The 10 Best Memory Care Facilities in Washington County, MD for 2024

Washington County, Maryland, has a relatively large population of 150,578 people, just 16.8 percent of whom are seniors aged 65 years and older. Within that senior population, 10.6 percent are people with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.

In Washington County and throughout the rest of Maryland, memory care facilities are called Assisted Living Programs (ALPs). They are licensed by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Washington County residents with dementia can choose from among the region’s five ALPs.

• Seniors in Washington County can take advantage of tax breaks to maximize their retirement wealth. Maryland does not tax social security income, and only partially-taxes retirement accounts and public pension incomes. Private pensions, however, are subject to the normal tax rate. Certain beneficiaries, such as spouses and children, are not charged taxes on inheritances.
  
• Washington County is home to world-class medical facilities, including those specializing in brain health and dementia care such as Washington County Hospital, in the event of medical emergencies or illness.
  
• Seniors who need memory care services will find Washington County an affordable option compared to the rest of Maryland. The cost of living in Washington County is rated 99, one point lower than the national average and a full 26 points lower than the Maryland average. The median home cost is also lower at $183,400 compared to the median state cost of $282,000 and the median US cost of $216,200. Groceries make up the most expensive spending sector, at 3.8 points above what the rest of the country pays on average.  
  
• Washington County gets plenty of sun, with an annual average of 197 sunny days. This is just slightly less than the national average of 205 days. Summers are hot with an average mid-summer high of 86 degrees, and winters can get cold with an average January low of 21 degrees. Seniors can work with their memory care providers to find solutions that lessen the effects of the temperature extremes.

Memory Care costs in Washington County start around $4,797 per month on average, while the nationwide average cost of memory care is $5,694 per month.

It’s important to note that memory care rates in Washington County and the surrounding suburbs can vary widely based on factors such as location, the level of care needed, apartment size and the types of amenities offered at each community.

Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Memory Care in Maryland page.

While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for memory care, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance memory care costs include:

• Veterans Benefits
• Life Insurance Policy
• Long-Term Care Insurance
• Reverse Mortgage

For more information about different ways to finance memory care, visit our Memory Care in Maryland page.

Washington County-area memory care communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all memory care communities in Maryland are required to follow. Visit our Memory Care in Maryland page for more information about these laws.