This page is designed to aid Maryland residents in understanding the costs associated with elderly care throughout the state. The cost of assisted living, in-home care, and adult day care in different regions of the state is explored. Various payment options, as well as programs that offer financial or care assistance, whether it be residential or in the home, are also explored.
The compiled list of programs found on this page is comprehensive of what the state of Maryland has to offer for assistance with elderly care. However, additional programs are available at the national level and are not included here. When researching your options, it is important to consider all avenues of assistance. To assist in your search of finding elderly care that most appropriately fits your care needs and situation, make sure to use our Resource Locator Tool.
Maryland Eldercare Costs for 2024
Assisted Living / Memory Care
In Maryland, according to Genworth’s 2023 Cost of Care Survey, the average cost of assisted living per month is $6,900, with average monthly rates ranging from $4,899 to $6,900. The median costs can be found in Hagerstown and Cumberland, at $5,800 and $5,027 respectively.
Alzheimer’s Care, also called Memory Care, costs an additional $1,224 – $1,725 per month, on average, due to the increased need for care and higher level of security.
Home Care
Per the Genworth 2023 Cost of Care Survey, the average hourly rate for non-medical home care in Maryland is $30. On the low end, home care can be as inexpensive as $12 an hour (Hagerstown), and on the high end, as high as $36 an hour (Baltimore).
Home health care, which offers some medical care provided by health care professionals, costs an average of $3 more an hour statewide. However, depending on the geographic region within the state, this type of care can cost the same per hour as home health care or as high as $75 an hour.
Adult Day Care
Adult day care runs Maryland residents $105 a day on average, according to Genworth’s 2023 Cost of Care Survey. The average daily rate for day care remains pretty consistent throughout the state, with the highest cost found in Cumberland, at $151 a day.
Maryland Medicaid Financial Assistance Programs
Medicaid Programs & Waivers for the Elderly
Medicaid, also called Medical Assistance, or MA, in the state of Maryland, is a state and federal funded health care program. MA will cover the cost of nursing home care for low-income seniors and disabled individuals, as well as some in-home personal care.
The Community Personal Assistance Services program is part of the state MA plan and requires that individuals need a hands-on level of assistance with activities of daily living. Assistance with activities, such as bathing and grooming, nurse monitoring, and support planning, is available via this program, allowing seniors to remain living in their home or community. This program allows for self-direction, which means program participants can hire the caregiver of their choosing, including their adult child.
The Community First Choice (CFC) program is an option under the state Medicaid plan. Via CFC, care services for the elderly are provided in their homes and adult foster care homes. Benefits include assistance with activities of daily living, such as mobility, toiletry, and dressing, and instrumental activities of daily living, like preparing meals and light housecleaning. Eligible applicants may choose the caregiver of their choice, including some family members. Other benefits include personal emergency response systems, home modifications, mental health services, and financial assistance to transition from a nursing home back into the community.
HCBS Waivers
In addition to the state plan, Medicaid also offers Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waivers. They cover long-term care for elderly, frail individuals in their homes and / or communities. This is intended to prevent and delay unnecessary nursing home placements, saving the state money, while also allowing the elderly to age in place. As of 2024, Maryland has four HCBS Waiver programs that are relevant to seniors.
The Community Options Waiver allows eligible applicants who need a nursing home level of care to receive benefits in their home or an assisted living community. This waiver provides a variety of assistance, including personal care, meal delivery, home and vehicle modifications, and adult medical day care, among others. There may be a waitlist for services, which is county-specific.
The Community Pathways Medicaid Waiver provides supports to individuals who have an intellectual or developmental disability that is chronic. Through this waiver, care services may be self-directed. This means the eligible applicant can hire the caregiver of their choosing, including select family members. Other benefits include home modifications, group home services, adult day health care, and respite care.
The Medical Day Care Services Waiver provides daytime supervision and care supports for those who are at risk of nursing home placement. Personal care, nursing services, rehabilitation therapy, and social activities are all benefits. This program also allows full-time caregivers a break from their caregiving duties.
The Increased Community Services (ICS) Waiver is for frail elders and physically disabled individuals who reside in a nursing home facility but wish to live in their home or an assisted living facility. Via ICS, a variety of supports and benefits are available to promote living independently, such as home modifications, assistive technology, personal care assistance, and meal delivery.
