Frequently Asked Questions

Assisted living and memory care both provide support for daily living in a residential setting, but they’re designed for different needs.

Assisted living is a good fit for individuals who need help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, and managing medications. It’s ideal for those who want to maintain their independence but appreciate the security of having support nearby. Residents also enjoy services like home-cooked meals, housekeeping, and opportunities for social connection and enrichment.

Memory care is more structured with increased focus on safety. It includes all of the services found in assisted living, but with additional structure and safety for individuals living with Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other memory-related conditions. These communities have a higher staff-to-resident ratio, secure environments with features like key-coded entry, and round-the-clock supervision. Daily routines are thoughtfully designed to reduce confusion and provide comfort, while activities are tailored to support cognitive health.

At HeartHomes, both assisted living and memory care are delivered in warm, intimate settings where residents are known, supported, and valued. Assisted living offers the right blend of freedom and support, while memory care provides an extra layer of specialized attention for those with cognitive needs. If you’re unsure which is the right fit, take a look at this article in our blog, Assisted Living vs. Memory Care: What’s the Right Fit for Your Loved One. We’re also here to talk it through and help guide your decision with compassion and clarity.

Memory care is a specialized form of assisted living designed to support individuals living with Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other memory-related conditions. It offers a secure environment with familiar routines, thoughtfully planned activities, and 24/7 staff trained in memory support.

What makes memory care unique is the level of structure, safety, and personal attention it provides. With a higher staff-to-resident ratio and gentle, consistent guidance throughout the day, residents are supported in ways that reduce anxiety and enhance daily comfort.

Learn more about Memory care at HeartHomes.

Assisted living is a supportive housing option for older adults who need help with daily activities but don’t require the intensive medical care of a nursing home. It’s designed for individuals who value independence but could use a hand with tasks like bathing, dressing, medication management, or getting to meals safely.

Residents in assisted living benefit from a blend of privacy, dignity, and support, along with services like home-cooked meals, housekeeping, and scheduled activities that encourage engagement and social connection.

At HeartHomes, our assisted living communities offer all of this in a warm, intimate setting that feels more like home than a facility. With smaller community sizes and compassionate staff who know each resident personally, we’re able to provide not just care, but meaningful connection and comfort every day.

Explore assisted living at HeartHomes and how we support families like yours.

Every resident at HeartHomes has a personalized care plan, including dietary accommodations. We regularly support individuals with diabetes, allergies, soft diets, and more, always with input from families and healthcare providers to ensure comfort and safety.

We understand that circumstances can change. Once you’ve placed a deposit to hold a room, your family has up to 30 days to complete the assessment and paperwork.

If you decide not to move forward during that time, $500 of the deposit is refunded. If our team determines that your loved one is not an appropriate fit for admission, the full $1,000 deposit is refunded.

Our goal is to make this process as reassuring and flexible as possible.

We offer daily programming that includes everything from music, games, dancing, cooking, and crafts to exercise, seasonal celebrations, and spiritual reflection. Our activity calendar is designed to stimulate the mind and create real joy and connection among residents.

Sometimes, yes. Our availability depends on the location and time of year. We don’t publish a formal waitlist online because things can change quickly, but you’re always welcome to call and ask about current openings.

If we don’t have an immediate opening, we can place your loved one on our courtesy waitlist with no deposit required. When a room becomes available, we’ll reach out to you directly to see if the timing is right for your family.

Yes. Our memory care communities have a higher staff-to-resident ratio than assisted living. That means more eyes, more hands, and more hearts available to offer personalized care throughout the day and night. It allows our team to respond quickly, support gently, and create a calmer, more structured environment for residents who may feel overwhelmed or confused.

In most cases, Medicare does not cover the cost of assisted living or memory care. It typically does not pay for room and board or personal care services, such as help with bathing, dressing, or daily supervision. That said, Medicare may still cover some medical services that a resident receives while living in an assisted living or memory care community. These could include physician visits, physical therapy, lab work, prescriptions, or certain medical equipment if they’re considered medically necessary and provided by Medicare-approved professionals.

We know it can be confusing to sort out what’s covered and what isn’t. If you have questions about our rates or what they include, we are happy to answer them.

Assisted living at HeartHomes provides residents with private, furnished rooms equipped with personal bathrooms and walk-in showers. Our compassionate staff offers 24-hour care and supervision, ensuring a safe and comfortable environment. Unlike nursing homes, which offer medical care for serious health conditions, our assisted living focuses on supporting daily living activities while promoting independence.

We have trained staff onsite 24/7 to respond to any needs. Our team provides medication management, health monitoring, and assistance with coordination of outside medical professionals. Residents are supported with compassion and care in every situation.

Many families use a combination of funding sources to cover the cost of assisted living or memory care. This may include personal savings, Social Security, pension benefits, or retirement funds. Long-term care insurance may also help cover some costs.

If your loved one is a veteran or the spouse of a veteran, they may be eligible for support through the VA Aid and Attendance program. HeartHomes also participates in Supporting Older Adults with Resources (SOAR), a Maryland-based program that provides financial assistance to families who qualify.

The county Department of Aging and Disabilities takes applications by phone at 410-222-4257.

We understand that paying for care can feel complicated. If you have questions about our rates or what they include, we are happy to answer them. You can also read our guide to how Maryland families pay for care for helpful tools, links, and information.

Recognizing when it’s time for assisted living can be emotional and difficult. Often, it becomes clear when your loved one starts struggling with daily activities like bathing, dressing, preparing meals, or remembering medications. You may also notice signs of isolation, forgetfulness, or safety concerns at home. HeartHomes provides a supportive environment where residents can receive the help they need while maintaining dignity and independence.

Our blog article on What families worry about most when choosing assisted living may help you through this process.

We aim to make the process as easy and stress-free as possible. If you’re considering a move to HeartHomes, here’s how it works:

1.Reach out to us: we’ll answer any questions and get to know your needs.

2.Join our waitlist (if needed) with no financial commitment.

3.When a room becomes available, we’ll give you a courtesy call, no pressure.

4.If you’re ready to move forward, a $1,000 deposit will hold the room for up to 30 days.

5.During that time, we’ll schedule an assessment, work with your loved one’s doctor, and help with the required forms.

The deposit can then be applied to either the community fee or the first month’s rent.

Yes. Typically at HeartHomes locations, memory care costs about $500 more per month.

We only ask for a deposit once you’re ready to move forward. A $1,000 deposit holds the room for up to 30 days, giving everyone time to complete the assessment and any medical paperwork.

If your family decides not to move forward, we’ll refund $500 of the deposit. If we determine your loved one isn’t an appropriate fit for our care, we’ll refund the full deposit.

Yes. Many of our residents remain active and independent. HeartHomes supports personal routines, social outings, and family visits, and we encourage residents to stay engaged in their own lives while receiving support when needed.

Absolutely. You’re welcome to visit your loved one at any time. We don’t have set visiting hours. Family connection is something we encourage, not restrict. Some families drop by after work. Others come for lunch, join an activity, or just sit together quietly. Whether you stay for a few minutes or spend the afternoon, our communities are open and welcoming.

HeartHomes is your loved one’s home. When you visit, it should feel like yours too.

Absolutely. We encourage families to visit HeartHomes to meet our team, tour the spaces, and ask questions. You can schedule a visit here or call us anytime. We’ll make the process comfortable and informative.

Yes, pets are welcome to visit. Families often bring beloved animals for visits, and we regularly partner with local organizations to provide therapy animal sessions that our residents truly enjoy. While full-time resident pets are not permitted, we strongly believe in the comfort and joy that animal companionship brings and include it in our lifestyle programming whenever possible.