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About the Maryland Commission on Aging 

The Maryland Commission on Aging operates under statutory authority (Human Services § 10–208) and was modernized by the Longevity Ready Maryland (LRM) Act (Senate Bill 113/House Bill 278, 2026). The Commission is responsible for reviewing and advising the Maryland Department of Aging and its partners on the Longevity Ready Maryland Plan, providing insight into the legislative, policy, and systems changes that could assist with implementation of the plan, and recommending updates to current and future plans.

The Commission consists of 21 members, representing legislators, Area Agencies on Aging, community members, advocates, veterans, and experts in aging in the disciplines of healthcare, technology, academia, innovation, consumer protection, and the private sector and philanthropy. 

Learn more from the Governor’s Appointments Office on ways to participate in any of Maryland’s commissions or boards. 

Click here to learn more about the Commission members.

Meeting Information

Next Meeting: 

• To be announced

MDOA Contact

Please fill out the Maryland Commission on Aging Interest Form to request meeting minutes or information about the Commission. 

Empowering Nursing Homes to Strengthening Resident Safety

Join us for critical training intended to equip nursing home staff with the knowledge and resources needed to protect their most vulnerable residents.

By fostering cross-sector communication and outlining effective referral processes, this workshop aims to strengthen the safety net for vulnerable residents and improve collaborative responses between facilities, state agencies, and ombudsman programs to improve resident outcomes.

2026 News and Information

If you're interested in accessing archived press releases or editorials, please contact Colleen Doyle at [email protected].

Maryland Equips is a Technology First Program

Maryland Equips is a state partnership-driven campaign with the goal of providing free medical, mobility, or assistive technology equipment to every resident who needs it. It's intention is to help Marylanders of any age, disability, illness, or injury to remain safer at home and connected to their communities.

​​It is a joint initiative committed to the Technology First framework, which aims to lead with innovation first when exploring options to empower Marylanders to live, work, and play in their communities with greater independence, self-determination, social inclusion, and enhanced quality of life.

If you are a nonprofit o​​​r government agency interested in participating in Maryland Equips, email Colleen Doyle at [email protected]​​​.​

​Older Marylanders

For services and supports for older Marylanders, ple​ase contact Maryland Access Point.

• Phone: 1-844-MAP-LINK (1-844-627-5465), or dial 211
  Website: marylandaccesspoint.211md.org​​

Local Communities

Connect with your district's Area Agency on Aging for support at the local level. 

Administrative Inquiries

For administrative inquiries, please contact the Maryland Department of Aging.

• Address: 36 S Charles St, 12th Floor, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
  Phone: (410) 767-1100 or (800) 243-3425
  Fax: (410) 333-7943

Representation Requests

I​f you ​would like Secretary Carmel Roques or another member of our team to attend or speak at an even​t, please fill out the Sche​​​duling Request Form​.​

Letters of Support 

A Request for Letter of Support will be considered for Maryland institutions of higher education and state agencies only. 

FY27 Aging-in-P​​lace Notice of Funding Opportunity​

Application Deadline: June 1st!

Don’t miss this funding opportunity intended to enable low-income older Marylanders who face declining health and social isolation to live in their homes and participate in their communities safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age or ability.

Community-based organizations and Area Agencies on Aging that provide essential programming, service coordination, and support within high-need areas are encouraged to apply.​​

• Information Session: Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 10am-11am EST
• Final Day to Submit Questions: Monday, May 25th, 2026, at 2:00pm EST
• Application Closing Date: Monday, June 1, 2026, at 5:00pm EST​

Make an Impact in the Lives of Older Adults

Search Employment Opportunities

The Maryland Department of Aging (MDOA) offers full-time, part-ti​me, contractual, and internship opportunities. Our family-friendly policies provide the support and flexibility you need at work and at home. Benefits include a generous leave package, medical coverage, healthcare and dependent daycare flexible spending accounts, participation in a contributory defined benefit pension plan, ​two supplemental retirement plans, and flexible work schedules. 

Apply for an Internship

An internship with MDOA is a perfect way to connect what you're learning in school to the real work of serving older adults and their families. In addition to gaining valuable hands-on experience, you’ll meet dedicated public servants and leaders in the field of aging who can become mentors. You will see firsthand how a state agency works to make a difference in the community. By the end, you’ll walk away with more confidence, a clearer career path, and the satisfaction of knowing you've had a positive impact on the lives of older Marylanders, care providers, and their families.

Volunteer Opportunities 

Volunteers play a vital role in enhancing the quality of life for Maryland’s older population while developing essential career-building skills in communications, problem-solving, teamwork, and program coordination. ​​The benefits of volunteering go beyond the good feeling that comes from helping others, offering a chance to make new friends and put your skills to work. There are several ways to volunteer for MDOA:

• ​State Health Insurance Assistance Program​​ (SHIP), and  Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP): SHIP volunteers are trained to provide unbiased, confidential counseling to help older adults make informed decisions about Medicare enrollment and ​benefits. SMP volunteers help Medicare beneficiaries prevent, detect, and report health care fraud, errors, and abuse. ​If interested, fill out the SHIP and SMP Volunteer Interest Form.

Carmel Roques, Secretary 

Carmel Roques has been actively engaged in improving the lives of older Marylanders, their families, and care providers for over 40 years. Appointed by Governor Wes Moore in 2023, her tenure as Cabinet Secretary of the Maryland Department of Aging (MDOA) is notable for the transformative 2025 launch of the state’s first multisector plan for aging, Longevity Ready Maryland (LRM), and the subsequent passage of the LRM Act in 2026—landmark legislation that addresses the impact of living longer as individuals and as a rapidly aging state.

