St. Mary’s County residents have a two-week window to influence services for older adults through a public survey shaping the county’s next four-year Area Plan.
The St. Mary’s County Department of Aging & Human Services launched the Area Plan Survey on Thursday, April 16, 2026. It remains open through Thursday, April 30, 2026. The department invites older adults, caregivers and all county residents to share input on programs and supports for those aged 60 and older.
As the designated Area Agency on Aging, the department must prepare the 2027-2030 Area Plan under requirements from the Maryland Department of Aging. The plan will guide program development, service delivery, advocacy and resource allocation across the four-year period.
Feedback from the survey will help identify service gaps, evaluate existing programs and set priorities to better meet community needs. This input process aligns with the Older Americans Act, which emphasizes helping individuals live independently, safely and with dignity in their homes and communities for as long as possible.
The plan also incorporates the Longevity Ready Maryland initiative, a ten-year multisector strategy addressing demographic shifts including a projected rise in the state’s population aged 60 and older from 22.62 percent in 2020 to 26.15 percent in 2030. Its four epic goals focus on building a longevity ecosystem, promoting economic opportunity, preparing Marylanders to afford longevity, and optimizing health, wellness and mobility.
Community members can complete the questionnaire online by visiting www.stmaryscountymd.gov/Aging/AreaPlan. The site also links to the draft Area Plan Narrative for review. For those without online access, print copies are available at the Garvey, Northern and Loffler Senior Activity Centers in St. Mary’s County.
The department encourages broad participation to ensure the final plan reflects local priorities for aging services in Southern Maryland. Additional details on the department’s programs are available at www.stmaryscountymd.gov/aging. Information on the statewide Longevity Ready Maryland vision is posted at https://lrm.maryland.gov.
This public engagement step occurs as St. Mary’s County, like other Maryland jurisdictions, prepares for an aging population while maintaining focus on person-centered services, equity and collaboration across government and community sectors.
