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Almost 16% of Maryland's 6 million residents are aged 65 or older, and the state offers its seniors a superior retirement lifestyle. There are many amenities for older adults and health concerns can be taken care of at world-class hospitals such as Johns Hopkins, one of the country’s top geriatric facilities. When it's time for recreational pursuits, art lovers can explore the state’s museums and galleries, while outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy golfing, fishing or exploring Maryland’s national parks.
Older adults can look to the SeniorScore for an idea of whether they’ll like a community. It uses 100 data points across four categories to determine if a community will be comfortable for seniors. Maryland’s overall SeniorScore is 75, which is slightly higher than the national average of 72. The state received a score of 68 in Health & Safety, reflecting the high number of hospitals and Medicare-registered healthcare providers. It also does well in the Finances category, due to low property and sales tax rates. Maryland's General Quality of Life and Recreation & Leisure scores also reflect the temperate climate and abundance of activities in the state.
This guide offers an overview of the costs associated with home care in Maryland, as well as information about financial assistance options and other free resources for seniors.
Located in Cumberland, MD at 14212 Moores Hollow Rd SE, Comfort Keepers is a home health care service provider offering home care in addition to in-home health care. They offer multiple personal services including transportation help, assistance paying bills, help ...
Home Instead Senior Care is a senior in-home care provider based in Bel Air, Maryland at 221 S Main St Ste 200. They offer in-home personal care services and also in-home medical care for senior clients. They provide different ...
Located at 971 Russell Ave Ste A in Gaithersburg, MD, Visiting Angels Living Assistance Services is a home care service provider offering in-home personal care services along with in-home health care. They can provide a variety of personal services such ...
Home Instead Senior Care is a home care provider based in Bel Air, Maryland at 16 N Hays St. They offer in-home health care and also home care to seniors. They offer different medical services such as licensed nursing, ...
Home Instead Senior Care is a senior in-home care company based in Silver Spring, Maryland at 2439 Linden Ln. They provide in-home nursing services and also home care services for senior clientele. They offer multiple personal services including shopping ...
Located in Sykesville, MD at 6505 Ridenour Way E # 1b, Visiting Angels Living Assistance Services is a senior home health care service provider that offers in-home nursing care as well as in-home personal care. They provide various personal services ...
Located in Rockville, MD at 6001 Montrose Road 301, Potomac Home Health Care is a home healthcare provider that offers in-home medical services along with home care. Since 1984, they have been serving customers throughout the Rockville area. ...
Home Instead Senior Care is a home care company based in Frederick, Maryland at 614 W Patrick St. They offer personal care along with in-home medical care for seniors. They provide different personal services such as general housekeeping, reading, ...
Located at 14900 Sweitzer Ln Ste 203 in Laurel, Maryland, Visiting Angels Living Assistance Services is a home healthcare company that offers personal care in addition to in-home nursing care. They can provide memory care and CPR. In addition, they ...
Located at 5901 Holabird Avenue Suite A in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins Home Care Group is a senior in-home care service provider that offers personal care services and also home health services. For almost 34 years, they have been providing ...
Located at 11800 Tech Road Suite #240 in Silver Spring, MD, Holy Cross Home Care and Hospice is a in-home care company offering home care as well as in-home medical care. Since 1968, they have been helping customers throughout ...
Located in Lanham, Maryland at 4429 Forbes Blvd, Professional Healthcare is a home care company offering home health services as well as personal care services. They have been in operation in Lanham for nearly 33 years. They provide various medical ...
Located at 5901 Holabird Avenue, Suite A in Baltimore, Maryland, Johns Hopkins Peds at Home is a senior home health care provider offering home care services and in-home nursing care. For nearly 25 years, they have been serving clients throughout ...
Healthsouth Chesapeake Rehab Home Health is a home care provider located in Salisbury, Maryland at 220 Tilghman Rd. They provide personal care and also in-home nursing services to seniors. Since 2007, they have been serving customers in the Salisbury ...
