Area Agencies on Aging in Maryland

Overview

Maryland has a highly structured and county-based system of 19 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) that provide services for older adults, individuals with disabilities, and caregivers. These agencies operate under the oversight of the Maryland Department of Aging (MDoA) and coordinate a variety of programs funded by the Older Americans Act (OAA) and state resources. Given Maryland’s mix of urban, suburban, and rural populations, its AAAs serve diverse communities with varying needs.

Structure of AAAs in Maryland

• 19 County-Based AAAs: Unlike many states that organize AAAs by regions covering multiple counties, Maryland’s AAAs are largely county-based. Each AAA serves a specific county or city, ensuring localized service delivery tailored to each community’s needs.
• Oversight by the Maryland Department of Aging (MDoA): The MDoA provides statewide coordination, funding distribution, and compliance oversight. It ensures that Maryland’s aging services align with federal and state regulations while allowing local AAAs to manage day-to-day operations.
• Aging & Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs): Maryland has integrated Aging & Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) within its AAAs, offering a single-entry point for older adults and individuals with disabilities seeking long-term care services, benefits counseling, and other forms of support.
• Service Delivery Model: Maryland’s county-based AAAs coordinate services through a mix of direct service provision and contracts with local agencies. This allows for greater flexibility in responding to community-specific needs.
• Services Provided Include:
  • Home-delivered meals (Meals on Wheels)
  • Congregate meal sites
  • Transportation assistance
  • Medicare counseling (SHIP program)
  • Caregiver support and respite care
  • Long-term care ombudsman services
  • Senior employment programs
  • Case management and benefits counseling
  • Health and wellness programs
  • Housing and energy assistance programs

Comparison with Other States

Similarities:

1. Federal Compliance: Like all states, Maryland’s AAAs operate under the Older Americans Act (OAA) and receive funding from the Administration for Community Living (ACL), ensuring that programs align with national aging policies.
2. Aging & Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs):
   • Maryland’s integration of ADRCs within AAAs follows a nationwide trend, similar to states like North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
   • This streamlines access to long-term care options and disability services.
3. Local Autonomy in Service Delivery:
   • Maryland’s county-based approach allows local governments to tailor services to their populations’ specific needs.
   • This is similar to states like New Jersey and Pennsylvania, where AAAs are also organized at the county level.

Differences:

1. County-Based Structure vs. Regional AAAs:
   • Maryland’s 19 county-based AAAs provide more localized services than many other states that use regional AAAs covering multiple counties.
   • Comparison with other states:
     • Pennsylvania (52 AAAs) and New Jersey (21 AAAs) also use a county-based model, meaning each county has its own agency.
     • Texas (28 AAAs) and Florida (11 AAAs) use regional models, where each AAA covers multiple counties.
     • Maine (5 AAAs) and West Virginia (4 AAAs) serve larger, multi-county regions to cover rural populations.
   • Maryland’s county-based model ensures services are locally focused, which may increase efficiency in urban areas but lead to disparities in smaller rural counties with fewer resources.
2. Urban vs. Rural Service Challenges:
   • Maryland has a mix of urban, suburban, and rural areas, leading to different service needs across the state.
   • Urban Areas (e.g., Baltimore, Montgomery County):
     • Higher demand for transportation, meal programs, and caregiver support.
     • Easier access to hospitals and health providers.
   • Rural Areas (e.g., Garrett, Dorchester, and Worcester Counties):
     • Greater transportation barriers and fewer providers for home care services.
     • More reliance on volunteer-based programs and mobile outreach.
   • This differs from heavily rural states like Montana or North Dakota, where AAAs must cover vast areas and focus more on remote service delivery.
3. Proximity to Washington, D.C.:
   • Maryland’s close connection to federal agencies and policymakers allows for strong advocacy for aging services.
   • Federal resources and research initiatives influence Maryland’s programs more directly than in states further from Washington, D.C..
4. Strong Focus on Long-Term Care & Medicaid Support:
   • Maryland’s AAAs work closely with Medicaid programs to provide long-term care services for low-income seniors.
   • Some states, like Florida or Texas, rely more heavily on private home care options, whereas Maryland has a strong emphasis on public Medicaid services.
   • Maryland’s AAAs collaborate with managed care organizations (MCOs) to assist seniors with Medicaid enrollment and long-term care.
5. Integration with Local Government Services:
   • Because Maryland’s AAAs are county-based, they are closely integrated with local government services, such as social services, housing programs, and public health departments.
   • This is different from states like California or Texas, where regional AAAs operate more independently from county governments.
6. More Services for Military Veterans:
   • Maryland’s proximity to military bases and a high number of retired veterans means its AAAs often coordinate with veterans’ services and military retirement programs.
   • While many states have veteran-supportive programs, Maryland’s strong military presence (e.g., Fort Meade, Andrews Air Force Base) gives it a unique role in providing aging services for veterans.

Conclusion

Maryland’s 19 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) provide county-based aging services, ensuring localized and community-driven support for older adults. With oversight from the Maryland Department of Aging (MDoA), these AAAs coordinate programs for nutrition, transportation, caregiver support, and healthcare access. The county-based model sets Maryland apart from regional AAA models found in many other states, allowing for more tailored service delivery but also potential disparities in smaller, rural counties.

