Build a Longevity Ecosystem
Create supportive and inclusive communities for all ages and abilities and build collective capacity at the local level.
Community planning that incorporates a longevity lens across sectors creates stronger, safer, and more inclusive places to live and work in Maryland. Coordinated support among state and local leadership will create more efficient pathways for all Marylanders to age in place.
Priority Areas:
- Cross-sector Coordination: Breaking down silos between government agencies, strengthening local leadership, and improving community cohesion across home- and community-based services can improve equity, safety, and access to resources for Marylanders that impact their ability to age in place. That is why building effective partnerships between and within residents and service providers is essential in ensuring equal access to supports across Maryland’s diverse communities. Longevity infrastructure that meets the needs of all residents must include methods for improving coordination between transportation, housing, health, workforce development, caregiving, and other important sectors.
- Justice, Equity, and Inclusion: Every Marylander deserves equal access to safeguards and services to stay connected and safe in the community—regardless of age, background, or ability. The impacts of experiencing social, health, and financial harm can be devastating to the individual, but have serious consequences for communities as well. Prioritizing inclusion of all residents will create a stronger and healthier Maryland by elevating public health, expanding economic stability, and lowering costs related to undue burdens on social services, health care, and criminal justice systems.
▶▶ Objectives and Strategies for Building a Longevity Ecosystem
Promote Economic Opportunity
Support a multigenerational workforce with opportunities for all ages and abilities while advancing Maryland’s economic competitiveness.
Longer lifespans and the growing population of older adults present both opportunities and challenges for the Maryland economy. Planning ahead to secure the roles of caregivers and older workers will lead to a stronger workforce and better quality of life for all Marylanders as we age.
Priority Areas:
- Caregiving Supports: Family caregivers are the backbone of Maryland’s care system, providing more than 360 million hours of support to loved ones of all ages. The economic contributions of caregivers are significant, yet they often experience emotional, physical, and financial hardship as a result of the important work they do. The direct care workforce is an essential resource for many Marylanders who need help, but low wages and limited career opportunities result in high turnover rates and gaps in training. As we invest in resources and policies that support caregivers of all kinds, we create opportunities for older Marylanders to age in place, avoiding the higher cost of nursing homes or institutional care, and improving the health of Marylanders across the lifespan.
- Employment for All: Perhaps the greatest opportunity longevity brings to Maryland is a multigenerational workforce. Older workers offer great value to employers, providing increased productivity and a greater diversity of skills. Working adults save more as they age, and contribute significantly to local economies. Yet older workers have difficulty finding livable employment and earn 18% less than their younger counterparts. The state’s competitiveness and economic growth depends on retaining talent of all ages in the workforce, upskilling and re-skilling workers, and developing cohesion in communities through a coordinated approach to age-inclusive employment practices.
▶▶ Objectives and Strategies for Promoting Economic Opportunity
Prepare Marylanders to Afford Longevity
Improve economic security for the 100-year lifespan through affordable housing, health care, financial literacy, and long-term support services.
As we prepare for longer lives, Maryland communities must plan ahead to secure the financial stability of a growing number of older residents. Removing systematic barriers to key programs and services will help Marylanders save money and increase generational wealth while improving local economies.
Priority Areas:
Affordable Housing: Maryland has a housing shortage of more than 96,000 homes. By 2035, 1 in 3 households will be headed by someone 65 or older. Access to housing programs and supports that meet the needs of a diverse range of older and multigenerational households will improve the ability to safely age in place, avoiding the expense associated with nursing home placement, and improving the economic security of Maryland communities.
Financial Stability: Older adults contribute significantly to the economy, providing tax revenue, creating jobs, and driving growth across many financial sectors. It’s in the best interest of all of us to help keep Marylanders in Maryland as we age. Access to financial planning resources, supports for saving money, and education that helps protect wealth will improve financial security for Maryland families and their communities.
Services and Benefits: Access to key support services can reduce costs, improve health outcomes, and keep us connected to our communities as we age. Yet systematic barriers prevent a significant amount of older adults from being aware of low- and no-cost programs they may qualify for. To ensure all Marylanders have access to benefits and services that help them save money and stay healthy and safe at home, we must adapt service delivery models that break down barriers and provide equitable access to care.
▶▶ Objectives and Strategies for Preparing Marylanders to Afford Longevity
Optimize Health, Wellness, and Mobility
Invest in programs that support healthier, more purposeful, and active lifestyles so Marylanders can enjoy longevity and reduce dependency.
Older Marylanders have a lot to look forward to. Ensuring we have access to proper nutrition, health literacy, outdoor spaces, and reliable transportation within our communities can help keep us active and socially connected throughout the lifespan.
Priority Areas:
- Access to Equitable Systems of Care: All Marylanders deserve healthy, purposeful, and active lifestyles, with access to a spectrum of community-based services and supports that promote healthy lifespans. Yet the social determinants of health that impact health and well-being vary significantly from one Maryland community to the next. Adults in lower-income and rural communities are prone to social isolation risk factors that limit their access to healthy food, medical care, physical activity, and mental health services. The result is a higher risk of developing serious disabilities and chronic health conditions earlier in life. Holistic approaches that improve health outcomes for older adults require investments in nutrition, health literacy, outdoor spaces, public health, and transportation infrastructure across all Maryland communities. Overcoming challenges in creating collaborative systems of care will require agencies and organizations to work together to identify needs at the community level and find solutions that remove perceived barriers between sectors. Health care systems, community-based service providers, and state and local governments must invest in coordinated improvements to transportation systems, community infrastructure, digital literacy programs, and nutrition services that lead to holistic person-centered care in all Maryland communities.
▶▶ Objectives and Strategies for Optimizing Health, Wellness, and Mobility
