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

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.

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.

• 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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.