10 Best Independent Living Communities in Meridian, MS

Independent Living

An Independent Living Community allows residents the choice to continue to live an active life while making sure their essential needs are being fulfilled. Basic chores such as meal preparation and housekeeping are handled by staff and a calendar of recreational and social activities is maintained, allowing residents an opportunity to use their time as they choose, free from daily responsibilities. Along with their daily needs being met, residents can enjoy an opportunity to live among peers, surrounded by others of similar age groups and interests. Typically consisting of a private living space and a full kitchen, these communities offer residences with many of the amenities of apartment life but with none of the hassle. Guests can be invited over and entertained, and there will be more time to spend with them with the basic maintenance of daily chores out of the way. While policies differ between communities, many residences allow cats and dogs as well. If medical or nursing assistance is desired, residents may always utilize the services of independent caregivers. There are a variety of advantages and expenditures to consider while choosing an independent living community. It is important to learn if these services are covered in your care plan: parking, private phone, Waiting list deposit, transportation, internet access, initial assessment fee, move-in fee, and utilities. The amenities associated with independent living include community activities, security guards, golf course, transportation, beauty salon & barber shop, game/TV room, concierge services, and restaurant-style dining hall.

Local Hospitals and Health Care Providers

Access to hospitals can be a significant factor when choosing the best care option for you or your loved one. In total, there are 4 hospitals located in Meridian which offer emergency services and other healthcare. The top hospitals in Meridian include Rush Foundation Hospital, Anderson Regional Medical Ctr, and Anderson Rmc South.

Demographics and Values

In Meridian, 27.5% are nonbelievers. In terms of non-Christian denominations in Meridian, out of the total population 0.1% practice Judaism, 0.0% practice an Eastern religion, and 0.4% practice Islam. In terms of Christian denominations, out of the total population of Meridian 44.1% are Baptists, 9.9% are Methodists, and 9.9% practice another Chrisitan faith. In the previous presidential election, 38.2% voted Democrat, 60.1% voted Republican, and 1.7% voted for a third party candidate in Lauderdale county. Out of the total population of Meridian, 19.0% have some form of disability, 14.5% do not have health insurance, 8.1% consider themselves widows, and 58.8% participate in the labor force. Demographically, Meridian is 1.1% mixed race, 0.0% Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 36.9% white, 0.2% Native American, 0.8% other or not specified, 60.3% black, 0.8% Asian, and 2.2% Hispanic. Out of the total city population, 47.1% are male and 52.9% are female. In Meridian, 28.7% of the population are over the age of 55, 10.8% are over the age of 60, 5.6% are over the age of 70, and 4.8% are over the age of 80. The median age of Meridian is 36 years old. In terms of education, 27.9% have a high-school diploma, 8.3% have a graduate degree, and 20.6% have a college degree. Meridian has a population density of 272 people per square mile. The current population of Meridian is shrinking at a rate of -0.016%. In Meridian, 9.4% of the citizens are veterans of the United States armed forces. Meridian is considered very unfriendly to members of the LGBTQ+ community. In terms of crime, Meridian has 5.1 violent crimes per 1000 residents and 39.6 property crimes per 1000 residents.

Regional Climate and Weather Information

Climate is a major influence in deciding which destination is right for your family. The average humidity level for Meridian is roughly 73%. Humidity levels are highest in the month of July at about 76%. Meridian has a humid subtropical type of climate. In the summer months, Meridian is approximately 81F. The summer high temperature is at approximately 93F in the month of July. The summer low falls to roughly 67F during the month of June. During winter, the average temperature dips to roughly 49F. The high winter temperature is approximately 64F during the month of February. The lowest winter temperature will rise to roughly 35 F during the month of January. On average, the air quality index rating in Meridian is around 38.0. The average air quality conditions are rated as good. The air quality index score reaches its max during the month of October at around 49.6. Monthly, Meridian receives approximately 5 inches of precipitation. The most precipitation usually occurs in March with an average of 6 inches during the month. For snowfall, Meridian gets on average 0.60 inches of snow per year.

Cost of Living

The total cost of living can be the major influence in choosing which community works best. The cost-of-living index for Meridian is 82.6 where a score of 100 is the average rating, and anything under 100 is cheaper than the average. Meridian has a grocery index of about 91.8. The rent burden for Meridian is around 15.6% of the average person’s monthly income. The median home value in Meridian is about $81,933 and the median rent is about $580 per month a month.

State Information

An overview of Mississippi

Out of a national average of 100, Mississippi has a cost of living index rating of 86, a grocery index rating of 92, and a housing index rating of 70. Mississippi is ranked 48th in quality of life and 50th in healthcare. There are 105 hospitals and 247 health centers that service a population of 2,983,400. Baptist Memorial Hospital Union County, Beacham Memorial Hospital, and Ochsner Medical Center-hancock are among the top three highest ranked hospitals in the state. Residents of Mississippi enjoy its natural beauty which ranks 11th in the United States.

Social demographics of the state

The median age in the state is 38, and 29% of the population is over the age of 55. In Mississippi, 49% of the population attend some form of religious service and there are 6,765 different congregations. The top three non-Christian denominations in the state are Jewish-<1%, Muslim-<1%, and Buddhist-<1%, with the most common Christian denominations consisting of Evangelical Protestant-41%, Mainline Protestant-12%, and Historically Black Protestant-24%. In Mississippi there are 604 masonic lodges. In terms of diversity, Mississippi ranks 30th in the nation. In the most recent presidential election, 58% of Mississippi residents voted Republican and 40% voted Democrat.

State-wide weather information

The average temperature in the summer rises to around 80F. The average high summer temperature is around 94F in the month of July. In the summer, the average low temperature drops to around 63F during the month of June. During the winter, the average temperature in Mississippi drops to around 46F. The average high winter temperature is around 67F in the month of February. The average low temperature during the winter drops to around 27F in the month of January. The most precipitation occurs in July with an average of 7.60 inches of precipitation a month. The average monthly precipitation for the state of Mississippi is around 4.85 inches. Mississippi experiences an average humidity rating of about 74%. Humidity levels tend to reach their peak in the month of July at around 76%. The average air quality index rating in Mississippi is 39.2 AQI. The average air quality index rating peaks in the month of May with a rating of around 49.3 AQI. While residents of Mississippi mostly enjoy pleasant conditions, it’s important to be aware of inclement weather as well, which in Mississippi can include hurricanes, tornadoes, and and earthquakes (moderate).

Wildlife to be found in Mississippi

The state of Mississippi has a diverse array of plant and animal life. Local plant life can consist of virginia waterleaf, dutchman’s breeches, eastern cottonwood, and mayapple. While venturing throughout the state, you might see animals such as the cardinal, the mountain lions, the crow, or the cormorant. The state animal of Mississippi is the white-tailed deer.