Home Instead Senior Care is a home care service provider based in Berlin, MD at 10031 Old Ocean City Blvd Ste 101. They provide in-home nursing services and also home care for senior clientele. They offer multiple medical services ...
19 Newport Drive, Ste 201
Forest Hill, MD 21050
Amedisys Home Health of Baltimore is a senior in-home care provider located in Forest Hill, MD at 19 Newport Drive, Ste 201. They provide in-home medical services along with personal care services to senior clients. They have been in ...
511 Jermor Lane, Suite 200
Westminster, MD 21157
Located in Westminster, MD at 511 Jermor Lane, Suite 200, Amedisys Home Health is a home health care provider that offers in-home personal care services along with in-home nursing services. Since 1980, they have been serving clients throughout the ...
1101 Mercantile Lane, Suite 292
Upper Marlboro, MD 20774
Located at 1101 Mercantile Lane, Suite 292 in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, Revival Homecare Agency is a home healthcare service provider offering in-home personal care and also in-home nursing. Since 1980, they have been helping customers throughout the Upper Marlboro area. ...
1050 West Industrial Blvd
Cumberland, MD 21502
Located in Cumberland, MD at 1050 West Industrial Blvd, Western Maryland Health System Home Care is a senior home health care company offering personal care services as well as home health services. For almost 49 years, they have been serving ...
6401 York Road 3rd Fl
Baltimore, MD 21212
Located at 6401 York Road 3rd Fl in Baltimore, MD, Balto Co Dept of Health is a home healthcare company that offers in-home health care as well as personal home care services. They have been serving seniors in the area ...
Genworth Financial’s 2019 Cost of Care Survey shows that the cost of home care in Maryland is slightly higher than the national average. The cost of in-home care in Maryland averages $4,481 per month, which is $191 more than the national average of $4,290. This care includes nonmedical services, such as homemaker and companionship services. Home health care provides some medical services and is slightly more expensive at $4,576 compared to the national median of $4,385.
Maryland has less affordable home care when compared to the nation as a whole, with in-home care in the state costing around $4,481 and home health care priced around $4,576. However, these averages are lower than those in neighboring areas. In Washington D.C., home care is $4,576 and the cost of home health care rises to $4,767, while in Delaware seniors pay around $4,671 for both. Other states have lower costs, with seniors in Pennsylvania paying $4,385 for home care and $4,481 for home health care. Prices in Virginia are lower still, with home care priced at $4,195 and home health care costing $4,382.
Cost of Home Care | Cost of Home Health Care | |
Maryland | $4,481 | $4,576 |
The United States | $4,290 | $4,385 |
Virginia | $4,195 | $4,382 |
Pennsylvania | $4,385 | $4,481 |
Delaware | $4,671 | $4,671 |
Washington, D.C. | $4,576 | $4,767 |
There are other senior care options available to older adults in Maryland, in addition to home care. These include adult day care, assisted living and skilled nursing care. The most affordable option is adult day care, which costs an average of $1,775 per month. This type of care provides daily services at a community-based center while a senior continues to reside in their own home. Assisted living provides room, board, meals and care, and costs $4,300 a month in Maryland. Nursing home care is the most expensive option, with the price of a semiprivate room averaging $9,673 per month.
The cost of home care in most of Maryland’s cities is below the state average. Hagerstown has the most affordable care, with a cost of $4,195 for both in-home and home health care. Cumberland and Salisbury also have care costs below the state median, with average costs of $4,290 and $4,385 respectively. California’s in-home care costs are equal to the Maryland average, while its home health care costs are $95 lower. Baltimore is the only city with prices higher than the state average, with seniors in the city paying $4,624 for in-home care and $4,767 for home health care.
