Aging in Place Resources: Montgomery County MD

The Clock Is Already Running — And Most Montgomery County Families Don't Know It

If you're reading this because you — or a parent, spouse, or sibling — want to keep living at home as long as possible, here is the single most important thing you can do today: apply for Maryland's Community Options Waiver. Not when things get hard. Not when a hospital discharge forces your hand. Right now, while you still have time.

Maryland's primary Medicaid waiver for home and community-based care had a waitlist of 24,015 people as of January 2025. That number may be higher by the time you read this. People wait years. And the clock doesn't start ticking until you submit your application — it doesn't start ticking when you need the help.

That's the central reality of aging in place in Maryland. Everything else in this guide — the transportation options, the meal delivery programs, the home modification grants — matters enormously. But none of it is more urgent than that one action.

This guide covers the full picture for Montgomery County residents: what programs exist, who qualifies, how to access them, and what to do first. Montgomery County has more resources than most jurisdictions in Maryland — but navigating them takes knowing where to look.

Maryland Medicaid & Waiver Programs: Your Foundation for Long-Term Care at Home

For many Montgomery County families, Medicaid-funded home and community-based services are the difference between staying home and moving to a facility. The cornerstone program is the Maryland Community Options Waiver, which covers services like personal care attendants, adult day programs, home modifications, and more — for people who qualify for nursing facility level of care but choose to live at home.

What the Community Options Waiver Covers

• Personal care and assistance with daily activities
• Home health aide services
• Adult day programs
• Respite care for family caregivers
• Home modifications for accessibility
• Medical equipment and assistive technology
• Care coordination and case management

The Waitlist Reality

With over 24,000 people waiting, securing a waiver slot is not fast. But your position in the queue is determined by your application date — so every month you delay is a month added to the wait. Many families apply proactively while a loved one is still relatively independent, then receive approval right around the time care becomes necessary. That's the system working as designed.

How to Apply

Applications go through Maryland Access Point, the state's central entry point for long-term services and supports:

• 🌐 Online: marylandaccesspoint.health.maryland.gov
• 📞 Phone: 1-844-627-5465

When you call, ask specifically about the Community Options Waiver application process. A care coordinator will help assess eligibility, explain financial requirements, and walk you through next steps. Medicaid eligibility is required — if you're not currently on Medicaid, the coordinator can help determine if you qualify and assist with that application simultaneously.

Don't let uncertainty about eligibility stop you from calling. The worst that happens is you learn you don't qualify yet. The cost of waiting is measured in years.

Montgomery County DHHS Aging & Disability Services: Your Local Hub

While state programs form the financial backbone, Montgomery County's Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Aging & Disability Services is your on-the-ground partner. Whether you need help navigating the Medicaid waiver, finding an adult day program, arranging home-delivered meals, or getting caregiver support — DHHS is where most journeys begin.

What DHHS Offers

• Case management: A care coordinator helps assess needs and connects you with the right programs
• Home-delivered meals: Hot or frozen meals delivered to homebound seniors
• Caregiver support programs: Respite, counseling, and resources for family members who provide care
• Adult day programs: Structured daytime activities and supervision for seniors who need support
• Information and referral: Staff can connect you with virtually any aging service in the county
• Benefits counseling: Help navigating Medicare, Medicaid, and other benefits

The Senior Information Line is staffed by knowledgeable specialists who can answer questions, help assess needs, and make referrals. If you're not sure where to start, call this number. It's the right first call for most Montgomery County families.

Transportation: Getting Around Montgomery County Without Driving

Losing the ability to drive is one of the most isolating transitions in aging — but in Montgomery County, it doesn't have to mean losing independence. Several transportation programs serve seniors and people with disabilities, ranging from formal paratransit to community-based ride programs to services that work without a smartphone.

Ride On Extra (Paratransit)

Operated by Montgomery County, Ride On Extra is ADA-complementary paratransit service for people whose disabilities prevent them from using fixed-route buses. It provides door-to-door transportation for eligible residents.

📞 240-777-7275

Eligibility requires an application and functional assessment. If your parent or loved one has mobility challenges, cognitive impairment, or another disability affecting transit use, Ride On Extra may be an option worth pursuing.

Jewish Council for the Aging Senior Rides

The Jewish Council for the Aging (JCA) operates a volunteer driver program that serves older adults throughout the Washington metro area, including Montgomery County. Rides are available to medical appointments, grocery stores, and other essential destinations — regardless of religion or background.

• 📞 301-255-4200
• 🌐 jcagw.org

JCA's volunteer model keeps costs low or free for many riders. This is especially valuable for seniors who need transportation to ongoing medical appointments but don't qualify for paratransit.

GoGoGrandparent

GoGoGrandparent is a service that connects seniors with rideshares (Uber, Lyft) via a simple phone call — no smartphone required. A caregiver or family member can also set up rides remotely and receive notifications.

📞 1-855-464-6872

For seniors who are still relatively mobile but don't have a smartphone or family nearby to arrange transportation, GoGoGrandparent fills a critical gap. It's not free — you pay standard rideshare rates plus a service fee — but it's accessible, reliable, and easy.

Meal Delivery: Nutritious Food Delivered to the Door

For homebound seniors, getting adequate nutrition is a genuine health challenge — and an underappreciated one. Meal delivery programs address this directly, providing regular hot or frozen meals to seniors who can't easily prepare food or leave their homes.

