Email Friend
Important Links
Housing Information
Accessible Homes for Seniors
Assisted Living
Congregate Housing Services Program
Continuing Care at Home
Medicaid Waiver for Older Adults
Continuing Care Retirement Communities
Assisted Living Group Home Subsidy
Licensed Nursing Homes web site
Home Modification
Assisted Living
Assisted Living is a residential or facility-based program for individuals who have a physical or cognitive impairment and who need help with one or more activities of daily living (ADLs). Examples of ADLs include personal care and mobility, meal preparation, and household chores. Assisted Living provides senior adults with housing and supportive services and may include health related services. This housing option enables seniors to remain in a home-like setting in their communities and promotes their independence and dignity.
Facilities may range from a small home with one resident to larger facilities with 100 or more living units. Fees vary depending on the services provided and may range between $800 to $4,000 per month. Financial assistance is available on a limited basis through the Senior Assisted Living Group Home Subsidy Program or the Medicaid Waiver Home and Community Based Services Program. The Medicaid Program may also pay for a limited number of residents of small group homes. The Senior Information and Assistance staff at the local Area Agencies on Aging can advise consumers of the eligibility criteria and available funding.
Assisted Living facilities are regulated by the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's Office of Health Care Quality (OHCQ). A list of licensed facilities, according to jurisdiction, is available on their website. If you have regulatory concerns or complaints you can reach OHCQ toll free at 1-877-402-8218.
Additional consumer information is available from:
Assisted Living in Maryland: What You Need to Know publication
Mid-Atlantic LifeSpan web site
American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging web site
Congregate Housing Services Program
The mission of the Congregate Housing Services Program is to provide support services and State subsidies to eligible residents of low and moderate income senior housing who, due to advanced age or chronic health conditions, need daily help with activities such as meals, housekeeping, and personal services.
The Maryland Department of Aging contracts with housing and senior service provider organizations, such as local housing authorities, non-profit organizations, or housing management companies, to operate a Congregate Housing Services Program for eligible residents of designated buildings. Eligible residents are those who are at least 62 years of age and in need of assistance in one or more activities of daily living. The program provides meals, weekly housekeeping of each participant’s apartment, and limited personal assistance with activities such as bathing, dressing, and laundry.
The cost of the Congregate Housing Services Program varies by site. Individual program participants contribute to the cost based on a sliding scale. State subsidies are available for eligible residents of participating sites who require financial assistance. To qualify for a subsidy, an individual’s income may not exceed 60% of the State median income, and assets may not exceed $27,375 for an individual, or $35,587 for a couple.
Currently, there are over 574 units of Congregate Housing Services located in more than 25 senior citizen apartment buildings statewide. View a list of Congregate Housing sites in Maryland. Contact your local Senior Information and Assistance Program for additional information on local housing programs.
Continuing Care At Home
The Maryland Department of Aging is authorized to regulate Continuing Care At Home (CCAH), a new concept in delivering services to the elderly. Similar to the Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) structure, subscribers to CCAH will pay a one-time entrance fee and monthly premiums to access comprehensive, managed long term care services in their own homes. This housing option is designed for persons 60 years of age and older with moderate to higher incomes and who are living independently in the community.
CCAH services include: care coordination, home inspections by occupational therapist, assistance with activities of daily living in subscriber's home, skilled nursing services in subscriber's home, routine services of an assisted living facility, routine services of a comprehensive care facility, and assistance with the maintenance of the subscriber's dwelling.
CCAH providers must meet the same requirements as CCRCs, including approval of a feasibility study, and review and approval of the language contained in the CCAH contract. A copy of the regulations for Continuing Care at Home is available by individual request. The Maryland Department of Aging urges anyone who is considering entering into a Continuing Care At Home agreement to consult with an attorney and financial advisor before signing any documents. Although the Department of Aging regulates CCAH providers, it does not rate, endorse, or guarantee a CCAH provider.
The Maryland Department of Aging provides a comprehensive information packet for consumers and developers interested in learning more about these communities, the law and the regulations. Interested persons may use the mail response form to request a Consumer or Developer CCAH packet.
Continuing Care at Home became available to consumers in December 2002; however, it is not currently available to new consumers. There is currently one provider registered with the Maryland Department of Aging:
MESH Life Care at Home, Inc.