Cost of Home Care | Cost of Home Health Care | |
Maryland | $4,481 | $4,576 |
Baltimore | $4,624 | $4,767 |
Cumberland | $4,290 | $4,290 |
Hagerstown | $4,195 | $4,195 |
California | $4,481 | $4,481 |
Salisbury | $4,385 | $4,458 |
The Maryland Community Personal Assistance Services (CPAS) program is designed to help Maryland residents living in their home who need help with basic living tasks. CPAS provides personal care services, such as assistance with bathing, dressing and mobility. Seniors in CPAS also receive nurse monitoring and support planning. CPAS allows some family members, such as adult children, to be hired as caregivers. Applicants must require assistance with at least one activity of daily living and meet the state’s financial criteria for Medicaid.
Contact Information
Seniors who wish to apply for this program can contact the Department of Aging at (410) 767-1739 or connect with their local Maryland Access Point directly or through the statewide number (844) 627-5465.
Community First Choice (CFC) is available to seniors who are eligible for Medicaid and require a nursing home level of care. The program emphasizes self-directed care, and participants can choose an agency provider or someone from their family or community to provide care. The benefits are based on an individual's needs and can include assistance with daily tasks, home-delivered meals, nurse monitoring and medical supplies. All services are focused on helping people stay in their home who are at risk of entering a nursing home. Assistance can also be provided to help people transition from a nursing home back into the community.
Contact Information
Seniors interested in the program can contact their local Maryland Access Point or contact MAP at (844) 627-5465. Alternatively, they can contact the Department of Aging at (410) 767-1739 for assistance.
The Maryland Medicaid Community Options Waiver is more commonly known as the CO Waiver. It provides care services to people in their home or a group living facility, including personal assistance, behavioral consultations and supports planning. Seniors can also access other Medicaid services, such as home health and nurse monitoring. Applicants must require a nursing home level of care and meet the Medicaid financial eligibility requirements. Currently, the program is only available to people living in a nursing facility who wish to transition back to the community, and there is a waiting list for other applicants.
Contact Information
Seniors living in a nursing facility can apply by contacting Medicaid’s Long Term Care and Waiver Services at (410) 767-1739. People in the community can register their interest through the Waiver Services Registry at (844) 627-5465.
Maryland In-Home Aide Services (IHAS) is available to all Maryland adults who have a functional disability and need help to remain living at home. The program provides assistance with activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living and is designed to help keep people from entering a nursing home. The number of hours of assistance available to each participant is determined by their level of need. There are no financial eligibility requirements, but people who are enrolled in a Medicaid program must get support through that program, rather than IHAS.
Contact Information
IHAS is managed at the county level, so those wishing to apply should contact their county’s Department of Humans Services office.
Since the programs mentioned above might not cover all the costs associated with home care, and not everyone may be eligible, alternative payment methods will often need to be explored. Some of these alternatives include out-of-pocket arrangements with siblings, annuities, reverse mortgages, private insurance, and more. Read SeniorAdvice's Guide to Paying for Home Care to find out more about your payment and financing options.
The Office of Health Care Quality (OHCQ), part of the Maryland Department of Health, licenses and regulates home care agencies throughout the state. Agencies can be licensed as a Residential Services Agency (RSA) or a Home Health Agency (HHA). The table below has an overview of the rules and regulations that govern this type of care in Maryland.
