10 Best Memory Care Facilities in Baltimore, MD

Seniors and their families typically use various methods to finance memory care expenses. For instance, Medicare and Medicaid programs can assist with health care costs, while private funding can be utilized for custodial expenses like room and board. While some individuals rely on a single financial source to fund memory care, most people combine different income streams to cover these costs.

In this section, we will explore how private payments, VA benefits, Medicaid, and Medicare can cover all or part of a senior’s memory care expenses.

Assisted living facilities that offer memory care are classed as assisted living programs (ALPs) in Maryland and are regulated and licensed by the Department of Health. Inspections occur at a minimum every 15 months. Basic assisted living requirements must be in place, including:

• The facility offers on-site nursing services provided by a registered nurse.
• Adequate staffing is available to care for residents around the clock.
• Managers are required to complete 20 hours of continuing education every two years.
• Staff assisting with personal care must undergo at least five hours of mental illness and cognitive impairment training within 90 days of employment.

Beyond these standards, facilities offering memory care services have additional guidelines to meet. Those include:

• The building must be designed to meet the needs of residents with dementia.
• Staff must be able to manage behaviors that could cause harm to other residents and must be able to monitor and manage psychological episodes that need immediate attention.

Families and seniors can access inspection reports through Maryland’s Health Care Commission search portal. Comprehensive guidelines for assisted living and memory care can be found online.

Maryland Department of Health contact information

Maryland Department of Health
201 W. Preston St.
Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone: 410-767-6500
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

COVID-19 regulations for Baltimore memory care facilities

Currently, there are no specific city or statewide regulations regarding COVID-19. Instead, seniors and families are advised to adhere to the latest guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Baltimore is a dynamic and diverse city that offers many attractions for seniors and their families who want to venture beyond their memory care community. With a thriving art scene, charming neighborhoods, and a wide array of eclectic food, Baltimore has plenty of opportunities to explore.

Safe and secure environments

Memory care facilities are designed to meet the needs of people with dementia or Alzheimer’s; this means secured entrances and exits with staff on hand to manage the side effects of these progressive diseases. The staff has specialized memory care training in 63% of A Place for Mom’s partner facilities, while 21% of communities have WanderGuard or similar systems to reduce any instances of wandering residents.

Combined care options

Of the 24 memory care facilities within 10 miles of downtown Baltimore, one is a standalone community. The rest are part of a larger assisted living community designed to allow residents to stay within the same community as their care needs evolve. Residents in combined assisted living and memory care facilities receive personalized care plans that address their specific needs and preferences, and staff works closely with residents and their families to ensure they receive the appropriate level of care and support.

Community engagement

Baltimore’s vibrant cultural scene offers numerous opportunities for seniors and their families to engage in activities appropriate for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia, including museums, theaters, art galleries, and historical landmarks. The city boasts a well-developed network of senior centers and programs, which offer social activities, educational classes, fitness programs, and support groups designed to keep seniors active, socially connected, and mentally stimulated.

Health care for seniors in Baltimore

Transportation for seniors in Baltimore

Baltimore is a compact city that’s relatively easy to get around. While most people drive, the city offers several bus and light rail routes through the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA). For friends visiting seniors in memory care, a service called the Charm City Circulator operates like a shuttle system through the central business district.

Because most seniors in memory care cannot travel alone, there are also several transit options for those who need to leave the community. MobilityLink is a shared ride door-to-door service for those unable to use the fixed MTA transit services. Riders must apply before using MobileLink, and a personal care attendant can ride with seniors unable to travel alone.

Another option is FreedomCar, a pay-as-you-go car service that will drive seniors to any appointments or errands. Similarly, Medical Assistance Transportation is available for seniors who are on Medical Assistance and need rides to medical appointments. Both offer options for those in wheelchairs.

Senior activities in Baltimore

Finding suitable activities for those with Alzheimer’s or dementia can be tricky, as it often can be influenced by mood, time of day, and the stage of the disease. Still, there are several activities families could consider when taking their loved ones out in Baltimore.

TALMAR’s Nature Memory Cafe is open on the third Friday of each month. It offers seniors, family, and friends the ability to connect with others and explore nature at the TALMAR Horticultural Center. Seniors can enjoy the garden and its wildlife, while families can connect with other people going through similar experiences. You can also find dementia-friendly events on Baltimore County’s government website, which has collaborated with Dementia Friendly Baltimore County to identify events appropriate for those with Alzheimer’s or dementia.

The National Aquarium in Baltimore is another great attraction for you and your loved one. The Aquarium’s First Saturdays and Sundays program allows guests with disabilities and their loved ones to enter half an hour before the Aquarium opens on the first Saturday and the first Sunday of each month, to ensure a leisurely visit free of crowds. Watch in wonder as thousands of aquatic creatures representing over 750 species swim in their natural habitat. The open-ocean shark tank and multiple-story Atlantic Coral Reef are two standout exhibits. The Aquarium offers an abundance of accessibility options should your loved one need them. General admission tickets cost $39.95 for seniors aged 70 and above.

Activity is often an essential part of managing memory-related health issues, so the Baltimore County Department of Aging offers a number of senior-friendly exercise programs for those who need it most. For seniors in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, aqua aerobics could be an ideal way to maintain mobility without putting pressure on the joints, while the likes of chair aerobics or tai chi may be more appropriate for others who are less mobile.

For those who want to immerse themselves in Maryland culture, a visit to the Maryland Center for History and Culture comes highly recommended. This wheelchair-accessible center has an impressive collection of over 200,000 items and artifacts, vividly portraying the story and history of life in Maryland.

If you and your loved one want to learn more about the impact Baltimore has had on the United States, be sure to visit some of the city’s historic houses. The Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum, recognized as a national historic landmark, allows visitors to enter the residence where Poe began his writing journey. Open from Thursday to Sunday, this house conveniently sits near Poe’s grave, making it a compelling destination for enthusiasts. Another iconic house worth visiting is the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House, once the home of Mary Pickersgill, the skilled seamstress who created the U.S. flag that inspired the poem on which the U.S. national anthem is based.