Located at 310 Cony Rd in Augusta, Maine, Maine Veterans' Homes - Augusta is a 120 unit senior care community. The surrounding area is heavily populated, with roughly 27,000 residents in the zip code of 04330. With a ...
Memory Care in Maine
- SeniorAdvice's Guide to Memory Care in Maine
- Memory Care Directory for Maine
- Memory Care Costs in Maine
- Financial Assistance for Memory Care in Maine
- Maine Memory Care Rules and Regulations
- Free Memory Care Resources in Maine
The nation’s northeasternmost state, Maine, is home to about 1.3 million people, over 21% of whom are seniors. As in other states with older populations, Maine is experiencing an uptick in the number of residents living with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. According to data gathered by the Alzheimer’s Association, a projected 29,000 Mainer seniors were living with Alzheimer’s in 2020. By 2025, the organization expects to see an increase of nearly 21% to 35,000 seniors with this diagnosis. Currently, Alzheimer’s is the sixth-leading cause of death statewide. In addition to decreasing life expectancy, the increase in Alzheimer’s cases was associated with an 18% increase in emergency room visits between 2007 and 2017. In 2017, those with dementia had ER visits at a rate of 1,666 per 1,000 people.
In the early stages of dementia, many seniors are able to live at home safely under the supervision of a family member. However, as the disease progresses, dangers such as social isolation, malnutrition and wandering become a greater concern. For many families, memory care provides seniors with the attentive care and support they need for a safe, enriching life. In Maine, these facilities provide special programming to slow cognitive decline, as well as the necessary level of personal care services to promote independence while ensuring health and hygiene. On average, memory support services cost $6,461 per month in Maine, which is about $1,400 higher than the national average of $5,064.
This guide provides an overview of memory care costs in and around Maine, as well as financial assistance options available to cover the cost of care. It also outlines the regulations that govern memory care facilities in the state and summarizes local programs for those affected by Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
SeniorAdvice's Guide to Memory Care in Maine
The SeniorScore is a livability index that’s calculated specifically for seniors. Its data-driven algorithm is based on about 100 variables taken from public and private sources to show how well an area meets the needs and preferences of its older residents. Maine’s SeniorScore is 68, which is a little lower than the national average of 72. Across the index's four metrics, including Recreation & Leisure, Health & Safety, General Quality of Life and Finances, scores range between 54 and 67.
Maine rates highest in the Recreation & Leisure category at 67. A higher-than-average portion of the population is aged 55 and over, which may result in a relatively high number of resources for older adults. The state is home to 122 golf courses, numerous municipal parks and 857 churches, providing residents with a variety of social and recreational opportunities.
Maine rates slightly lower in the Health & Safety category with a score of 65. Older residents have access to an average number of hospitals within the state, including the Maine Medical Center, which specializes in geriatric care. The state has a high number of Medicare-registered doctors and an average number of senior care facilities, including memory care facilities. Points are deducted from this category’s score due to Maine’s high property crime and average violent crime rates.
The categories in which Maine scores lowest are General Quality of Life at 57 and Finances at 54. The state’s public schools score consistently well for safety, graduation rate and quality, which positively impact the quality of life in the state. However, as is typical of the region, Maine’s climate tends to be cool with a year-round average of 45 degrees Fahrenheit, and the state receives about 45 inches of annual rainfall. Seniors and families seeking affordable memory support services may find Maine to be a costly state for care. While Social Security income isn’t taxed at the state level, all other retirement income is taxed at relatively high rates. Memory care costs also tend to be high here, as is the overall cost of living.
Top Memory Care Communities 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 ...
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. ...
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 290 US Rt 1 in Scarborough, Maine, Maine Veterans' Homes - Scarborough is a 120 bed senior housing facility. With around 20,000 residents in the 04074 zip code, the neighboring area has an average population density. ...
Located at 10 Bernadette St in Caribou, Maine, Caribou Rehab and Nursing Center is a 68 unit nursing care facility. With roughly 11,000 people residing in the 04736 zip code, the neighboring area has a medium-density population. It ...
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. ...
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 ...
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. ...
St. Andre Health Care is located at 407 Pool St in Biddeford, Maine. It is a 96 bed skilled nursing facility. The neighboring area has a dense population, with about 24,000 individuals residing in the zip code ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
Norway Center For Health and Rehabilitation is located at 29 Marion Ave in Norway, Maine. It is a 42 unit nursing facility. The encompassing area is sparsely populated, with around 6,000 poeple living in the zip code of ...
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 ...
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 ...
Brentwood Center For Health and Rehabilitation is situated close to the Cumberland Center area of Yarmouth, Maine. It is a 78 unit nursing facility. The encompassing area has a medium-density population, with roughly 9,000 people residing in the ...
The Newton Center For Rehab and Nursing is a 74 room nursing care facility situated in Sanford, Maine. With a median per-household income of $43,224, the community is in a mostly middle class area. It has an average ...
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 ...
The Cost of Memory Care in Maine
In Maine, memory care services are provided in assisted living facilities that follow additional guidelines related to staffing and staff training, building requirements and special programming. Like assisted living, memory care units provide housing, meals, personal care and housekeeping services, but this level of care also includes therapeutic activities and increased monitoring. Because of the specialized care they provide, memory care facilities typically cost 20-30% more per month than assisted living. There are no authoritative data sources for nationwide memory care costs, so the following information is based on Genworth Financial’s 2019 Cost of Care Survey with a 25% increase.