Under Secretary Roques’ leadership, MDOA has begun implementing the Longevity Ready framework through an all-of-government, multisector, multi-generational approach: repositioning the Department to lead the state’s efforts to be prepared for longer lives and to represent the interests of older people by advocating for policy, systems, and institutional changes across all levels of government and the private sector.

A recognized expert in dementia, palliative care, and community health, Secretary Roques’ distinguished career includes leadership roles in the nonprofit aging services sector and philanthropy. She is deeply committed to community service and has served on the boards of Maryland Humanities, The Village Learning Place, and the Friends and Foundation of Howard County Library. She currently serves on the Visioning Committee for the National Bureau of Economic Research Coordinating Center on the Economics of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias. 

Secretary Roques’ contributions have earned consistent acclaim from The Daily Record, which has recognized her as one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women, a Top CEO, and an Influential Leader in Health Care. Secretary Roques holds a Master of Arts from the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration and a Bachelor of Arts from Mills College in Oakland, California. She resides in Columbia, Maryland.

Jennifer Crawley, Deputy Secretary  

Jennifer Crawley, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Aging, brings to the department 25 years of combined experience in local government and the private healthcare industry, including program administration, population health, patient advocacy, building and facilitating collaborations, stakeholder engagement, care coordination, and leading cross-functional teams.

Prior to joining the Department as the Director of Multisector Planning for Aging, Jenna served as the Area Agency on Aging Administrator for Howard County, where she oversaw programs and services for older adults, caregivers, and individuals living with disabilities, including establishing and directing pandemic response services and initiating Howard County Age-Friendly.

Before serving in Howard County, Crawley oversaw daily operations of Medicaid home and community-based long-term care services for the District of Columbia Department of Healthcare Finance and was the Chief Social Worker for a home-based primary medical care team. Crawley earned her Master of Social Work from the University of Maryland, Baltimore and her Bachelor of Science in Family Studies from UMD, College Park.
 

What is ​​the Older Americans Act?

The Older Americans Act (OAA), originally passed in 1965, is a foundational federal law that supports a​ wide range of home- and community-based servi​c​​es for older adults across the country. The Maryland Department of Aging (MDOA) receives OAA funding to guide the development and allocation of essential supports and services throughout the state, including home-delivered and congregate meals, caregiver support, transportation, health and wellness initiatives, and protection against elder abuse administered by local Area Agencies on Aging and community organizations.

“There’s a lot of things I can’t do that you automatically do every single day. These are things you take for granted until you cannot do them … The aide that helps me, I think she’s wonderful! If they stopped tomorrow, I don't know ​what I would do."​   ~Glenda

OAA's Impact in Maryland

• ​​​Nutrition Services: Over 8,000 older Marylanders receive home-delivered meals each day. An addit​io​nal 3,400 receive meals in a community setting. More than 3 million meals are served each year to older Marylanders.
• Caregiver Support: More than 100,000 caregivers​ receive short-term respite care, adult day care services, transportation assistance, and other supports each year. More than 107,000 older Marylanders receive care services.
• Senior Center Programs: M​ore than 50,000 Marylanders participate in health promotion programs like exercise, chronic disease prevention classes, and immunization clinics, many of which take place at Maryland’s 117 Senior Centers.
• In-Home Personal Care: Older Marylanders receive more than 20,000 units of support each year with chores and activities of daily living to help them live safely in their homes and communities.
• Long-Term Care Support: Ombudsmen visit Maryland’s 1,850 assisted living and nursing homes nearly 7,000 times each year, resolving approximately 3,300 complaints from residents.
• Transportation Services: More than 125,000 rides are provided each year to older adults who need help getting to medical appointments and running other important errands. Another 886 people receive other forms of transportation assistance.

Resources

• Access services provided by OAA funding:​ Maryland Access Point is your portal to finding out what programs and services you may be eligible for. ​​​​
• ​Share your OAA Story: Help support OAA funding for years to come by telling us how the OAA has made an impact in your life, or the life of someone you know. 
• The Older Americans Act in Maryland: - PDF - 1.24 MB Let others know how important OAA funding is for Maryland communities by downloading and sharing a flyer about OAA's impact in Maryland. ​

Evaluating Progress Made in Nursing Home and Assisted Living Care

The Oversight Committee on Quality of Care in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities is dedicated to improving the quality of nursing home and assisted-living care statewide.

From the Maryland Department of Health, the Deputy Secretary of Health Care Financing reports annually to the Committee on the status of the Medicaid Nursing Home Reimbursement System. Also, annually, the Office of Health Care Quality in the Maryland Department of Health reports to the Committee on the status of quality of care in nursing homes. As the Committee reviews these reports, it develops further proposals on how to improve nursing home and assisted-living facility care (Code Health-General Article, sec. 19-1409​).

In addition to its original charge, the Committee also may consider staff training and development; the rights of residents; data on resident satisfaction; resident assessments; resident care planning; monitoring of residents; and the change of resident status (Chapter 473, Acts of 2018 - PDF). Further, the Committee may review legislation and proposed regulations that may affect nursing home and assisted living facility care, and make recommendations both to the General Assembly and the Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review.

