I. What You Should Know About Home Care in Towson, MD
Located in age-friendly Baltimore County, Towson is an inviting community with a range of benefits for older adults. Among its population of about 60,000 people, nearly 17% are aged 65 and over. The town provides access to social opportunities and community-based programming for seniors, making home care a practical option. State income tax laws are fairly retiree-friendly, and while housing is a little costlier here than in the typical Maryland city, you may save money on groceries and transportation. The weather is generally comfortable, with mild temperatures throughout the year, and low crime rates provide peace of mind to seniors who live alone.
Towson supports high access to health care, making it a great long-term option for older adults managing chronic health conditions. In general, health care costs such as hospital stays and medical office visits are lower here than in the typical U.S. city, and there are nearly 350 doctors per 100,000 people compared to the national average of 210 doctors. The University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center, which specializes in cancer treatment, heart care and orthopedic care, is located within the city, and numerous world-class medical facilities such as The Johns Hopkins Hospital and Greater Baltimore Medical Center are within easy driving distance.
II. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in Towson, MD
According to the Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey, older adults in the Towson region pay approximately $4,671 per month for home care. This monthly rate is based on the average annual rate of $56,056 and breaks down to an hourly rate of $24.50.
The survey’s monthly home care rate assumes 44 hours of care per week. This works out to six hours of daily care seven days per week or a little less than nine hours of care five days per week. If you supplement private pay home care with community-based services such as transportation, friendly visitor programs and home-delivered meals, you may save money on home care expenses. On the other hand, you may pay more than the monthly average if you need more hours of daily care.
The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities
In Towson, older adults pay $4,671 per month for home care, which is a little higher than the state average of $4,576 and the national monthly rate of $4,481. Home health care is a little costlier at $4,957 per month, compared to the state average of $4,767 and the national median of $4,576.
Home care costs in Towson are moderate compared to rates in other Maryland cities. In the Hagerstown area, seniors pay $4,576 per month for home care and home health care. In the California area, home care costs are among the least expensive in the state at $4,481, but home health care is relatively costly at $4,957. In Cumberland, both types of care cost $4,767 monthly.
The Cost of Home Care Compared to Other Senior Living Options
Home-based care is among the most economical senior care options in Towson, with home care costing $4,671 per month and home health care coming in a little higher at $4,957. By comparison, older adults in assisted living facilities obtain a similar level of care for $5,000 per month. Adult day care is a cheaper alternative to home care, coming in at $1,896. Nursing home care is the most expensive option in the city at $11,984.
Note: Data for Towson was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Baltimore Area, was used instead.
III. How to Find Home Care in Towson, 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 Towson, 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 Towson, MD
Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland, Inc.
What You Should Know
Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland, Inc., is a regional nonprofit organization that provides a broad range of services to individuals in the Towson area. It delivers up to two meals daily, including a hot lunch and a cold supper, providing two-thirds of seniors’ recommended daily nutritional allowances. All meals are low in sodium, fat and sugar, and kosher and Korean options are available. Fees are assessed on a sliding scale, and individuals can use SNAP to cover their meal fees. Along with home-delivered meals, the agency provides grocery shopping assistance, daily wellness check-ins and friendly phone calls, the Kibble Connection pet food delivery program and SNAP screening and enrollment assistance.
Who Is Eligible?
Home-delivered meals through this program are available to everyone in the Towson region regardless of their age or economic status. You may be required to verify that you’re unable to shop for or prepare meals yourself to be eligible for services.
How to Get Started
To learn more about Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland, you can contact the agency by calling (410) 558-0827, sending an email to [email protected] or filling out an online contact form. Apply for meals by completing an online application form.
Baltimore County Department of Aging
What You Should Know
The Baltimore County Department of Aging is the designated Area Agency on Aging for the Towson region. It administers services and programs that promote the independence of older adults and help them remain in the comfort of their own homes. Through this agency, you can arrange social visits and telephone reassurance services through the volunteer-driven Home Team Program. The agency facilitates congregate and home-delivered meals, and it hosts recreational activities at several senior centers throughout the region. It also administers the Medicaid Home and Community Based Options Waiver Program, which can help some individuals avoid nursing home placement by providing the services they need at home.
Who Is Eligible?
The Area Agency on Aging serves those aged 60 and over. Certain services such as home-delivered meals and the Home Team program may have additional eligibility requirements.
How to Get Started
To obtain services through the agency, you can call the main office at (410) 982-6311.
Home Energy Programs
What You Should Know
Maryland’s Office of Home Energy Program offers three programs for qualifying households in the Towson region to help homeowners avoid disruptions in utility services. The Maryland Energy Assistance Program provides a one-time payment to be used towards gas, heating oil, propane or electric heating expenses. These funds are disbursed as early as November through the winter months. The Electric Universal Service Program is a bill payment program that provides lump-sum payments to those whose utilities have been shut off or who are at risk of losing service. The awarded amount is divided by 12, and applicants must be on a budget billing plan. Payment of arrearages is available once every seven years for electric bills.
Who Is Eligible?
Eligibility for the home energy programs is based on household size, energy usage and annual pre-tax income.
How to Get Started
To apply for the home energy programs, call the main office on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at (410) 853-3385.
211 Maryland
What You Should Know
211 Maryland is a free program that provides one-on-one help finding community-based services and programs in the Towson region. A trained advisor can help you locate utility assistance programs, home-delivered and congregate meals, veterans services, legal and financial counseling and health care services. The agency operates Maryland Access Point, which uses a No Wrong Door approach to connect older adults with long-term support services.
Who Is Eligible?
Everyone residing in Maryland is eligible to receive free assistance through 211 Maryland.
How to Get Started
Reach out to 211 Maryland by dialing 2-1-1 at any time, 24/7. You can also speak with a representative through the website’s Text and Chat features or by submitting an online contact form.
Catholic Charities
What You Should Know
Catholic Charities is a faith-based nonprofit organization that administers a broad array of services to older adults. Its Answers for the Aging service is a free telephone information and referral service for seniors and a support program for informal caregivers. The organization’s Senior Support Services program promotes older adults’ independence by providing daily meals and weekly housekeeping, laundry and personal care services in income-qualifying senior housing communities. The organization also provides adult day health services at St. Ann Adult Day Services, which may help you reduce home care costs.
Who Is Eligible?
To be eligible for most services through Catholic Charities, you must be at least 62 years old. In some cases, you may be required to meet additional eligibility guidelines pertaining to income and need.
How to Get Started
You can learn more about the services through Catholic Charities by calling the organization at (667) 600-2000.