedded within regional Planning & Development Districts (PDDs).
  • This is unique to Mississippi and differs from states like Florida or California, where AAAs operate independently.
• More State Oversight Compared to Other States:
  • The Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) has stronger control over AAAs, ensuring uniformity across regions.
  • This is different from states like Texas or California, where AAAs operate more autonomously under local government or nonprofit control.
• Slower Expansion of Home-Based Long-Term Care:
  • Mississippi lags behind states like Oregon and Minnesota in shifting away from nursing home care toward home and community-based services (HCBS).
  • While Medicaid waivers are available, eligibility and funding are more limited than in states with stronger HCBS systems.
• Fewer AAAs Compared to Population Size:
  • Mississippi has only ten AAAs covering large multi-county regions, whereas states with similar populations, such as Alabama (13 AAAs) and South Carolina (10 AAAs), have slightly smaller regions per AAA.

Conclusion

Mississippi’s ten AAAs are structured uniquely within Planning & Development Districts (PDDs), setting them apart from other states where AAAs are independent or county-based. The Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) Division of Aging and Adult Services provides centralized oversight, ensuring consistency in aging services across regions.

Compared to other states, Mississippi’s model is more centralized and state-controlled, with AAAs primarily coordinating rather than delivering services directly. While it follows national trends in contracting local providers and integrating ADRCs, Mississippi has been slower in expanding home-based care options compared to states like Oregon, Minnesota, and Massachusetts.

Despite these challenges, Mississippi’s AAAs continue to focus on expanding HCBS programs, Medicaid coordination, and ADRC accessibility, aiming to improve long-term care alternatives and enhance services for older adults across the state.

List of Area Agencies on Aging in Mississippi