Longevity Ready Maryland Ushers in a New Era for Aging Across the State

On July 30, Maryland stepped into the future with the launch of Longevity Ready Maryland (LRM), the much-anticipated plan to prime the state for a growing population of older adults and guide us toward a more inclusive future. Built on more than two years of research and collaboration that began in 2023, yesterday’s launch represents a major milestone in Maryland’s journey to become a national model in longevity-readiness.

“While some in Washington threaten to pull the rug out from under our residents, placing greater strain on state resources, Maryland is stepping forward with urgency and a clear plan to put the well-being of older Marylanders front and center,” said Gov. Moore. “By coordinating action across state agencies, community organizations, and the private sector, Longevity Ready Maryland takes a resilient approach to aging and makes efficient use of every resource as federal support becomes less certain.”

The Right Path Forward During Challenging Times

As supports for older adults face significant funding challenges, we must find new and innovative ways to meet the needs of Maryland's aging population.

The demographic crossroads we are at is undeniable. More older adults mean a larger demand for affordable housing, employment, systems of care, accessible transportation, and other supports that are a lifeline to many of us as we age. Older adults also provide important economic and social benefits that are essential to Maryland. We don’t want to lose this valuable population to other states. The urgency is real as older Marylanders grow at a faster rate than the national average.

LRM charts a clear path forward to maximize resources, fill gaps, and align efforts to better support older adults in every Maryland community. Through its multisector, longevity-focused model, it aims to create a state where every resident has the opportunity to age safely and securely in place.

By removing dated approaches to aging services that were limited to problem-solving at a specific time of life, we leave space for all of us to be better prepared as we age. Working across the lifespan, LRM will capitalize on the significant benefits that healthy, happy, and financially-secure older adults bring to Maryland's communities.

A Call-to-Action for All of Maryland

State agencies, local governments, philanthropies, businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations are invited to join forces in bringing this vision to life.

The launch of LRM is not a final solution to the challenges we face. But it is a step in the right direction toward achieving longevity-readiness in the years to come. This new way of working with and for older adults has the potential to benefit every sector and community in Maryland. Businesses will thrive in supporting a multigenerational workforce of skilled employees who feed the economic pipeline for years longer than prior generations. Local governments will reduce long-term service costs by investing in age-inclusive infrastructure that attracts new residents of all ages. State agencies and service providers will be able to extend their reach, reduce administrative burden, and improve efficiency through coordinated systems of care and shared resources.

Together, we can build stronger communities when we stop restricting longevity resilience to a specific sector, age, or population.

Resources to Get Started

The LRM website will serve as an essential tool for bringing stakeholders together and facilitating implementation.

LRM.Maryland.gov offers sector-specific resources to help local partners build longevity-resilience in key areas, consolidates important data to inform program development, and offers simple but effective ways that everyone can incorporate a longevity lens in the work they do. This dynamic platform will evolve in the years to come, highlighting emerging strategies and innovation, and incorporating contributions from state agencies, local organizations, and community partners to facilitate the cross-sector collaboration critical to the plan’s success.

As Maryland continues to pave the way for a Longevity Ready Maryland, LRM will help all of us work smarter, not harder, in the service of every Marylander across the lifespan.

You can download a copy of the plan from the LRM.Maryland.gov website, and are encouraged to explore the many opportunities it provides to participate.