Maryland Family Caregiver Assistance Program

Maryland Family Caregiver Assistance Program is sponsored by Maryland Department of Aging. Provides grants to family caregivers in Maryland for goods and services required to provide care.

Caregiver Support | Department of Aging About the Maryland Family Caregiver Support Program The Maryland Department of Aging (MDOA) provides statewide oversight, policy development, and program guidance to support the implementation of caregiver services across Maryland.

Working with local partners, MDOA: Strengthens the system of services available to family and informal caregivers who assist older adults and individuals with disabilities living in the community. Coordinates the development of resources, tools, and program guidance that help local agencies deliver caregiver services and respond to the needs of caregivers in their communities.

Provides guidance and oversight that help Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) administer and coordinate services for caregivers in communities across the state. The program is funded by the Administration for Community Living (ACL).

Find Services and Supports Maryland Access Point (MAP) Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) Older adults and people with disabilities who need caregiving services and supports should visit MAP or reach out to their local AAA. Family caregivers—often spouses, adult children, relatives, neighbors, and friends—provide the majority of unpaid care that allows individuals to remain in their homes and communities.

Research shows that caregiver services can reduce caregiver stress, depression, and anxiety, while helping caregivers sustain their role longer and potentially delay or avoid the need for institutional care." Caregiver Program Information and Resources The Maryland Family Caregiver Support Program provides services through two program categories: Caregivers of Older Adults and Older Relative Caregivers.

The eligibility criteria below explain who may qualify for services under each category.

Caregivers of Older Adults Adult family members or other informal caregivers age 18 and older providing care to individuals 60 years of age and older; Adult family members or other informal caregivers age 18 and older providing care to individuals of any age with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders Older Relative Caregivers Older Relatives (not parents) 55 years of age and older providing care to children under the age of 18; and Older Relatives (not parents) 55 years of age and older providing care to adults age 18-59 with disabilities.

ACL Caregiver Implementation Grant In 2024, MDOA was awarded $490,000 through the Administration for Community Living (ACL) Caregiver Implementation Grant , making Maryland one of four states in the first cohort to receive this award, alongside Massachusetts, Wisconsin, and California.

This grant supports Maryland’s efforts to strengthen family caregiver programs and implement strategies outlined in the National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers - PDF . Through this grant, Maryland is advancing Goals 2, 3, and 5 of the National Strategy: Goal 2: Build partnerships and embed caregiver perspectives into policies and programs.

Goal 3: Improve availability, accessibility, and quality of caregiver supports, including centralized resources and training for peer leaders. Goal 5: Use data and evidence to inform policies and practices that better support family caregivers.

This funding allows MDOA to expand cross-agency collaboration, enhance outreach to caregivers, and strengthen connections between programs like the National Family Caregiver Support Program, Lifespan Respite, and Kinship Care.

These efforts aim to ensure that caregivers across Maryland have better access to resources, training, and support so they can continue providing care while maintaining their own health, financial security, and workforce participation.

Respite Care Ambassador Program The Respite Care Ambassador Program is a statewide initiative focused on improving access to respite care and strengthening support for family caregivers through cross-agency education and collaboration.

Ambassadors are trained to identify, engage, and support family caregivers across systems, bringing together partners from the Departments of Aging, Health, and Disabilities, along with community-based organizations to build a shared understanding of caregiver needs and available resources.

Respite Care Ambassadors play a key role in promoting caregiver support and resources, helping to ensure caregivers receive a consistent, person-centered experience no matter where they enter the system. Their work helps caregivers better understand respite options and feel more confident accessing support.

The Respite Ambassador Model was developed in response to a clear and consistent need: while respite care is essential for caregiver well-being, it is often difficult to access and navigate. By offering tiered learning opportunities—including state-based, national, and in-person training—Maryland is creating a more coordinated and informed workforce.

This work strengthens cross-agency partnerships and builds workforce capacity, directly advancing Goal 2 of the National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers. Learn more about respite services in Maryland at lrm. maryland.

gov/respite . Johns Hopkins Memory Care Family Checklist Maryland has launched the Johns Hopkins Memory Care Family Checklist, an innovative tool designed to support individuals caring for someone with memory loss.

Developed through a partnership between the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, 211 Maryland (Maryland Information Network), and MDOA, the Checklist helps caregivers better understand their needs and connect to appropriate supports.

Caregivers who complete the Checklist receive a personalized report with tailored recommendations and direct links to resources available through the Maryland Access Point network—Maryland’s Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) system. This tool is designed to: Help caregivers identify current and future needs. Provide reliable, easy-to-understand information.

Connect caregivers to local services and supports. In addition to supporting caregivers directly, the Checklist contributes to Maryland’s broader research-to-practice approach—translating evidence-based insights into practical tools that can be used in real time. Data and feedback collected through the tool will help inform future improvements and ensure it continues to meet caregiver needs.

This tool supports Goal 3 of the National Strategy by improving the availability, accessibility, and quality of caregiver support, including centralized resources. Access the Memory Care Family Checklist at marylandaccesspoint. info/memorycare .

Download The Johns Hopkins Memory Care Family Checklist - PDF - 367. 29 KB for more information on this valuable resource. ​​If you need information about MDOA's brain health programs, visit our Brain Health and Dementia Support page​ .

National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers Understanding Respite Care Living Well Center for Excellence - Caregiver Training and Workshops ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center Family Caregiver Alliance National Alliance for Caregiving NIH Caregiving Toolkit ​​ Caregiver Care Plan Form​