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Baltimore, MD - The Maryland Department of Aging has been awarded $490,000 from the Administration for Community Living to prepare for the growing need for caregivers as part of our state’s multisector plan for aging, Longevity Ready Maryland. Maryland is one of four states chosen to receive the Caregiver Navigation Grant to increase outreach, advance partnerships, and strengthen services and supports for family caregivers.
“It’s time to support the valuable contributions of family members, friends, and neighbors who care for loved ones,” said Maryland Department of Aging Secretary Carmel Roques. “By investing in family caregivers and providing better access to resources, we are helping Maryland meet the challenges and opportunities of a growing older population.”
The Department will partner with the Maryland Department of Human Services, the Maryland Department of Health’s Developmental Disabilities Administration, and the Maryland Department of Disabilities to implement strategies that align with the Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia State Plan and the National Strategy to Support Family Caregiving.
“This collaborative effort allows us to work together to find ways to improve the health, wellbeing, and financial security of family caregivers who provide a crucial and often underappreciated service for people with disabilities who want to live at home,” said Department of Disabilities Secretary Carol Beatty. “By supporting family caregivers, we are supporting people to live healthy and independent lives in the settings of their choosing.”
In 2023, there were an estimated 760,000 unpaid caregivers in Maryland who provided 710 million hours of care at a value of $12.5 billion, according to the AARP Valuing the Invaluable Report. Data from the Maryland Department of Health’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System noted that 464,000 Marylanders expect to become a caregiver in the next two years. In addition, a majority of caregivers are women, and 60% of caregivers work full- or part-time and risk losing income due to their caregiving responsibilities.
“Ensuring financial and workplace security for family caregivers is a priority of Longevity Ready Maryland,” said MDOA Assistant Secretary of Planning, Liz Woodward. “We will use this grant to work across state agencies and with the Maryland Commission on Caregiving to engage family caregivers and integrate resources through Maryland Access Point, providing better access to information on state and local caregiver-related services and initiatives.”
Maryland Access Point is the gateway to long-term services and supports in Maryland and can be reached by phone at 1-844-MAP-LINK (1-844-627-5465) or online at marylandaccesspoint.211md.org. For more information on the National Family Caregiver Support Program in Maryland, visit aging.maryland.gov.
Media Contact:
Barbara Sigler
Communications Director
Phone: (410) 767-4170
Email: barbara.sigler@maryland.gov
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