On April 14, 2026, Gov. Wes Moore signed the Longevity Ready Maryland (LRM) Act into law, making it the first state to enact legislation addressing the impact of increased longevity on individuals and communities while seeking to improve quality of life as people live longer. With predictions showing that 1 in 4 Marylanders will be age 60 or older by 2030, the law is expected to have a significant impact and serve as a national model.
Below, Carmel Roques, secretary of the Maryland Department of Aging and leader of the state’s longevity efforts, shares insight on the LRM Act and its potential effect on aging Marylanders.
What Is the Longevity Ready Maryland Act Designed to Solve?
Rogues: We are living longer than any generation in human history. Thanks to advances in medicine and community care, living into our 90s and 100s is becoming the norm. To meet the opportunities and challenges of this demographic shift, the Maryland Department of Aging is leading efforts to modernize the state’s social frameworks and infrastructure through the LRM Act.
The law represents a paradigm shift. Rather than focusing on “being old,” it centers on longevity and how Maryland can help people thrive. Our current policies, systems, and programs were designed for a different time and population. We have developed a patchwork of programs aimed at addressing specific short-term needs.
Maryland is no longer treating aging as a niche issue. By mandating collaboration across housing, transportation, healthcare, and economic sectors, the state is adopting a whole-of-government, multisector strategy — one that brings agencies and organizations together to prepare for longer lives. This moves aging services from a category focused on a specific group of people at a specific stage of life to a unified process that better prepares all Marylanders for longer, better lives.
How Will the LRM Act Improve Coordination Across State Government?
Rogues: The LRM Act directs our department to guide and align policies that support longer lives across state government. We will support this work by breaking down silos, embedding a longevity lens into the core missions and budgets of state agencies, and tracking cross-agency progress through a public-facing digital resource. The law also requires comprehensive updates to the state’s multisector plan every four years. In addition, we will continue to partner on legislation that promotes longevity-readiness goals.
The main challenge is moving beyond a system of highly fragmented services. We also must address long-standing disparities in health, wealth, and resources that vary across communities. Redesigning these systems requires the shift in governance that the LRM Act establishes, ensuring programs work together so that funding and service delivery are aligned rather than operating in isolation.
What Is a Longevity Ecosystem?
Rogues: In practice, a longevity ecosystem is a network in which government agencies, healthcare providers, nonprofits, and businesses work together to create communities that are supportive, inclusive, and livable for people of all ages. By incorporating healthy aging and the needs of older adults into the work of public-sector partners, Maryland is building a more coordinated, multisector approach that can improve outcomes across the lifespan.
The LRM effort recognizes that the way we design neighborhoods, deliver services, and allocate resources affects who can benefit from a longer life. To turn this vision into reality, the plan emphasizes practical strategies such as Asset-Based Community Development — which builds on the strengths of local neighborhoods — alongside modern digital tools that make it easier for residents to find and access the state resources and benefits for which they qualify.
As this work advances, residents should experience a more connected support system. Regardless of ZIP code, Marylanders will have greater access to community infrastructure and services that promote physical activity, social connection, safety, and purpose. The goal is to help people remain independent and thriving in the community they love.
How Does the LRM Act Expand Economic Opportunity?
Rogues: To expand economic opportunity, LRM focuses on strengthening the caregiving network while supporting a vibrant, multigenerational workforce. For direct care professionals, the plan recommends exploring living wage and benefits enhancements to improve recruitment and retention. It also proposes direct care worker registries, skills-based career pathways, and greater involvement of these workers in shaping state policies that affect their profession.
For unpaid family caregivers, who are the backbone of our long-term care support system, the plan is to reduce financial and emotional strain. Strategies include expanding the state’s capacity to implement the National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers, improving coordination with programs such as kinship care, and promoting workplace flexibility policies so residents do not have to choose between making a living and caring for a loved one.
For older workers, LRM champions age-inclusive employment by recommending an age-friendly employer certification to encourage businesses to recruit and retain workers ages 50 and older. The plan also supports entrepreneurship, lifelong learning, and targeted reskilling opportunities to help workers ages 40 and older transition into high-demand fields such as healthcare, education, and information technology.
Ultimately, a more inclusive workforce can foster mentorship, stability, and innovation, while helping Maryland businesses benefit from the strengths and experiences of multiple generations working together.
How Does the LRM Act Help Marylanders Prepare for Longer Lives?
Rogues: Many older adults face significant financial challenges, including the rising costs of housing and healthcare, limited savings, and barriers to employment. At the same time, complex and fragmented systems can make it difficult for eligible residents to find and access the programs and services available to them.
There is also a growing need to help people prepare financially for longer lives. LRM addresses this challenge by fostering a statewide conversation about the costs of longevity, gaps in coverage, and the importance of planning ahead. The plan emphasizes age-appropriate financial education and greater awareness of existing tools and resources. For example, while valuable resources such as MIT’s Longevity Preparedness Index already exist, many Marylanders are unaware of them.
To close these gaps, LRM prioritizes expanding affordable housing, improving financial literacy, and protecting older adults from fraud and financial exploitation. The state is also modernizing the Maryland Access Point system to create a seamless “No Wrong Door” experience. By integrating benefits screenings and service navigation tools, the system will make it easier for residents to connect with health, social, and financial resources through a single point of access.
How Will the LRM Act Improve Health, Wellness, and Mobility?
Rogues: This work is vital because our goal is not just to add years to life, but to add life to years. While access to nutritious food can manage chronic illness and support cognitive health, high costs and geographic barriers leave many older adults underserved, particularly in low-income or rural areas. That lack of access can contribute to early disability and severe chronic conditions.
Through a “food is medicine” approach, Maryland will develop policies that expand access to fresh groceries, home-delivered meals, and medically tailored nutrition. To make this sustainable, the state is prioritizing healthy food as a form of healthcare through the Rural Health Transformation Program, which expands nutrition access, supports local economies, and coordinates existing resources so residents get the right care at the right time.
To carry out this vision, the Maryland Department of Health is working across agencies to align the framework with benefits, school programs, and the Older Americans Act. The Maryland Department of Aging also is collaborating with partners through the Maryland Food System Resiliency Council. Together, these efforts can reduce malnutrition, improve management of chronic diseases, and help older Marylanders remain active, mobile, and independent for as long as possible.
