Marylanders are living longer, and we are working to ensure our communities are prepared for this future so all Marylanders can age with purpose, connection, and security.

Putting that commitment into action, Governor Wes Moore signed Longevity Ready Maryland (LRM) on July 30th—a groundbreaking, first-of-its-kind multisector plan for aging in our state. With potential federal cuts to vital programs like Social Security, Medicare, and SNAP, a strong strategic plan like LRM is essential and comes at a critical time. Today, 1.4 million of our neighbors are over 60, and in less than five years, that number will grow to a quarter of our state's population.

LRM is not a top-down directive. It was born from a two-year, statewide conversation with older adults, caregivers, and community leaders from Western Maryland to the Eastern Shore. This feedback is the heart of a plan that unites state agencies, community partners, and businesses to work smarter, together. It’s a resilient approach that honors the diversity of every Marylander and makes the most of our shared resources.

Our vision at the Maryland Department of Aging (MDOA) is simple: to build a state where every person can lead healthy, financially secure, purposeful, and socially connected lives. I am incredibly proud to officially launch LRM as a first step and look forward to the partnerships and progress ahead. I invite you to review the plan, explore the new website, and sign up for updates at LRM.Maryland.gov.

Gov. Moore signed the Longevity Ready Maryland plan last month, officially implementing Maryland's first-ever multisector plan for aging. Pictured from left: Maryland Department of Human Services Secretary Rafael Lopez, Maryland Department of Planning Secretary Rebecca Flora, Maryland Senator Pamela Beidle, Secretary Roques, Maryland Delegate Leslie Lopez, Maryland Delegate Emily Shetty.

We all want to be prepared for the future, live in strong communities where everyone can thrive, and live well at every stage of life. Maryland is guiding that future with the launch of LRM and a new website that serves as a central hub of strategies and resources for communities across the state.

Visit LRM.Maryland.gov to find:

• An interactive Data Dashboard to help identify needs, anticipate trends, and measure outcomes impacting longevity in Maryland.
• Community resources connecting local leaders with age-inclusive programs in sectors like transportation, housing, financial stability, caregiving, health, and workforce development.
• Actionable guidance for businesses, organizations, and government agencies to incorporate a "longevity lens" into their policies and programs.
• Progress updates on LRM's four epic goals and their impact on helping Marylanders age in place.
• How to stay in the loop on updates important to you.

Maryland's new 2025 State Housing Needs Assessment, for the first time, includes specific data on the housing challenges facing older adults. The report from the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) reveals a growing affordability gap for older Marylanders that is expected to worsen as the population ages.

Izzy Shycoff, MDOA Policy Director, praised the report's new focus. "This has been a critical missing piece of the puzzle that will help policymakers and community leaders develop strategies to improve access to affordable, accessible housing options," Shycoff said.

She emphasized that having this clear data is the first step in addressing the unique housing needs of older Marylanders and supporting the goal of aging in place—a cornerstone of LRM.

For More Information:

• Read the DHCD Press Release
• View the Full 2025 State Housing Needs Assessment
• Access the Housing Needs Assessment of Older Adults
• Learn about LRM Strategies to Improve Access to Affordable Housing Options

They are your neighbors, your coworkers, and your family members—an unseen army of Marylanders juggling jobs, finances, and the profound responsibility of caring for a loved one. To spotlight their challenges, Secretary Roques recently joined a panel discussion on the future of caregiving at the MPT Caregiving Expo in Baltimore.

Over 760,000 caregivers in Maryland provide 710 million hours of unpaid care annually, a contribution vital to our state's economy and health care system. "Caregivers are the compassionate heart of our society," said Secretary Roques. "Supporting them is essential to a stronger workforce and better quality of life for all Marylanders as we age."

Through implementation of LRM, administration of the Maryland Caregiver Navigation Grant, and participation on the Maryland Commission on Caregiving, MDOA is taking a multi-faceted approach to strengthening our state's commitment to family caregivers—one focused on better coordination between agencies and programs and improved access to resources and information.

To learn more about LRM's objectives and strategies, visit LRM.Maryland.Gov. To learn more about caregiver and dementia support, visit aging.maryland.gov. To find available long-term care resources in your community, contact Maryland Access Point at marylandaccesspoint.211md.org.

MDOA staff were honored to participate in this year's MPT Caregiving Expo, providing resources to about 400 older adults, caregivers, and community members. Pictured from left: Howard County Office on Aging Caregiver Program Manager Kathy Wehr, MDOA Support Services Program Manager Vanessa Arndt, Sec. Roques, and MDOA Cognitive and Behavioral Health Specialist Mark Tesoro.

Maryland’s experienced older workers are a vital part of the solution to one of the state’s most pressing challenges: a critical workforce shortage that leaves only 71 workers available for every 100 jobs.

At the recent Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) Summer Conference, Secretary Roques joined a panel on "Leveraging Untapped Talent," highlighting a core objective of LRM: promoting economic opportunities by supporting a multigenerational workforce.

