It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine in Baltimore, MD gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Baltimore, MD is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Hailey the owner is great! The home care team we've had so far have been”
“My brother has been satisfied with the care he’s been getting. Whenever I am”
“The staff and team work well together handling our needs. From home help to getting”
“Always Best has been great to us. Very accommodating to our needs. The caregivers are”
“Very expedient, patient, and helpful in setting up a relative with assisted living, especially the”
“They were really helpful and flexible arranging care after my surgery. Jasmine was”
“Great staff and company! My mom and I love the service and communication we get”
“Hailey at Always Best Care in Parkville was an absolute lifesaver! Navigating the confusing and”
“Excellent caregivers. Thank you! ????”
“Always Best Care Senior Services is a 5 STAR agency. Haley Davis provided me”
“Haley and her whole team are compassionate and drdicated to the residents and the families”
“Professional, kind, compassionate, always able to talk with someone communication was excellent. Helped with every”
“I had a wonderful experience working with their team. And would recommend them to everyone”
“Extremely responsive, professional, and friendly. Nothing but wonderful things to say about the process and”
“Haley and Toan have been an amazing resource to my mother and I, helping us”
“Hailey the owner is great! The home care team we've had so far have been amazing, especially Velma! They are so kind to my parents & provide excellent care!”
“My brother has been satisfied with the care he’s been getting. Whenever I am at his house, I find his aides to be caring, helpful, kind, and attentive to his needs. My interaction with staff has been very positive. They are helpful, caring, flexible, and professional.”
“The staff and team work well together handling our needs. From home help to getting to appointments. The communications between the staff and us have been very well done. For home care of all kinds, they are the ones for the job.”
“Always Best has been great to us. Very accommodating to our needs. The caregivers are wonderful. If you are looking for homecare I highly recommend this agency.”
“Very expedient, patient, and helpful in setting up a relative with assisted living, especially the details I would have overlooked. Managing care from far away is a challenge. They made it possible, and even provided unexpected extras.”
“They were really helpful and flexible arranging care after my surgery. Jasmine was attentive, friendly, and very helpful.”
“Great staff and company! My mom and I love the service and communication we get from Always Best Care. Markia (aide) and Haley (Owner) thank you for everything you do for my mom and me.”
“Hailey at Always Best Care in Parkville was an absolute lifesaver! Navigating the confusing and expensive world of long-term care options for my stepdad's dementia was overwhelming, but Hailey patiently and expertly guided us through every step. She truly listened to our needs and concerns and helped us find the perfect placement. Her knowledge, compassion, and dedication made a difficult process so much easier. We are incredibly grateful for her support! Highly recommend!”
“Excellent caregivers. Thank you! ????”
“Always Best Care Senior Services is a 5 STAR agency. Haley Davis provided me and my residents with prompt and courteous care. Whenever I have a family needing placement for their loved one, Always Best Care is my go to! Thank you so much Haley and your team!!!”
“Haley and her whole team are compassionate and drdicated to the residents and the families they care for! Excellent communication and good "bedside manners"! Would highly recommend this company!”
“Professional, kind, compassionate, always able to talk with someone communication was excellent. Helped with every aspect get my mom in a very nice assisted living. Followed up with me throughout making sure things went smoothly. Highly recommend Haley and her group to anyone needing assistance in this type of situation.”
“I had a wonderful experience working with their team. And would recommend them to everyone in my circle of friends and family”
“Extremely responsive, professional, and friendly. Nothing but wonderful things to say about the process and people. An evaluation was performed the same day I called about needing the service. They are very sensitive to your needs and follow through to make sure they are met in to the highest degree.”