​Next Meeting:

Date: Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Time: 12:30-2:30pm
Download the Agenda - DOCX - 76.4 KB
Google Meet video call link: meet.google.com/cec-trhw-ipr ​
Or dial: (‪US‬)  ‪1+319-382-9770     PIN: 123 823 776#

Members:

• CHAIR: Karrie Craig, State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, Department of Aging
• Heather Reed, Secretary, Department of Health
• Tia Witherspoon, Office of Health Care Quality
• Stefani O’Dea, Behavioral Health Administration
• Greg Sesek, Department of Human Services
• Kristen Bosak, Department of Disabilities
• Honorable Pamela Beidle
• Honorable Justin Ready
• Delegate Lesley Lopez
• Delegate Tiffany T. Alston
• Heang Tan, Area Agency on Aging
• Gail Gannon, Local Ombudsman
• Kathryn Graning, Mid-Atlantic Lifespan
• Molly Kirsch, Hospice Network
• Amanda Wright, Maryland Hospital Association
• Claudia Balog, 1199 SEIU, United Health Workers East
• Sara Westrick, Maryland Chapter, AARP
• Virginia Crespo, United Seniors of Maryland
• Anne Geddes, Mental Health Association of Maryland
• Megan Peters, Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Maryland Chapter
• Regina Figueroa, LeadingAge of Maryland
• Karin Lakin, Maryland Association of Adult Day Services
• Marcy Hunter, Assisted Living (10+ Residents) Representative
• Beverly Mlynar, Consumer Representative
• Joanne L. Smikle, Consumer Representative
• Alan L. Breitler, Consumer Representatives

For more information, minutes and, annual reports, please contact: Lisa O'Connor at 410-767-1085, ​​[email protected].

​​The Maryland Public Information Act (“PIA”) laws can be found in the Annotated Code of Maryland, General Provisions Article §§ 4-101 to 4-601. General information and frequently asked questions about the PIA can be found on the website of the Maryland Office of the Attorney General​. 

If you wish to request public records from the Maryland Department of Aging, please submit a request in writing to:

Andrea H. Nunez
Legislative Director and PIA Representative
Maryland Department of Aging
36 South Charles Street, 12th Floor
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
Phone: (443) 414-8183 (direct)
(410) 767-1100 (main)
Email address: [email protected]

In your written request, please be as detailed as possible in describing the type of MDOA records you are seeking, and include the dates of the records, e.g., a range of months or years.

Studying the Impact of State Policy on End-of-Life Care

The State Advisory Council on Serious Illness Care​ was created in October 2002 under Sections 13-1601 through 13-1604 of the Health-General Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The Council studies the impact of State statutes, regulations, policies, and other aspects of public policy on providing care to the dying. The Council monitors trends in the provision of care to patients with life-limiting illnesses and participates in public and professional educational efforts concerning the care of the dying. The Council also advises the General Assembly, Office of Attorney General, Department of Aging, and the Department of Health on matters related to the provision of care at the end of life.​​

Download the 2025 Annual Report - DOCX - 30.95 KB

Meeting Schedule

• April 2026
• May 18
  • State Advisory Council on Serious Illness Care Meeting Agenda - PDF - 170 KB
  • Meeting Minutes - PDF - 280.88 KB
• June 29th: 2:30-3:30
  • Meeting Link: meet.google.com/faq-scey-hot
  • Meeting Agenda - PDF - 115.78 KB
  • Call-in Number: 1+575-914-6110
  • PIN: ‪810 354 264#‬
• July - No Meeting
• August - No Meeting
• September 14
• October 26​
• December 14

For more information and minutes, please contact: Lisa O'Connor at 410-767-1085, ​​[email protected].

Reports and Correspondence​​

On December 1, 2020, the Council (under its original name) submitted a report to the General Assembly with recommendations for increasing the use of advance directives, including electronic advance directives. As stated in the report, the Council recommends:

1. Requiring, encouraging, or incentivizing insurance companies to offer digital advance care planning as a covered benefit;
2. Embedding advanced care planning into health system workflows with a particular sensitivity to underserved communities;
3. Making it easier to complete, upload, and retrieve electronic advance directives;
4. Encouraging persons to complete advance directives through supporting existing public awareness campaigns and promoting National Healthcare Decisions Day in Maryland; and
5. Giving the Maryland Health Care Commission the authority to direct advance care planning policies amongst all stakeholder groups, including the Chesapeake Regional Information System for our Patients (CRISP), payers, providers, and citizens. 

Health​ Care Decisions

The Council has worked with stakeholders and state agencies on important issues impacting the end of life and serious illness care. On the Maryland Department of Health's Advance Directive Program website, you will find helpful information regarding advance directives, legal and policy issues, and resources for individuals and health care providers. The site also includes a wallet card to inform health care providers of the existence of an advance directive. In addition, the site features useful links to w​ebsites containing information relevant to care at the end of life, including details on the Maryland Health Care Decisions Act.​ ​

Ethical Framework

The decision-making process that leads to excellent care should not be a lucky happenstance. Instead, its component steps should be identified, reflected in pertinent policies, and carried out routinely. To assist health care facilities with this important work, and after extensive consultation, the State Advisory Council on Serious Illness has issued an Ethical Framework for decision making. Principally written by Dr. Steven Levenson and endorsed unanimously by the Council, it identifies the steps for not only complying with the Maryland Health Care Decisions Act​ but also gives practical meaning to the ethical principles that underlie the Act. The Council recommends all health care facilities and programs utilize the Ethical Framework (adapted as appropriate to the particular setting) in their staff training, policy documents, and routine clinical practice, when appropriate.

Longevity Ready Maryland

The Maryland Department of Aging (MDOA) is pleased to present its State Plan on Aging in accordance with the Older Americans Act of 1965* for federal fiscal years 2026-2029. Longevity Ready Maryland (LRM) is the first of its kind in the nation, where a four-year State Plan on Aging is integrated with a ten-year Multisector Plan for Aging, setting Maryland apart from other states. It outlines four Epic Goals in eight priority areas that define short, mid, and long-term outcomes that will help pave the way for a Longevity Ready Maryland. 

We are pleased to partner with a dynamic network of 19 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) to provide the local infrastructure needed to implement the plan, and invite you to download the LRM Multisector Plan for Aging - PDF - 8.94 MB to participate in its success. 

The Maryland Department of Aging is also required to prepare an LRM Annual Report - PDF - 1.5 MB each year. Our first was issued on December 31, 2025.

