Seal Rock Healthcare is located at 88 Harbor Dr in Saco, Maine. It is a 105 room nursing care facility. The encompassing area has a medium-density population, with approximately 19,000 individuals living in the zip code of 04072. ...
Assisted Living in Maine
- SeniorAdvice's Guide to Assisted Living in Maine
- Assisted Living Directory for Maine
- Assisted Living Costs in Maine
- Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Maine
- Maine Assisted Living Rules and Regulations
- Free Assisted Living Resources in Maine
Approximately 1,344,212 people call the state of Maine home, and about one in five residents are aged 65 and older. While the overall state population is expected to remain relatively stable in the next few years, the number of seniors is predicted to jump to 351,880 by 2026 up from 257,499 in 2016.
According to the 2019 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, the average monthly cost of assisted living care in Maine is $5,169, which is $1,118 higher than the national average of $4,051.
This guide provides in-depth information on assisted living costs in Maine and how those costs compare to other long-term care services for seniors. Readers will also learn about the various financial assistance programs for older adults who need assisted living care as well as state rules and regulations that govern these facilities.
SeniorAdvice's Guide to Assisted Living in Maine
Maine currently has a SeniorScore of 68%, which is 4% below the national average. The SeniorScore is compiled from more than 100 data points analyzing variables that impact quality of life, including access to health care, the cost of assisted living, life expectancy and finances.
SeniorScore™ for Maine
The SeniorScore™ is calculated based on over 100 variables, some of which are shown below. The final score is curved based on a linear curving method. For More info visit senioradvice.com/seniorscore.
68
SeniorScore™ Overview
- Maine's SeniorScore™ of 68 is lower than the national average of 72.
65
Health & Safety
- Maine has high access to Medicare registered healthcare providers.
- Maine has an average number of hospitals within the state.
- Maine has an average number of senior living facilities within the state.
- Maine has an average number of home healthcare providers operating in the state.
- The average life expectancy in Maine is 79.2, compared to the national average of 78.6.
- Maine has a high overall property crime rate compared to national averages.
- Maine has an average overall violent crime rate compared to national averages.
67
Recreation & Leisure
- 35% of the population in Maine are seniors, compared to 29% nationally.
- Maine has 122 golf courses in the state.
- Maine has a high number of municipal parks throughout the state.
- Maine has 857 churches in the state.
54
Finances
- The property taxes average 3.42% of total income in Maine, which is significantly higher than the national average of 2.79%.
- The property taxes average 1.12% of property value in Maine, which is higher than the national average of 1.09%.
- The average sales tax in Maine is 5.49%, which is significantly lower than the national average of 6.97%.
- The average state income tax in Maine is 5.07%, which is significantly higher than the national average of 3.38%.
- The mean household income in Maine is $62,168, which is lower than the national average of $64,580.
- Maine's median household income is $49,422, which is lower than the national average of $51,560.
- The average per capita income in Maine is $26,184, which is higher than the national average of $25,611.
- Assisted living costs in Maine average $54,662 per year, which are significantly higher than the national average of $42,700.
- Nursing home costs in Maine average $110,835 per year, which are significantly higher than the national average of $92,481.
- Costs for adult daycare in Maine average $28,771 per year, which are significantly higher than the national average of $17,931.
- Costs for home healthcare in Maine average $51,207 per year, which are significantly higher than the national average of $46,197.
- The unemployment rate is about 7.18% in Maine, which is significantly lower than then national rate of 8.26%.
- The overall cost of living in Maine is very high compared to national averages.
- 0.56% of the senior population in Maine are financially responsible for at least one grandchild.
57
General Quality of Life
- Maine receives an average of 44.8 inches of rain per year.
- Maine has an average annual temperature of 45.4 degrees fahrenheit.
- Maine has an average low temperature of 34.6 degrees fahrenheit.
- Maine has an average high temperature of 55.1 degrees fahrenheit.
- Maine has an average population density of 176 people per square mile.
- Maine has a high public school quality ranking.
- Maine has a very high public school safety ranking.
- Maine has a high graduation rate of 90.31%.
Maine's quality of life ranking is 57%, and this number is relatively low largely due to the climate. Maine's long, wet winters and relatively short summers reduce the quality of life score although the state ranks well for its exceptionally good public schools and above-average graduation rates.
Health care in Maine is considered average, and the overall score for health and safety is 65%. There's an average number of hospitals, long-term care facilities, Medicare-registered providers and home health care providers in Maine, and the life expectancy is slightly higher than the national average at 79.2 years. However, the property crime rate is relatively high, and that has a negative impact on the overall SeniorScore.
