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The average cost of assisted living in the county is $4,250 a month. This guide is a starting point covering the cost of assisted living care in the county, as well as financing options to pay for it. You’ll find in-depth information on 49 assisted living facilities in Howard County and 30 in surrounding areas.
The Cost of Senior Care in Howard County, MD
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Morningside House of Laurel is a beautiful senior living community that provides freedom and ideal place to live in.
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Harmony Hall is an assisted living community located in Columbia, Maryland on the campus of Howard County Health Park that delivers excellent service.
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Nestled in a quiet, residential neighborhood, Sunrise of Columbia is an elegant and warm community providing a resident-centered approach to assisted living care and services.
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Country Gardens Assisted Living provides compassionate care in a homelike setting, surrounded by friends on a beautifully landscaped nine acre property.
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Brighton Gardens of Columbia, located in a town ranked among the “10 Best Places to Live,” provides just the right amount of support and care in a safe, comfortable atmosphere.
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Sand Cherry Manor Assisted Living is licensed by the state of Maryland to provide assisted living services. We are located in Howard County, in the upscale Cherry Farm community. Sand Cherry Manor Assisted Living is owned and operated by a…
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Welcome to Shangri-La Senior Living of Ellicott City, Howard County’s premier assisted living and retirement community. Our 60 apartment community is conveniently located in Ellicott City and provides residents the finest services and amenities in a family oriented, supportive community.…
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At Arbor Terrace Fulton, we look at senior living differently. Our priority is making deep connections with our residents and their families. We believe in giving seniors the best services, no matter what you need. We provide assisted living and…
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Situated in the prestigious neighborhood of Bryant Woods at Wild Lake, Bryant Woods Manor can provide Level 3 Assisted Living and Secured Memory Care in a comforting homelike environment. Completely renovated with attention to detail, this wheelchair accessible community is…
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Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Set in the heart of Howard County, HeartLands Senior Living Village at Ellicott City is the perfect place for seniors who want to feel at home during their retirement years.
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Encore at Turf Valley is an assisted living community located on the grounds of the beautiful Turf Valley campus in Ellicott City, Maryland and provides a safe, comfortable setting.
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Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
At our Ellicott City, MD, assisted living and memory care community, you will find easy access to a wonderful and socially engaging environment. Our staff provides weekly transportation for shopping and experiencing the beauty of Ellicott City. Our location is…
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Welcome to Winter Growth Helping Older and Disabled Adults to Celebrate Live Winter Growth is a non-profit organization founded in 1979 in Brookeville, MD. Our mission is to provide community based services for older and disabled adults that support them…
Call 1-800-705-4148 or Request a call
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Lighthouse Senior Living is known for exceptional care and a family atmosphere. When people visit, they always comment on how much is feels like home ...
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There comes a time in our lives when our aging loved ones can no longer live on their own. When you face this critical decision making point, Beaverbrook Assisted Living offers you the ease and peace of mind knowing that…
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Nestled on five luscious acres near Columbia Town Center, Vantage House is a CCRC designed to allow active seniors to fully experience all that retirement living has to offer.
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At Ivy Manor Normandy II we have been providing personalized care for your loved one for 25 years. Our residential ranch home is in a beautiful neighborhood and is run by a licensed physical therapist. We provide the highest quality…
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Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Heartlands at Ellicott City is so nice that my sister wanted to move in there, though it's quite expensive. There are so many different, amazing activities. They have menus for dining, like a restaurant. Heartlands at Ellicott City is great. It is just like a small city and has everything. My mom needs assistance, so i...
Read more Heartlands at Ellicott City Senior Living Village reviewsThe staff at Heartlands at Ellicott City was friendly. I toured the facility with one of the representatives. I looked at the apartments and one of the cottages and walked the grounds. Some residents were my age and some were older. Some of the meals were prepared for the residents while others can go and prepare meals...
Read more Heartlands at Ellicott City Senior Living Village reviewsHeartlands was what my parents needed, and it it's more independent. They have a wide variety of activities, they love the food, and the staff seems fine and helpful. It's expensive.
Read more Heartlands at Ellicott City Senior Living Village reviewsI went to Harmony Hall, which was very nice, but too expensive and out of my price range. Everybody was excellent. The service was very good. The size of the apartment was nice. The amenities were very nice. Everything was very nice. The only thing I complained about was the price. They had all kinds of activities, lik...
Read more Harmony Hall reviewsLorien Harmony (Harmony Hall) was good. They come under the Lorien Health Systems. It will also meet our needs. Their dining area looked like you're going into an upscale restaurant, with tablecloths, table seating for 4, and it's clean.
Read more Harmony Hall reviewsHarmony Hall was a nice place and the executive director was really great. They have a theater and provide transportation so my parents won't have to drive anymore. They also provide a lot of activities for the residents. I would recommend them.
