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The 10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Bethesda, MD for 2024

Bethesda is a census-designated place northwest of Washington, D.C. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 19% of its 61,000 residents are in the 65+ age group, which is above the national average of 16.5%, suggesting the area particularly appeals to seniors. Bethesda has a laid-back quality when compared to the nation’s capital, which is only 20 minutes away. It has plenty to offer seniors who value their leisure time. Pike and Rose in particular is crammed with popular shops, restaurants and entertainment venues.

The aging process can make some daily tasks, such as cleaning, more challenging for seniors. No one wants to give up their independence, which is why assisted living can be a solution. Seniors get to retain their autonomy in a safe, comfortable environment while staff take care of the daily chores. Genworth’s 2020 Cost of Care Survey reveals that the typical monthly fee for assisted living in Bethesda is $6,000, which is above the state and national averages of $5,000 and $4,300, respectively.

This guide covers costs in more detail, discusses some pros and cons of living in Bethesda and provides a list of helpful resources for seniors and their families.

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Assisted Living Facilities in Bethesda, Maryland

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What to Consider About Assisted Living in Bethesda

The Office of Health Care Quality, which is a division of the Maryland Department of Health, is directly responsible for ensuring the state’s assisted living facilities conform to standards. The division has the authority to issue licenses to facilities that comply and revoke them from those who pass the threshold for upheld violations.  

Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in Bethesda

  • In addition to Bethesda’s own well-regarded hospitals, such as the Suburban Hospital and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, there are also some of the world’s finest medical facilities within close range. These include the nationally ranked Inova Fairfax Hospital and John Hopkins Hospital, ranked No. 3 in the country by U.S. News & World Report.
  • Figures published by Sperling’s Best Places reveal the cost of living in Bethesda to be significantly higher than the national average. Taking 100 as the average, Bethesda is 189.2. Housing costs are the primary driver. Most categories are closer to the national average, and health, at 92.6, has below-average costs.
  • As Sperling’s figures reveal, transportation can be costly in Bethesda. However, there are more affordable ways of getting around Montgomery County. Connect-a-Ride (CAR) is a free service that finds the least costly means of travel for seniors who need to attend medical appointments, run errands or visit friends. Where possible, this can include arranging an escort for particularly vulnerable seniors.
  • Bethesda’s climate is relatively stable, which can be favorable for seniors as they aren’t so exposed to temperature extremes. The coldest month is January, where temperatures range between 28 and 39 degrees F. In July, temperatures of 88 degrees F are normal. 
  • According to Neighborhood Scout, Bethesda has some of the most encouraging crime statistics in the country. Although no area is crime-free, the chances of becoming a victim of violent crime in Bethesda is 1 in 1,689 (the state average is 1 in 220). Despite the area’s wealth, the property crime figures are also positive, at 1 in 122 compared to the Maryland average of 1 in 51. It should also be noted that seniors are less likely to be victims of crime than all other age groups.
  • Bethesda’s air quality is negatively affected by its proximity to the nation’s capital. However, it outperforms most areas in cleaning up contaminated land, playing an important role in the EPA’s Superfund program.

Paying for Assisted Living in Bethesda

Families comparing assisted living costs will notice that they can vary greatly between cities, but Bethesda is pricy at $6,000 per month. The following data from the 2020 Genworth Cost of Care Survey shows the differences in Maryland, including the costs of alternative types of senior care.

The Cost of Living in Nearby Cities

Averaging $6,000 per month, Bethesda’s assisted living costs are almost the most expensive in Maryland, surpassed only by the city of California, at $6,200. They’re also above the state and national averages, but Bethesda’s proximity to Washington, D.C., the fifth most expensive city in the country, is clearly a factor. More affordable assisted living is available in Salisbury, where costs average at $5,500, and in Baltimore, which is $5,000. The most affordable city in Maryland is Hagerstown where seniors typically pay $4,500.

Bethesda

$6,000

Maryland

$5,000

The United States

$4,300

Baltimore

$5,000

Hagerstown

$4,500

California

$6,200

Salisbury

$5,500

The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care

Adult day care centers offer the most affordable care for seniors at $1,842. Homebound seniors can get home care services for $4,576, and limited home health care for $4,767. While $6,000 is high for assisted living, the most costly care is nursing home care. A typical semiprivate room in Bethesda costs $10,190 per month, and seniors who want privacy pay $10,646 for a private room.

