Assisted Living in Maryland

Maryland is the only state to regulate hospital stay costs and has much less expensive healthcare as a result. In a 2018 commonwealth study, Maryland ranked 20th in the nation for healthcare overall and is ranked 3rd out of all the states for high out-of-pocket costs. In addition to affordable healthcare, the natural and historic attractions make up a rich local culture, and a mild climate and numerous outdoor activities all combine to make the state attractive to retiring seniors.

Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in Maryland

Researching as many assisted living communities as possible before choosing one is an important step which shouldn’t be overlooked. See our directory of 597 assisted living facilities in the state of Maryland to start that process. Locate information about amenities, size of the facility, pricing, health insurance, and more using the tool below.

How to Pay for Assisted Living in Maryland

Determining how to finance assisted living often starts with the question, “What’s the cost?” In today’s economy, where inflation plays a significant role, having current data is crucial for senior living financial planning. AssistedLiving.org has gathered cost information from its expansive network of over 75,000 senior living providers. This data offers a glimpse into the average expenses for assisted living in Maryland and 34 additional cities within Maryland.

How Inflation Has Impacted the Cost of Assisted Living in Maryland

Due to inflation, many states saw senior living costs increase. In Maryland, the cost of assisted living rose 10.5%, jumping from $4,613 in 2022 to $5,091 in 2023, which is higher than the national rate increase of 10%. The neighboring states of Pennsylvania and West Virginia saw significant rate increases of 19% and 23%, respectively.

Projections show that assisted living costs in Pennsylvania are expected to rise slightly in 2024 to $5,153. While both Virginia and Delaware noted decreases in assisted living costs from 2022 to 2023, these rates are expected to increase in 2024 by 9% and 6.5%, respectively.

Assisted Living Costs in Maryland's Top Cities

Assisted living costs vary significantly across the state of Pennsylvania. For instance, assisted living costs in the city of Baltimore are $1,723 higher per month than costs in the smaller city of Frederick. In Rockville, monthly assisted living costs are $5,030, which is on par with the state average costs of $5,091 per month. Assisted living costs in Annapolis, the state capital, are $122 lower than the state average.

The Cost of Other Types of Senior Living

Senior living costs are often based on the types of services provided. In Pennsylvania, independent living is the most affordable option at $3,484 and is ideal for seniors who can care for themselves. Those requiring supportive services, such as assistance with daily activities, may opt for assisted living, which averages $5,091 per month. Seniors facing memory loss issues may require specialized memory care services, which cost slightly more than assisted living, at $5,489 per month.

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Maryland

Elderly, disabled and low-income residents of Maryland are eligible for medical payment assistance. Maryland has several programs available to help assist long-term care expenses, including the cost of assisted living facilities.

Senior Assisted Living Group Home Subsidy Program

Maryland’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene provides the Senior Assisted Living Group Home subsidy for elder residents of Maryland that are in need of assisted living but require financial assistance to avoid moving into a nursing home. The subsidy will pay a licensed, registered assisted living facility up to $650 a month, while residents will give the facility all of their income minus a $60 monthly allowance deduction. The subsidy covers the costs of services provided in assisted living, such as meals, 24-hour supervision and personal care for frail residents who desire to live as independently as possible.

Who Is Eligible?

An applicant must be 62 or older and in medical need of assistance with one or more activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, dressing, and eating. Financial eligibility requirements include a maximum asset limit of $11,000 for single adults or $14,000 for a couple. Additionally, monthly income must be under 60% of the state median income.

How to Apply

Contact your nearest Area Agency on Aging to discover program availability and to request an application.

HCBS Waiver

The Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver provides financial assistance to those living in the community or assisted living facilities who are in need of skilled care for 1 or more ADLs. There are enough funds to support a maximum of 3,000 participants.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligibility is determined based on age, health, and income. Applicants must be over age 50 and meet long-term care admission requirements like needing ADL assistance. There are strict income guidelines, as this program is federally funded. The maximum monthly income is 300% of the SSI maximum and applicants may have no more than $2,000 in assets.

How to Apply

The first step to receive the HCBS waiver is to apply for Medicaid by calling 1-855-642-8572 or by visiting Maryland’s Medicaid website. If you have already applied for Medicaid, please contact your nearest Area Agency on Aging for a referral to the HCBS waiver program.

