Maryland Assisted Living - A Guide to Assisted Living and Nursing Homes In Maryland

As our loved ones age, it sometimes becomes impossible to provide them with the kind of care they require. If you're considering assisted living for yourself or for a relative in Maryland, you may be bewildered by the range of options. Assisted living facilities provide homes and support services to residents who are unable to perform, or need some help performing daily tasks. Assisted living doesn't just mean nursing homes, either. There are housing options available that have many of the same features of apartment living, but offer help with tasks like meal preparation, household chores, medication management, dressing, and bathing.

In Maryland, assisted living is regulated by the Office of Health Care Quality, under the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. This makes sure that all facilities follow the rules and maintain adequate standards for the people who live in them. If you're concerned about the possible quality of care at a facility, you can contact the office to inquire about their most recent inspection and rating. The Maryland Department of Aging also maintains an evaluation of assisted living facilities in the state, which you can reference to find out about the standards at any given location. With recent reports of insufficient care at some Maryland facilities, it's important to know that any assisted living location you choose will be responsible and care properly for its residents.

If you're concerned about finding out the costs of an assisted living facility, about your or your loved ones' rights as residents, alternatives to conventional assisted living, or contract information, there is a comprehensive guide available, put together by the University of Maryland and advocates for the rights of the elderly. This guide can be accessed online, or you can get a copy of it by contacting the Maryland Department of Aging.

Whenever you consider an assisted living option, there are a few steps you should go through. Gather information on the facilities you're interested in, checking their prices and care standards. Consider how residency in the assisted living facility will be paid for. Medicaid may be able to help pay for the residency, for instance. Arrange to visit any facilities you're interested in, meeting with the admissions representative, finding out the policies and procedures for the facility, and observing staff interactions with residents. When possible, try to tour the facility without the presence of an administrator, so you'll be able to see everything. Not all facilities permit this, for the privacy of their residents, so be sure to ask first.

Once you have plenty of information on a given assisted living facility in Maryland, you'll be able to make an informed choice. Ask friends and relatives for their input, to get perspective on each location you tour. Ask to participate in care planning decisions for relatives who will be living there, and make sure that you get a copy of the facility's admissions agreement. This will spell out the conditions for admission, including costs and services. Read the document carefully before signing. Finding assisted living situations is simple if you take the time to gather information and ask the right questions.

 

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