*In accordance with the Older Americans Act of 1965, the Maryland Department of Aging is required to develop and implement a State Plan on Aging to provide a framework for programs, activities, and services for older adults. The current state plan is in effect October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2029. ​

Maryland's Village Model Directory

At Home Chesapeake

• Severna Park in Anne Arundel County
• athomechesapeake.clubexpress.com
• [email protected]

Baltimore Association of Nepalese in America

• Nepali Speaking Community in Baltimore
• banaonline.org
• [email protected]

Bannockburn Neighbors Assisting Neighbors
 

• Bethesda in Montgomery County
• Bannockburncommunity.org
• [email protected]

Bethesda Metro Area Village

• Bethesda Metro Area in Montgomery County
• bmavillage.org
• [email protected]

Bradley Hills Village

• Bethesda in Montgomery County
• bhv.clubexpress.com
• [email protected]

Burning Tree Village

• Bethesda in Montgomery County
• burningtreevillage.org
• [email protected]

Cabin John

• Bethesda in Montgomery County
• cabinjohn.org

Cheverly Village

• Cheverly in Prince George's County
• cheverlyvillage.org
• [email protected]

Chevy Chase At Home

• Chevy Chase in Montgomery County
• chevychaseathome.org
• [email protected]

Chinese American Parent Association of the Baltimore Community (CAPA-BC)

• The Greater Baltimore Area in Baltimore County and Baltimore City
• capabc.org
• [email protected]

Friendship Heights Neighbors Network

• Friendship Heights in Washington DC
• fhneighbors.org
• [email protected]

City of Rockville Villages

• Rockville in Montgomery County
• rockvillemd.gov/2008/Rockville-Villages
• [email protected]

City of Rockville VSN (RAVE)

• Rockville in Montgomery County
• villagesupportnetwork.org
• [email protected]

Community Connect Calvert Hills (CCC)

• College Park in Prince George's County
• [email protected]

East County Village Seniors, Inc.

• Eastern Montgomery County
• ecvillageseniors65plus.org
• [email protected]

Elimu Community Village

• Middle River / Essex in Baltimore County
• [email protected]

FELD West End Village

• Rockville City’s Great Falls Area in Montgomery County
• [email protected]

Friendship Heights Neighbors Network

• Friendship Heights in Washington DC
• [email protected]​

Golden Age Village

• Baltimore County
• isb.org/programs/golden-age-committee/
• [email protected]

Greater Olney Go Rides / Olney Home for Life (OHFL)

• Olney, Sandy Spring, Brinklow, Brookeville, and Ashton in Montgomery County
• gorides.org
• [email protected]

Greater Stonegate Village

• Silver Spring in Montgomery County
• stonegate.clubexpress.com
• [email protected]

Helping Hands University Park

• University Park in Prince George's County
• upmd.org/189/Helping-Hands-UP-Committee
• [email protected]

HomePorts

• Kent County
• homeports.org
• [email protected]

Hyattsville Aging in Place

• Hyattsville in Prince George's County
• hyattsvilleaginginplace.org
• [email protected]

King Farm Neighbors Village

• King Farm, Rockville in Montgomery County
• kfnv.org
• [email protected]

Leisure World

• Silver Spring in Montgomery County
• [email protected]​

Little Falls Village

• Little Falls, Bethesda in Montgomery County
• littlefallsvillage.org
• [email protected]

​Long Branch Village Initiative​

• Silver Spring in Montgomery County
• [email protected]

Manor Connections

• Manor Park in Washington DC
• manorconnections.org
• [email protected]

Mill Creek Village, Inc.

• Derwood in Montgomery County
• millcreekvillage.org
• [email protected]
• 240-686-5870

Mo-Co Mid-County Village

• Middle Montgomery County
• meetup.com/moco-mid-county-village-20906-aging-in-place-supp/
• [email protected]

Montgomery County Village Consortium

• Montgomery County
• mocovillages.org
• [email protected]

Muslim Community Center

• Silver Spring in Montgomery County
• mccmd.org
• [email protected]

Neighborhood Companions Inc.

• Turner Station in Baltimore County
• neighborhoodcompanions.org
• [email protected]

Neighbors Helping Neighbors of College Park

• College Park in Prince George's County
• NHN-CP.org
• [email protected]

North Bethesda Village

• North Bethesda in Montgomery County
• northbethesdavillage.org
• [email protected]

North Chevy Chase Connections

• North Chevy Chase in Montgomery County
• northchevychaseconnections.org
• [email protected]

Northwest Neighbors Connecting

• North Baltimore (Cheswolde, Glen, Cross Country, Fallstaff, Mt. Washington, Pikesville, and beyond) in Baltimore City and Baltimore County
• nnc.clubexpress.com​
• [email protected]

Parkside Village

• Bethesda in Montgomery County
• parksidevillagemd.org
• [email protected]

Potomac Community Village

• Potomac in Montgomery County
• potomaccommunityvillage.org
• [email protected]
• 240-221-1370

Prathertown Community Development Corporation

• Gaithersburg in Montgomery County
• www.prathertown.org
• [email protected]

Queen Anne’s at Home

• Queen Anne’s County
• queenannesathome.org
• [email protected]

Rockville Town Center Village

• Rockville in Montgomery County
• rockvilletowncentervillage.org
• [email protected]

Silver Spring Village

• Silver Spring in Montgomery County
• silverspringvillage.org
• [email protected]
• 240-833-5580

Somerset Helping Hand Senior Village

• Somerset County
• townofsomerset.com/about_us/
  helping_hand.php

Strathmore Bel Pre Village

• Strathmore at Bel Pre in Montgomery County
• [email protected]

Tamarack Triangle Village

• Tamarack Triangle, Silver Spring in Montgomery County
• tamaracktrianglevillage.org
• t[email protected]

