Community Resources for Older Adults
Across Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC, there are programs and organizations built to help older adults stay in their own homes: meal delivery, transportation, senior centers, home-repair help, and more. Knowing what exists and how to reach it can make the difference between struggling alone and living well at home.
This guide covers
The kinds of help available
- Meals and nutrition: meal delivery and congregate meal programs.
- Transportation: rides to appointments, errands, and community activities.
- Senior centers and social connection: activities, classes, and a place to belong.
- Home repair and modification help: programs that assist with safety and upkeep.
- Care management and aging services: help navigating benefits and services.
- Respite and caregiver support: relief and resources for family caregivers.
How to find what fits
The right resources depend on where your loved one lives and what they need. Area Agencies on Aging and county aging offices are the best starting points in Maryland and Virginia, and DC has its own aging services. A good first step is to call the local aging office and ask about the services that match your situation.
How our team helps
We help families identify the community resources that support staying in their own home, and we connect you to the programs and organizations that fit. We do not provide those services ourselves, and the decision always stays with your family.
Free checklist
Community Resources Checklist
- Find the Area Agency on Aging or aging office for your county or city.
- Ask about meals, transportation, and senior center programs.
- Ask about home repair and modification assistance programs.
- Ask about care management and benefits navigation help.
- Ask about caregiver support and respite options.
- Keep the key phone numbers and contacts somewhere easy to find.
Want this as a printable download? Request it free from the Resource Library and we will include it in your follow-up, along with the option of a no-pressure conversation.
Browse the Resource LibraryWhere do I start looking for local services?
Start with the Area Agency on Aging for your county in Maryland or Virginia, or DC's aging services office. They are the central point for meals, transportation, care management, and more. We can also point you to the right offices for your area.
Are these services free?
Many programs are low-cost or free, and some are income-based. Each program sets its own eligibility. The aging office for your area can tell you what is available and what it costs.
Do you provide these services?
No. We help you identify and connect with community resources, but the services themselves are provided by the organizations that run them. We do not provide care or social services.