Maine's average state income tax of 5.07% is much higher than the national average of 3.38%, and that can mean seniors who rely on investment income will pay more in income tax here than they would in states with low or no state income tax. The average sales tax in Maine is 5.49%, which is significantly below the national average of 6.97%.
Top Assisted Living Facilities in Maine
Seaside Rehab and Health Care is a 124 bed nursing home facility situated within the Ocean Avenue neighborhood of Portland, Maine. With an average per-household income of $55,954, the community is in a predominantly middle income area. It ...
Falmouth By The Sea is a 65 room senior housing community. It is situated within the Falmouth Foreside neighborhood of Falmouth, Maine. With a median per-household income of $88,841, the facility is in a generally well-to-do area. ...
Marshwood Center is a 108 bed senior community located in Lewiston, Maine. With around 38,000 individuals living in the zip code of 04240, the surrounding area is heavily populated. It is a generally middle income area, with an ...
Located at 51 Winship St in Bath, Maine, Winship Green Center For Health and Rehabilitation is a 72 bed nursing home facility. The community is in a predominantly middle income area, with a median household income of $45,563. ...
Horizons Living and Rehab Center is a 65 bed nursing home facility. It is located at 29 Maurice Dr in Brunswick, Maine. The community is in a largely middle class area, with a median per-household income of $51,062. ...
Located at 74 Parkway South in Brewer, Maine, Brewer Center For Health and Rehabilitation is a 111 room nursing home facility. With about 10,000 poeple living in the zip code of 04412, the neighboring area has a medium-density population. ...
Springbrook Center is a 123 room senior housing community situated around the Stroudwater neighborhood of Westbrook, Maine. With around 19,000 individuals residing in the 04092 zip code, the surrounding area has an average population density. It is a ...
Located at 15 Piper Rd in Scarborough, Maine, Piper Shores is a 40 bed senior community. With an average per-family income of $77,285, the facility is in a primarily wealthier area. It has an average population density, with ...
Seaport Village Healthcare is located at 19 General Moore Way in Ellsworth, Maine. It is a 40 unit nursing home facility. The neighboring area has a medium-density population, with about 14,000 poeple living in the zip code of ...
Durgin Pines is an 81 unit senior housing community located in Kittery, Maine. With a median per-family income of $52,799, the facility is in a primarily middle income area. It has an average population density, with around 9,000 ...
Situated within the Nasons Corner neighborhood of Portland, Maine, Barron Center is a 219 bed senior care community. With a median family income of $50,475, the community is in a predominantly middle class area. It has an average ...
Clover Health Care is a 109 unit nursing facility. It is located at 440 Minot Ave in Auburn, Maine. The community is in a generally middle class area, with a median per-family income of $42,117. It is ...
Ross Manor is located at 758 Broadway in Bangor, Maine. It is an 83 room senior care community. With about 46,000 poeple living in the zip code of 04401, the encompassing area is densely populated. It is ...
Situated within the North Deering area of Portland, Maine, St Joseph's Rehabilitation and Residence is a 121 room skilled nursing facility. The encompassing area has a dense population, with roughly 32,000 poeple living in the zip code of 04103. ...
The Gregory Wing At St. Andrews Village is a 30 unit senior housing facility located near by the East Boothbay area of Boothbay Harbor, Maine. With an average per-family income of $46,250, the community is in a predominantly middle ...
Cove's Edge is a 76 unit senior community. It is located at 26 Schooner St in Damariscotta, Maine. The encompassing area is sparsely populated, with about 3,000 individuals residing in the 04543 zip code. It is a ...
Augusta Center for Health and Rehabilitation is a 72 unit nursing care facility. It is located at 188 Eastern Ave in Augusta, Maine. The community is in a largely low income area, with an average household income of ...
Oak Grove Center is a 90 bed senior care community located in Waterville, Maine. The community is in a predominantly middle income area, with a median per-family income of $41,373. With approximately 27,000 people residing in the 04901 ...
River Ridge Center is situated nearby the West Kennebunk area of Kennebunk, Maine. It is a 48 bed senior community. The encompassing area has a medium-density population, with approximately 12,000 residents in the 04043 zip code. With ...
The Cost of Assisted Living in Maine
With a monthly average of $5,169, assisted living costs in Maine are higher than the national average of $4,051 per month. Costs in neighboring New Hampshire are significantly higher at $7,021 per month, while in nearby Massachusetts, assisted living residents pay an average of $5,640 per month. At $5,199 per month, assisted living costs in Rhode Island are similar to rates in Maine, as are costs in Vermont at $5,338 per month.