Compared to larger states with regionalized services (like Texas or Florida), Maryland’s localized system allows for closer coordination with county governments and public health programs. However, the state faces unique challenges due to its mix of urban and rural populations, requiring specialized approaches to transportation, long-term care, and Medicaid services. Additionally, Maryland’s proximity to Washington, D.C., gives it strong advocacy connections, helping shape aging policies at both the state and national levels.

List of Area Agencies on Aging in Maryland

Name	Phone	Address	City	ZIP Code	Base URL	Served Counties/Regions	Notes
Allegany County Department of Social Services – Aging and Disability Services	(301) 777-5970	1 Frederick St., Suite 200	Cumberland	21502	https://dhs.maryland.gov/allegany/	Allegany County	Part of the Department of Social Services
Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities	(410) 222-4257	2664 Riva Road	Annapolis	21401	https://www.aacounty.org/departments/aging-and-disabilities/	Anne Arundel County
Baltimore City Department of Aging	(410) 396-9393	201 N. Charles St., 15th Floor	Baltimore	21201	https://aging.baltimorecity.gov/	Baltimore City
Baltimore County Department of Aging	(410) 887-2594	611 Baltimore Ave.	Towson	21204	https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/departments/aging	Baltimore County
Calvert County Office on Aging	(410) 535-4606	175 Main St.	Prince Frederick	20678	https://www.calvertcountymd.gov/government/departments/community-resources/office-on-aging	Calvert County
Caroline County Department of Social Services – Aging Services	(410) 479-0843	1099 S. 4th Street, Suite 2	Denton	21629	https://dhs.maryland.gov/caroline/	Caroline County	Part of the Department of Social Services
Carroll County Bureau of Aging & Disabilities	(410) 386-3800	125 Stoner Ave.	Westminster	21157	https://ccgovernment.carr.org/departments/citizen-services/bureau-of-aging-disabilities	Carroll County
Cecil County Department of Aging	(410) 996-5295	135 E. High St.	Elkton	21921	https://www.ccgov.org/government/departments/department-of-aging	Cecil County
Charles County Department of Aging & Human Services	(301) 934-9305	1001 Business Parkway North	La Plata	20646	https://www.charlescountymd.gov/services/aging	Charles County
Dorchester County Department of Social Services – Aging Services	(410) 901-9350	201 Dorchester Ave.	Cambridge	21613	https://dhs.maryland.gov/dorchester/	Dorchester County	Part of the Department of Social Services
Frederick County Department of Aging	(301) 600-1708	1440 Rocky Ridge Drive	Frederick	21702	https://frederickcountymd.gov/departments/social-services/aging	Frederick County
Garrett County Department of Social Services – Aging Services	(301) 533-4080	1025 Garrett Highway, Suite 101	Oakland	21550	https://dhs.maryland.gov/garrett/	Garrett County	Part of the Department of Social Services
Harford County Office on Aging	(410) 638-3025	220 S. Hays St.	Bel Air	21014	https://www.harfordcountymd.gov/services/community-services/office-on-aging	Harford County
Howard County Office on Aging & Community Services	(410) 313-6000	9421 Frederick Road	Ellicott City	21042	https://www.howardcountymd.gov/Departments/Community-Resources-and-Services/Office-on-Aging-and-Community-Services	Howard County
Kent County Department of Social Services – Aging Services	(410) 778-6100	104 High St.	Chestertown	21620	https://dhs.maryland.gov/kent/	Kent County	Part of the Department of Social Services
Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services – Aging and Disability Services	(240) 777-8000	1300 Rockville Pike, 3rd Floor	Rockville	20852	https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/hhs/services/olderadults/	Montgomery County
Prince George’s County Department of Family Services – Aging Division	(301) 265-8450	8108 Old Marlboro Pike	Upper Marlboro	20772	https://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/338/Aging	Prince George’s County
Queen Anne’s County Department of Social Services – Aging Services	(410) 604-2000	200 Cockey’s Lane	Centreville	21617	https://dhs.maryland.gov/queen-annes/	Queen Anne’s County	Part of the Department of Social Services
St. Mary’s County Department of Aging & Human Services	(301) 475-4200 x71070	41770 Baldridge St., Suite 200	Leonardtown	20650	https://www.stmarysmd.com/aging/	St. Mary’s County
Somerset County Department of Social Services – Aging Services	(410) 651-1660	11928 Somerset Ave.	Princess Anne	21853	https://dhs.maryland.gov/somerset/	Somerset County	Part of the Department of Social Services
Talbot County Department of Social Services – Aging Services	(410) 822-0358	215 Bay St., Suite 3	Easton	21601	https://dhs.maryland.gov/talbot/	Talbot County	Part of the Department of Social Services
Washington County Commission on Aging	(301) 790-0275	140 W. Franklin St., Suite 202	Hagerstown	21740	https://www.washco-md.net/commission-on-aging/	Washington County
Wicomico County Department of Aging	(410) 548-4975	537 Snow Hill Road	Salisbury	21804	https://www.wicomicocounty.org/285/Aging	Wicomico County
Worcester County Department of Aging	(410) 632-1277	6090 Snow Hill Road	Snow Hill	21863	https://www.co.worcester.md.us/departments/aging-and-disability-services	Worcester County