Home care

$4,576

Home health care

$4,767

Adult day health care

$1,842

Assisted living

$6,000

Nursing home (semiprivate room)

$10,190

Nursing home (private room)

$10,646

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Bethesda

Seniors in the Maryland area may be eligible for assistance with funding from the Senior Assisted Living Group Home Subsidy program

Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Assisted Living in Maryland page.

Financial Assistance in Maryland

More Ways to Pay for Assisted Living

While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for assisted living, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance assisted living costs include:

  • Veterans Benefits
  • Life Insurance Policy
  • Long-Term Care Insurance
  • Reverse Mortgage

For more information about different ways to finance assisted living, visit our Assisted Living in Maryland page.

Free Assisted Living Resources in Bethesda

Maryland offers many resources to seniors and their families, including those who may be considering assisted living or another type of senior care. The following examples are only some of the resources that are available.

ResourceContactService
VA Aid and Attendance Benefits(301) 400-2465U.S. military veterans and their spouses who currently reside in senior living facilities can apply for the VA Aid and Attendance benefit. It’s a monthly payment added to the VA pension that’s intended to help them meet some of their costs. Payments are unique to each vet. The maximum monthly payments are $1,881 for individual veterans, $1,209 for surviving spouses and $2,230 for couples. Vets unsure if they qualify can use the free tool provided online by VeteranAid.org.
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program(240) 777-3369Seniors in residential care communities can take their complaints to the Long-Term Care Ombudsman. The ombudsman has the authority to investigate complaints about assisted living communities, including those made by residents’ families, and to pursue resolutions. Additionally, the department holds information about licensed facilities that families can access on request. This may include information about upheld charges of violating standards.
State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)(301) 255-4250Adults aged 64 and older who want to know more about Medicare before enrolling, and those who already benefit from Medicare, can use this free service to learn more about the various plans. Counselors can provide one-on-one and confidential services for free, which typically include advising seniors on the best Medicare plans for their circumstances. This may also include private health care insurance plans. However, the counselors won’t try to sell insurance because their role is to exclusively support seniors.
Montgomery County Senior Centers(240) 777-6840Montgomery County operates seven senior centers, each welcoming adults aged 55 and older. Although each center is unique, there are some common services that apply to all. These include what is known as “55+ Active Adult Programs.” Included in the itinerary are fitness classes that range from tai chi to weight training. There are also educational classes for seniors who want to learn more about computing, European languages and nutritional health. Additionally, centers run their own entertainment programs and organize trips to cultural attractions in the surrounding areas.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Bethesda

Bethesda-area assisted living communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all assisted living communities in Maryland are required to follow. Visit our Assisted Living in Maryland page for more information about these laws.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Maryland

Reviews of Communities Nearby

Assisted Living

Linda

I visited this facility

Review of Sunrise at Fox Hill

Sunrise at Fox Hill is very nice. It has everything that I think my mom would like. They have a greenhouse, and she loves flowers. They have a nice dining room. There are different floors and...

Provider response

Hi Linda, thank you so much for your amazing review of Sunrise at Fox Hill! We're thrilled to hear that your mom would enjoy the greenhouse and the variety of dining options. Our friendly team...

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Assisted Living

Linda

I visited this facility

Review of Sunrise of Bethesda

Sunrise of Bethesda is very open and fairly new. There is lots of light. A very friendly atmosphere. However, there are not that many grounds. There's a small patio area and kind of a border, but...

Read more

Assisted Living

Janet A

I am a friend or relative of a current/past resident

Review of Sunrise at Fox Hill

My mother has lived at Fox Hill for several years. It has been a wonderful environment for her. The staff is terrific. The caregivers are excellent and very kind. There is a nice variety of...

Read more

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The material on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal, financial, professional, or medical advice or diagnosis or treatment. By using our website, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Caring.com

Caring.com is a leading online destination for caregivers seeking information and support as they care for aging parents, spouses, and other loved ones. We offer thousands of original articles, helpful tools, advice from more than 50 leading experts, a community of caregivers, and a comprehensive directory of caregiving services.

 

The material on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal, financial, professional, or medical advice or diagnosis or treatment. By using our website, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

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