Making decisions about long-term care for yourself or a loved one involves deeply personal choices. While nursing homes provide comprehensive care, they might not align with your family’s wishes, values or financial situation.
Whether you seek more independence, a familiar environment or simply different care options, several alternatives exist to help you create the right care plan for your unique needs.
Home-based care services
Your home holds precious memories and brings comfort. This makes it an ideal place to receive care as you age. Professional caregivers can support you with daily activities, medical care and meaningful companionship while you maintain familiar routines.
Maryland Medicaid covers these services if your monthly income falls below $2,901 for individuals or $6,000 for couples in 2025.
Adult day care centers
These centers offer daytime supervision and care while allowing you to live at home. They usually provide:
- Social activities and recreation
- Basic medical monitoring
- Meals and snacks
- Physical therapy sessions
- Transportation
This option is also great for seniors with dementia or Alzheimer’s.
Assisted living communities
Consider assisted living as a middle ground between independent living and nursing homes. It gives you access to more support while letting you maintain your independence.
You’ll have your own private living space while enjoying the security of round-the-clock care, social connections and scheduled activities. Additionally, the state Medicaid program may also cover some costs if you are eligible.
Community care programs
Unlike home-based care, which focuses on medical support, or adult day care, which provides supervised activities, community care programs create a network of essential daily living services. These might include:
- Meal delivery or preparation
- Basic house cleaning
- Home accessibility modifications
Maryland’s Community First Choice program covers these services for those meeting the state Medicaid’s monthly income limit.
Planning for your peace of mind
Long-term care planning becomes even more important as healthcare costs continue to rise. It can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Aside from involving your loved ones, speaking with an elder law attorney can help. They can help you explore your options and create a comprehensive plan that meets your health and financial needs.