The Village in Howard

• Howard County
• thevillageinhoward.org
• [email protected]

Village at Kentlands & Lakelands

• Gaithersburg in Montgomery County
• villagekentlandslakelands.org
• [email protected]

Village of Takoma Park

• Takoma Park in Montgomery County
• villageoftakomapark.com
• [email protected]

Villages of Kensington

• Kensington in Montgomery County
• villagesofkensingtonmd.org
• [email protected]

Village Support Network (VSN)

• Montgomery County
• villagesupportnetwork.org
• [email protected]

West Rockville Connects Village

• College Gardens, Haiti, Plymouth Woods, Regents Square condos and Woodley Gardens Coop, Welsh Park (including College Square), West End (including Rose Hill Falls), Monument Park, and Woodley Gardens in Montgomery County
• westrockvilleconnects.org
• [email protected]

Wyngate & Maplewood Neighbors Helping Neighbors

• Wyngate & Maplewood Communities of Bethesda in Montgomery County
• wmnhn.org
• [email protected]
• [email protected]

Program Information

Senior Call Check and Social Connections (Program) is a free service that provides automated check-ins to program participants (Participants) by telephone. Participants are prompted to respond to the check-in by pushing a button on their phone. If there is no response to the prompt, the Program will send up to two more additional check-ins before calling the Participant’s chosen alternate contact (Alternate). If the Alternate answers the phone or the call goes to voicemail the call will be deemed a successful contact. If the Alternate cannot be reached, a Program representative will place a live call to the Participant (first) and Alternate (second) before notifying local nonemergency services to request a welfare check. See the No Alternate Chosen section below for additional information on what happens if the Participant has not chosen an Alternate. For additional program information, visit seniorcallcheck.maryland.gov

Eligibility Requirements

Maryland residents age 60 and older who have a landline or cell phone (TTY is available) are eligible to be Participants in the Program.

Alternates should be reliable adults who understand their role and agree to participate. They should also have a reliable phone connection.

No Alternate Chosen

If a Participant cannot assign a suitable Alternate, a third-party contractor of the Program will place one live call to the Participant. If the Participant does not respond, the contractor will notify local nonemergency services to request a welfare check.

Verification Process

Participants will be notified when they are accepted in the Program and informed when the daily call checks will begin.

If an application is denied, the applicant will be informed why. 

Additional information may be collected during the verification process to assist local nonemergency services if they are needed to respond to a welfare check request. Providing this additional information is optional, and may include vehicle information, notable health conditions, and contact information of others who have access to the Participant’s home.

Suspending or Cancelling Services

Participants can temporarily suspend check-in services for up to 30 consecutive days, or cancel services entirely by calling 1-866-502-0560. Please allow between 2-7 business days to process the request. 

Senior Call Check Live

This optional service includes weekly live calls from Program representatives who provide a more personal check-in experience through a brief conversation. If the Participant declines the call, no alert is triggered and no further action is taken.

Rules and Standards 

In order to participate in the Program, a Participant must agree to the following rules and standards. The Program may terminate a Participant’s enrollment for misuse of the service, or for failure to follow any of the Terms and Conditions.

• Application Procedures: Participants must apply on their own behalf, and cannot be enrolled by another person.
• Call Blocking Features: Participants and Alternates must not have call blocking features engaged that would prevent automated or live calls from being received.
• Notifications: Participants must notify Alternates and household members of their participation in the Program, and inform them of the Terms and Conditions.
• Accurate Information: Participants must provide accurate information and update the Program promptly if there are any changes. Participants understand that changes may take three business days to take effect.
• Consent to Distribution of Information: Participant consents to the Program sharing such Participant’s information for the purpose of providing the Program’s service. Participant agrees and acknowledges that the Program, an Alternate, any Program contractor, grantee, or other agent , nonemergency services, or any other party deemed reasonable by the Program in order to provide the Program’s service, may receive information provided by Participant to the Program.
• Consent to Recording: Participant understands that live calls to and with Program representatives may be recorded, and Participant consents to such recording.

Limited Responsibility Statement

• The Program’s only responsibility is to make calls or texts as described above.
• The Program is not a substitute for live operator assistance, 911, a duress signal, panic switch, or medical or life alert system.
• The Program does not guarantee that any emergency service or law enforcement agency will check on a Participant or that any welfare check will be made.
• Participant understands and acknowledges that: (a) the Program is not responsible for the actions or availability of the Alternate; (b) the Alternate is not an agent or other representative of the Program; and (c) no Program representatives will ever conduct site visits, even during an emergency.
• The Program is not responsible if someone other than the Participant responds to a prompt or answers a phone call.
• The Program is not an insurer and provides no guarantees against loss or injury.
• The Program is not responsible for false alarms or related fines, or any liability related to police response(s) including, but not limited to, personal injury, property damage, or the refusal of the police to respond.
• The Program is not responsible for device, provider service, or power outages that result in the loss of phone service.
• Participant acknowledges that the Program is authorized to engage with third parties (through contract, grant, or otherwise) to provide any services provided by the Program, and the Program is not liable for any loss, damage, or injury caused by such third parties.

Providing Community-Based Supports and Services for Older Adults

In Maryland's twenty-three counties and Baltimore City, each local governing body designates an Area Agency on Aging or AAA to provide a variety of adult services, incorporating assisted living, protective services, and temporary disability programs, as well as health, wellness, and other programs that support community living. 

For more information about the roles and responsibilities of AAAs, visit the Administration for Community Living's Area Agencies on Aging webpage. For information about the programs and services your local AAA provides, reach out to the AAA in your jurisdiction.

The Maryland Department of Aging has released its bi-annual eligibility update and income criteria chart - PDF - 420.58 KB for Federal and State programs benefiting older adults and adults with disabilities, now available for download.

