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Ellicott City is a historic community located in the heart of Howard County. Assisted living residents and older adults enjoy a quaint small-town feel and a convenient location just 30 minutes from Baltimore. This unincorporated community is home to 76,000 residents, including more than 10,000 seniors. Nationally, this segment of the population is growing faster than average, which is increasing demand for assisted living and related services. According to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, the median cost of assisted living care in Ellicott City is $4,750, which is slightly higher than the national average.
Assisted living facilities provide private rooms or apartments and 24-hour care to seniors who are relatively healthy but need some assistance with daily activities, such as cooking, cleaning or getting dressed. Although assisted living is relatively expensive, it’s less costly than alternatives, and the monthly rates include most of the services that seniors need on a regular basis.
Read on to learn more about some of the assisted living options that are available in Ellicott City. This guide features local and regional pricing from a nationwide study, along with a directory of local resources that can help you determine if assisted living is right for you.
Hundreds of thousands of American seniors utilize assisted living, a figure that is only growing. For these seniors, assisted living combines residential housing,assistance in daily activities, and some healthcare. These communities also strive to provide an atmosphere that is comfortable and engaging for their residents… Read More >
COVID-19 restrictions and rules for Assisted Living Facilities are typically set by the state – to see the rules in your state, you can read our guide to Assisted Living in Maryland. Keep in mind that there may be other policies that communities put in place to protect their residents, so you should contact your local community for more information. Additionally, you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more – find contact information here.
According to providers who responded to Genworth Financial’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey, the median cost of assisted living in Ellicott City is $4,750 per month.
In Ellicott City and the Baltimore metropolitan area, the cost of assisted living is roughly halfway between the national average of $4,500 and the state median of $4,900.
Assisted living prices in Ellicott City appear more competitive when compared to other cities in the state and Mid-Atlantic region. Prices in Hagerstown are $120 lower at $4,630, but other metropolitan areas are more expensive. Facilities in Salisbury charge $4,980 per month, and the median in Cumberland is $5,248. Maryland still offers lower prices than neighboring economic centers, such as Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at $5,685 and Washington, D.C., at $6,978. Living in one of these cities could cost you an extra $10,000-$25,000 per year.
Note: Data for Ellicott City was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Baltimore, was used instead.
Since not everyone can afford to pay for assisted living out-of-pocket, it’s important to find alternative methods to help make assisted living more affordable. Some of these options include:
For more information about your options for making assisted living more affordable, visit our guide to Assisted Living in Maryland.
| Resource | Contact | Service |
| Howard County Office on Aging and Independence | (410) 313-1234 | The Howard County Office on Aging and Independence is a no-wrong-door agency dedicated to helping seniors maintain their freedom and independence. It publishes a soup-to-nuts resource guide covering a wide variety of services that are available to older adults in Ellicott City, including assisted living and alternatives. |
| Ellicott City 50+ Center | (410) 313-1400 | Ellicott City residents have access to a state-of-the-art 50+ recreation center located on Frederick Road. It offers an impressive range of fitness classes, as well as opportunities for individuals who enjoy arts, crafts and lifelong learning. It publishes a monthly newsletter, and you can sign up for classes online. |
| Howard County Long Term Care Ombudsman | (410) 313-6423 | Howard County’s Long Term Care Ombudsman is available to anyone who has questions or concerns about assisted living, nursing homes and other forms of residential care. These staff and volunteer advocates provide free and confidential consultations to help seniors and families understand all their options when it comes to advance planning and handling more specific concerns. |
| Regional Transportation Agency of Central Maryland | (800) 270-9553 | RTA operates 15 fixed-route bus lines in Howard County and the surrounding area. Seniors, disabled adults and other riders who are unable to access these transit stops are eligible for curb-to-curb transportation. Riders aged 60 and older qualify for $5 one-way fares through the general para-transit service. |
| Neighbor Ride | (410) 884-7433 | Neighbor Ride is a local nonprofit that provides transportation to local seniors and volunteer opportunities for older adults who are willing to serve as drivers. The organization helps residents get to medical appointments, grocery stores, religious services and social events, which are essential for staying in touch with the community. |
| Howard Community College Senior Adult 60+ Courses | (443) 518-1000 | Howard Community College provides fun educational classes for older adults, and it offers a generous tuition discount on many classes. Seniors will still be responsible for any fees needed to cover materials and other items. Course topics include literature, creative writing, history, fitness and arts and crafts. |
Assisted Living Facilities in the Ellicott City area are required to follow a set of rules and regulations that are determined at the state level. For an overview of those rules and regulations, see the information below. For more specific information, talk with your local community or Area Agency on Aging.