7600 Georgia Avenue, NW, Suite 402
Washington, DC 20012-1616
Continuing Care Retirement Communities
Continuing Care Retirement Communities, also known as Life Care Communities, offer a secure, stimulating and protected environment for seniors, with access to medical and nursing services, should the need arise.
There are a range of contract agreements, terms, entrance fees and monthly service fees which are set by the individual CCRC and regulated by the Maryland Department of Aging.
Currently, there are 34 Continuing Care Retirement Communities offering continuing care in Maryland.
The Maryland Department of Aging provides a comprehensive consumer information packet for persons interested in learning more about these communities, the law and the regulations. Consumers may use the mail response form to request a Consumer packet.
Providers of Continuing Care in Maryland must complete the CCRC Development Process as specified in Human Services Article, Sections 10-401 - 10-499 of the Annotated Code of Maryland. As the regulatory authority for Continuing Care, the Maryland Department of Aging provides an information packet for a potential provider that describes the Development and Application process. Providers may use the mail response form to request a Developer packet.
Other Housing Options
Reverse Mortgages
"A reverse mortgage is a special type of home loan that lets a homeowner convert the equity in his or her home into cash. The equity built up over years of home mortgage payments can be paid to the homeowner: in a lump sum, in a stream of payments, or as a supplement to Social Security or other retirement funds. But unlike a traditional home equity loan or second mortgage, no repayment is required until the borrowers no longer use the home as their principal residence." (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-HUD)
For more information on reverse mortgages or a list of lenders participating the HUD Home Equity Conversion Program, visit the HUD website.
Home Modifications
Although the goal of most seniors is to remain in their home, the home that met their needs for so many years may now be an accident waiting to happen. That is why an increasing number of senior homeowners are making improvements in their homes to enhance the home’s "livability" as a result of mobility problems or other health conditions, and to reduce the risk of accidents and injuries in the home.
Well planned home modifications that consider both the design of the home, as well as the current and future needs of the home’s occupants, can eliminate dangerous architectural barriers that threaten the safety and comfort of an older homeowner, while optimizing the homeowner’s independence. For example, installing a ramp to the front door of the house will provide easier access for a person using a wheelchair. Bathroom renovations that replace the tub with a walk-in shower equipped with a bench may enable a homeowner with mobility problems to resume independence in bathing once again. Other examples of home modifications include widening interior doorways, installing grip bars in the bathroom, chair lifts on stairways and remote controlled lighting and security systems.
Before hiring a contractor, a professional evaluation of the home environment in relation to the health of the homeowner is highly recommended. Under certain circumstances, the cost of a home assessment by an occupational therapist or other environmental professional may be fully or partially covered by insurance.
For more information on home modifications, visit the National Resource Center on Supportive Housing and Home Modification website. The Maryland Department of Education, Division of Rehabilitation Services website is an excellent source of information for Maryland residents on resources for equipment, assessment professionals, contractors, and more. Resource information may also be available at your local Senior Information and Assistance office.
Senior Assisted Group Home Subsidy Program
For low and moderate income seniors, the Senior Assisted Living Group Home Subsidy program provides access to assisted living in small group homes which are licensed by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene for 4-16 residents. The Group Home subsidies are paid from State funds on behalf of eligible residents who are unable to afford the cost of assisted living and might otherwise be in nursing facilities. The subsidy supports the cost of services provided in assisted living, including meals, personal care and 24-hour supervision for elderly residents who are frail and unable to live independently. In accordance with an interagency agreement with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the homes are monitored by the Department of Aging through area agencies on aging around the state.
A resident of a participating assisted living program or an applicant for residency who requires financial assistance may apply to their area agency on aging for a subsidy. In order to be eligible for a subsidy, the individual must be:
- at least 62 years of age a resident in a facility or approved for entrance into a facility that has entered into a service agreement with the area agency on aging
- physically or mentally impaired and in need of assistance with the activities of daily living provided by the assisted living program
- financially eligible for a subsidy
To be financially eligible for a subsidy, an applicant's net monthly income may not be higher than 60 percent of the State median income and assets may be no greater than $11,000 if single or $14,000 if a couple. The subsidy may cover the difference between the net monthly income of the resident after a $60/month personal allowance deduction, and the approved monthly assisted living fee. The maximum subsidy, paid directly to the provider, is $650/month.
To locate an assisted living program in a specific area of Maryland which participates in the Senior Assisted Living Group Home Subsidy, please contact the local Senior Information and Assistance Program office.