Jean C. Accius

One of the nation's leading voices on aging, longevity, and health, Dr. Accius is President and CEO of Creating Healthier Communities (CHC). For more than 25 years, he has driven systemic change across business, government, and the nonprofit sectors, working to ensure every person can live longer, healthier, and more productive lives. As President and CEO of CHC, Dr. Accius leads a national network of 650+ businesses and 5,000 nonprofits that reach 17 million employees and families. Under his leadership, CHC was named a 2026 Real Leaders Top Impact Company. At AARP, as Senior Vice President of International Affairs and Global Thought Leadership, he led the Longevity Economy research that reframed older adults as a powerful economic force. He championed Growing with Age, recognized among Fast Company's World Changing Ideas, and served on AARP's $4.7 billion Investment Committee. Earlier, he was a senior policy leader at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. He has convened global leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos and the United Nations, and his insights appear in The New York Times, TIME, and Forbes.

Dr. Accius is a 2026 graduate of the bipartisan Presidential Leadership Scholars program, a 2025 Baldrige Executive Fellow, a Next Avenue Influencer in Aging, a two-time Influential Marylander, and a recipient of the 2024 President's Lifetime Achievement Award. He serves as Vice Chair of Strathmore, as a Trustee of the Archstone Foundation, and on the boards of Justice in Aging and Jack's Caregiver Coalition. He holds a Ph.D. from American University.

Mae Beale

A well-known community advocate, Mae Beale, stays busy. She regularly serves on state and local boards, including the Restaurant Association of Maryland, the Howard County Tourism Council, the Columbia Festival of the Arts, and the Columbia Bright Minds Association. Beale is also a tireless volunteer and an avid supporter of countless community organizations and causes. She believes that if you take care of the community, it will take care of the people within it. Beale's contributions have not gone unnoticed, in 2016, she was inducted into the Howard County Women's Hall of Fame. Beale has also owned and operated an event planning and catering business. During that time, she decided to return to college and earned her bachelor's degree in business management from the University of Maryland Global Campus. She credits her husband and son for supporting her throughout the years. While her husband passed away several years ago, her son remains one of her biggest supporters. 

Paula Blackwell

Paula Blackwell, MBA, MHA has more than 20 years of experience developing and leading health and human service programs throughout the region. She is the Executive Director of the Central Maryland Health Education Center. She is also a principal consultant at Elevated Channels providing project management oversight and program development for nonprofits throughout the mid-Atlantic. Prior to her position at Central Maryland AHEC, Blackwell held several positions with the Foreign-Born Information and Referral Network (FIRN) including Program Director for Health Education and Promotion. She has held positions at Bon Secours Health System and the African American Health Alert, and is the founder and president-emeritus of her family’s foundation, Another Opportunity, Inc., which mentors young African American men and helps with tuition for those who are unable to secure financial aid. She serves as vice president of the Just Living Advocacy board and is a member of the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s Master of Public Health Advisory Committee and the Johns Hopkins University Center to Reduce Cancer Disparities Advisory Committee. Blackwell is also the proud mother of three children and spends time away from professional commitments enjoying activities with her children and grandchildren. ​

Allison Roenigk Ciborowski

Allison Roenigk Ciborowski has more than 15 years of experience in health care and aging services, and has served as President & CEO of LeadingAge Maryland since April 2020. LeadingAge Maryland represents more than 160 mission-driven, not-for-profit aging services organizations across the state, collectively working to ensure older adults have access to the services they need, when they need them, in the place they call home. Allison was named by the Baltimore Business Journal as one of Baltimore’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2022 and is a frequent contributor to media stories in both regional and national outlets. She serves on the boards of LeadingAge national, the CARE Healing Center (formerly Rape Crisis Intervention Services of Carroll County), and the Maryland Healthcare Education Institute.

Kim M. DeFiori 

Dr. Kim M. DeFiori is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s Violence Prevention Center and a retired U.S. Army Captain. She holds a PhD in Health Policy and Management from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, dual MBAs from Cornell University and Queen’s University, and a Bachelor of Science from the United States Military Academy at West Point. Her research focuses on suicide prevention, health care access, health policy, and improving systems of care for veterans and underserved populations. Drawing on her military service, public health expertise, and experience evaluating health care programs, Dr. DeFiori is committed to advancing policies that promote health, independence, dignity, and quality of life across the lifespan. As a member of the Maryland Commission on Aging, she is particularly interested in supporting older veterans, strengthening access to health care and community resources, and promoting healthy aging for all Marylanders.

Rosanne B. Hanratty

A native of New York City, Hanratty lived in several states before making Maryland home. She earned a Master’s of Science in Public Health and a Master's of Arts in Religious Studies. After being awarded a Presidential Management Internship, she enjoyed a 23-year career with CMS and the Social Security Administration, followed by two years as a pastoral care coordinator for a nursing home, and extensive ministerial experience in other nursing homes and parishes in Baltimore. After that, Hanratty spent about ten years with the Maryland Department of Aging. Throughout her time in Maryland, Hanratty has volunteered extensively, with extensive experience in social justice ministry and leadership. She has served as president of the school board for her parish’s school, held several leadership positions in Catholic parishes, and served on the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council. In retirement, Hanratty ministered with and advocated for older adults at St. Ignatius Catholic Community in Baltimore, and serves as the Chair of its Immigration Mobilization Committee. She is also active in civic and advocacy organizations, especially those focusing on immigrant rights.

Michael C. Herndon

Michael C. Herndon brings extensive leadership experience at the intersection of aging, financial security, and consumer behavior. His career spans senior roles with the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, AARP, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. In those roles, he has advanced initiatives supporting older adults, strengthening financial capability, and improving consumer outcomes. In addition to his professional work, Michael has been deeply engaged in volunteer efforts focused on aging policy, fraud prevention, and community-based engagement. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee and a Master of Public Administration from Georgia State University, where he was a Dan Sweat Academic Scholarship recipient. 