More Ways to Finance Assisted Living

Some additional ways to finance assisted living costs include:

• Veterans Benefits: Veterans can take advantage of several different pension programs to help cover the cost of assisted living. For more information, see the article on benefits.va.gov.

• Life Insurance Policies: Even if a spouse or loved one hasn’t died, certain types of life insurance policies can be used to pay for assisted living. More information is available at longtermcare.acl.gov.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: Long-term care insurance is a type of insurance policy that pays for long-term care when it becomes necessary, including the cost of assisted living. For more information on the benefits and drawbacks of this financing method, visit longtermcare.acl.gov.

• Reverse Mortgages: Reverse mortgages allow seniors to access the equity from a home that they own, and these funds can be used to pay for assisted living. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development offers a federally insured reverse mortgage program.

Free Assisted Living Resources in Maryland

In Maryland, a multitude of resources are available to support seniors during their retirement years. AssistedLiving.org has gathered data on various local entities, initiatives, and agencies, and organized them according to the type of care they provide for effortless navigation.

Area Agency on Aging

Your local Area Agency on Aging is a valuable resource for retirees, offering guidance on financial aid, in-home care, and long-term care planning. They also link seniors and caregivers to community resources.

Cash Assistance Programs

In Maryland, financial aid programs are available to support low-income seniors in maintaining their home-based living. These programs offer tax relief, essential service discounts, and assistance with home heating and cooling expenses.

Financial Assistance for Senior Care and Senior Living

Seniors in Maryland, whether residing independently or in a senior living facility, have access to various local financial aid options. These entities assist in offsetting certain in-home or long-term care expenses and link them to beneficial community resources.

Financial Assistance for Senior Living

Financial aid is available for low-income seniors in Maryland living communities through local programs. These resources provide valuable assistance, helping older adults afford long-term care services.

Food Assistance Programs

In Maryland, various local initiatives are dedicated to promoting senior health through balanced nutrition. They offer services like meal delivery, communal dining, and food banks, ensuring elderly residents have access to affordable, nutritious food.

Free Used Medical Equipment

In Maryland, numerous groups are addressing the steep expense of new medical equipment. They gather gently used items like wheelchairs, ramps, and walkers, providing them to local seniors and individuals in need.

Health Insurance & Prescription Drug Coverage for Seniors

Seniors in {catalog.city} with specific income levels can tap into local resources for prescription drug cost assistance. They may also qualify for health insurance and other schemes offering free or discounted medical services.

Home Repair and Modifications

In Maryland, numerous programs are available to aid seniors and individuals with disabilities in financing home modifications and repairs. These programs, offering grants or loans, have diverse eligibility requirements specifically designed for retirees.

Legal Resources

In Maryland, numerous agencies provide affordable or complimentary legal assistance to the elderly. They offer counsel on matters like estate management, living wills, and power of attorney. Some even serve as advocates for seniors’ rights in long-term care facilities.

Medicaid Resources

Understanding Medicaid can be challenging, especially for seniors. Numerous resources in Maryland offer guidance on Medicaid choices, waiver schemes, and eligibility requirements, ensuring older adults secure appropriate health care benefits.

Senior Centers

In Maryland, senior centers serve as a hub for older adults, providing recreational activities, events, and valuable resources. These centers also offer wellness programs, nutritional guidance, and assistance with senior-related concerns.

Social Security Offices

In Maryland, Social Security offices provide essential services to seniors and individuals with disabilities. They offer guidance on retirement benefits, disability allowances, and Supplemental Security Income.

Tax Assistance

Numerous tax aid resources are available in Maryland for senior citizens and individuals with disabilities. These include potential exemptions on medical costs, property tax reductions, and other tax relief initiatives.

Utility & Energy Bill Assistance

Organizations are available to aid low-income seniors in {catalog.city} struggling with home maintenance costs, including utility and energy bills. Emergency funding may also be accessible for those at risk of utility service termination due to unpaid bills.

Veteran’s Services

Veteran services in Maryland offer invaluable assistance to retired military personnel. These local entities guide veterans in utilizing their rightful benefits and provide counsel on diverse matters.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Maryland

Maryland’s Department of Health defines and enforces strict regulations regarding assisted living. Different areas of regulation include staffing requirements like training and background checks, medication management, and facility requirements.

