Located at the head of the Elk River, Elkton is the county seat of Cecil County and home to about 15,800 residents, with 11.3% in the 65+ age group. It’s ideally placed for seniors who want to live in a quiet location while still having the advantages of major cities, as Baltimore and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, are only an hour away. Additional attractions include low-cost transportation across Cecil County, a cost of living far below the state average and plenty of Medicare-registered physicians.

Assisted living is an ideal compromise for seniors struggling to perform daily tasks, such as cooking but determined to hold on to as much of their independence as possible. Standard facilities include homely rooms regularly cleaned by housekeepers and capable chefs to prepare three meals per day. Monthly assisted living fees in Elkton are around $5,550, which is above average for Maryland, where the typical resident pays $5,000.

This guide discusses the pros and cons of living in Elkton and compares the costs of assisted living in the region, in addition to considering costs for other types of senior care. There’s also a list of resources for seniors in the area.

Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in Elkton, MD

Abbey Manor Assisted Living

2 Colonial Manor Court, Elkton, MD, 21921

Elkton, Maryland, is home to Abbey Manor Assisted Living, which is close to U.S. Route 40 and the Chesapeake Bay. Residents can enjoy on-site activities such as exercise programs, walks and crafts, an … (read more)
Elkton, Maryland, is home to Abbey Manor Assisted Living, which is close to U.S. Route 40 and the Chesapeake Bay. Residents can enjoy on-site activities such as exercise programs, walks and crafts, an … (read more)

Endearment Assisted Living

107 Walnut Lane, Elkton, MD, 21921


Well Homed

1800 Singerly Road, Elkton, MD, 21921

We chose Well Homed for my dad and we’re very well pleased. They’re very good to him, and we’re really happy with it so far. They’re very attentive to Dad. He is not able to partake in all of the acti … (read more)
We chose Well Homed for my dad and we’re very well pleased. They’re very good to him, and we’re really happy with it so far. They’re very attentive to Dad. He is not able to partake in all of the acti … (read more)

Caraway Manor Ii

2391 Old Field Point Road, Elkton, MD, 21921

My boyfriend is staying in Caraway Manor. The care is excellent. He gets physical therapy and his room is very comfortable. The food is very good. The staff members are very good, too. They come to hi … (read more)
My boyfriend is staying in Caraway Manor. The care is excellent. He gets physical therapy and his room is very comfortable. The food is very good. The staff members are very good, too. They come to hi … (read more)

Fair Hill Assisted Living

20 Montrose Lane, Elkton, MD, 21921


Brownfield Loop

24 Brownfield Loop, Elkton, MD, 21921


2015

Paramount Senior Living at Newark

200 East Village Rd., Newark, DE, 19713

Paramount Senior Living at Newark seems clean and professional, and the people there seemed like they are pretty nice. I met the administrator, she was very nice and very accommodating. They didn’t of … (read more)
Paramount Senior Living at Newark seems clean and professional, and the people there seemed like they are pretty nice. I met the administrator, she was very nice and very accommodating. They didn’t of … (read more)

Millcroft Living

255 Possum Park Road, Newark, DE, 19711

Millcroft is a Independent, assisted, and nursing care community. We have a various amount of activities to fit the needs of each resident as a individual. Millcroft strives to go above and beyond to … (read more)
Millcroft is a Independent, assisted, and nursing care community. We have a various amount of activities to fit the needs of each resident as a individual. Millcroft strives to go above and beyond to … (read more)

2017

Somerford House & Place of Newark

4175 Ogletown-Stanton Road, Newark, DE, 19713

Somerford House & Place of Newark was very nice. The staff was very welcoming. They seemed to know their residents really well. The biggest reason why we did not choose them was the location and t … (read more)
Somerford House & Place of Newark was very nice. The staff was very welcoming. They seemed to know their residents really well. The biggest reason why we did not choose them was the location and t … (read more)

The Summit

5850 Limestone Road, Hockessin, DE, 19707

Located in a residential neighborhood of Hockessin, Delaware, The Summit is just minutes from Mendenhall Village Park and a short drive from Delcastle Recreation Area. According to visitors, this faci … (read more)
Located in a residential neighborhood of Hockessin, Delaware, The Summit is just minutes from Mendenhall Village Park and a short drive from Delcastle Recreation Area. According to visitors, this faci … (read more)

Heron’S Creek Assisted Living

112 Red Toad Road, North East, MD, 21901


Allcare Assisted Living At Belvidere

1505 Belvidere Road, Port Deposit, MD, 21904


What to Consider About Assisted Living in Elkton

The Office of Health Care Quality at the Maryland Department of Health is responsible for issuing licenses to assisted living facilities throughout the state. It also regulates the industry and monitors licensed facilities to ensure they’re abiding by the conditions of their licenses. Monitoring includes unannounced inspections and reviewing complaints registered with the Long-Term Care Ombudsman.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in Elkton