“Haley and Toan have been an amazing resource to my mother and I, helping us with sitting services for my father in a dementia facility after his return from a hospitalization but they have really gone above and beyond. She has been an amazing resource and really cares about helping people. I am a nurse myself and so impressed with how proactive and helpful she has been, far beyond just sitting services. Very appreciated and much needed. I would absolutely recommend using her and her company to help you and your loved ones.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Druid Hill Park in Baltimore, MD with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Charleston or visit Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Baltimore, MD, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Baltimore, MD understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Baltimore, MD 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Eric Thomas, a student at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore who just graduated from Washington High School this year, said he sees a “strong” correlation between test scores and teacher turnover. He added that he’s had long-term substitute teachers who have been “accepting of the fact that they are not, you know, the best educator, but them and the students — they’re all going to get through it.”Thomas said he graduated with a 3.6 GPA and said it “shocks” him how far behind ...
Eric Thomas, a student at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore who just graduated from Washington High School this year, said he sees a “strong” correlation between test scores and teacher turnover. He added that he’s had long-term substitute teachers who have been “accepting of the fact that they are not, you know, the best educator, but them and the students — they’re all going to get through it.”
Thomas said he graduated with a 3.6 GPA and said it “shocks” him how far behind his peers are.
“The fact that maybe only one in every 10 of them pass the test really upsets me, because I know they're better than that,” he said.
Thomas added that he believes students aren’t motivated because of “terrible leadership.”
Bromwell said low salaries have made it hard to recruit good teachers.
“We were losing really great teachers,” Bromwell said, adding that many left the district for Worcester and Wicomico counties “because we weren't even in the ballpark when it came to salary structure.”
‘Nobody wants to come to this county’
Bromwell and the school board have made several changes they hope will increase student proficiency, including holding teachers accountable, creating an alternative program for students with behavioral and academic challenges, and reviewing the budget to ensure money is spent efficiently.
But some of Somerset County's biggest recent developments have had nothing to do with students’ test scores.
The state teacher’s union recently filed complaints calling for Board Chair Matt Lankford’s removal and alleging he intimidated educators during a board meeting. The encounter occurred amid ongoing conflict over which books should be allowed in the school library.
The board’s attorney, Gordana Schifanelli, told Spotlight that Lankford tried to answer publicly relevant questions during the meeting and that the union spread false information about the board’s book policy.
Lankford previously faced a request for his removal from Somerset’s prior superintendent, alleging misconduct in office, willful neglect of duty and incompetency. The Maryland State Board of Education found that, while the allegations were not “legally sufficient” to support his removal, Lankford’s “ongoing pattern of behavior is deeply problematic.”
Several other controversies have emerged recently. A state audit showed years of poor financial management, Maryland’s Inspector General for Education found the board broke the law in procuring new attorneys and the American Civil Liberties Union filed a complaint claiming the board withheld public records.
Schifanelli said the current board took the state audit “seriously” and is addressing the issues. She disputed the latter two claims, saying the board has the right to select its legal counsel and that the board was asked for public records that didn’t exist.
Somerset County parent Joe Hylton, who ran for school board earlier this year and lost the primary, was removed from two board meetings last year. He filed an Open Meetings Act complaint that the board won, and another complaint alleging a First Amendment violation.
“When you Google Somerset County Schools and you see the craziness that pops up and what they're actually doing, nobody wants to come to this county,” Hylton said. “No teacher wants to come to this county and teach. No principal wants to come to this county to be a principal.”
Bromwell appeared to share the sentiment.
“That was truthfully the one thing that almost didn't get me from coming down here was the politics part of public education,” he said.
Bromwell said he wants to make sure schools are focused on their main job: student success.
“When you have this so-called turmoil at the top level, it does distract from it,” he said. “What I've tried to do is keep that separate.”
‘Pipeline to prison’
Washington High School & Academy’s new principal, Curt Bunting, says poverty and trauma at home can make it difficult for kids to learn. But he said forming meaningful connections with students can go a long way.
“It could be anything,’” Bunting said, citing hunger, homelessness, having divorced parents or a parent in prison. “All it takes is one emotionally available adult in their lives. [It] makes a huge impact, and kids want the connection.”
Hylton said his children are doing “well” in school, with one child preparing to go to college. But he credits his kids’ success to his and his wife’s parenting, his sister’s tutoring and contributions from his social network — not the school system.