Terri L. Hill 

Delegate Terri L. Hill is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, entrepreneur, elected official, and public health advocate with over three decades of service. A Harvard graduate in Bioelectric Engineering, she earned her M.D. from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, completed her plastic surgery residency at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, and trained in craniofacial surgery at the University of Miami. Since 1991, she has led her own medical practice, and in 2006 she founded Visage Rejuvenation Spa, where she remains Medical Director. Elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in 2014, she serves on the Health Committee, chairs the Subcommittee on Public Health and Minority Health Disparities, and is House Chair of the Joint Committee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Biotechnology.

Priscilla Ko 

Priscilla Ko manages The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation’s work supporting older adults to age independently and safely within their homes, and promoting well-being and belonging in their community. Through partnership development and collaborations between diverse sectors, the Foundation has supported the national scaling of evidence-based programs that improve older adults’ functional mobility, health outcomes, and social inclusivity. Priscilla currently co-leads Maryland Philanthropy Network’s Aging Innovations cohort and Grantmakers in Aging’s Housing Stability Steering Committee. Her special interests support the holistic well-being of older adults working across the intersections of aging, housing, and health. Ko received her PharmD from the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. She completed her Pharmacy Practice Residency at UPMC St. Margaret and her PharmD/Public Health Residency at Rutgers Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy. 

Benjamin F. Kramer

Senator Benjamin F. Kramer has dedicated nearly two decades to serving Montgomery County in the Maryland General Assembly. After 12 years in the House of Delegates focusing on economic matters and consumer protection, he was elected to the Maryland Senate in 2018. A Wheaton native and University of Maryland alumnus, Senator Kramer brings his experience as a small business owner to his current roles as Deputy Majority Whip and a key member of the Senate Finance Committee, where he also chairs the Joint Committee on Unemployment Insurance Oversight. Throughout his career, Senator Kramer has been a steadfast advocate for public safety and vulnerable populations, earning "Legislator of the Year" honors from Mothers Against Drunk Driving. His commitment to community welfare is further reflected in his service on the Maryland Commission on Aging since 2019, and his active involvement in the Maryland Veterans, Latino, and Jewish Caucuses. Whether addressing energy transition or cannabis public health, Senator Kramer remains a prominent voice for fiscal responsibility and social advocacy in Maryland.

Jim Kucher

Dr. J. Howard "Jim" Kucher is an Associate Professor of Social Innovation at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. An award-winning teacher and internationally recognized thought leader, he is the author of several books on Social Entrepreneurship and has assisted over 100 area nonprofits and social enterprises in developing new models for meeting the needs of their constituents while increasing the sustainability of their organizations.

Elizabeth Good Mazhari

Elizabeth Good Mazhari brings more than 30 years of academic, government, and private sector experience in product development, technology commercialization and venture management to the Commission. Currently, she serves as the Investment and Ecosystem Officer of Maryland TEDCO, and as President of Transition Health Ventures, a consulting firm specializing in serving the needs of the innovation community and the health care and life science startup companies within it. Previously, Elizabeth held academic venturing roles at Johns Hopkins University and University of Maryland, Baltimore, and as Managing Director of the Maryland Venture Fund. She started her career in San Diego in venture-backed product development medtech startups after completing her Master's in Bioengineering from UC San Diego, and BSE from Duke University in Biomedical and Electrical Engineering. 

Darlene Palmer

Darlene Palmer brings a lifelong commitment to public service to the Commission on Aging. Shortly after earning her B.A. and M.S. in Communication from SUNY Albany, she launched her career as a Television Producer and Host at WTEN-TV, the CBS-affiliate station in Albany, New York. She was appointed by President Jimmy Carter to serve at the White House, where she helped shape national telecommunications policy. She later led a joint White House and U.S. Department of Commerce initiative focused on expanding and modernizing access to telecommunications services across the country. Palmer also served as Assistant Director of Broadcast Management for the National Association of Broadcasters, advocating for responsible media practices. In addition to her federal service, Palmer has held leadership and consulting roles in public policy and communications, and has long supported nonprofit and faith-based organizations through volunteer work and civic engagement. She earned her Master of Public Administration from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, where she was also a Fellow at MIT’s Department of Urban Studies and Planning. Darlene is a devoted mother to four adult children, four grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. Darlene lives in Baltimore, MD with her husband of 60 years.

Carralee Silka

Carralee Silka has been the Director of the Allegany County Area Agency on Aging since September 2023, after serving as the Long-Term Care Ombudsman for Allegany County. She brings extensive experience in human services, having worked with children and families, people with disabilities, uninsured hospital patients, and older adults. Mrs. Silka holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, with minors in Sociology and Writing, from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. She also holds a Graduate Certificate in Leadership and Management from the University of Maryland Global Campus. She lives in Cumberland, Maryland, with her husband and has one son.

Ed Sullivan

Ed Sullivan has served in various roles in the aging field for over 15 years. Prior to his current role as Director of the Calvert County Area Agency on Aging, he served as Executive Director of a nonprofit providing services to older adults and respite care for caregivers. He serves on the Calvert County Local Behavioral Health Authority, Adult Guardianship Review Board, CalvertHealth Community Health Improvement Roundtable and Health Ministry team. He previously served on the Commission for Veterans and Military Families in Calvert County. Sullivan is licensed through his local church to provide spiritual care and has received ecclesiastical endorsement for military chaplaincy. He is in the Chaplain Corps as a Character Development Instructor for the Maryland Wing, Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, and chaplain for first responders. Ed earned his Bachelor of Science, Social Science, from Towson University and his Master of Divinity, Chaplaincy, from Liberty University.

