Population Projections for Older Adults

Marylanders are living longer while birth rates are declining in the state. In 2023, there were more than 1.4 million adults over 60 living in Maryland. By 2035, that population is expected to increase by about 6.6%.

The Positive Impact of Older Adults on Maryland’s Economy

Older adults are vital to the Maryland economy. By 2030, Marylanders age 50+ will support 1.7 million jobs and occupy 36% of the workforce. By 2050, the 50+ population will account for 60% of all money spent in Maryland.

Aging and Independent Living

By 2035, one in three American households will be headed by someone 65 or older. The ability to live independently becomes significantly more difficult after the age of 75, yet one in five eligible residents with a disability is NOT enrolled in a housing assistance program that could help them. The average cost of a nursing home in Maryland is about $146,000 per year, while 30 hours of in-home care costs about $42,120 annually.

Financial Security and Older Adults

In 2017, 7.6% of Maryland’s 60+ population lived in poverty. Today, that amount is at 9.5%. The poverty-level income threshold in Maryland is $13,590, while the average cost of living for a single adult over 65 is $41,508.

Health Trends of Older Adults

While Maryland ranks well in the overall health of older adults, we led the nation in drug- and alcohol-related deaths among the 65+ population in 2022, and currently hold the highest rate of Alzheimer’s Disease in the country.

To effectively address the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for Maryland communities, MDOA invested a considerable amount of effort in engaging key stakeholders to identify a series of well-informed goals, objectives, and strategies that are researched-based, actionable, and community-driven.

Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs)

MDOA conducted a systematic analysis of the state’s 19 AAA four-year plans to identify region-specific needs and inform potential priorities for LRM. Priority areas that were most common among AAA reporting and analysis include:

• Enhanced service delivery and accessibility
• Community-based care and independence
• Equity and inclusive aging
• Caregiver support and wellbeing
• Strategic partnerships and collaborations

Priority Populations

MDOA conducted focus group research with populations with the greatest social and economic need to identify systemic disparities that impact how well we age in Maryland. Priority areas that were most common among the targeted population focus group analysis included:

• Financial security
• Lack of transportation
• Social isolation and limited community engagement
• Digital access and technology proficiency
• Navigating complex systems and accessing information
• Age-related bias and lack of respect
• Health concerns and access to care
• Housing affordability and suitability
• Lack of support for caregivers

Stakeholder Work Groups

To ensure LRM is based on the experience of groups who are impacted the most by planning and implementation decisions, partners and providers who serve older adults were invited to participate in LRM Work Groups. At the conclusion of the two-month work sessions, a series of evidence-based and actionable objectives and strategies were developed within the following priority areas:

• Cross-sector coordination
• Justice, equity, and inclusion
• Caregiving supports
• Employment for all
• Affordable housing
• Financial stability
• Services and benefits
• Access to equitable systems of care

Aging has evolved considerably in recent years. Longer lives, coupled with advances in community design, transportation, health services, retirement planning, employment, and technology are changing how we age with each new generation. As society changes, how we plan for the future of aging must also evolve. Initiatives that exist within silos or focus solely on a specific age group or issue will not adequately address the social determinants of healthy aging, or factor in the simple fact that all of us are aging. Engagement across the lifespan and greater cooperation between government agencies, community organizations, and service providers are essential in creating systemic transformations to ensure Maryland is longevity ready.

People in Maryland are living, learning, and working longer. As we plan for the emerging needs of Maryland’s shifting demographics, we have a real opportunity to holistically address long-standing disparities across the lifespan, and redesign outdated policies, programs, and mindsets that have separated aging from other life experiences in the past.

Many states are adopting a multisector plan for aging approach to prepare for the growing number of older adults in American communities. Like other multisector plans, LRM digs deep into the state’s infrastructure to capitalize on the benefits of a rising population of skilled and experienced community members while preparing for those of us who may need help to fully participate in society as we age. It is inclusive of public and private sector participation, requiring all state agencies to work together across the lifespan for better outcomes later in life. By coordinating resources and incorporating a longevity lens in the work we do, we can increase efficiency and reduce redundancy to build a more financially-sustainable model of programs and policies to help us age in place.