“Tell you the truth, our school system seems like it shows a pipeline to either go to prison or work at the prison,” Hylton said.
He added that Somerset students “want to see something different.”
“They want to give something different to their moms and their dads,” he said. “They want to be able to say, ‘I made it.’ We're not giving them that opportunity.”
Have a news tip? Contact Brooke Conrad at [email protected] or 443-578-2126, or contact the Spotlight team at [email protected] or 410-467-4670. Spotlight on Maryland is a joint venture by The Baltimore Sun, FOX45 News and WJLA in Washington, D.C.
With Halloween just around the corner, Baltimore County residents can celebrate the spooky season with a variety of family-friendly events throughout the area. From trunk-or-treating and costume contests to crafts, games and treats, communities across the county are preparing activities for children and families to enjoy.Here are several Halloween events planned for the Essex, Middle River and Dundalk areas.Halloween Spooktacular in EssexThe annual Halloween Spooktacular returns to Essex on Friday, Oct. ...
With Halloween just around the corner, Baltimore County residents can celebrate the spooky season with a variety of family-friendly events throughout the area. From trunk-or-treating and costume contests to crafts, games and treats, communities across the county are preparing activities for children and families to enjoy.
Here are several Halloween events planned for the Essex, Middle River and Dundalk areas.
Halloween Spooktacular in Essex
The annual Halloween Spooktacular returns to Essex on Friday, Oct. 30, at the Maedel Community Centre. Attendees are encouraged to dress in their Halloween best and enjoy pumpkin painting, crafts, bingo, treats and a visit from Essex Fire & Rescue.
The event is free to attend, but registration is required for one of two time slots: 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. or 6 to 7 p.m. The registration link can be found on the Town of Essex Facebook page.
Spooky Skelebration at the Essex Library
On Saturday, Oct. 31, at 2 p.m., the Essex branch of the Baltimore County Public Library will host its Spooky Halloween “Skelebration,” featuring games, crafts and magic tricks by magician Anubis.
The event is free to attend and offers families an opportunity to celebrate Halloween with an afternoon of spooky entertainment.
Trunk or Treat at VFW Memorial Post 2621
The Essex-Holly Neck VFW Memorial Post 2621 will welcome the community for trunk-or-treating Thursday, Oct. 29, at 6 p.m.
Those interested in decorating their vehicles and handing out candy are encouraged to participate, helping create a festive Halloween experience for local children and families.
More information can be found on the VFW Memorial Post’s Facebook page.
Trail or Treat
Families can venture into the woods for Trail or Treat at Marshy Point Nature Center in Middle River on Saturday, Oct. 31.
Beginning at 11 a.m., the family-friendly event invites participants to wear costumes and collect treats along the trail while enjoying the nature center’s outdoor setting.
Additional information can be found on the Baltimore County government events page.
Watersedge Trunk or Treat & More
Watersedge Park in Dundalk will host Watersedge Trunk or Treat & More on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 2 to 4 p.m., following the Watersedge Car Show, scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Located at 8820 Bullneck Road, the event will feature decorated vehicle trunks handing out candy to children, along with a costume contest, scarecrow building and family-friendly games. Free hot dogs, juice and chips will be provided for children. Additional food and drinks will be available at the car show.
Families can enjoy the car show earlier in the day before returning for the afternoon’s Halloween festivities.
TIMONIUM, Md. — The Baltimore County Department of Aging will host its 39th Annual Power of Age Expo on Thursday, Oct. 22, offering health resources, community planning tools, and live entertainment at the Maryland State Fairgrounds.The event runs from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is open to residents of all ages. Admission is $2 or two nonperishable food items, with donations benefiting the Community Assistance Network.The expo features a wide array of services and interactive areas running throughout the day. Attendees can visi...
TIMONIUM, Md. — The Baltimore County Department of Aging will host its 39th Annual Power of Age Expo on Thursday, Oct. 22, offering health resources, community planning tools, and live entertainment at the Maryland State Fairgrounds.
