Maryland’s nicknames include Free State, Little America, and America in Miniature. This mid-Atlantic State is both one of the smallest states in America, but it is also one of the most densely populated. As with any states with larger populations, there are numerous options when it comes to assisted living, senior care, memory care, and other types of care. In addition to the care itself, there are a lot of great reasons to retire and live in Maryland, from Annapolis to Baltimore, Cumberland to Elkton, there’s a lot to do.

If you enjoy the water, and sailing in particular, there are numerous places you need to visit. There’s also many historic sites, such as Fort McHenry and downtown Frederick. There are many beautiful public gardens you can stroll through, or amusements parts to visit with the grandchildren, there are casinos, farms, and too many landmarks to count.

Quick Facts about Maryland

• The largest city in Maryland is Baltimore, but the capital of Maryland is Annapolis.
• When it comes to total area, Maryland is ranked 42^nd, making it among the smaller states.
• However, in regards to total population, Maryland is ranked in 19^th place with just over 6 million residents (6,016,477 per 2016 estimates.)
• Also, their median income is very high, it’s ranked 3^rd in the entire country at $73,594. A higher median income can mean that care will be more expensive in some cases, or at least that the average cost is higher, due to higher-end luxury care facilities that can exist for wealthier citizens. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t more affordable options available, or assistance available through Medicaid which we’ll discuss at the bottom of this page.

Types of Assisted Living in Maryland

Taxes and income are both higher in Maryland than average, and so is the cost of living. None the less, there are plenty of great options for assisted living care as well. Types of care and options available include things such as help with medication and basic treatments, assistance with basic every day functions and tasks, activities and outings and social events at the facility which is a very important aspect that can help fight depression and loneliness and really create a sense of community.

If a facility offers memory care for people living with dementia and/or Alzheimer’s, additional steps are necessary to meet the standards set out by the state.

A resident’s exact care plan will depend on their initial assessment and what their unique needs are. The requirements to move in, or that may force a resident to have to move out, will depend on many factors – let’s cover those now.

Requirements for Moving in or Moving Out

Initial assessment information: An assessment isn’t required until the resident has moved into the facility, but it must be done within two days of that date. There’s a tool that is used to make this assessment, and it must be followed-up each time there’s any change to the resident’s status.

A resident won’t be accepted, or will be asked to move and find more suitable care elsewhere, if they pose a danger to themselves or to other residents or staff, if they require advanced and frequently skilled nursing care, if the facility simply isn’t able to manage their health needs, if they require active treatment for communicable diseases, and a variety of other conditions.

One interesting aspect of Maryland’s policy is that a facility is able to waive certain of the above requirements if the resident is there with someone else, for example with a spouse. They won’t necessarily break up the couple just because of one of them may have additional needs. In extreme cases it may still be necessary, but there’s some more leeway for people that are living together in a facility.

General Information About Care

Bathroom requirements: The bathroom requirements in a facility can be a good sign as to the overall level of care, but it’s not the be all end all. Some facilities do a much better job of making things comfort and private for their residents, whereas others opt to save money with shared washrooms. In Maryland, the legal minimum is one toilet for every four people living in a facility, and one shower or bath for every eight people living in a facility. Facilities can still choose to offer better ratios, so it’s worth asking about when you’re considering which one to choose.

Medication handling: In order to work in an assisted living facility in Maryland, a care giver is required to complete a special course that teaches them how to properly administer the medication for a resident.

Fire and Safety information: It’s a requirement for the facility to have a thorough and up-to-date fire plan which includes drills on a regular basis, easy to access fire extinguishers, smoke alarms in the correct places, and staff who know exactly how to evacuate residents should an emergency arise. If the facility is home to more than 50 residents, so basically for any larger-size facilities, they must also have a backup generator that can last for days in the event of a catastrophic power outage. This backup generator can save lives.

Staff Training and Requirements

If somebody is looking to work in a care home in Maryland, they must meet the following requirements. There’s a training course that’s outlined by the State that takes about five hours to complete, and it handles things such as mental disabilities and struggles of the mind that seniors may face, and it needs to be completed within the first three months.

If a staff member is working in memory care, additional training is required, and must be updated on a yearly basis.

Medicaid for Assisted Living in State and Additional Information

Despite the high cost of living and relatively high incomes in Maryland, not everybody can afford assisted living without some help. Medicaid offers waivers to help with assisted living, and there is state funding available.

If you or your loved one can use the help, we strongly recommend you look into all of the options that are available in order to get the highest level of care possible. You don’t have to settle for sub par care. There is an Office of Health Care Quality that you can reach out to, who operate under the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.