178 Assisted Living Communities in Baltimore, Maryland

The average cost of assisted living in the city is $4,250 a month. This guide is a starting point covering the cost of assisted living care in the city, as well as financing options to pay for it. You’ll find in-depth information on 178 Assisted Living Communities in Baltimore and several in surrounding areas. The Cost of Senior Care in Baltimore, MD

• Assisted Living: $4,250
• Nursing Home Care: $9,733
• In-home Care: $4,004
• Adult Day Health Services: $1,880

The 2018 Genworth Cost of Care survey compiled senior care costs from across the nation. The survey shows a monthly rate of $4,250 for assisted living in Baltimore, which is $423 below the state median of $4,673, but $250 above the national average of $4,000. Seniors in Baltimore pay considerably less than those in California ($5,900), Salisbury ($5,315) and Hagerstown ($5,045). Assisted living in Baltimore is $800 more expensive than in Cumberland, which has the lowest average cost in Maryland at $3,650 per month.

Senior care costs in the city of Baltimore vary widely from an average of just $1,880 per month for weekday-only adult day health services to $9,733 for round-the-clock skilled nursing home care. These drastic price differences are primarily related to the level of care provided. At $4,250, the monthly price of assisted living is on par with home health aide services ($4,242) and about $250 more than homemaker services. Seniors comparing their options should keep in mind that rates for in-home care are based on 44 service hours per week and don’t cover food and housing-related expenses. In contrast, the rate for assisted living includes room and board, which covers meals and accommodations.

 

Close to a million Maryland residents receive free or low-cost health insurance coverage through Medicaid, the government-funded health care program for Americans who have limited income and resources. Of this number, one in five residents are elderly, blind or disabled.

The Maryland Department of Health administers the state Medicaid program known as Medical Assistance. The program provides a wide range of health care benefits to eligible Maryland residents of all ages, including children, pregnant women, disabled adults and seniors. Covered benefits include doctor visits, clinic and hospital services, prescriptions, home health care services and long-term care in a nursing facility.

Baltimore residents must be U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents and aged 65 or older or disabled to qualify for MA home and community-based long-term care coverage. Those approved for Supplemental Security Income benefits are enrolled in MA automatically. Others who apply must meet specific financial criteria of:
 

• A maximum monthly income of $2,313 per person whether single or married
• Up to $2,000 in total countable assets for single applicants
• Up to $3,000 in combined countable assets for married co-applicants

 

All sources of income count toward the MA eligibility limits, along with assets, such as cash, bank account balances, stocks, bonds and investment real estate. Some assets are excluded, including one vehicle, personal belongings, an owner-occupied home valued up to $585,000 and household effects.

Community First Choice Services Program

Maryland’s MA program offers the Community First Choice Services program to give seniors the option of receiving long-term care support services in a community setting, such as an assisted living facility. To qualify, applicants must meet the eligibility requirements for MA coverage and need assistance with basic activities of daily living. The program’s goal is to help seniors avoid premature nursing home admission by providing a range of support services, such as:

 

 

 

• Support planning
• Personal care
• Monitoring by a nurse
• Personal emergency response systems
• Assistive technology
• Transition assistance to relocate from a nursing facility

 

Baltimore seniors can apply for MA coverage online or call (800) 332-6347. To learn more about the CFCS program or apply, seniors can contact the city’s Maryland Access Point helpline at (410) 396-2273. 

Maryland Home and Community-Based Waiver Programs

Maryland currently offers two waiver programs to help seniors with MA long-term care coverage who are currently living in nursing homes transition back to a community setting, such as an assisted living facility. The Community Options and Increased Community Services waiver programs provide case management, transition assistance and a range of similar support services, such as personal care assistance, nutritionist services, assistive technologies, nurse monitoring and personal emergency response systems.

Each waiver program has financial requirements that must be met. The two programs have the same asset limit of $2,000 to $2,500, but different income limits:

 

 

 

 

• With the Community Options program, individual applicants are limited to $2,313 per month.
• With the Increased Community Services program, seniors must have an income less than the state rate for nursing home care, which is currently about $6,813 per month. However, they must contribute any income over $2,313 toward their care costs.

 

For more information on the CO waiver, seniors can contact Medicaid Long Term Care and Waiver Services at (410) 767-1739. To learn more about the ICS waiver, seniors can call the Baltimore MAP helpline at (410) 396-2273.

 

 

Optional State Supplementation

Baltimore seniors who receive SSI payments or meet the program’s eligibility requirements except for income may be eligible for a cash benefit through the Maryland Optional State Supplementation program. Seniors who live in care homes or assisted living facilities may qualify for up to $184 per month to help pay for room and board or other expenses.

To apply for Maryland OSS benefits, seniors can call the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213. 

Senior Assisted Living Group Home Subsidy

The Maryland Senior Assisted Living Group Home subsidy is a state-funded program that provides up to $650 per month toward the cost of assisted living services to give eligible seniors an alternative to nursing home admission.

The program is open to frail Baltimore residents aged 62 or older who can’t live independently due to physical or mental impairment. Applicants must live in a small, licensed group home under contract with the city’s designated Area Agency on Aging and meet the program’s financial guidelines:

 

 

• Single seniors are allowed a maximum income of $2,904 per month and assets of $11,000 or less
• Couples applying together can have up to $3,797 in combined monthly income and assets worth up to $14,000




• The program accepts a limited number of participants, so qualified seniors may be placed on a waiting list before receiving assistance.
  
  To learn more or apply, seniors can contact the Baltimore Health Department’s Division of Aging and CARE Services at (410) 396-4932.

 

 

The Baltimore City Health Department’s Aging Services office operates the  Maryland Access Point helpline to provide seniors and their families with a single gateway to aging-related resources. MAP and assistance specialists provide screening and referrals for vital programs and services, such as options counseling, loans of medical equipment, needs assessments, caregiver support, nutrition and transportation. MAP of Baltimore City
417 E. Fayette St., Sixth Fl., Baltimore MD, 21202
(410) 396-2273

Senior Homes has an extensive directory of senior living options, with care and living providers across the United States.