In Maine, seniors typically pay $6,461 per month for memory care services. While this is high compared to the national average of $5,064, it’s relatively affordable compared to other New England States. In New Hampshire, its only bordering state, memory care averages $8,776 per month, making it among the most expensive states in the country for this level of care. In nearby Vermont, care costs are estimated to be around $6,673, and in Massachusetts, seniors pay $7,050 per month. New York is the most affordable nearby state for memory support, with monthly fees of $5,788, on average.
- Maine: $6,461
- United States: $5,064
- New Hampshire: $8,776
- Vermont: $6,673
- Massachusetts: $7,050
- New York: $5,788
The Cost of Memory Care in Maine’s Top Cities
Due to the state’s low population density, limited cost data is available for cities in Maine. In Portland, which is the largest city in the state, seniors pay the highest memory care fees at $8,250 per month. In Lewiston, which is about 40 miles north of Portland, care costs are considerably less expensive at $6,731. The most affordable city in Maine is Bangor, where fees average $5,941 per month. Across state lines, care costs tend to be higher. In Manchester, New Hampshire, which is about 50 miles from the border, care costs greatly exceed Maine’s average at $8,978 per month. In the Burlington area of Vermont, which is about 160 miles from Maine’s western border, monthly care costs are more affordable at $6,391.
- Bangor: $5,941
- Lewiston Area: $6,731
- Portland Area: $8,250
- Manchester Area, NH: $8,978
- Burlington Area, VT: $6,391
Senior Care Cost Comparison in Maine
Compared to other senior care options in Maine, memory care is among the most expensive. It’s exceeded only by nursing home care, which costs $10,038 per month for semiprivate accommodations. Assisted living is the most affordable residential care option, with monthly fees averaging $5,169. Seniors in the earlier stages of dementia who prefer to remain in their own home generally pay $5,117 per month for both nonmedical in-home care and home health care. Adult day care, which features daytime care services in a community setting, is the most affordable senior care option at $2,513 per month.
- Memory Care: $6,461
- 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 Memory Care in Maine
Elderly and Adults with Disabilities Waiver
Address: 41 Anthony Avenue, Augusta, ME 04333
Phone Number: (207) 287-9200
Website: https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/section-1115-demo/demonstration-and-waiver-list/Waiver-Descript-Factsheet/ME
The Elderly and Adults with Disabilities Waiver is a Maine Medicaid program that covers services and supports for individuals who qualify for nursing home care but want to stay in the community. Services covered by this program include care coordination, assistive technology, financial management, some skilled nursing, fall prevention programs, transportation and a personal emergency response system.
To be eligible for this program, applicants must be aged 65 or older or aged 18 or older with a qualifying disability. They must need nursing home level care but live in their own home or a community setting, such as a memory care facility. Applicants must also meet Medicaid’s income and asset guidelines. As of 2020, applicants may have a monthly income of $2,349 and up to $10,000 in countable assets.
Residential or Assisted Housing Facilities Program
Address: 41 Anthony Avenue, Augusta, ME 04333
Phone Number: (207) 287-9200
Website: https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/oads/get-support/older-adults-disabilities/residential-and-nursing-care-services
Maine has several facility-based programs, including the Residential or Assisted Housing Facility Program, that provide affordable care in state-approved facilities for those with limited means. While the program doesn’t specifically cover memory care, it does cover some services provided in an assisted living setting, which may offset some memory care costs. Program participants pay a co-pay and an income-based cost share for provided services, including meals, personal care, housekeeping, medication administration and emergency response systems.
To qualify for this program, applicants must undergo a financial and functional assessment, and they must meet Maine Medicaid’s income and asset guidelines.
Optional State Supplementation
Address: Not Available
Phone Number: (855) 797-4357
Website: https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/progdesc/ssi_st_asst/2011/me.html
Seniors who qualify for Supplemental Security Income and live in a memory care facility may qualify for the state’s optional supplementation. Applicants receive a monthly cash benefit that they can use at their own discretion to cover living costs, personal expenses and memory care fees. The amount of the monthly cash benefit varies, depending on the program participant’s living arrangement.
The optional state supplement is available to all aged, blind or disabled SSI recipients. In some cases, those who aren’t eligible for SSI may qualify for state supplementation.
Maine Memory Care Rules and Regulations
In Maine, memory care services are provided in assisted living facilities that meet additional licensing requirements. These facilities, which may also be called dementia care units, are governed by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. The department enforces regulations pertaining to staffing, care plans, the scope of care and Medicaid coverage to ensure quality care.
Scope of Care | Dementia care units offer assistance with daily living activities, serve meals and provide case management, medication management, nursing services and supervision. They also provide social and recreational activities, including therapeutic activities to control anxiety and wandering behaviors and delay further deterioration of cognitive abilities. |
Care Plan Requirements | Within 45 days of admission, memory care facilities must complete an initial evaluation for each resident. Based on this evaluation, the facility develops a care plan that outlines the resident’s self-care abilities and details the services, therapies and treatments that they receive from the facility. The care plan must be reviewed every 6 months. |
Medication Management Requirements | Upon admission, residents in memory care facilities are evaluated to determine whether they can self-administer their medications or if they need assistance. Memory support staff members are permitted to provide medication management services, including reading medication labels to residents, checking dosage, dispensing the required dose from the container, observing the resident take their medication and updating their medication record. Staff members who have successfully completed DHHS-approved training may administer certain injectable medications, including insulin and epinephrine. |
Staff Screening Requirements | During the licensure process, background checks are conducted for all administrators and certified nursing assistants. Anyone who’s been cited for abuse or neglect is ineligible for hire. |
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