  • According to Sperling’s Best Places, the mean cost of living in Elkton is around 3.5% higher than the national average, although significantly below the average for Maryland. However, health care can be more costly for those unable to take advantage of resources available to seniors, such as Medicare and Medicaid waivers.
  • Elkton’s crime statistics don’t reflect well on the city, being significantly above the national and state averages. However, crime does appear to happen more often in specific neighborhoods. Generally, the areas in and around Elk Neck and Leeds experience less crime. Many seniors in assisted living facilities also find comfort in knowing their facilities have 24/7 security and staff always nearby.
  • The award-winning Union Hospital is the primary provider of medical care in Elkton. The nonprofit community hospital, and other facilities in the city, are also staffed by a significant number of physicians registered to treat Medicare beneficiaries. Due to Elkton’s location, its seniors are close to some of the finest hospitals in the country in Baltimore, Wilmington and Philadelphia.
  • Cecil Transit offers several low-cost ways for seniors to get around Cecil County. Those using fixed-route bus services can travel for half the standard fare, which, as of 2021, is $1 per trip or $2.50 for a day pass with unlimited trips. There’s also the taxi voucher program, which enables seniors and disabled passengers to purchase taxi vouchers at a reduced rate. The passenger must use a taxi service that participates in the program, all vouchers are valued at $10 each and the maximum available per month is five.
  • Elkton’s climate is generally favorable to seniors. The coldest month is January, with temperatures averaging at around 24 degrees, while July is the hottest month, with mean temperatures at a comfortable 87 degrees. Although snowfall can be around 15 inches per year, this is half the national average, while rainfall is above average at 45 inches.

Paying for Assisted Living in Elkton

According to the 2020 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, seniors in Elkton pay $5,550 per month for assisted living, which is $550 more than the typical senior in Maryland. The average fee is also above the mean cost for the country by around $1,250 per month. 

The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities

An hour from Elkton in Baltimore sees average assisted living fees drop to $5,000 per month, while the slightly shorter journey to Dover, Delaware, sees them fall by another $80 per month. However, just over an hour away in Vineland, New Jersey, seniors pay $973 more than their peers in Elkton.

$5550

Elkton

$5000

Maryland

$4300

The United States

$5000

Baltimore

$4920

Dover, DE

$6523

Vineland, NJ

The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care

Senior care types generally reflect the intensity of the care and the provider’s expenses, which is why adult day care is the most affordable, at $1,842. Home and home health care both average at $4,767 per month, despite the latter also providing basic medical services. Assisted living is the most affordable care type with accommodation, at $5,550. Nursing homes are the most expensive, with the typical private room costing $12,498 — although a semiprivate one can be had for $1,213 less per month.

$4767

Home Care

$4767

Home Health Care

$1842

Adult Day Health Care

$5550

Assisted Living

$11285

Nursing Home Facility (semi-private room)

$12498

Nursing Home Facility (private room)

Note: Data for Elkton was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was used instead.

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Elkton

The state of Maryland has one Medicaid waiver, the Community Options Waiver, and one state-funded program, the Assisted Living Subsidy program, to help seniors find aid to help cover their assisted living costs.

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

Paying for Assisted Living Facilities 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 Elkton

Seniors in assisted living facilities and those still able to live at home have access to a wealth of resources provided by state and federal agencies and nonprofit organizations. These examples of what’s available show how seniors can get support if they’re in dispute with their care provider and get medical help if they qualify for VA assistance. They also show how able-bodied seniors can connect with their communities.

Resource

Contact

Service

(410) 996-5295

Elkton residents aged 60 and over meet at The Elkton Center Mondays to Thursdays to participate in a range of social and recreational activities for the body and the mind. There are also educational programs covering senior-specific concerns, such as fall prevention methods. Mornings always begin with coffee and conversations, followed by exercise classes, such as chair Zumba, then some games, including bingo.

(410) 996-8439

Volunteer Cecil is the local Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). It helps Elkton's retirees give back to their community through voluntary work with an array of nonprofit organizations and state agencies. These include the Ray of Hope Mission Center and Cecil County Public Library. As it's an RSVP partner, volunteers benefit from additional insurance during their working hours and may be eligible for discounts from some organizations associated with the program.

(410) 392-4485

Open on weekdays during normal working hours, the Elkton Vet Center provides limited medical services for the city's U.S. military veterans and their dependents. Most of the center's work revolves around counseling, particularly for those who have suffered bereavement and issues related to their time in the military, including military sexual trauma. Vets in need of other types of medical care are referred to Perry Point VA Medical Center.

(410) 996-8429

Seniors residing in assisted living facilities who have concerns about their care should contact the Long-Term Care Ombudsman. Ombudsmen are volunteers operating on behalf of the Maryland Department of Aging to ensure seniors in residential care receive the quality of care they should expect. Examples of complaints investigated by the ombudsman include inadequate room temperatures, poor quality food and unexpected discharge or transfers to other communities. The ombudsman can also investigate complaints registered by the families of residents and third parties.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Elkton

Elkton-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