Nestled on the banks of the Patuxent River, Laurel is located halfway between the cities of Baltimore and Washington, D.C. It has a population of 25,631 people, of whom a relatively low percentage are seniors. Only about 9.5% of residents are 65 or older; the average U.S. city has a senior population of about 16.5%. Laurel gets hot, sunny summers and mild winters with relatively low levels of snowfall. The area is rich in history and has cultural attractions such as former plantation Montpelier House Museum and the National Security Agency’s National Cryptologic Museum. Seniors who like to spend time outdoors might prefer to visit the Patuxent Research Refuge, which offers fishing, hunting, bird watching and nature trails.
In Laurel, assisted living costs an average of $5,000 per month, although actual costs vary depending on the location and care plan chosen. Retirees in Maryland can take advantage of a couple of income tax exemptions to help make assisted living here more affordable.
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 >
At $5,000 per month, assisted living in Laurel costs the same as the state average but more than the national average of $4,300. Lower state average costs can be found in neighboring Pennsylvania, at $3,955, and New York, at $4,800. New Jersey and Delaware, however, are more expensive.
Assisted living costs in Maryland vary, and prices in Laurel fall right on the median. Salisbury is more expensive, averaging $5,500. Coastal city California is even costlier, at $6,200 per month. Hagerstown has the lowest assisted living prices in the state, at $4,500. Nearby New Jersey has similar assisted living costs, with Ocean City averaging $4,945. Capital Trenton is much more expensive, at $7,478.
Note: Data for Laurel was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Baltimore, was used instead.
Retirees in Laurel may be able to use Maryland’s Community Options Waiver to help cover the cost of long-term care. This waiver, offered by state Medicaid, can be used to pay for assisted living, medical care and pharmaceutical services. To read more about the Community Options Waiver and its eligibility guidelines, visit our Assisted Living in Maryland page.
Contact | Description | |
Prince George’s County Older Adult Services | (301) 265-8450 | As the local Area Agency on Aging, this body supports older adults with education and assistance programs. A Medicare counseling program helps seniors learn about and apply for health insurance and other benefits, while a wellness promotion program offers health screenings and evidence-based wellness classes. Additionally, this body’s long-term care ombudsman provides advocacy for care home residents who have concerns or complaints about the quality of their care. |
Laurel-Beltsville Senior Activity Center | (301) 206-3350 | This senior center has a computer lab, a fitness room, a billiards room and a ceramics kiln. Adults 50 and up from Laurel and the surrounding areas are invited to participate in games, crafts and exercise classes here. Seniors can also take part in special interest groups, including a chess club and a photography club. |
Silver Spring Vet Center | (301) 589-1073 | Veterans can access an array of assistance programs here, including financial aid for housing and health care. This vet center offers referrals to the VA health system, where service members can access appointments with physicians, specialists and rehabilitative therapists. Mental health care, including individual counseling and support groups, is also available here. |
City of Laurel Senior Services | (301) 776-6168 | The City of Laurel administers a senior transportation system that runs from Monday to Friday. Through this service, disabled and elderly people can schedule curb-to-curb rides to medical appointments, shopping centers and more. |
AARP Laurel | (866) 542-8163 | Older adults can access free annual tax preparation services and free scam awareness classes from this national organization. AARP also provides driver’s safety classes and enriching educational lectures to millions of seniors across the nation, in addition to a wide range of volunteer opportunities for elders of all activity levels. |
Assisted living facilities in Laurel are licensed by the Maryland Department of Health’s Office of Health Care Quality. This office also ensures that long-term care homes abide by state care standards. Visit our Assisted Living in Maryland page to read more about the state’s assisted living laws and regulations.