- Maine: $5,169
- National: $4,051
- New Hampshire: $7,021
- Massachusetts: $5,640
- Vermont: $5,338
- Rhode Island: $5,199
The Cost of Assisted Living in Maine's Top Cities
Average assisted living costs in Maine range from $4,753 per month in Bangor up to $6,600 per month in Portland. Rates in the Lewiston area average $5,385 per month. Prices in nearby Manchester, NH, are significantly higher at an average of $7,182 per month.
- Bangor: $4,753
- Lewiston: $5,385
- Portland: $6,600
- Manchester, NH: $7,182
Senior Care Cost Comparison in Maine
At an average cost of $5,169, assisted living is a popular option among seniors in Maine because this type of care includes all meals, accommodations and some assistance with activities of daily living. In-home care costs an average of $5,117 per month based on 44 hours of service weekly. Seniors with complex medical needs who require 24/7 skilled nursing can expect to pay an average of $10,038 for a semi-private room in a nursing home. In Maine, adult day health care costs roughly half as much as assisted living, but the scope of these services is limited.
- Assisted Living: $5,169
- In-Home Care: $5,117
- Home Health Care: $5,117
- Adult Day Care: $2,513
- Nursing Home Care: $10,038
Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Maine
Medicaid Waiver for Elderly and Adults with Physical Disabilities
Address: SHS 11, 41 Anthony Ave., Augusta, ME 04333
Phone Number: (800) 262-2232
Website: https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/oads/home-support/elderly-physically-disabled/index.html
The MaineCare Elderly and Adults with Physical Disabilities waiver is a Medicaid Home and Community Based Services waiver. This program is designed to reduce institutionalization rates among vulnerable adults and seniors who qualify for placement in a nursing home but can live safely in a less restrictive setting with supports. Seniors may reside in an assisted living facility while enrolled in this plan.
While this waiver does not cover room and board costs, it does fund a wide range of services that can be delivered in an assisted living setting. These services are assigned according to medical need and may include:
- Case management
- Home health services, including occupational, speech and physical therapy
- Homemaker services
- A personal emergency response device
- Minor home modifications, such as grab bars, raised toilet seats and anti-slip flooring
- Personal care, including help with activities of daily living
- Nonemergency transportation
To qualify for this waiver, seniors must demonstrate financial need by meeting income and asset limits. Seniors must earn no more than $2,349 per month per person regardless or whether they are applying as an individual or with their spouse. At $10,000 per person and $15,000 per married couple, countable asset limits for MaineCare applicants are exceptionally high compared to the asset limits in other states. One personal vehicle, all household goods and an owner-occupied home valued at $893,000 or less are also exempt.
Before requesting waiver services, seniors must first apply for MaineCare by submitting an online application or visiting the nearest Department of Health and Human Services office. Once enrolled in MaineCare, seniors can then contact Maine's Assessing Services Agency at (833) 525-5784 to request an assessment to determine eligibility for waiver services.
VA Aid and Attendance Benefits and Housebound Allowance
Phone Number: (844) 698-2311
Website: https://www.va.gov/pension/aid-attendance-housebound/.
Veterans, dependents and survivors who receive a regular VA pension and who need assisted living care may qualify for a higher pension payment through one of two VA pension top-up programs.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' VA Aid and Attendance benefits and VA Housebound allowance provide enhanced pension benefits for beneficiaries who have chronic illnesses or disabilities.
To qualify for Aid and Attendance benefits, VA pension recipients must meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Reside in a nursing home as a result of physical and/or mental limitations related to a disability
- Have a severe visual impairment, even when wearing corrective lenses
- Be bedridden due to a chronic illness or disability
- Need help from a caregiver to perform one or more activities of daily living, including getting dressed, using the toilet or adjusting a prosthetic device
To qualify for the Housebound allowance, VA pension recipients must:
- Have one permanent disability that is rated by the VA at 100% and restricts the applicant to their home, which can be an assisted living facility, most of the time, or
- Bar Harbor
- Bath
- Biddeford
- Blue Hill
- Boothbay
- Brewer
- Bridgton
- Calais
- Cape Elizabeth
- Caribou
- Casco
- Cumberland Foreside
- Damariscotta
- Danforth
- Dexter
- Eddington
- Ellsworth
- Fort Kent
- Franklin
- Freeport
- Gardiner
- Gorham
- Greene
- Harpswell
- Kittery
- Lisbon Falls
- Machias
- Madawaska
- Mapleton
- Millinocket
- Newcastle
- Norway
- Oakland
- Old Town
- Orono
- Presque Isle
- Rockland
- Sanford
- Skowhegan
- Topsham
- Vassalboro
- West Paris
- Windham
- Yarmouth
- York
Maine Assisted Living Rules and Regulations
Maine's assisted living programs are licensed and regulated by the state Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Licensing and Certification. Maine has two levels of assisted living, Type I and Type II, and the major difference between these two levels of licensing is related to medication management and administration.
