Assisted Living in Maryland
Costs and Local Resources
Spend your golden years in Maryland. The state of strong deeds and gentle words has lots of assisted living options to explore, from metropolitan developments to cozy countryside enclaves. Home to centers of culture and near the seat of the nation, Maryland assisted living sites are well positioned for anyone who wants to ensure the world stays at the doorstep. Balmy summers ease into mild winters, making Maryland ideal for year-round comfort indoors or out. Find your home with assisted living services in Maryland, the Old Line State.
Cost of assisted living in Maryland vs. nearby states
Cost of assisted living in a selection of Maryland cities
We noticed people seem to be searching for assisted living in these Maryland cities more frequently than others: Frederick, Rockville, Towson, and Westminster. We've provided their pricing here.
The cost of assisted living in Maryland
Seniorly 2021 data shows that the average cost of assisted living in Maryland is $3,955 per month. The national average monthly cost is $4,057, which means Maryland is on the lower end of the assisted living cost spectrum. It’s important to consider cost when you begin your search for assisted living facilities—along with how your budget fits into the other regional cost-of-living stats. Explore our assisted living listings to start comparing properties, or get in touch with one of our local advisors to get expert advice on what you can afford in the areas in which you’re interested.
Assisted living communities can provide the peace of mind that comes from not worrying about home maintenance, chores, or errands, as well as help with personal care like grooming, eating, and other activities of daily living seniors might have trouble with. However, if your loved one requires nursing care, or has diagnosed Alzheimer's or dementia that has progressed to a certain point, they might need a skilled nursing facility/home health care, or memory care community instead. These types of care providers (and for that matter, in-home care) might cost more in Maryland than assisted living facilities, but the important thing is that your loved one’s needs are cared for in order to provide them with the best quality of life.
If your loved one currently lives in a retirement community, ask whether it is a Continuing Care Retirement Community: These senior living properties are generally designed for residents to age in place. Seniors can get the different levels of care they need, from independent living to memory care, without having to move to a different community altogether.
Overall cost of living in Maryland
At this time, Maryland has one of the highest costs of living in the country, according to the World Population Review. Behind Alaska and Massachusetts, Maryland’s cost of living index is 129.7, where the US national average is 104.63. There are only six states in which the average cost of living is higher. This is largely due to higher housing costs due to its proximity to Washington, D.C.
Financial assistance for assisted living in Maryland
Medicaid options for Maryland seniors
According to benefits.gov, to be eligible for Maryland Medicaid, you must be a resident of the state of Maryland, a U.S. national, citizen, permanent resident, or legal alien, in need of health care/insurance assistance, whose financial situation would be characterized as low income or very low income. You must also be one of the following:
- Pregnant, or
- Be responsible for a child 17 years of age or younger, or
- Have a disability or a family member in your household with a disability, or
Maryland’s Medicaid health care program is called the Maryland Medical Assistance Program. It pays the medical bills of needy and low-income individuals. Maryland Medical Assistance Program is administered by the State and funded by State and Federal funds.
There are other Medicaid-adjacent programs in Maryland that can help seniors in the state access the kinds of care they need. These include the Medicare Buy-In Program, which features two need-based options: Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) and Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB); and Long Term Care Medical Assistance (LTC), which helps cover the cost of some kinds of assisted living facilities.
Non-Medicaid State assistance programs
Maryland has an array of senior-specific resources. Of note is the Senior Assisted Living Subsidy program. Aimed at low-to-moderate-income seniors, this subsidy program helps seniors gain access to State-licensed assisted living facilities. Other programs include the State Health Insurance Program (SHIP), which provides unbiased guidance for insurance-related questions; and the Maryland Family Caregiver Support Program, which provides information and resources for caregivers of older adults.
More ways to finance assisted living in Maryland
There are several options available to finance assisted living for yourself or a loved one. Long-term care can be financed several ways:
- Life insurance - Some life insurance policies have a provision for long-term care benefits.
- Long-term care insurance - This type of insurance is intended to cover long-term health care needs by covering costs for assisted living or long-term care communities.
- Pensions, 401K, and IRA - If you have a pension, 401k, or an IRA to fall back upon this would be a great benefit in paying for assisted living costs.
- Real Estate - Having a home is a great source of income. When it is time to move into assisted living the sale proceeds from your home can cover the costs.
- Veteran’s benefits - While the VA will not directly cover the costs of assisted living, you can obtain help from the VA under the Veterans Aid & Attendance benefits. The Aid & Attendance benefits helps eligible veterans and their surviving spouses to pay for assistance for assistance of daily living (ADLs) activities. Aid & Attendance benefits are often referred to by other names such as “improved pension,” “VA assisted living benefit,” or “veterans elder care benefits.”
Free assisted living resources in Maryland
Maryland residents can explore state resources that can help answer your questions about eligibility for certain types of benefits and how they might apply to assisted living.
Find your local Area Agency on Aging: There are multiple agencies per state, enter your ZIP code or city to find the one closest to you.
The Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs may be able to help you determine if your loved one is eligible for VA benefits.
Find Maryland Social Security offices where you can understand your benefits and get answers to your questions about claims.