Garrett County Senior Housing and Support

Overview

Garrett County Community Action Committee noticed the increase in seniors needing institutionalization due to limited daily functioning. Seniors needed to be able to age in place. But they didn’t just need safe, accessible, affordable housing, they also needed additional service to enable them to stay in the housing. The seniors clearly needed housing because their existing housing was in disrepair, in isolated areas, and was not affordable. Once they got into the senior housing community, some of the residents reported they had no transportation to medical appointments and were unable to perform many of the activities of daily living.  So, they were still at risk of institutionalization.

Through the Senior Housing and Support initiative, Garrett County created an environment where senior residents will have shelter, food, access to health care, and support/advice on life skills, as appropriate. This initiative includes a senior housing community with affordable and accessible housing units, transportation services, “at home” services, Adult Day Care program, and Community Garden.