Assisted Living Negotiated Service & Admissions Agreements

A negotiated resident agreement must be completed with every resident 30 days prior to admission using the Resident Assessment Tool. Information in this agreement includes:

• Initial Uniform Assessment findings such as height, weight, and medications
• The scope of care needed for the resident
• Financial information like costs of services to be provided
• Physicians orders and the patient’s medication list
• Overnight supervisory requirements or electronic devices used to monitor residents overnight
• Other identified needs

Assisted Living Admission Requirements

There are limitations on the level of care that can be provided in an assisted living facility (ALF). Individuals that are determined to be a public safety risk, such as carriers of infectious diseases, may not be admitted into an ALF. Assisted living facilities are designed for residents who want to live in an apartment-style residence but require assistance with one or more activities of daily living (ADLs).

Assisted Living Scope of Care

ALFs in Maryland may provide care based on three levels of services: Low, moderate, and high. The levels of care are used to define service requirements such as medication assistance and behavioral concerns like wandering. A resident who needs assistance with 2 ADLs or less are low or moderate, further assistance would require an approved waiver to keep the resident in the facility, proving that the extra care would not cause problems for other residents or undue stress on the staff.

Residents are able to contract with third-party services to received specialized care while remaining in the ALF. Any third party provider must be included in the resident agreement.

Assisted Living Medicaid Policy

Elderly or disabled residents of Maryland may qualify for assisted living reimbursement through the HCBS waiver program, and they must qualify for level II or III service needs. These residents will be provided with 24-hour supervision and will receive a visit by an RN every 45 days to verify service requirements are being met.

Assisted Living Facility Requirements

Residents may live in single or double occupancy rooms with a minimum of 80 or 120 feet of functional space, respectively. Restrooms with locking doors must be provided, with at least one toilet for every four residents. There must be one bathtub for every eight residents.

Medication Management Regulations

There are strict protocols regarding medication management in an ALF. Residents using over 9 medications, including over-the-counter medications will have their prescriptions evaluated every 6 months by an RN or pharmacist. All trained staff must document the length and scope of their training. In the event that an untrained person assists in the taking of medication, the event must be documented as well as why they weren’t required to take training prior to assisting the resident.

Staffing Requirements

There is no minimum staff to resident ratio in Maryland, but there must always be staff available. Residents that need supervision overnight must be provided access to a 24/7 supervising staff member. If there is a resident with overnight care needs or supervision requirements, there must always be at least one staff member awake in the facility. As long as there are no night care orders, staff may sleep at night, ready to awaken if needed. If a doctor orders, a resident may be provided an electronic monitoring device instead, and this must be included in the resident’s plan.

There must always be a staff member on-site, and a registered nurse must be contracted with the ALF as a delegating nurse to oversee services through a visit every 45 days. On-site nurses are required only by doctor’s orders. The ALF manager must be on-site or available on call at all times.

Staff Training Requirements

All residential care staff are required to undergo orientation training as well as continued education while they work in an ALF. Training is to include CPR and first aid by a certified instructor and other topics such as fire safety, infection control, and the health psychosocial needs of older adults.

Assisted living facility managers are required to have at least a high school diploma, and a 4-year degree for facilities licensed for level III services. The manager of any ALF with 5 or more beds must complete an additional ALF manager training program. This program must be at least 80 hours long with no more than 25 of those hours being online or through mail correspondence. Topics in management training include the aging process, clinical management, assisted living philosophies, and appropriate staffing management.

Background Checks for Assisted Living

Background checks and criminal history screens are required to be completed by all staff 30 days prior to employment at any ALF in Maryland. Applicants to work in an ALF can have no criminal convictions or criminal history indicating behavioral concerns that could pose a threat to residents.

Requirements for Reporting Abuse

A staff member or licensee of an ALF is required to report any witnessed or otherwise perceived abuse, neglect or financial exploitation to the proper authorities within 24 hours. All reports are made to the Maryland Office of Health Care Quality, the appropriate law enforcement agency, and the local Area Agency on Aging or Department of Aging. A penalty of up to $1,000 is made on any staff that does not comply with this law. Upon investigation, referrals may be made to the State Attorney General or the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. To report abuse, contact your local LTC Ombudsman.

Maryland COVID-19 Rules for Assisted Living Facilities

Note: The following information was compiled and most recently updated on 2/8/22. Since COVID-19 is a rapidly evolving crisis, be sure to contact your assisted living facility or local Area Agency on Aging for the most up-to-date information.

Sources: coronavirus.maryland.gov www.cdc.gov