18 Assisted Living Communities in Frederick County, Maryland

The average cost of assisted living in the county is $5,045 per month. This guide is a starting point covering the cost of assisted living care in the county as well as financing options to pay for it. You’ll find in-depth information on 18 Assisted Living Communities in Frederick County and several in surrounding areas. The Cost of Senior Care in Frederick County, MD

• Assisted Living: $5,045
• Nursing Home Care: $9,353
• In-home Care: $3,813
• Adult Day Health Services: $1,712

The average cost of assisted living in Frederick County is $5,045 per month. According to Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care Survey, local costs are $1,045 higher than the national average of $4,000 and $370 higher than the state median of $4,673.

Rates in Frederick County are slightly to moderately lower than Salisbury ($5,315) and California ($5,900). Less expensive cities include Baltimore ($4,250) and Cumberland ($3,650). Although Frederick County is part of the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metropolitan area, the local cost of assisted living is 45% lower than the nation’s capital ($9,266).

Note: Senior care cost data wasn’t available for Frederick County, so data for nearby Hagerstown was used instead.

Location has a strong influence on the cost of senior care, but rates also vary depending on the type of services required. Skilled nursing facilities are the most costly option, but they provide intensive around-the-clock services that are beyond the scope of assisted living facilities and in-home providers. A month of nursing home care in Frederick County costs 80% more than assisted living and almost 2.5 times more than a month of in-home services. Adult day programs are even more affordable, but they provide limited weekday care in a group setting. When evaluating potential costs, it’s important to understand which services are covered by monthly fees. In some cases, residential facilities provide a better value than in-home alternatives because the fees include personal assistance as well as room and board.

Maryland Medicaid is a federal and state government-funded health care program that’s available to low-income adults and vulnerable residents, including children and disabled individuals. Medicaid offers complete coverage for emergency and preventive care, and it assists older adults who require long-term care through waivers even if these services are provided at home or in an assisted living facility. Each Medicaid category has specific eligibility requirements.

• To qualify for regular Medicaid, Frederick County residents who are disabled, blind or aged 65 or older must earn less than $350 per month and have less than $2,500 in countable assets. For couples, the monthly income limit is $392, and the asset limit increases to $3,000.
• Medicaid enrollment is automatic for residents who are eligible for Supplemental Security Income. The income limit for this program is $711 for individuals and $1,157 for couples with asset limits of $2,000 and $3,000, respectively.

A second type of institutional Medicaid is available to certain Frederick County residents who require nursing home care. To qualify, individuals can’t have an income that exceeds their monthly nursing home costs. There’s also an asset limit of $2,000 for individuals or $3,000 for couples. If only one spouse needs nursing home care, the asset limit is $2,000, and the non-applicant can keep 50% of joint assets or up to $126,420. They may also be entitled to a monthly needs allowance of $2,113.75. 

Home and Community-Based Options Waiver

Alternatively, Maryland residents who qualify for institutional Medicaid but don’t want to live in a nursing home can apply for a home and community-based options waiver. These programs allow eligible residents to receive covered long-term care services in the community. Income limits for long-term care waivers are $2,313 per individual with the same asset caps as institutional Medicaid.

Some assets, such as a primary residence, are excluded from Medicaid’s eligibility limits.

Frederick County seniors can check their eligibility online at myDHR. To apply in person or by mail, residents should contact the Frederick County Department of Social Services on North Market Street. Paper applications can be mailed to P.O. Box 237, Frederick, MD 21701.

Community Options Waiver

Maryland’s Community Options waiver covers the cost of assisted living or in-home supports. It’s open to Medicaid recipients or eligible applicants who currently live in a nursing home or require help with activities of daily living. At this time, the program only accepts nursing home residents who are transitioning to assisted living or community-based care.

To begin an application, call Maryland Access Point at (844) 627-5465. A service registry is available to assist non-nursing home residents who’d like to be added to a waiting list.

Increased Community Services 

Increased Community Services is a transitional waiver open to Maryland residents aged 18 or older who are currently living in a nursing home and have been institutionalized for at least 90 days.

It assists individuals who’d qualify for Community Options but exceed the income limit by a margin of 5% or less. Income limits are 300% of the federal SSI benefit or currently $2,313. There’s an asset limit of $2,000 or $2,500 depending on the applicant’s eligibility category. Approved services include assisted living, delivered meals, personal assistance and in-home supports.

Frederick County residents can learn more by contacting Maryland Access Point at (844) 627-5465.

Senior Assisted Living Group Home Subsidy

The Maryland Senior Assisted Living Group Home subsidy provides up to $650 per month to help low- and moderate-income residents manage their assisted living costs. It’s open to seniors aged 62 or older who live in a participating facility with 16 beds or less. Applicants must require daily assistance and meet financial eligibility requirements. Net income limits are capped at 60% of the state median minus a nominal $60 personal allowance. Asset limits are $11,000 for individuals and $14,000 for couples. The program accepts current and prospective assisted living residents who’ve been approved by a participating facility. Waiting lists may exist.

Interested seniors should contact the Frederick County Department of Aging at (301) 600-1605 for more information.

Bridge Loans 

Elderlife bridge loans are designed to cover short-term funding gaps that occur when seniors transition to assisted living. Applicants receive a line of credit based on their average assisted living costs and the number of months funding is required. Funds are distributed to the facility in as little as 24 hours after approval. Elderlife also offers amortized lump-sum loans that can cover move-in fees and large one-time expenses. However, with a line of credit, seniors only incur interest on the amount they borrow, and they can make affordable interest-only payments until long-term funding is available. The application process takes just 15 minutes and can be completed online or by phone.

Seniors can learn more by contacting Elderlife Financial at (888) 228-4500.

VA Aid and Attendance or Housebound

Veterans and survivors who receive a military pension that’s not disability-related and require daily living assistance may qualify for a monthly supplement to offset the cost of care. Individuals who earn too much to receive a regular pension can still apply for either Aid & Attendance or Housebound benefits. These programs can help seniors who meet at least one of the following requirements.

• Need help bathing, dressing, eating or completing other daily activities

• Are bedridden due to an illness or disability

• Are housebound due to a permanent health condition

• Suffer from severe vision loss or concentric contraction

• Require nursing home care due to physical or mental disability

To apply for Aid & Attendance or Housebound benefits, veterans and survivors can mail VA Form 21-2680 to their pension management center. In-person applications are processed at the VA Regional Office in Baltimore. Call the Department of Veterans Affairs at (800) 827-1000 for more details.

Local veterans can access health care services at the Fort Detrick VA clinic in Frederick. Benefits counseling, outreach programs and administrative services are available through the Baltimore Regional Office, which assists veterans and survivors statewide.

Fort Detrick VA Clinic
1433 Porter St., Bldg. 1433, Frederick, MD 21702
(800) 817-3807

Baltimore Regional Office
31 Hopkins Plz., Baltimore, MD 21201
(800) 827-1000

Senior Homes has an extensive directory of senior living options, with care and living providers across the United States.