Department of Aging urges preservation of senior-care dollars as state analysts flag waitlist and spending issues

Victoria Martinez of the Department of Legislative Services presented the fiscal 2026 review of the Maryland Department of Aging on Jan. 29 before the Health and Social Services Subcommittee of Appropriations, reporting the department’s allowance at about $90.3 million, a roughly $869,000 decrease from the prior year.

The DLS analysis highlighted three items that dominated questioning: a growing senior care program waitlist amid declining participation; substantial one‑time ARPA and other reversions that reduced FY24 spending; and ongoing implementation of recently created initiatives, including a Long Term Care and Dementia Care Navigation Program and the Longevity Ready Maryland plan.

DLS found that the senior care program, which receives state funding that pays for services and case management intended to help older adults remain at home, had $8.5 million added by the General Assembly in fiscal 2024 to address the waitlist. The department reported actual FY24 spending of about $8.7 million but reverted roughly $5.9 million at FY24 closeout. The program is budgeted at $13.9 million in FY25 and $13.2 million in the FY26 allowance; DLS recommended reducing the FY25 appropriation by $2.5 million to better match recent spending patterns.

"The…