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One Year, One Mission: Stronger Support for Maryland Caregivers
Learn how AARP Maryland volunteers are working to support family caregivers.
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Key highlights
- AARP Maryland’s Volunteer Caregiving Team marks one year of helping family caregivers across the state.
- Volunteers strengthened caregiver resources, advocacy, outreach and community partnerships.
- The team helped advance work with 211 Maryland and the Maryland Commission on Caregiving.
- Maryland’s caregiving pilot is inspiring similar efforts in other states.
- Year two will focus on reaching more caregivers with practical support and information.
Across Maryland, family caregivers help loved ones stay safe, connected and supported—often while balancing work, family and other responsibilities. To better support them, AARP Maryland’s Volunteer Caregiving Team has spent the past year listening, learning and taking action.
The team recently celebrated its first anniversary as an official AARP Maryland volunteer team. During its June meeting, members reflected on a year of progress and looked ahead to new ways to support family and informal caregivers throughout the state.
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A year of impact for Maryland caregivers
In just twelve months, this dedicated group of volunteers has helped shape caregiver resources, strengthen partnerships, support advocacy efforts and raise awareness of the challenges faced by family caregivers. Their work reflects a simple but powerful goal: making it easier for Maryland caregivers to find help, feel supported and know they are not alone.
Nancy Carr for AARP
What the volunteer team accomplished
- Conducted a statewide needs assessment of family and informal caregivers to help guide the team’s strategic direction and share insights with the AARP National Office.
- Launched the Community Resource Exploration, or CaRE, Subcommittee to map caregiver resources across Maryland and make information easier for caregivers to find and use.
- Advocated for legislation to include caregiver resources in the 211 Maryland database.
- Worked with the Maryland Department of Health to support legislation establishing a statewide caregiver resource webpage.
- Participated in the 2026 Maryland General Assembly by providing testimony on caregiving legislation and joining successful Advocacy Days.
- Built partnerships with organizations including NAMI Maryland, the Maryland Commission on Caregiving, Laila’s Gift, the Alzheimer’s Association and other groups serving caregivers and older adults.
- Expanded outreach by participating in community events and supporting organizations that serve family caregivers.
- Strengthened volunteer leadership by filling key roles, including co-leads and an Information Officer, and establishing a new Outreach Subcommittee.
- Invested in volunteer development, with more than half of team members completing the Caregiving Learning Pathway, including Caregiving 101 and 211 Outreach training.
- Represented AARP Maryland on the Maryland Commission on Caregiving’s Respite Care Subcommittee.
- Shared Maryland’s experiences through presentations highlighting AARP’s national Caregiving in My Community pilot.
Maryland’s caregiving work is gaining attention
One accomplishment deserves special recognition. Maryland’s participation in the national Caregiving in My Community pilot has become a leading example of what is possible when volunteers, community partners and advocates work together. Several states are now drawing inspiration from Maryland’s successes and lessons learned as they develop caregiving initiatives of their own.
A welcoming community with a shared purpose
Most importantly, the team has built a welcoming community of volunteers who care deeply about improving the lives of family and informal caregivers. Through conversation, collaboration and service, the team continues to strengthen AARP Maryland’s relationships with public and private organizations committed to caregiver support.
Looking ahead to year two
As the AARP Maryland Volunteer Caregiving Team begins its second year, members are focused on building on this strong foundation. Their priorities include expanding resources, supporting advocacy, increasing education and reaching more caregivers in communities across Maryland.
For AARP Maryland members, the message is clear: family caregivers are a vital part of our communities, and volunteers are helping make sure they have better access to the information, support and recognition they deserve.
For caregiving resources near you, visit aarp.org/caregiving
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