I. What You Should Know About Home Care in Bethesda, MD
Located about 8 miles northwest of the District of Columbia in southern Montgomery County, Maryland, Bethesda is a census-designated place and the site of the National Military Medical Center and the National Institutes of Health. The number of residents in the community increased by 11.8% between 2010 and 2020, making this one of the fastest-growing areas in Maryland.
Seniors aged 65 and older make up 19% of Bethesda’s population of 68,056, and nearly 86% of the area’s residents hold at least a bachelor’s degree. Although winters are cold, the community earned an 8 out of 10 on the BestPlaces Comfort Index for its summer weather, with temperatures in July averaging about 87 degrees.
Bethesda is home to the Suburban Hospital, a 230-bed facility operated by Johns Hopkins Medicine that has a number of specialty clinics and an innovative Senior Services department dedicated to improving health care for older adults. Health care costs here are almost 8% below the U.S. average, and there are 506 doctors per 100,000 residents, which is more than double the nationwide norm. Its low health care costs and access to aging-related services can make Bethesda a desirable location to age in place with the help of home care services.
II. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in Bethesda, MD
According to Genworth’s 2020 Cost of Care Survey, you can expect to pay about $4,601 per month for home care services in Bethesda. This rate is based on 44 hours of care per week, which may be more or less support than you require. You can estimate what your actual monthly home care costs are likely to be by deciding how many hours of care you need each month, and multiplying that number by the average hourly home care rate in Bethesda, which is $24.13.
Bethesda’s home health care services cost an average of $4,767 per month. This cost is higher because home health care includes limited medical care provided by a licensed professional in addition to basic home care services.
The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities
Bethesda’s average home care and home health care costs are lower than the rates paid for the same services in Baltimore, which run around $4,671 and $4,957, respectively. In the eastern part of the state, seniors in Salisbury pay about $4,528 for home care and $4,576 for home health care, while in Maryland’s northwest region in Hagerstown, rates run around $4,576 for either kind of in-home care.
The Cost of Home Care Compared to Other Senior Living Options
In Bethesda, home care costs about $1,400 less than assisted living services, which average $6,000 per month. Home health care costs about $166 more than home care at $4,767 compared to $4,601. As is typical in most areas, adult day care is the lowest-priced senior care option, and it costs about $1,744 per month. Seniors who require around-the-clock medical care in a nursing home can expect to pay an average of $11,726 per month for a semiprivate room.
Note: Data for Bethesda was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Washington DC, was used instead.
III. How to Find Home Care in Bethesda, MD
Finding a home care provider for yourself or a loved one can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Below, we explain the process of how to find a home care provider in 5 simple steps. Use the infographic below to help guide your search for in-home care in Bethesda, MD.
Remember that there’s not necessarily a right or wrong choice – it comes down to choosing a provider that you feel comfortable with and who’s capable of meeting your specific needs. No matter which provider you choose, you should always have a formal arrangement with your expectations and the payment rate in writing. Doing so will prevent confusion or potential disagreements down the line so that the focus remains on helping the person receiving care.
IV. Home Care Resources for Seniors in Bethesda, MD
Montgomery County Senior Centers
What You Should Know
Montgomery County Recreation operates seven senior centers geared toward adults aged 55 and older. Programming varies between the centers, and generally includes daily fitness classes, regular arts and crafting workshops, organized games and special events. Some centers organize day trips for seniors to nearby museums and festivals, and many centers host frequent health screening clinics, such as blood pressure checks.
Who Is Eligible?
As a resident of Montgomery County who’s aged 55 or older, you can participate in the programs offered at any county-run senior center.
How to Get Started
For the hours and location of your nearest senior center, call the customer service line operated by Montgomery County’s recreation department at (240) 777-6840.
Montgomery County Senior Property Tax Credit
What You Should Know
Montgomery County offers a Senior Tax Credit that you can use to lower the amount of property tax you pay on your Bethesda home if you have an annual gross household income of $60,000 or less.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for the County’s Senior Tax Credit, you must own and occupy your home, be aged 65 or older, and be qualified to receive either the County Supplement or the State Homeowners’ Tax Credit.
You’ll also need to meet the eligibility requirements for the Homeowners’ Property Tax Credit Program, which means that your net worth, excluding the value of your home, can’t exceed $200,000. The amount of credit you’re granted is linked to your income, with the largest tax credits going to homeowners with the lowest gross income.
How to Get Started
For up-to-date income limits and information on applying for the Senior Tax Credit, call (410) 767-5900.
SeniorRides
What You Should Know
Senior Rides is a free, volunteer-based transportation program that you can use to travel to and from destinations throughout Bethesda and Montgomery County.
The program can provide you with up to six round-trips each month to nonemergency medical appointments, your local senior center, the pharmacy or grocery store or to visit friends and family. A volunteer driver will pick you up in their personal passenger vehicle, escort you to your appointment and return you to your home. Once you’re registered with the program, you can reserve your trip up to two months ahead of time, and you must mention any stops you’d like to make when booking your rides.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for free services through Senior Rides, you must be a resident of Montgomery County at least 60 years old. You also need to agree to cover any extra costs associated with your trip, such as parking fees or road tolls.
How to Get Started
To register to use Senior Rides, call (301) 962-0820.
What You Should Know
Getting out to the grocery store can be challenging, especially if you’re a senior who is living with mobility limitations. Pantry Fillers is a program that helps eligible Bethesda seniors shop for groceries.
Program volunteers can drive you to a local grocery store, assist with shopping and help you put your groceries away. Alternatively, you can ask a volunteer to pick up groceries on your behalf. While there’s no cost to use this service, participants are responsible for paying their own grocery bill.
Who Is Eligible?
You can request assistance from Pantry Fillers if you’re a low-income senior who needs help shopping for groceries from stores located in Montgomery County.
How to Get Started
The Pantry Fillers program is operated by Senior Connection, a nonprofit senior services agency. For more information, call the agency at (301) 962-0820.
Community Assistive Technology (AT) Lending Library
What You Should Know
Independence Now is a nonprofit organization that offers programs and services to help people with disabilities remain independent. The organization operates the regional Community Assistive Technology (AT) Lending Library with funding provided by Maryland’s Technology Assistance Program.
You can borrow a variety of AT devices designed to help you with everyday tasks from the lending library. These devices include lighted desktop magnifiers that make reading printed materials easier, reader pens that read out text from books and newspapers, and handheld digital magnifiers. The library also has an assortment of specially designed items to help you stay safe in the kitchen, such as a hands-free can opener, adapted cutting boards and the Liftware Steady spoon for those who struggle with hand tremors.
Who Is Eligible?
To access the Community Assistive Technology Lending Library, you must be a resident of either Montgomery or Prince George County. There’s no cost to borrow items from the library, and if you’re unable to visit in person, the devices you’d like to try can be shipped to your home.
How to Get Started
To learn more about the Community Assistive Technology (AT) Lending Library or reserve an item, call (240) 898-2188.