I. What You Should Know About Home Care in Easton, MD
Easton is a small town of almost 17,000 people located on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. It has a large percentage of seniors over the age of 65, almost 23% of the population, a number significantly higher than the national average. Easton has been consistently rated as one of the top 10 small towns in America because of its combination of coastal living and big-city amenities. Easton has a cost of living that is only slightly above the national average. It has a bit more rainfall than the average American town but less snow and more sunshine than national averages. All this results in an excellent score of 7.4/10 in the Best Places index.
If you decide to age in place in Easton you’ll find lots of things to do and see. Easton is well known for its cultural activities. The Academy of Art Museum offers classes in oils, sketching, pottery and pastels as well as regular art exhibits. The Art Deco-designed Avalon Theater, which has been in existence since the early 20th century, offers regular performances from local, regional and nationally known artists as well as a yearly jazz festival and regular free outdoor performances.
II. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in Easton, MD
According to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey 2020, you’ll pay an average of $4,767 a month for both home care and home health care in Easton. In some locations in Maryland, home health care may cost more per month because of the additional medical and personal services it includes.
The totals you may pay for home care or home health care are based on an average of 44 hours per week. So your costs could be more or less depending on the number of hours of assistance you need each week. In Easton, you’ll pay an average of $25 per hour for both home care and home health care.
The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities
Home care costs in Easton are among the highest in the state of Maryland, while home health care costs are in the middle. In California, Maryland, on the western side of the Chesapeake Bay, home care averages $4,481 a month, while home health care is almost $500 a month more expensive at $4,957. In Salisbury, located further south on the Delmarva Peninsula, home care averages $4,528 a month while home health care is only slightly more expensive at $4,576 a month. Home care costs in Baltimore run $4,671 a month, while home health care averages $4,957.
The Cost of Home Care Compared to Other Senior Living Options
In Easton, the least expensive form of senior care is adult day care, which costs $1,408 a month. The most expensive form of senior care is a nursing home facility with a semiprivate room which averages $12,882 a month. Residing in an assisted living facility is $4,920 per month. With the various programs that are available to help you remain in your home and age in place, this makes home care or home health care, which both cost an average of $4,767 per month, extremely attractive financial options.
III. How to Find Home Care in Easton, 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 Easton, 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 Easton, MD
Community Personal Assistance Services (CPAS)
What You Should Know
This program is designed to help you if you require assistance with the activities of daily living (ADL) so you can age in place and remain in your home and community. Some of the services provided include regular monitoring by nurses, personal assistance for ADLs such as cleaning, laundry or cooking and support planning.
Who is Eligible?
You must need help with ADLs such as personal grooming, shopping or bathing and meet all the program’s level of medical care and financial limits. You must also qualify for Medicaid in the community benefits and live in that community to receive CPAS. Maryland has expanded Medicaid coverage to low income adults between the ages of 18-64.
How to Get Started
If you are interested in finding out more about the CPAS program or applying for it, contact the Maryland Access Point at (844) 627-5465 or the MD Relay Service at (800) 735-2258.
Project Home
What You Should Know
Also known as the Certified Adult Residential Environmental Program (CARE), this program is designed to help you if you have a physical or mental disability. It creates an adult foster care family model if you need a stable living environment and want to remain in the community. Services include room and board, recreational and social activities, transportation to medical appointments, personal assistance for ADLs such as cleaning, laundry or cooking and medication monitoring.
Who Is Eligible?
Any adult over at least 18 years of age who has a mental or physical disability and can live in a family setting may apply. They will need documentation of their disability, functional capability and income, and if they take medication, they need to be able to self-medicate.
How to Get Started
If you or someone you know might benefit from this program, contact the Maryland Department of Human Services, Office of Adult Services at (800) 735-2258
Talbot County Senior Center Brookletts Place
What You Should Know
Located in Easton, Brookletts Place offers a variety of resources and activities for seniors. Grab and Go lunches are held every Tuesday and there is a drive-through Pop-Up Pantry every Friday. Brookletts Place offers legal advice and blood pressure screening as well as classes in oil painting, dancing, guitar and ukulele lessons and hosts a yarn and needle group every Wednesday.
Who Is Eligible?
You need to be at least 60 years of age and apply for membership to use the facilities and take part in any class at Brookletts Place. However, membership is free.
How to Get Started
If you have any questions about becoming a member at Brookletts Place, contact the Center’s manager, Childlene Brooks at (410) 822-2869. The membership form is also available online.
Upper Shore Aging – Area Agency on Aging (AAA)
How to Get Started
The AAA office in Talbot County also serves seniors in Caroline and Kent counties. It develops and administers services, resources and programs designed to maintain and improve the quality of your life as a senior. Its goal is to help you remain healthy and independent. It does this by providing services that support aging in place and keeping you in your own home at a lower cost than a residential facility. The services may include light housekeeping duties, personal care such as assistance with ADLs, case management and providing advice and guidance on your health care options. You and your spouse can also apply for the Meals on Wheels program to have healthy meals delivered to your home.
Who Is Eligible?
If you are at least 65, you may be eligible for various programs offered by Upper Shore Aging such as legal advice for seniors.
How to Get Started
You can find out more about the programs and resources offered by Upper Shore Aging by calling (410) 778-6000 or (410) 758-6500.
Home and Community-Based Options Waiver
What Should I Know
If you need support with ADLs such as bathing, dressing, moving around or grooming you may be eligible for this program. The program can also aid if you need hospital care, mental health care or home health care.
Who Is Eligible?
You must be at least 18 and need the level of care required to be admitted to a nursing facility to be eligible for the program. Income and asset levels are also examined to determine eligibility. Your income can’t exceed 300% of Supplemental Security Income benefits, and your assets can’t be more than $2,000 or $2,500 depending on the category of the program. Only you and your spouse’s income and assets are considered when making this determination, and not anyone else in your household.
How to Get Started
If you would like to learn more about the program, determine your eligibility or apply, contact the Maryland Access Point at (844) 627-5465.