8 Assisted Living Communities in Saint Marys County, Maryland

The average cost of assisted living in the county is $5,900 a 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 8 Assisted Living Communities in St. Mary's County and several in surrounding areas. The Cost of Senior Care in St. Mary's County, MD

• Assisted Living: $5,900
• Nursing Home Care: $7,756
• In-home Care: $3,909
• Adult Day Health Services: $1,733

The price of assisted living in St. Mary’s County, according to Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care survey, is $5,900 per month. As the most expensive area for assisted living in Maryland, this is well over both the $4,673 state average and the $4,000 national average. With costs averaging $5,313, Salisbury is the second most expensive area for assisted living in the state, followed by Hagerstown ($5,045) and Baltimore ($4,250). Seniors in Cumberland enjoy the state’s lowest assisted living costs, with monthly rates averaging $3,650.

Note: Senior care cost data wasn’t available for St. Mary’s County, so data for the closest area, California, was used.

In St. Mary’s County, the price of senior care varies depending on the type of care needed. Adult day health services ($1,733) are the least expensive option and are available to seniors who only need care during the day and can travel to a center outside the home. Home health services, including home health aides and homemaker services, which Genworth shows as having the second lowest upfront cost of care in Maryland at $3,909 per month, require seniors to pay for home living expenses such as mortgage payments, meals and utilities. Assisted living is next with costs including room and board averaging $5,900, followed by full-time, skilled nursing home care at $7,756 per month.

In Maryland, Medicaid provides eligible low-income adults and children with access to a full range of health care services for free or at a minimal cost. 

St. Mary’s County residents up to age 64 may be eligible for Medicaid if their income is no more than $1,436 per month (at or below 138% of the federal poverty level). 

For seniors aged 65 and older, people with disabilities and chronically ill children, Maryland Medicaid administers several Long-Term Services and Supports waiver programs that have varying income and other requirements dictating eligibility. 

Benefits of Medicaid include:

• Clinic and emergency services
• Inpatient and outpatient hospital care
• Home health services and hospice care
• Physical therapy
• Mental health services
• Medical equipment
• Laboratory services
• Personal care and transportation services
• Home and community-based waiver services

For seniors interested in participating in a Medicaid LTSS waiver program providing services in an assisted living setting, a few options are available.

Community Options Waiver

St. Mary’s County seniors who require a nursing home level of care and need assistance performing regular activities of daily living including eating, bathing and dressing may be eligible for the Community Options waiver. 

Community Options benefits include:

• Assisted living services
• Home-delivered meals
• Personal assistance
• Prescription drugs
• Mental health services
• Transition services, case management and supports planning
• Laboratory services and medical equipment
• Doctor and hospital visits

To qualify for waiver benefits, seniors must meet specific income and asset requirements:

• Earn no more than 300% of monthly SSI benefits ($2,313 per month)
• Have assets totaling no more than $2,000, not including a personal residence, primary vehicle, furnishings and personal belongings
• If married, a non-applicant spouse may retain countable assets of up to $126,420

Seniors can apply for the Community Options waiver by calling Maryland Access Point at (844) 627-5465. While a waiting list exists for seniors living outside a nursing home, St. Mary’s County residents can call program coordinator Daphne Bennear at (301) 475-4200, ext. 71069, or email her at Daphne.Bennear@stmarysmd.com for more information.

Increased Community Services

The Increased Community Services program may be an option for St. Mary’s County seniors who live in a nursing home, would like to move to an assisted living setting and earn income over the Community Option waiver limits. 

ICS program benefits include:

• Assisted living services
• Doctors and hospital visits
• Nutrition and dietitian services
• Transition services
• Pharmaceutical and laboratory services
• Supports planning
• Home health and day care services

Seniors must meet the following criteria to qualify:

• Have lived in a nursing facility for at least three months and have been eligible for Medicaid for at least 30 of those days
• Be ineligible for any other Medicaid waiver program
• Require a nursing home level of care costing no more outside a nursing facility than within one
• Be willing to contribute income over 300% of SSI benefits toward assisted living services
• Have no more than $2,000 in assets not including a personal home, vehicle or personal belongings

To apply for the Increased Community Services program, seniors should call (844) 627-5465 or the St. Mary’s Maryland Access Point program coordinator Jennette Beyer at (301) 475-4200, ext. 71057.

Senior Assisted Living Group Home Subsidy

Through the Senior Assisted Living Group Home subsidy, up to $650 per month may be available to St. Mary’s County seniors needing financial assistance to pay for residence in an assisted living facility. 

To qualify for the subsidy, seniors should:

• Be at least 62 years old

• Have income and assets of no more than $11,000 (individual) or $14,000 (married couple)

• Require assistance with activities of daily living

• Be accepted for residence in a facility approved for the SALGHS by Maryland Area Agencies on Aging 

To identify an approved assisted living facility within St. Mary’s County, seniors should call their Maryland Access Point at (301) 475-4200. 

Elderlife Bridge Loans

Elderlife Financial offers short-term loans with distributions of up to 12 months to help seniors pay for assisted living. Funds cover expenses such as move-in fees and room and board in a facility of the senior’s choice for a low monthly interest rate. The application process can be completed in as little as 24 hours, and seniors with low credit scores may qualify based on Elderlife’s acceptance of multiple co-applicants on one loan. Eligibility also depends on a senior’s financial status, including income and assets, and their plan for paying for care once the loan term ends.

To apply for an Elderlife bridge loan, St. Mary’s County seniors can call (888) 228-4500 or complete the application online.

The American Legion is an organization that honors veterans through initiatives such as flag etiquette demonstrations and a volunteer veterans assistance program. The Charlotte Hall Veterans Home offers assisted living and memory care to area vets at reduced rates.

Charlotte Hall Veterans Home
29449 Charlotte Hall Road, Charlotte Hall, MD 20622
(301) 884-8171

American Legion
21690 Colton Point Road, Avenue, MD 20609
(301) 769-4346

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