The 10 Best Memory Care Facilities in Ellicott City, MD for 2024

Rich with nearly 300 years of history and a unique culture, Ellicott City is as resilient as its residents and an ideal place for seniors to spend their retirement years. The estimated population is 76,000 residents, and around 16.5% are aged 65 and over. As the general population continues to age, the number of seniors in America living with Alzheimer’s is expected to quadruple by the year 2050. Although CDC data indicates an overall increase in the number of Alzheirmer’s-deaths, the percentage has actually decreased in Ellicott City by 5.19% from 2016 to 2020.

This reduction in deaths from cognitive decline may be due to the access seniors have to excellent hospitals and dementia care in focused establishments. Memory care communities are staffed 24/7 by specially trained employees, and therapy services offered are specifically designed to slow the advance of Alzheimer’s and improve cognitive abilities. Ample socialization opportunities and stimulating activities, such as reminiscence therapy, are provided to enhance quality of life.

This guide highlights some pros and cons of living in Ellicott City and presents comparative costs of memory care in nearby cities. It also provides a brief list of memory care resources for seniors and their families.

Maryland’s Department of Health is responsible for licensing and monitoring health care facilities in the state, including those providing memory care services. The Office of Health Care Quality (OHCQ) within the Maryland Department of Health is tasked with overseeing and regulating health care facilities. OHCQ ensures facilities meet state and federal regulations regarding quality of care, safety and resident rights.

• Ellicott City’s cost of living is a bit higher than both the statewide average and the national median. Despite the overall score of 137.3 based on a 100-point scale, Ellicott City still offers residents low-cost options on goods, transportation, groceries and housing, which may appeal to budget-conscious individuals.
• Based on a 100-point scale, health care costs in Ellicott City are just slightly lower than the U.S. average, with a score of 97.7. Seniors have access to 454 physicians per 100,000 population, which is higher than the national average of 210.
• For medical services, Ellicott City seniors are less than 20 minutes from nationally ranked hospitals such as Johns Hopkins Hospital. The full-service facility provides world-class stroke care and pulmonary care services. As strokes and memory loss can go hand in hand, seniors have access to some of the highest-quality neurological care in the U.S.
• The climate in Ellicott City boasts a little more rain than the national median, but less snowfall. On average, there are 206 sunny days per year. The average high in July is only about 88 and the low in January averages 24 degrees Fahrenheit. Ellicott City also ranks 8.2 on a 10-point comfort index, placing it rather high as a pleasant place to live in Maryland. 
• Crime in Ellicott City is low at a 13.4 ranking compared to the U.S. average of 22.7 on a scale of 1 to 100. Most offenses involve petty theft or shoplifting and violent crimes are even rarer. This makes the city safe for residents of all ages. Those in memory care communities can be comforted by 24/7 security to ensure seniors are free from harm.

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.

Seniors in Ellicott City pay an average of $5,937 per month for memory care, but those costs can change depending upon amenities and the location of the community. 

Memory care in Ellicott City costs $5,938 per month, which is $600 less than Maryland’s statewide average but about $300 more than the national median. Similarly, memory care costs in Baltimore match those in Ellicott City, but Hagerstown is about $600 pricier. Cumberland is only slightly lower, at $5,788. Across the Chesapeake Bay, Salisbury is almost $300 more expensive than Ellicott City. 

Several care options are available in Ellicott City. Adult day health care is the most affordable, at $1,927 per month, offering respite for caregivers on weekdays. In-home care and home health care, which offers light medical services, are cheaper alternatives to memory care and suitable for seniors remaining at home. Assisted living costs $4,750 monthly, including room, board and 24-hour staff access, and seniors needing round-the-clock skilled nursing care can access a semiprivate nursing home room for $10,798.

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.