Consumer Information
An Assisted Living Program (ALP) is a housing option for people with disabilities or for adults who cannot live independently. Assisted living programs offer a wide variety of options, levels of care, and diversity of services. They may provide assistance with meal preparation, household chores, managing medications, and dressing or bathing. People who live in assisted living programs generally have less complicated health and assistance needs than people in nursing homes. This housing option enables seniors to remain in a home-like setting in their communities and promotes their independence and dignity.
Not all assisted living residences are the same, and different residents will have different needs. Programs may range from a small home with two residents to larger facilities with 100 or more units. Selecting an assisted living program that fits your needs is an important and personal decision.
Consumer Resources
OHCQ Licensee Directory: Contains a complete list of all licensed assisted living programs in Maryland. For an interactive map of all licensed assisted living facilities, visit the Maryland Licensed Assisted Living Map.
MHCC Assisted Living Services: The Maryland Health Care Commission has useful information about assisted living programs with 10 or more beds to help you choose an assisted living program that is right for you or your loved one. You can find contact information, rates, available services, and survey reports from the Office of Health Care Quality.
Maryland Guide to Assisted Living Facilities: The Maryland Health Care Commission's guide provides useful information to help consumers choose an assisted living facility.
Assisted Living in Maryland: What You Need to Know: The Maryland Department of Aging guide provides important information for consumers.
Assisted Living Provider Service Disclosure Form: Each assisted living provider is required by Maryland law to make available, upon request, a completed copy of the Maryland Assisted Living Program Uniform Disclosure Statement. The disclosure statement gives prospective residents and their families consistent categories of information, like staffing, services, and fees, from which to make an informed selection. If an Assisted Living Program fails to provide a completed Disclosure Statement to you with its marketing materials or upon your request, please contact OHCQ.
Assisted Living Programs - Level of Care
Level 1 (Low) refers to a resident needing occasional assistance or support in one or more personal care or health related areas. For example: help getting to physician or clinic visits, reminders to take medications, some assistance with activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, moving around), performing simple medical treatments, managing occasional behavioral changes, or assistance engaging in social or recreational activities.
Level 2 (Moderate) refers to a resident needing great (substantial) assistance or support in one or more personal care or health related areas. For example: getting to physician or clinic visits, reminders to take medications, performing activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, moving around), performing needed medical treatments, managing behavioral changes, or engaging in social or recreational activities.
Level 3 (High) refers to a resident needing extensive and frequent help to ensure that several personal or health related areas are maintained. For example: ensuring physician or clinic visits, administering medications, performing activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, moving around), performing needed medical treatments, managing frequent behavioral changes, or ensuring social or recreational activities.
Assisted Living Referrers
Maryland law requires all referrers to assisted living programs to register with the Office of Health Care Quality. A referrer is an individual or agency that makes referrals to assisted living (AL) programs without cost to the person receiving the referral and is compensated by an AL program or other third party for referring individuals to a licensed AL program. The list of registered referrers is under the OHCQ Licensee Directories. For more information, visit the Assisted Living Referrers webpage.