Read more Harmony Hall reviewsIn Howard County, according to the 2018 Genworth Cost of Care survey, seniors pay an average of $4,250 per month for assisted living. While this amount is below average when compared to other cities in Maryland, Howard County doesn’t offer the least expensive assisted living rates in the state. In Cumberland, the average cost is quite a bit less at $3,650 per month. On the other hand, in the California area ($5,900) and the Hagerstown area ($5,045), the cost is substantially higher. When compared with the national average, which is $4,000 per month, assisted living in Howard County is $250 higher.
Note: There is no specific senior care cost data available for Howard County. Instead, data for the nearest major city, Baltimore, has been used for comparison purposes.
The Cost of Assisted Living in Surrounding Areas
Assisted living and home care services all carry similar costs in Howard County, but when compared with nursing home care, which costs an average of $9,733 per month, the difference is considerable. When seniors and their loved ones are determining the best method of care, it’s important to budget for all expenses. For example, while assisted living and nursing home care costs usually include room and board, seniors who receive home care are still required to pay their own housing costs.
Senior Care Cost Comparison Chart
Maryland’s state Medicaid system helps low-income families and individuals access quality health care services, as well as prescription medications, necessary medical equipment and other supportive care services. The program serves many senior citizens throughout the state.
To qualify for Medicaid in Maryland as an elderly person, applicants must be 65 years of age or older and meet the following income requirements:
When considering eligibility, income from any source is counted. However, some assets are exempt, including the applicant’s house, car and personal belongings, such as clothing and household furnishings.
Seniors can apply for Medicaid in a number of ways, including completing an online application, visiting their nearest department of social services or calling (855) 642-8572.
Community Options/Community First Choice Waiver
The Community Options waiver and Community First Choice waiver provides assisted living services, such as daily support, nurse supervision and transportation services, enabling seniors to live in their own home or an assisted living facility.
To qualify for these programs, seniors must require assistance with at least one activity of daily living, such as grooming, bathing or dressing. They also must be able to safely live at home or within the community instead of a nursing care facility. The financial requirements for these waivers are as follows:
Applicants are also required to undergo a comprehensive assessment to determine their medical eligibility for the program.
To apply for either of these waivers, seniors can contact the Maryland Department of Health Services at (410) 767-1739.
Increased Community Services Waiver
The Increased Community Services waiver helps seniors who reside in hospitals and nursing care facilities return to their own homes and communities. This waiver also lets participants downgrade their services and move into an assisted living facility. It covers a range of programs, including personal assistance services, nurse supervision, transition services, assisted living and behavioral consultation.
To qualify for this program, applicants must have resided in a nursing care facility for a minimum of three months and be able to safely return to the community. The cost of services they receive in their community must not exceed the cost of nursing care. Financially, seniors must meet Medicaid asset limitations and contribute any income in excess of 300% of Supplemental Security Income to the cost of their care.
To apply for this waiver, seniors can contact Maryland Access Point at (844) 627-6465.
Senior Assisted Living Group Home Subsidy
Seniors in Maryland who receive assisted living services in small group home settings may be eligible for coverage via the Senior Assisted Living Group Home Subsidy. The program subsidizes care costs for eligible seniors who reside in group homes of four to 16 residents as long as they’re licensed by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Services include 24-hour supervision, meals and personal assistance.
To qualify for this subsidy, seniors must be aged 62 or older, live in or be approved for residence in an eligible facility and be mentally or physically impaired and need assistance with activities of daily living. Financially, applicants must have an income that doesn’t exceed 60% of the state median and may not possess more than $11,000 as an individual or $14,000 per couple in countable assets. The subsidy is determined on a sliding scale that’s based on income and may be as much as $650 per month.
To apply, seniors can contact the Maryland Department of Health at (877) 402-8218.
Optional State Supplement
Maryland’s Optional State Supplement program is available to the aged, blind and disabled SSI recipients. It’s a cash benefit that’s paid out monthly alongside the recipient’s SSI funds to help pay for costs of assisted living that aren’t covered by Medicaid, such as room and board. The amount is determined by the applicant’s income and living situation, but in some cases, it may be as much as $184 per month.
To qualify for the OSS, seniors must be recipients of the federal SSI benefit and they may not own more than $2,000 in countable assets.
To apply, seniors can call the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213.
The Office on Aging acts as Howard County’s Area Agency on Aging. It provides supports and services to senior citizens, persons living with disabilities and their caregivers. Services most frequently accessed include benefits counseling and mediation, long-term care ombudsman services, elder abuse support programs and nutritional counseling services.
Office on Aging and Independence
9830 Patuxent Woods Dr., Columbia, MD 21046
(410) 313-6410
Howard County operates six aged 50+ centers that provide the county’s elderly population with opportunities to congregate with peers and enjoy daily hot lunches, social clubs, fitness classes and other group activities, such as planned outings and dances.
Howard County 50+ Centers
(Various locations)
(410) 313-7777
The Office of Veterans and Military Families provides support to veterans of all ages as well as their dependent family members. In addition to supportive services, such as benefits assistance and counseling services, seniors can access a range of local resources and activities for veterans and their families.
Howard County Office of Veterans and Military Families
9830 Patuxent Woods Dr., Columbia, MD 21046
(410) 313-6400
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