Maryland Department of Aging News

Maryland General Assembly Protects Senior Care and Dementia Grant Funding in Final Budget Decisions

The Maryland Department of Aging confirms that the General Assembly has rejected the Department of Legislative Services' proposed $2.5 million reduction in Senior Care funding for the state's 2025 fiscal year. As a result, there will be no cuts to Senior Care funds in the FY2025 budget.

Additionally, the General Assembly has restored Long-Term Care and Dementia Navigation program funding to its statutorily mandated level of $2.4 million per year beginning in fiscal year 2026 and beyond.

These decisions came yesterday during the General Assembly's final actions on the state's annual Budget Bill and Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act (BRFA).

Passage of Key Bills Enhances Efficient and Effective Support for Maryland's Older Adults in Alignment with Longevity Ready Maryland

The Maryland Department of Aging (MDOA) has made strides in modernizing state-funded programs for older Marylanders with the passage of three key state bills. These legislative achievements align with Longevity Ready Maryland, our state's multisector plan for aging designed to meet the evolving needs of our aging population, ensuring services promote independence, wellness, and equitable access.

MDOA’s program consolidation and modernization bill (Department of Aging - Aging Services - Program Repeal and Consolidation, SB 212, HB 36) consolidates three state-funded programs administered by MDOA: the Senior Care program, the Senior Assisted Living Subsidy program, and the Congregate Housing Services program. Collectively, these programs provide $21 million annually for in-home and community support services aimed at delaying or preventing institutional care, enabling older Marylanders to live safely at home. This consolidation expands access to vital services by streamlining processes, reducing administrative burdens, and creating efficiencies.

The MDOA Senior Call-Check and Social Connections expansion bill (SB 223, HB 158) enhances the existing Senior Call Check service, transforming it into the Senior Call-Check and Social Connections Program. Key updates include expanding the age eligibility from 65 to 60, broadening communication methods to boost program participation, and ensuring services are accessible and integrated with Telecommunications Access of Maryland (TAM). These changes aim to foster meaningful social engagement and reduce social isolation—an issue closely associated with various physical and mental health challenges.

MDOA was also pleased to partner with the Department of Human Services (DHS) and legislative leaders Senator Cory McCray and Delegate Emily Shetty to pass HB538 and SB445 - Department of Human Services - Federal Commodities Supplemental Food Program - Administration. This bill transfers responsibility for administering the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Commodities Supplemental Food Program from MDOA to DHS. Prior to the session, MDOA and DHS agreed that this critical federal food program for older adults should be managed by DHS as it aligns more closely with the current DHS-administered food and family support benefits.