Scope of Care | Assisted living services in Maine provide personal supervision, including protection from environmental hazards. Personal care services, such as assistance with activities of daily living, dietary programs and care management services, are also provided. Medication management and nursing services are available, and service levels vary depending on the type of facility. |
Care Plan Requirements | Residents who are admitted to an assisted living program must be assessed within 30 days, and this assessment must include a comprehensive evaluation of needs related to personal care, skilled nursing care and medication administration. |
Medication Management Requirements | Type I facilities can provide medication reminders and help residents self-administer prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Type II facilities can administer prescription and OTC medications, and some injection medications can be administered by staff who have received the appropriate training. |
Staff Requirements | All assisted living programs must have an on-site administrator who is at the facility during regular business hours. At least one responsible adult must be available to provide resident care at all times, and ALFs with 10 or more beds must also retain the services of a dietary aide, registered nurse and pharmacist consultant. |
Staff Training Requirements | Staff who work in a designated dementia care unit in an ALF must complete at least eight hours of orientation in dementia care and eight hours of clinical orientation. Staff who administer medications must have successfully completed a state-approved medication course lasting 40 hours or longer and must attend a biennial refresher course. |
Medicaid Coverage | Medicaid beneficiaries who require long-term care may be eligible for enrollment in MaineCare's Elderly and Adults with Physical Disabilities waiver, a Medicaid program that covers care services provided by an assisted living center. |
Reporting Abuse | Staff who suspect abuse or neglect of an assisted living resident must report their concerns to the facility administrator. Seniors, family members and the general public can file a report with their local law enforcement agency or call the Division of Licensing and Certification's 24-hour emergency phone number at (800) 452-1999. |
Free Assisted Living Resources in Maine
Legal Services for the Elderly
Low-income seniors aged 60 and over who need legal services can contact Legal Services for the Elderly, a not-for-profit legal organization that provides eligible seniors with free legal advice and advocacy.
LSE focuses on issues related to health care, pension benefits, estate planning, guardianship, elder abuse and financial problems. LSE does not provide assistance with criminal matters.
Seniors can call LSE's toll-free statewide helpline to speak with an attorney. There is no cost for this service. If the helpline attorney is unable to resolve the issue, the caller will be referred to one of five regional LSE offices, which are located in Presque Isle, Scarborough, Bangor, Augusta and Lewiston.
Contact: Call the LSE Helpline at (800) 750-5353 for more information.
Maine Agencies
Area Agencies on Aging in Maine
The Maine Association of Area Agencies on Aging is a private nonprofit organization that oversees Maine's five Area Agencies on Aging. These agencies work to promote health, well-being and community engagement of seniors throughout the state, and AAAs serve as one-stop resource centers for older adults, their family members and caregivers.
AAAs provide a variety of services for seniors, including nutrition and transportation programs, health insurance counseling, recreational programs and information on local resources. Links to all regional AAAs in Maine are available on the Maine Association website.
Veterans Affairs Offices in Maine
Veterans as well as their dependents and survivors may be eligible for health care services and financial benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. These include Aid and Attendance and Housebound, two VA pension top-up programs which provide funds that can be used to pay for assisted living. Seniors can phone (844) 698-2311 to reach their nearest VA location.
Alternatively, veterans in Maine can learn about VA and state-specific programs for vets and their family members by contacting the Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services at (207) 430-6035. The bureau's head office is located at Camp Keyes in Augusta, and there are seven additional field offices throughout the state. Maine's Veterans' Services Offices provide free assistance with VA benefit applications, help vets enroll in the VA health care system and process applications for free park passes and fishing licenses.
Social Security Offices in Maine
Approximately 65 million Americans rely on monthly cash benefits from the Social Security Administration, including Supplemental Security Income, a federally-administered program for low-income seniors and adults with qualifying disabilities. SSI is managed by the United States Social Security Administration, and beneficiaries can use their monthly payments towards the cost of assisted living.
To qualify for SSI, seniors must have a relatively low income and few countable assets. Maine residents can phone the SSA at (800) 772-1213 to apply for SSI or to locate their nearest SSA office.
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