Memory Care in Baltimore, MD
According to the 2020 Census, adults aged 65 and older make up 14% of Baltimore’s almost 586,000 inhabitants. Consequently, nearly 82,000 of the city’s residents are at risk of developing Alzheimer’s, the fifth leading cause of death in the country. CDC figures for Baltimore reveal a 26.18% increase in Alzheimer’s-related deaths between 2014-2018, which supports a recent study by the Alzheimer’s Association that projects the number of people with the disease to more than double by 2050, with 1 in 3 seniors likely to die with it. For context, in Baltimore between 2014-2018, deaths from all causes rose by 13.43%.
Fortunately, Baltimore is home to many memory care communities providing safe, secure and comfortable homes for seniors affected by Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. They’re staffed 24/7 by people specially trained to compassionately support seniors during memory loss episodes and include in-house and visiting specialists who can help slow dementia’s advance. This guide considers the advantages and disadvantages of living in Baltimore and reviews the region’s average costs for memory care and other types of senior care. There’s also a list of senior-friendly resources available to Baltimore’s older residents.
Memory Care Facilities in Baltimore, MD
Charter Senior Living of Towson
6451 N. Charles St, Baltimore, MD, 21212
Lighthouse Senior Living at Hopkins Creek
1813 Old Eastern Ave, Baltimore, MD, 21221
The Cottages of Perry Hall
9900 Walther Boulevard, Baltimore, MD, 21234
Woodlands Assisted Living
1320 Windlass Drive, Baltimore, MD, 21220
Noble Senior Living at Baltimore
3855 Greenspring Ave., Baltimore, MD, 21211
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OVID-19 Rules for Memory Care in Baltimore
Since most COVID-19 rules for Memory Care Communities and other Senior Living Facilities are set at the state level, you can view the specific rules for your state on our Guide to Memory Care in Maryland. Keep in mind that every community has specific policies that they put in place to protect their residents, so you should contact your local community for more information. Additionally, you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more – find contact information here.
What to Consider About Memory Care in Baltimore
The quality of care in Maryland’s assisted living facilities is monitored by the Office of Health Care Quality, a division of the Maryland Department of Health. It also licenses facilities and certifies those authorized to accept beneficiaries of Medicare and Medicaid. Additionally, it surveys facilities to determine if they’re continuing to comply with their licensing conditions.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Memory Care in Baltimore
- Baltimore County is a dementia-friendly community, which is an initiative that raises awareness about memory loss among the general population and encourages them to include seniors with dementia in social activities. The county’s programs include organizing dementia-awareness events and training various groups that regularly come into contact with seniors, such as transportation companies.
- Baltimore boasts many medical facilities that are nationally ranked in multiple specialties, including Greater Baltimore Medical Center and the University of Maryland Medical Center. The city is also home to Johns Hopkins Hospital, which regularly appears in the country’s top 10 lists and is recognized worldwide for its quality of health care.
- The latest data for Baltimore shows violent crime, and, to a lesser degree, property crime, is still high by state and national standards. However, the chance of being a victim varies greatly depending on the neighborhood, with areas such as Roland Park and Cedarcroft recognized as safer communities. Citizens concerned about the city’s crime figures should know memory care facilities include stringent security systems, such as keypad-entry doors and monitored surveillance cameras.
- Baltimore’s overall cost of living index of 88.2 is much lower than the state and national averages of 113 and 100, respectively. The health cost index is lower than the national average too, which suggests Baltimore’s seniors spend less for similar levels of health care services than their peers across the country.
- Baltimore has a continental climate, resulting in hot and humid summers, with temperatures averaging 88 degrees in July and 27 degrees in January. Precipitation levels are high, with rainfall typically 4 inches more than normal and snowfall at around 19 inches per year, which is below average. There are around 213 sunny days a year, which is more than the national median of 205.
- With a health cost index of 97.1, Baltimore’s environment is considered healthier than normal. Air and water quality are a little below average but the city boasts an exceptionally high number of Medicare-registered physicians and an above-average Superfund index score of 91.
Paying for Memory Care in Baltimore
Note: Residential memory care is usually offered in assisted living facilities, and in general, memory care rates tend to be 20-30% higher than assisted living rates. No national database currently tracks memory care costs in the United States, so we’ve estimated the monthly memory care costs listed below by adding 25% to the rates listed in Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey.
Genworth reveals the average fee charged by the city’s assisted living facilities is $5,938 per month, which is around 5.3% more than the national median but 10.5% below the norm for Maryland.
The Cost of Memory Care in Nearby Cities
Baltimore is at the more affordable end of the spectrum for Maryland. With fees averaging $5,938, it’s below the state median of $6,560. It’s also less expensive than most other cities included in the 2021 Genworth survey, such as Cumberland ($6,560) and Salisbury ($6,225). Hagerstown is the only Maryland city with lower median fees, which, at $5,788, are still above the national average of $5,625, suggesting the state, in general, is costlier than most. However, Baltimore is an affordable alternative to the nation’s capital, where fees are approximately $7,435 per month.
The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care
Adult day health care is the most affordable option in Maryland, which, with fees averaging $1,927, is less than half the cost of the nearest alternatives — assisted living at $4,750, home care at $4,957 and home health care at $5,053. Memory care is costlier, at $5,938, although it is significantly more affordable than a semiprivate room in a nursing home, which costs approximately $10,798 per month.
Financial Assistance for Memory Care in Baltimore
In Baltimore, there are options for seniors who need financial assistance paying for Memory Care. For more information about other options, who qualifies, and how to apply, Memory Care in Maryland page.
More Ways to Pay for Memory Care
While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for memory care, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance memory care costs include:
- Veterans Benefits
- Life Insurance Policy
- Long-Term Care Insurance
- Reverse Mortgage
For more information about different ways to finance memory care, visit our Memory Care in Maryland page.
Free Memory Care Resources in Baltimore
Memory loss can be challenging for those with the condition and their loved ones, but they don’t have to cope alone, as there are several organizations in Baltimore dedicated to helping them. Those listed here provide support free of charge and can help seniors resolve issues with their care providers, support trials designed to improve our understanding of Alzheimer’s and get help through every stage of memory loss.
Resource
Contact
Service
(410) 396-3144
Seniors residing in memory care communities who have unresolved issues with their care providers can contact the Long-term Care Ombudsman for assistance. Ombudsmen are volunteers who advocate for memory care residents, investigate complaints and pursue resolutions with providers through negotiation. They can also supply inspection reports to families looking for the best facility for their loved ones.
(410) 561-9099
The Greater Maryland Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association manages an array of programs that inform seniors and their families about the condition and supports them through their journey. Its services include Living with Alzheimer's, a three-part program that starts from the point of diagnosis and moves on to planning for a future with the condition, developing strategies for daily tasks and dealing with safety issues. There's also a series of webinar videos for those who cannot attend face-to-face meetings.
(410) 502-9272
The Johns Hopkins Alzheimer's Disease Center regularly conducts studies to try and understand the condition, identify its causes and find a cure. To do so, it needs volunteers willing to participate in research programs that cover varying lengths of time, with some simply involving observation, while others require clinical intervention trials. The center looks for seniors with mild memory loss issues and those diagnosed with Alzheimer's.
Memory Care Laws and Regulations in Baltimore
Baltimore Memory Care Communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all Memory Care Facilities in Maryland are required to follow. Visit our Memory Care in Maryland page for more information about these laws.