The event runs from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is open to residents of all ages. Admission is $2 or two nonperishable food items, with donations benefiting the Community Assistance Network.
The expo features a wide array of services and interactive areas running throughout the day. Attendees can visit the South Hall for Maryland Lottery and Keno, photo ID processing through the MVA Mobile Service, and vaccinations hosted by the Safeway Pharmacy Vaccination Center. In the Center Hall, a silent auction will accept bids from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.. Visitors to the North Hall can receive free manicures provided by Baltimore County Public Schools cosmetology students from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.. Guests can also view entries for the Creative Arts Contest in the South Hall and vote for Best in Show between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m..
A full schedule of musical performances and interactive demonstrations will take place on stage throughout the event. The morning lineup kicks off with Saving Sgt. Pepper at 9 a.m., followed by The Shining Stars Tap Dance Group led by instructor Kathy Lally at 11 a.m.. Lally will also lead a free Zumba Gold session at 11:30 a.m..
At 12 p.m., County Executive Katherine A. Klausmeier and Baltimore County Department of Aging Director Heang K. Tan will host an official welcome ceremony.
Afternoon activities include a jazz performance by Spice Jazz at 12:30 p.m., followed by a line dancing exhibit and lesson from the Liberty Senior Center Line Dancers at 2:30 p.m.. Winners of the Creative Arts Contest will be announced during an award ceremony at 3:30 p.m., and the band Rich and the Roadrunners will perform the final musical set of the day at 4 p.m..
More details about the event and the full program book are available online at powerofageexpo.com.
Additional information is available in the flyers below.
Sherry Gudger’s eviction in August 2025 was scheduled for the same day as her son Eli’s first day of third grade.The 36-year-old lived in a two-bedroom apartment in a Halethorpe complex that based rents on tenants’ incomes. But after she lost a series of temp jobs, Gudger fell behind and found herself — among thousands of other Baltimore County residents — destabilized by eviction.She is part of a sobering statistic: Baltimore County evicted more residents than any other jurisdiction during the 202...
Sherry Gudger’s eviction in August 2025 was scheduled for the same day as her son Eli’s first day of third grade.
The 36-year-old lived in a two-bedroom apartment in a Halethorpe complex that based rents on tenants’ incomes. But after she lost a series of temp jobs, Gudger fell behind and found herself — among thousands of other Baltimore County residents — destabilized by eviction.
She is part of a sobering statistic: Baltimore County evicted more residents than any other jurisdiction during the 2025 fiscal year, state data shows. The county recorded more than 4,300 evictions, according to data compiled by the state’s housing department and the District Court of Maryland.
The reasons are complex. Federal emergency rental assistance from the pandemic era is gone. Access to legal representation and government aid is thought to be more limited than in other parts of the state, experts say. The county is short on housing. Residents in Baltimore County are paying more for rent relative to their incomes than other Marylanders. And the rising cost of everything from groceries to utilities is making it hard for many people to make ends meet.
Danielle Meister, assistant secretary of homeless solutions with Maryland’s housing department, said the state has long harbored concerns about the county’s disproportionate number of evictions.
Baltimore County is a “significant outlier in the wrong direction,” she said.
The disparity in Baltimore County exists as statewide evictions have dropped, said Adam Skolnik, executive director of the Maryland Multi-Housing Association, which represents property owners and managers across the state.
Jennie Fumarola, director of programs and operations at Cornerstone Franciscan Ministries, a Baltimore County nonprofit that distributes financial aid to low-income families, said the organization has seen an increase in clients seeking services for the first time.
“The need is astronomical,” she said.
Fumarola said many of Cornerstone’s clients have faced eviction. She knows families living out of cars, sleeping at airports and bunking with friends and relatives. Last year, the organization committed $1.8 million in assistance for families with school-age kids in four weeks and sometimes received more than 100 referrals a day, mostly about people facing eviction or utility shut-offs.
