The Wilson Elder Law Center will host a workshop at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Lake Terrace Convention Center in Hattiesburg.

The Hattiesburg-based group will offer information to families dealing with long-term care issues such as SSI (Social Security Insurance) disability, VA benefits and Medicaid.

Sandy Guice, a Wilson Elder Law representative, said Monday the number of nursing home beds available throughout the state and their costs have become an “epidemic.”

“Nursing home care is now between $5,000 and $7,000 a month,” Guice said. “The state regulates the number of nursing home beds, and there aren’t really enough. The nursing home beds that are available, people can’t afford.”

Guice said there is some state funding for Medicaid, but many claims for the elderly and indigent are denied.

“We get so many calls every week,” she said. “A son or daughter doesn’t have any money left. They have to work, but their mom or dad needs critical care. What can these elderly do when they can’t stay in their own homes, and there’s nobody at home to take care of them and no money or assistance?”

Guice referenced the president of the American Medical Association who said the need for critical care of the elderly in 10 years “will be like a run on the stock market.

“That’s when the Baby Boomers reach nursing home age,” she said. “This should have been addressed 10 years ago.”

Guice said another issue is that medical technology is keeping people alive longer, but there’s not money there to match it.

“People are not necessarily totally healthy or live on their own independently,” she said. “They need somebody to help take care of them.”

Guice said the purpose of the Wilson Elder Law Center is to help family members find sources to help the elderly stay in their homes and receive the long-term care that they need.

“People come to us and they’re desperate sometimes,” she said. “It’s difficult to say we can’t help you.”

For more information, contact the Wilson Elder Law Center at 601-554-3133.