What Is Maryland Access Point and How Can the Department of Aging Help?

If you are caring for an older parent or a loved one with disabilities in Maryland, Maryland Access Point (MAP) is often the first place to call. Here is what MAP does and how it connects families to home care.

What Does Maryland Access Point Do?

Maryland Access Point is Maryland's No Wrong Door Aging and Disability Resource Center. It is the state's entry point for obtaining information about long-term services and supports. According to the Maryland Department of Aging (opens in new tab), MAP sites are led by local Area Agencies on Aging, working with Centers for Independent Living.

MAP specialists help older adults, adults with disabilities, caregivers, and professionals with:

• Information and referrals to public programs and community resources.
• Options counseling, which helps people weigh long-term care choices based on their needs and preferences.
• Getting connected to Medicaid home care programs and other state services.

How MAP Connects You to Home Care

For families who want to get paid to care for a loved one, MAP is a common first step into Community First Choice (CFC) (opens in new tab) and Community Personal Assistance Services (CPAS) (opens in new tab). The Maryland Department of Health (opens in new tab) lists MAP as a place to start a request for CFC. MAP also keeps the registry for the Community Options Waiver, which has a waiting list.

In both CFC and CPAS, the person receiving care chooses their caregiver. Adult children, other relatives, and friends can be paid, and in Maryland, spouses CAN be paid too. The one exception: a parent can never be paid to care for their own minor child. Once the child turns 18, a parent can be paid as their caregiver.

How to Contact MAP

• Statewide: 1-844-627-5465 (1-844-MAP-LINK), or dial 211 and ask for MAP.
• Baltimore City: 410-396-CARE (2273).
• Baltimore County: MAP is run through the Baltimore County Department of Aging.
• Online: marylandaccesspoint.211md.org (opens in new tab)

What Does the Maryland Department of Aging Do for Seniors?

The Maryland Department of Aging oversees MAP and supports older adults through local Area Agencies on Aging. Its programs include Senior Care (opens in new tab) for people 65 and older at risk of nursing home placement, and the Family Caregiver Support Program for caregivers.

Skip the Guesswork With Family Love Care

Family Love Care, a home care agency, can also help your family with enrollment in the home care benefit, and employs and pays the family caregiver. Through Family Love Care, Maryland caregivers earn $15 to $18 per hour. Contact Family Love Care (opens in new tab) to get started.