The majority of evictions in the county occur because tenants don’t pay their rent. Only a small percentage in 2025 were for other reasons, such as violating the terms of a lease. About a third of households are renters, according to the U.S. census.
During COVID-19, the county used all of its federal emergency rental assistance funding — more than $115 million — to prevent what would have been 8,500 evictions, said Terry Hickey, the county’s housing director.
“We didn’t fix the underlying problems, though. I’m glad we did it, but it essentially punted the real issues.”
Baltimore County’s median rent is about $1,700 per month, according to the most recent census data — lower than in neighboring counties, but higher than what most tenants can comfortably afford. Rent has climbed nearly 8% in the past decade. And in May, The Banner reported that Baltimore County — which has an agreement with the federal government to provide more housing — has struggled to add 1,000 affordable homes over the last decade. A December 2025 report commissioned by the county found the jurisdiction was short at least 19,000 homes.
Resistance to new housing has led the County Council to regulate where new homes can be built and has stalled other projects, including Lutherville Station — the site of a dilapidated shopping center primed for redevelopment.
The housing shortfall means that if a tenant falls behind on rent in one place, they can’t easily relocate to a cheaper one.
County Executive Kathy Klausmeier’s office did not directly address the fact that the county leads Maryland in evictions in a statement from spokesperson Dakarai Turner.
Turner added that Klausmeier introduced a program last year to improve the county’s permitting system, which he said will get new housing built faster.
In 2024, the county’s median household income dropped to just under $88,000 — an almost 8% decline since 2018. Meister said the state’s numbers also point to a 28% rise in homelessness in Baltimore County over the last two years, an increase that has outpaced the rest of Central Maryland.
“They’re being hauled into court because they’re behind on rent, yet they’re missing the opportunity to earn more money to be able to pay the rent,” said Mary Cox, a staff attorney with the Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland who represents people in rent court. “People just can’t afford it.”
Tenants have a chance to fight their eviction cases in court. But it’s an uphill battle.
On a late-summer morning in Towson’s District Court, attorneys and representatives for property management companies moved along the carpeted courthouse aisle at a rapid clip. Tenants with eviction cases included a woman anxiously tapping a bedazzled Croc, a couple soothing a fussy baby, a man in a three-piece suit and at least a hundred more crowding the courtroom. The 9 a.m. docket had 735 eviction cases.
Before the judge arrived, landlords’ agents with clipboards and overstuffed manila folders encouraged tenants to check in with them.
Renters who don’t show up or check in before court are not given another opportunity to stand before the judge.
Zafar Shah, advocacy director for the Human Right to Housing program at Maryland Legal Aid, said attorneys at the organization have observed Baltimore County tenants missing their cases because they don’t hear their names called from the overcrowded room, or the court doesn’t check them in.
In Towson, the majority of tenants didn’t show up that morning, and the judge ruled in favor of the property management companies by default.
An eviction can be a demoralizing process for the tenants experiencing it.
The morning she was forced to leave her home, Gudger, a single mom, stuffed some belongings into trash bags and planned to retrieve more the following day.
She couldn’t pack everything from the Lansdowne Gardens housing complex in time, but said a law enforcement officer told her she had 24 hours to get everything.
Instead, as Gudger alleged in a lawsuit against Baltimore County, her possessions — electronics, furniture, personal identification documents, clothes — were tossed in the trash.
The lawsuit, which Gudger filed with representation from Maryland Legal Aid in June, argues that she was deprived of her personal property without due process.
Baltimore County’s “abandonment ordinance,” which deems items left behind after an eviction to be abandoned, is one of many kinks that make the process of removing people from their homes especially traumatic.
“Sometimes my energy is not there,” Gudger said. “A lot of times it just kind of gets to the point where I’m just overwhelmed, not sure exactly what’s next.”
Lansdowne Gardens is owned by a Baltimore-based subsidiary of Affordable Homes & Communities — a nonprofit housing developer and property manager operating in the mid-Atlantic.
Jennifer Smith, a spokesperson for Affordable Homes & Communities, declined to comment on Gudger’s case. In a statement, she said that the company strives to treat those who are evicted with respect while following the law.
