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Maryland has a large and growing older-adult population, creating continued demand for services that help individuals remain safe, comfortable, and independent at home. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey, approximately 1.52 million Maryland residents were age 60 or older, representing about 24.2% of the state's population, while approximately 1.10 million residents were age 65 or older. Maryland's long-term aging plan projects that residents age 60+ will represent about 26% of the state's population by 2030, while the population age 85 and older is projected to reach more than 315,000 by 2045.  

Chronic health conditions create an ongoing need for reliable support among individuals who want to continue living at home. The Maryland Department of Health reports that approximately 12.2% of Maryland adults were living with diagnosed diabetes in 2023, with prevalence increasing to 23.4% among adults age 65 and older. Heart disease is also the state's leading cause of death. For older adults and individuals managing chronic conditions, non-medical home care can provide valuable assistance with personal care, meal preparation, mobility, light housekeeping, companionship, and other activities of daily living. 

Maryland has established Home and Community Based Services programs designed to help older adults and individuals with disabilities remain in their homes and communities rather than receive care in institutional settings. Maryland's Community Options Waiver provides community-based services for eligible individuals who meet nursing-facility level-of-care requirements, and the state currently maintains a waitlist for the program. The presence of an active waiver registry reflects continued demand for services and supports that help Maryland residents live safely and independently within their communities. 

Maryland offers significant opportunities for home care businesses across metropolitan, suburban, and community-based markets. From Baltimore, Annapolis, Columbia, Frederick, Rockville, Silver Spring, and Bel Air to Hagerstown, Salisbury, and communities throughout the state, Maryland's large senior population creates opportunities for locally operated home care services. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that Maryland's population reached approximately 6.27 million residents in 2025, with 18.4% of residents age 65 or older. As Maryland continues to prepare for a rapidly aging population, dependable, relationship-based care at home is expected to remain an important part of the state's care landscape.  

Helping older Marylanders remain in the homes and communities of their choice is an established priority within the state's aging-services system. Maryland's Longevity Ready Maryland initiative combines a four-year State Plan on Aging with a ten-year multisector plan designed to prepare the state for its growing older population. The Maryland Department of Aging also partners with 19 Area Agencies on Aging to provide local infrastructure for programs and services throughout the state. EmmUcare's non-medical services align with this approach by providing personalized assistance that can help clients maintain their routines, dignity, independence, and connection to their communities.  

Maryland offers several characteristics that can make it an attractive market for franchise ownership:

• Business Funding and Incentives: Maryland Commerce administers a broad range of programs including tax credits, loans, grants, loan guarantees, and other financial resources designed to support business startup and growth.  
• Strong Economic Development Support: Maryland Department of Commerce programs supported an estimated 24,000 jobs in fiscal year 2025, with more than 830 businesses using state programs and investing nearly $434 million in private capital.  
• Growing Aging-Care Needs: Maryland projects continued growth among its oldest residents, including a 158% increase in the age 85+ population between 2020 and 2045, reinforcing the long-term need for businesses and organizations serving older adults. 

Becoming an EmmUcare Home Health franchise owner means building your business with an established brand, structured systems, and an experienced support team behind you. Franchisees receive comprehensive initial training, operational guidance, recruiting and onboarding resources, marketing support, technology resources, and ongoing assistance designed to help them launch, operate, and grow their local business.

EmmUcare's Care Centered Around You philosophy provides franchise owners with a recognizable mission focused on compassionate, personalized support and helping individuals maintain independence in the comfort of their homes.

With more than 1.5 million Maryland residents age 60 or older, approximately 1.1 million residents age 65+, and documented demand for home- and community-based services reflected by an active Community Options Waiver waitlist, an EmmUcare franchise offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to build a meaningful local business while benefiting from the resources, structure, and support of an established home care brand.