Scope of Care | Residential Services Agencies (RSAs) generally provide nonmedical services to people in their homes, such as assistance with activities of daily living and housekeeping. RSAs can also provide some nursing services and home health care services, such as the provision of oxygen or wheelchairs. RSAs do not participate in the Medicare program. HHAs provide skilled nursing services, home health aides and at least one other service, such as physical or occupational therapy. In-home services, including personal care and homemaking, are also available. These agencies do participate in Medicare. |
Care Plan Requirements | RSAs must develop a plan of care for clients who require skilled services, based on an assessment of the client's health, functional and psychosocial condition. It must be reassessed when new skilled care services are required, or annually. HHAs must produce a patient care plan that details long- and short-range goals, action taken by care providers and physical and psycho-social needs. The plan must be reappraised periodically. |
Medication Management Requirements | With both RSAs and HHAs, medication can only be administered by licensed or certified staff as ordered by a physician. Records must be kept of medications administered, and any errors and adverse reactions. |
Staff Screening Requirements | All health care workers in Maryland must pass a criminal history records check or private agency background check. In addition, they must pass a basic health screening, including a tuberculosis screening. |
Staff Training Requirements | Both RSAs and HHAs must ensure that staff are adequately trained to provide the services required. In addition, HHAs must provide their home health aides with a structured program of training and continuing education on a quarterly basis. |
Medicaid Coverage | Maryland Medicaid's Community First Choice program, Community Options Medical Waiver and Community Personal Assistance Program will cover some or all of the cost of in-home care for those who qualify. |
Reporting Abuse | Complaints can be made to the Office of Health Care Quality online or by phone at (877) 402-8219. |
Seniors in Maryland have access to many programs and services that help older adults maintain their independence and safely age in place. Below, we've compiled a few of the most helpful resources:
The Senior Care Program is aimed at low-income seniors who have too much money to qualify for Medicaid and are at risk of entering a nursing home. Participants are assigned a case manager who secures and coordinates services. Benefits available through the program are determined on a case-by-case basis and can include personal care, home modifications and chore services. Applicants must be Maryland residents aged 65 or over and typically must need help with one to three activities of daily living. They must also meet the program's financial eligibility criteria, which include income and asset limits.
Contact Information
Seniors can apply for the program by contacting their local Maryland Access Point office or calling (844) 627-5465.
The Maryland Senior Prescription Drug Assistance Program (SPDAP) is a Medicare wraparound program, meaning the benefits wrap around those provided by a Medicare Part D plan. This means participants must have a Medicare Part D plan. Applicants must also be a Maryland resident and have an annual income of less than three times the federal poverty level. The program helps participants pay for their Medicare Part D premiums and also contributes to costs the Part D plan doesn’t cover, specifically medications that fall into the coverage gap.
Contact Information
Seniors can get more information by calling SPDAP at (800) 551-5995. Application forms can be found on the program's website.
Maryland Accessible Homes for Seniors is a statewide program that helps low-income seniors make improvements to their home for increased safety and accessibility. Home improvements can include widening doorways and installing ramps or grab bars. Funds can be provided as a grant or a zero interest loan that has no monthly payments, with repayment due when the house is sold. Applicants must be residents of the state, meet financial criteria and at least one member of the household must be aged 55 or above. The house in question must be structurally sound, not have any pending financial cases and must be owned and lived in by the applicant.
Contact Information
Seniors can get more information about the program by contacting the Department of Housing and Community Development at (800) 638-7781 or [email protected]. Applications are available on the DHCD website, through local County Housing Offices, or a local Maryland Access Point office.
In Maryland, Area Agencies on Aging are the lead agencies for Maryland Access Point. They are located throughout the state and provide planning assistance and help seniors navigate and apply for available benefits and services. In addition, AAAs provide a range of community services, such as social activities, meals and legal assistance, in-home services and caregiver support. There are 20 local MAP offices and advice and referral services are available to all Maryland residents.
Contact Information
AAAs can all be reached through a senior's local Maryland Access Point office.
Maryland seniors who served in the military can access services through the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs. The Services and Benefits Program helps veterans and their families identify and apply for available federal and state benefits. The Department also has an outreach program that educates veterans about available benefits and advocates for their needs at the federal, state and local levels.
Contact Information
The Maryland DVA can be contacted at (410) 260-3842 or (410) 260-3840.
Maryland’s Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) helps Medicare beneficiaries understand their health insurance options. The program has trained staff and volunteer counselors available for in-person and telephone counseling throughout the state. All counseling services are confidential and free of charge. Counselors can help people apply for insurance, assist with denials of payment, appeals and grievances and give advice on fraud and abuse.
Contact Information
Seniors can contact their local SHIP office directly or find a nearby counselor by contacting the Department of Aging at (800) 243-3425. Telephone help is also available 24 hours a day by calling (800) 633-4227.
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