“At AHC, residents are at the heart of all we do,” she said. “We work to support housing stability and prevent evictions whenever possible.”
Shah has spent countless hours in rent court. Baltimore County, he said, “is just an oddity.”
Of the four largest counties in Maryland, Baltimore County has a relatively small population of renters, Shah said. Taking population and rent prices into account, Montgomery County should have the highest rate, he said, but it actually has the lowest.
That could be due to local government resources and the amount of nonprofit aid available in the Washington, D.C., suburb, Shah said.
Hickey, the county’s housing director, said Baltimore County has tried to address the indignities suffered by those facing eviction. Last month, the County Council passed a bill updating the county code to provide residents facing eviction with 14 days’ notice instead of six.
“Notice is vital,” Hickey said. “Notice gives tenants a critical window needed to intervene and hopefully prevent the eviction from happening.”
The legislation also removed the county’s abandonment ordinance.
Hickey, housing advocates and landlords have until Dec. 31 to propose recommendations to council members and the county executive about who will store tenants’ belongings following an eviction, who will pay for storage and how long the belongings will be stored.
Baltimore City is considering a similar proposal, and Anne Arundel County recently updated its own version of the law to provide tenants with an extra day to gather their things.
Hickey said his department has worked hard to keep empathy at the forefront of its efforts to build a safety net for those who lose stable housing — particularly by allocating money to the county’s shelter system and nonprofits, like Cornerstone, that serve low-income renters.
Respect, transparency and constitutional compliance are top priorities for the county, Hickey said.
Ideally, he added, the county would build more housing. More supply brings down rents and increases access to housing.
Realistically, the department is limited in what it can control.
TOWSON, Md. — Incoming Baltimore County Council members will make $119,750 a year, up from the current $69,000 salary, under a pay increase approved by the council this week.The increase amounts to $50,750, or about 73.6%. The council chair's salary will increase from $77,000 to $129,750, an increase of $52,750, or about 68.5%.The new salaries will apply to council members seated following the November 2026 general election. Baltimore County voters approved expanding the council from seven to nine members in 2024 and amen...
TOWSON, Md. — Incoming Baltimore County Council members will make $119,750 a year, up from the current $69,000 salary, under a pay increase approved by the council this week.
The increase amounts to $50,750, or about 73.6%. The council chair's salary will increase from $77,000 to $129,750, an increase of $52,750, or about 68.5%.
The new salaries will apply to council members seated following the November 2026 general election. Baltimore County voters approved expanding the council from seven to nine members in 2024 and amended the county charter to consider council membership a full-time position for compensation purposes.
The Personnel and Salary Advisory Board recommended salaries of $140,000 for council members and $150,000 for the chair. The council instead approved lower amounts.
During debate on the measure, Councilman Izzy Patoka argued that council members' responsibilities and workloads have grown over the years, particularly as constituents increasingly expect immediate responses through email, text messages, and social media.
Councilman Nino Mangione opposed the increase, arguing that expanding the council from seven to nine members will mean fewer constituents per council member at a time when residents are struggling and the county faces other needs, including public safety and infrastructure.
The measure passed 4-2. Mangione and Councilman David Marks voted against it, while Councilman Todd Crandell was absent.
The council also approved a raise for the county executive. The position's annual salary will increase from $192,000 to $240,000 for the term beginning in December 2026, an increase of $48,000, or 25%.
That measure passed 5-1, with Mangione casting the only opposing vote and Crandell absent.
Council members held off on a separate proposal involving compensation for the county's chief administrative officer. The council voted to extend that measure for further discussion at its next work session and legislative session.
The compensation changes also carry additional retirement costs. An actuarial analysis of several compensation measures estimates they would collectively increase the county's annual employer retirement system costs by $133,259 beginning in fiscal year 2029. Of that amount, $90,375 is attributed to the council compensation changes.
This is a developing story, so check back with WMAR2News.com for updates.
This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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