The data is clear. The number of adults age 65 and older in the workforce has doubled in the last 35 years, and by 2030, Marylanders over 50 will comprise more than a third of the state's workforce. While research shows workers age 50 and older bring experience and drive innovation in age-diverse teams, they often face age-related bias, which prolongs their job searches and keeps valuable skills on the sidelines.

LRM strategies for building a stronger, more inclusive economy include evaluating the economic impact of older workers, encouraging Maryland employers to adopt age-inclusive policies and practices by implementing age-friendly employer certifications through the State of Maryland, improving coordination between workforce and aging services, and creating pathways for experienced workers to upskill or reskill for in-demand jobs.

By championing a multigenerational workforce, LRM is paving the way for a more dynamic Maryland where experience is celebrated and economic opportunity is accessible to all. Learn more about LRM's epic goal to Promote Economic Opportunity at LRM.Maryland.gov

MDOA joined Howard County, AARP Maryland, and leaders from several Age-Friendly Communities last week for the inaugural meeting of the Maryland Age-Friendly Network. This new coalition is a crucial component of creating more supportive and inclusive communities across Maryland, a primary goal of LRM.

Participants included several counties and municipalities currently enrolled in the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities: Baltimore, Calvert, Carroll, Howard, and Montgomery counties, and the cities of College Park, Frederick, Hyattsville, and Salisbury.

The network will share best practices to foster regional collaboration and expand the age-friendly movement across the state. It will also develop a statewide policy brief—highlighting successes, challenges, and recommendations—to inform state leaders and funders.

By aligning local initiatives with statewide priorities outlined in LRM, the network will influence future policies and legislation that support Marylanders of all ages, making Maryland a national leader in longevity.

Front row: Shawn Brennan (Montgomery Cnty), Bobbie Lawrence (Carroll Cnty), MDOA Assistant Secretary of Planning Liz Woodward, Courtney Harangozo (Howard Cnty), Cheryl Mattis (Howard Cnty), Ho Sang Lee (Baltimore Cnty), Morgan Spliedt (Howard Cnty), and Janeen Miller (College Park).

Back row: Alex Garipay (Frederick), AARP Maryland President David Conway; Martha Gagné (Howard Cnty), Matthew Madera (Howard Cnty), Kathy Wehr (Howard Cnty), Michelle Mills (Baltimore Cnty), and Christine Chestnut (Salisbury).

The summer heat is more than just uncomfortable—it can be life-threatening. Tragically, Maryland has already lost 29 people to heat-related causes this season. This hits our older community members the hardest, as 23 of those who passed away were over the age of 65, according to the Maryland Department of Health.

This is a critical reminder to check on our neighbors, friends, and family, especially those most vulnerable to the heat, including older adults living alone, young children, individuals with chronic health conditions, and those who must work outdoors.

Even as summer winds down, our vigilance is still needed. Hot days persist, and we're also stepping into the most active part of hurricane season, which peaks in September. Please take a moment to ensure you and your loved ones and neighbors are prepared.

The state of Maryland offers several key resources. For timely, localized severe weather notifications, sign up for text alerts through MDReady at 211.md.org. Visit aging.maryland.gov for additional resources to help older adults and caregivers prepare for emergencies.

To expand access to free, durable medical equipment (DME), the Maryland DME Re-Use program has opened a new satellite distribution site in Worcester County. Made possible through a partnership with the county's Department of Health, this site enables residents to obtain essential equipment at no cost.

Operated by MDOA, the statewide program provides walkers, wheelchairs, and other DME to Marylanders of any age with any illness, injury, or disability, completely free of charge. All items are collected through public donation before being professionally sanitized, repaired, and redistributed to those in need, improving quality of life and helping to avoid more costly levels of care.

Visit DME.Maryland.gov, email DME.MDOA@Maryland.gov, or call (240) 230-8000 to request DME or find donation drop-off locations.

• Cecil Whig: Healthy Lifestyles for the 55+ set at Elkton High School​
• Maryland Matters Commentary: Maryland is aging quicker—let’s lead the nation in how we respond
• WYPR - 88.1 FM Baltimore: Maryland unveils new plan to protect aging residents
• McKnights Senior Living: Maryland calls its multisector plan for aging a national model in longevity readiness
• Maryland Matters: State officials launch 10-year plan to boost supports for growing senior population
• The Southern Maryland Chronicle: Moore’s Plan Boosts Support for Older Marylanders
• WJZ News: Growing population of older adults in Maryland, cuts to federal programs prompt creation of support plan
• The Talbot Spy: State Officials Launch 10-Year Plan to Boost Supports for Growing Senior Population​
• PR Newswire: AARP Maryland Applauds Launch of Longevity Ready Maryland
• The BayNet: Gov. Moore Launches Longevity Ready Maryland, A Landmark State Plan To Support A Thriving Aging Population​​
• Office of Governor Moore Press Release: Governor Moore Launches Longevity Ready Maryland, a Landmark State Plan to Support a Thriving Aging Population​
• AARP Maryland Blog: 'Longevity Ready Maryland' Looks at Ways to Support Aging Population​