Heang K. Tan 

Heang K. Tan is the Director of the Baltimore County Department of Aging, appointed by County Executive Johnny Olszewski, Jr., as the first Asian American woman to lead a department in Baltimore County. She brings nearly 25 years of experience in public health and aging services. Tan is President of the Maryland Association of Area Agencies on Aging and serves on the Oversight Committee on Quality of Care in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities. She previously served six years on the National Board for Area Agencies on Aging, USAging Board of Directors, including four as Vice President. Before joining Baltimore County, she spent nearly nine years as Baltimore City’s Area Agency on Aging Director and Deputy Health Commissioner. Still a community health worker at heart, Heang leads with equity and innovation, making sure every older adult is seen, heard, and supported where they live.

Diane Ty

Diane Ty is the Managing Director of the Milken Institute Future of Aging and Longevity, where she leads the strategic direction and operations of the portfolio’s life-course focus on healthy longevity and financial wellbeing for all. The portfolio advances its mission through research, convenings, multisector partnerships, and the elevation of high-impact policies and practices across its practice areas: Brain Health and its multisector Alliance to Improve Dementia Care, Healthspan, Home & Community, Caregiving, and Financial Longevity. Previously, she was a senior director at Georgetown University’s Business for Impact at the McDonough School of Business, where she led multiple health- and financial-services engagements, including the founding of the Portion Balance Coalition, a multisector collaborative addressing the obesity crisis by focusing on the quality, quantity, and variety of food and beverage portions. Ty has held executive-level positions at AARP, AARP Services, Inc., Save the Children, and American Express Company. She earned her undergraduate degree from Duke University and a joint MBA-Wharton School / MA from the University of Pennsylvania as a fellow of The Lauder Institute. She serves on the board of Capital Caring Health and is a gubernatorial appointee to the Maryland State Commission on Aging. 

Daily Check-In Service for Older Adults

Senior Call Check and Social Connections provides an additional layer of comfort for older adults who live alone and their families. Automated calls or text messages are sent each day between 8am and 4pm, at the hour of the participant's choosing, and the participant is prompted to respond. If there is no response, two more automated calls or texts are made, before an alternate contact is notified. If Senior Call Check is unable to reach an alternate, non-emergency service providers are contacted and asked to conduct a welfare check.

The service is free to Maryland residents 60 and older.​ For additional information about the program review the Senior Call Check and Social Connections Terms and Conditions.

New Option: Senior Call Check Live

The program now offers weekly live check-ins as an additional service to the daily automated check-ins. Calls from a live, trained representative can provide additional support and social connection for those who need it. 

Supporting the Vital Work of Maryland's Senior Centers

As the hub for most nutrition, social, and health promotion activities, Senior Centers are an important resource for Maryland's older adult community. Every year, the Maryland Department of Aging (MDOA) allocates more than $750,000 in state funds to support innovative programs and operating needs for Senior Centers across the state. Each county receives funding based on the number of Marylanders aged 60 and older who live there, while a portion of the funding ($100,000) is allocated on a competitive basis. All counties are eligible to apply. ​

​Resources for Senior Centers

• Contact your Area Agency on Aging for information about starting a senior center in your community.
• Learn more about senior centers nationally through NCOA's National Institute of Senior Centers.

Helping Older Marylanders Remain Independent

Supporting Older Adults with Resources (SOAR) supports healthy aging, caregiving, housing stability, and social connections. Research has shown that care coordination reduces emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and premature nursing home placement—some of the most expensive outcomes for public systems to absorb. By helping older adults remain healthy, independent, and engaged, communities lower health care and long-term care costs while strengthening local economies and reducing strain on families and public resources.

In 2026, three existing state-funded programs administered by Maryland Department of Aging (MDOA) were consolidated into SOAR as a deliberate, intentional action to modernize important longstanding supports in order to address the evolving needs of a growing older adult population.  

If you feel you may qualify for SOAR, connect with MAP or your local Area Agency on Aging.

Services Provided

SOAR creates equitable access to the following light-touch, long-term services and supports by standardizing eligibility, utilizing evidence-based tools to assess risk, and providing person-centered resources that maximize independence.

• Case management
• Home and community-based supports that may include personal care, homemaker/chore services, meals, transportation, safety related minor home repairs/modifications, adult day care, medical supplies, emergency response systems, and respite care
• Partial financial support for assisted living monthly fees

These services are supported by state grant funding and are subject to annual funding availability.

Who Qualifies for SOAR?

• Marylanders age 62+ who make less than 60% of the median state income, have assets below eligibility thresholds, and need help with activities of daily living.
• People who don’t qualify for Medicaid or are on lengthy waitlists to access Medicaid funded services. 

Program Benefits

• Expands capacity and reduces administrative burden for all parties by standardizing processes, access to services, age, and eligibility requirements across all counties and living arrangements.
• Improves cross-agency coordination by leveraging evidence-based tools and enhanced digital infrastructure to facilitate transitions across the continuum of care between home- and community-based services.
• Provides support for older Marylanders who don't qualify for Medicaid, or are waiting for an invitation to apply for a Medicaid waiver, but can't afford private care.
• Delays or prevents Medicaid entry and decreases reliance on costlier institutional care and more restrictive community-based services.
• Addresses upstream drivers of health, creating more equitable access to preventive services and improving health outcomes for more older adults.
• Removes geographical barriers by offering residents in counties without congregate or assisted living facilities the same supports and services as residents in urban centers.

SOAR provides an opportunity for MDoA to take a step back and establish how SOAR and other programs more broadly fit within an LTSS continuum of care. MDoA has already done a tremendous amount of work to plan and develop SOAR through efforts such as LRM and its partnerships with the AAAs, MDH, DHS, and other State and local partners.

~HCBS Strategies: SOAR Program Recommendations Report