Medicaid Eligibility
While long-term care eligibility requirements for regular Medicaid and Medicaid Waivers may vary a bit, senior residents of Maryland must meet functional criteria, as well as income and asset criteria.
Income Limits
Generally speaking, as of 2024, the income limit for the state Medicaid program is $350 a month for a single applicant. For a Medicaid waiver, the income limit is much higher. One must not have a monthly income in excess of $2,829. This amount is equivalent to 300% of the Federal Benefit Rate (FBR).
Asset Limits
The asset limit also may vary between the state plan ($2,500) and Medicaid waivers ($2,000). However, certain assets, such as personal belongings, household furnishings, a vehicle, and an individual’s home, up to an equity value of $713,000, are generally considered exempt.
Maryland Non-Medicaid Assistance Programs
Currently, the state of Maryland offers eight non-Medicaid assistance programs. All of these programs are intended to assist low-income, disabled and elderly individuals in living independently, preventing them from having to relocate to more costly nursing homes.
The Senior Care Services Program provides a variety of supports, including adult day care, personal care, transportation assistance, chore services, medications, and respite care.
The Assisted Living Subsidy Program provides financial assistance to aid in covering the cost of assisted living. Services provided in assisted living might include meals, personal care assistance, and supervision.
The Congregate Housing Services Program (CHSP) provides financial assistance to help with the cost of living in a congregate or group home. In general, services provided in congregate homes include some personal assistance, homemaker services, meals, and monitoring of medications.
Through the In-Home Aide Services (IHAS) Program, seniors and disabled individuals are provided a home health aide in order to continue to safely live at home. Assistance includes personal care, household tasks, transportation, and shopping.
The Senior Prescription Drug Assistance Program, also called the SPDAP Subsidy, provides financial assistance in covering the cost of Medicare Part D premiums and prescription medications.
The Accessible Homes for Seniors Program offers a deferred payment loan of 30 years to assist seniors in making home modifications. This can enable them to remain living independently in their homes. Home improvements vary, but may include installation of ramps, railings, and grab bars.
Project Home, also called the Certified Adult Residential Environment (C.A.R.E.) program, allows elderly individuals to continue living in the community by living in an adult foster care home. Via this program, room and board is provided, as well as supervision, medication monitoring, and personal care assistance.
The Attendant Care Program (ACP) assists with the cost of personal care services to allow severely physically disabled adults up to the age of 64 to continue to living at home. Benefits may include personal care assistance, transportation, and household chores.
PACE Programs in Maryland
The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is a joint initiative between Medicare and Medicaid to help seniors get the care and services they need in the community rather than transitioning to a nursing home for care. Because Medicaid differs in each state, PACE eligibility varies between states.
Seniors in Maryland can benefit from PACE through Hopkins ElderPlus. The program offers services such as regular and specialty medical evaluations, medical equipment such as wheelchairs and glasses, prescription medications, rehabilitative therapies, nursing care, personal care, meals and transportation.
People interested in PACE must fulfill these requirements:
- Be 55 years or older
- Have certified confirmation of eligibility for care at a nursing facility
- Live in PACE service areas for Maryland (Baltimore and Worcester counties)
- Can safely and healthily live within the community
- Have an income that’s less than 300% of an individual’s Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits
How To Get Started With PACE in Maryland
Interested applicants can find out more about their eligibility and the application process for PACE in Maryland by visiting the state’s official Medicaid website or reaching out directly to the PACE provider listed below.
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PACE Provider
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Contact
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Areas Served
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Hopkins ElderPlus
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(410) 550-8093
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Baltimore County and Worcester County
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Other Financial Options for Care
In addition to the financial options and programs for care available from the state of Maryland, there are programs available on a national level. In order to easily locate the various non-profit and federal options available for assistance, as well as the one most suitable for you, please make sure to use our Resource Locator Tool. There are also programs that help veterans with assisted living and there are eldercare loans available in Maryland.
Finding Affordable Care in Maryland
Our organization has teamed up with other organizations to assist in matching specific care needs with appropriate care providers. This includes finding providers in the appropriate price range and geographic location. With such a wide range of cost when it comes to elderly care in Maryland, this service is extremely helpful. This service is provided at no charge, and allows individuals to check multiple locations. Click here to get started.
Eldercare Financial Assistance Locator
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Top Cities for Senior Care in Maryland
For more information about the costs and resources available in Maryland cities, click on the links below.
Top Cities for Memory Care
Top Cities for Assisted Living