Montgomery County DHHS Home-Delivered Meals

DHHS administers a home-delivered meals program for homebound seniors in Montgomery County. To be eligible, seniors must be unable to prepare meals or leave home for congregate dining. A case manager assessment determines eligibility and frequency of delivery.

📞 240-777-3000 (Senior Information Line)

Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland

Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland serves the greater Maryland area with home-delivered meals for seniors. Beyond nutrition, the daily delivery also provides a regular wellness check — drivers notice if something seems wrong.

📞 410-558-0664

Meals on Wheels programs typically serve anyone who is 60+ and homebound, regardless of income, though donations are appreciated. Waiting lists can vary by area, so it's worth calling both DHHS and Meals on Wheels to find the fastest route to service.

Adult Day Programs: Structure, Socialization, and Support

Adult day programs provide structured daytime activities, supervision, and often health services for older adults who benefit from a social environment and more support than they can get at home alone. For working family caregivers, these programs are often essential — they provide peace of mind during the workday while giving the senior meaningful engagement.

Montgomery County has multiple adult day programs at varying price points and service levels. A few well-regarded options:

Asbury Methodist Village Adult Day Program — Gaithersburg

Located in Gaithersburg, the Asbury Methodist Village Adult Day Program serves seniors in the northern and central parts of Montgomery County. Programs typically include social activities, therapeutic exercises, meals, and health monitoring.

Hebrew Home of Greater Washington — Rockville

The Hebrew Home of Greater Washington in Rockville is one of the region's most established senior care organizations, serving adults of all backgrounds. Their adult day services include specialized programming for individuals with dementia and other cognitive challenges.

Finding the Right Fit

The right adult day program depends on location, the individual's needs, whether they have dementia or other specific conditions, and cost. The DHHS Senior Information Line (240-777-3000) maintains a current list of licensed programs and can help match your loved one to an appropriate option. Availability changes — call for current openings.

If Medicaid is involved, ask specifically which programs accept your waiver, as reimbursement eligibility varies by provider.

Emergency Assistance: When Safety Is at Risk

Aging in place requires a safety net — for moments when a senior is in danger, experiencing abuse or neglect, or facing a mental health crisis. Montgomery County has dedicated resources for these situations.

Adult Protective Services (APS)

Montgomery County Adult Protective Services investigates reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults. If you're concerned that an older adult is being harmed — by another person or through self-neglect — APS is the right call.

📞 240-777-3000 (ask for APS when connected)

Reports can be made anonymously. APS staff can conduct wellness checks, investigate allegations, and connect at-risk adults with protective services. If you're unsure whether a situation rises to the level of APS involvement, call anyway and describe what you've observed — staff will help you assess.

After-Hours Crisis Line

For urgent situations outside of business hours:

📞 240-777-4000 (after-hours crisis)

Immediate Danger

If someone is in immediate physical danger, call 911. Don't wait to navigate agency lines when life is at risk.

Home Modification Funding: Making Your Home Work for You

One of the most effective ways to extend the time someone can safely live at home is physical modification: grab bars, ramp installations, widened doorways, roll-in showers, stair lifts. The challenge is cost — these modifications can run anywhere from a few hundred to tens of thousands of dollars. Several programs exist specifically to help Montgomery County seniors fund this work.

AgeWell Home Modification Program (Montgomery County DHHS)

Montgomery County's DHHS administers the AgeWell Home Modification Program, which provides grants or subsidized modifications for eligible seniors and people with disabilities. Modifications covered typically include accessibility improvements that allow someone to remain safely in their home.

📞 240-777-3000 (Senior Information Line — ask about AgeWell Home Modification)

Maryland DHCD Accessible Homes for Seniors

The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) operates the Accessible Homes for Seniors program, providing low-interest loans for accessibility modifications to Maryland homeowners. This is a state-level resource available to Montgomery County residents.

• 🌐 dhcd.maryland.gov
• 📞 800-756-0119

Maryland Mortgage Program — Accessibility Loans

The Maryland Mortgage Program offers accessibility loan products for homeowners needing to finance modifications. These are structured as low-interest or deferred loans tied to the home.

📞 1-800-638-7781

HUD-Approved Housing Counseling

If you're unsure which financing option makes sense for your situation, HUD-approved housing counseling agencies in Montgomery County can provide free or low-cost guidance. These counselors can review your financial situation and help identify the best path — whether that's a grant, loan, or combination.

Contact DHHS at 240-777-3000 for referrals to housing counselors serving Montgomery County.

When modifications are funded and ready, finding qualified contractors matters. See our contractor directory for vetted professionals experienced in aging-in-place modifications.

Next Steps: What to Do This Week

The programs in this guide can take weeks to months to access — and some (like the Medicaid waiver) take years. That's not a reason to feel overwhelmed. It's a reason to start now, while you have time to make thoughtful decisions rather than reactive ones.

Here's a practical sequence:

1. Apply for the Community Options Waiver — even if you don't need it yet. Call Maryland Access Point at 1-844-627-5465 or go to marylandaccesspoint.health.maryland.gov.
2. Call the DHHS Senior Information Line at 240-777-3000 for a needs assessment and local program referrals.
3. Assess your home for modification needs. Consider what would need to change if mobility became limited — bathrooms, entryways, kitchen. Then explore funding options through AgeWell and DHCD.
4. Explore transportation options now, before a crisis. Knowing what's available means faster action when needed.
5. Talk to your family. Aging-in-place plans work best when family caregivers are informed and aligned.

Information in this guide was current as of early 2025. Program availability, phone numbers, and waitlist figures may change. Always confirm current details directly with the agencies listed.