Home Care in Maryland

The average starting cost of home care in Maryland is $32 per hour, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data. Based on our ranking methodology, the top-rated home care agencies in Maryland are One You Love Homecare of Annapolis, MD, Seniors Helping Seniors - Bethesda, MD or Interim Healthcare of Annapolis, MD.

Home care helps seniors throughout Maryland remain safely and comfortably at home while receiving assistance with everyday activities. Families in communities such as Silver Spring, Baltimore, and Annapolis can choose from a variety of home care providers offering personalized support tailored to each senior’s needs. When comparing agencies, many families prioritize reliable caregivers, flexible scheduling, and services that help their loved ones maintain their independence.

It’s also important to understand the difference between home care and home health care. Home care provides nonmedical assistance, including personal care, companionship, meal preparation, transportation, and light housekeeping. Home health care, on the other hand, involves medical services provided by licensed health care professionals. While some agencies offer both types of care, A Place for Mom’s network consists of nonmedical home care providers. A Place for Mom has partnered with 309 home care agencies to help seniors and families find the right fit for their needs.

Home care in Maryland typically costs per hour, which is comparable to the national average of $32 per hour.^[01] While costs vary somewhat by location, families will find relatively consistent pricing throughout much of the state. Monthly costs vary depending on how many hours of care your loved one needs. The following costs are determined based on the average hourly rate in Maryland.

• Part-time care (20 hours/week): $2,741 per month
• Full-time care (44 hours/week): $6,029 per month

Several factors can affect home care costs in Maryland, including:

• The level of help your loved one requires
• Care provided during evenings, weekends, or holidays
• Around-the-clock or live-in care
• The caregiver’s training, experience, and specialized skills
• Where your loved one lives within Maryland

In Maryland, families often pay for home care using a mix of private funds and public programs. While nonmedical home care is usually paid out of pocket, certain programs can help cover costs depending on eligibility.

Private pay options

Common options for private pay include:

• Social Security benefits
• Retirement accounts or savings
• Reverse mortgage
• Life insurance conversion
• Long-term care insurance

VA benefits

Eligible veterans and surviving spouses in Maryland may qualify for U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits that help cover the cost of home care. One option is the VA Aid and Attendance benefit, which provides additional monthly payments to eligible veterans and surviving spouses who need help with daily activities.^[02] Veterans enrolled in VA health care may also qualify for in-home services such as:^{[03,04,05,06,07]}

• Homemaker and Home Health Aide Care
• Home-Based Primary Care
• Skilled Home Health Care
• Hospice Care
• Home Respite Care

For additional information about eligibility and available services, visit VA.gov or contact the Department of Veterans and Military Families.

Maryland Medicaid

Medicaid is a jointly funded program of federal and state governments. It’s designed to help people who have low incomes or who are living with disabilities. In Maryland, the Medicaid program for elderly residents is known as Medical Assistance (Medicaid) – Aged, Blind and Disabled (MA-ABD), and it can help to offset the cost of home care expenses for eligible seniors.

Maryland Medicaid offers several programs that can help eligible seniors receive care at home rather than in an institutional setting.^[08,09,10] These include:

• Community Personal Assistance Services (CPAS). An entitlement program available through Maryland Medicaid that helps with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, dressing, and mobility.
• Home and Community Based Options Waiver (HCBOW). This waiver covers services that may include case management, homemaker services, respite care, and medical day care to help seniors remain at home.
• Medical Day Care Services Waiver (MDCSW). This program provides supervised daytime care, including skilled nursing, medication management, help with ADLs, meals, and social activities. It can also give family caregivers an opportunity to take a break.

Unlike CPAS, Maryland’s waiver programs have limited enrollment, so eligible applicants may be placed on a waiting list. To qualify for Medicaid home care programs, applicants must meet the state’s income and asset requirements and demonstrate a medical need for services.

Medicare

Medicare generally won’t cover nonmedical home care, such as bathing, grooming, and medication management. However, it may cover these services when provided in conjunction with medically necessary home health care services provided by licensed medical professionals.^[11]

Maryland has regulations in place to help protect seniors who receive care at home. Both nonmedical home care providers, known as residential service agencies, and home health agencies must meet state requirements for licensing, staffing, and quality of care.^[12,13]

Are home care agencies licensed in Maryland?

Yes. Residential service agencies and home health agencies must be licensed by the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) Office of Health Care Quality (OHCQ) before they can provide services. State licensing requirements help ensure agencies meet standards for caregiver qualifications, client safety, and day-to-day operations.^[12,13]

How does Maryland oversee home care agencies?

The Maryland Department of Health monitors licensed home care agencies through routine inspections, which may be scheduled or unannounced.^[12,13] During these visits, inspectors evaluate whether agencies are complying with state regulations and maintaining appropriate standards of care.

How to check licensing and inspection reports for home care agencies in Maryland

Use Maryland’s OHCQ Licensee Directories to understand an agency’s license status.  Maryland doesn’t make inspection reports for home care agencies available online, but you can ask an agency directly for them. Licensed agencies must meet requirements related to:^[12,13]

• Staff qualifications
• Safety protocols
• Care standards

Some agencies may also seek voluntary accreditation from organizations like The Joint Commission, which can indicate a higher level of quality.^[14]

What are hiring practices for home care agencies in Maryland?

Maryland requires agencies to follow hiring and training practices, including:^[12,13,14]

• Background screenings for caregivers
• Verification of qualifications and certifications
• Initial training and ongoing education requirements

These standards help ensure caregivers are qualified to provide safe, effective support.

Choosing the right home care agency is one of the most important steps in helping your loved one remain safe, comfortable, and supported at home. As you compare providers, consider the following tips:

• Verify licensing. Confirm that the agency is licensed in Maryland. A Place for Mom verifies licensing for agencies in our network twice each year to help families make informed decisions.
• Read reviews and testimonials. Look for consistent feedback about caregiver dependability, communication, and quality of care.
• Ask about caregiver training. Learn how caregivers are onboarded, supervised, and kept up to date through ongoing education.
• Request detailed pricing information. Ask about hourly rates, minimum service requirements, and additional fees for overnight, weekend, or holiday care.
• Review available services. Make sure the agency can provide the level of support your loved one needs now and in the future.
• Meet potential caregivers. A strong personality match can help your loved one feel more comfortable and build trust with their caregiver.

Read more: How to Choose a Home Care Agency