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Assisted Living in Maine

Overview of assisted living in Maine

Maine’s assisted living options offer long-term housing and care for generally active seniors. The median cost of assisted living in Maine is about $5,400 per month or $64,800 annually, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data from its brand partners in Maine. With the state’s picturesque beaches, plentiful pine trees, and a tasty seafood culture, Maine’s assisted living communities can be a great fit for seniors looking for outdoor adventures, cool summers, and snowy winters.

Cost of assisted living in Maine

The median monthly cost of assisted living in Maine is approximately $5,400, which is slightly more expensive than the national median monthly cost of assisted living ($4,807), according to A Place for Mom’s internal data from its brand partners.

It’s a good idea to look at median costs instead of average costs, because median costs normally aren’t influenced by extreme values, such as high-end luxury communities or budget-conscious communities. In Maine, the lower 10th percentile monthly cost is approximately $3,700, while the 90th percentile monthly cost is around $8,300 per month.

When comparing assisted living communities, you’ll notice that the cost of assisted living varies. Generally, pricing takes into account the level of care required by a resident. Other factors may include the following:

  • A community’s location
  • Floor plans
  • Additional services
  • A community’s amenities

In Maine, communities located in major metros tend to be more expensive than those in smaller cities and towns. While costs may seem expensive, some of Maine’s seniors may qualify for Medicaid or Medicare. These public health care programs can cut some costs of assisted living by covering some qualified care services in the senior community.

Compare costs of Maine vs. the national average

Average monthly costs

Maine

$6,404/mo

US National average

$4,526/mo

Compare costs of assisted living vs. nearby states

Average monthly costs

Maine

$6,404/mo

New Hampshire

$6,123/mo

Vermont

$6,141/mo

Massachusetts

$6,989/mo

Rhode Island

$4,743/mo

Compare costs of assisted living in Maine vs. nearby cities

Average monthly costs

Maine

$6,404/mo

Augusta, ME

$6,081/mo

Bangor, ME

$6,140/mo

Portland, ME

$6,749/mo

Compare costs of assisted living vs. other senior care types in Maine

Average monthly costs

Paying for assisted living in Maine

Planning ahead can help your loved one be prepared when it’s time for assisted living. Your loved one may be able to use a combination of private and public pay options to cover assisted living costs. In the section below, you’ll find a variety of ways seniors pay for assisted living costs in Maine. You can also learn more about payment resources for seniors by visiting our complete guide to paying for long-term care.

Seniors often begin with private pay options to cover the monthly costs of assisted living in Maine.

In Maine, your loved one may be able to access money to pay for assisted living by selling their home. Selling a house

If your loved one is a homeowner in Maine, they may be able to access that equity through a reserve mortgage to pay for assisted living. Reverse mortgage

A health savings account (HSA) may help your loved one pay for the cost of certain medically necessary care services in an assisted living facility in Maine. Health savings accounts (HSAs)

Ask your loved one if they have an active life insurance policy, as there are ways for them to leverage it to cover their assisted living costs in Maine. Life insurance

It’s key to learn about your loved one’s long-term care insurance policy, as it can potentially pay for at least some of their assisted living costs in Maine. Long-term care insurance

For seniors in Maine, Social Security benefits may help them cover their monthly assisted living costs in Maine. Social Security benefits for assisted living

Top-rated Assisted Living facilities in Maine

14
14 Photos available
7
7 Floor plans available

Atria Kennebunk

One Penny Lane, Kennebunk, ME 04043
9.7
Review Score
56 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Brian Luro - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Atria Kennebunk is a well run assisted living facility. The staff members are all very friendly and attentive to the tenants. Any staff member that I have had the pleasure of interacting with has been...

Get Pricing
11
11 Photos available

Birch Bay Retirement Village

25 Village Inn Road, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
9.4
Review Score
32 reviews
Allyson F - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

After my Wife’s diagnosis of dementia and her level of care increased, I began researching assisted living options. After meeting with staff, I was convinced that Birch Bay’s Safe Harbor Memory Care program...

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29
29 Photos available

75 State Street

75 State St, Portland, ME 04101
9.3
Review Score
16 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Thomas - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

I would say overall, our experience has been a positive one. We picked this one because of the price, and the fact that it was a nonprofit organization.

Get Pricing

Top-rated Assisted Living facilities in Portland

See top facilities
29
29 Photos available

75 State Street

75 State St, Portland, ME 04101
9.3
Review Score
16 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Thomas - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

I would say overall, our experience has been a positive one. We picked this one because of the price, and the fact that it was a nonprofit organization.

Get Pricing
14
14 Photos available

Birchwoods at Canco Senior Living

86 Holiday Dr, Portland, ME 04103
9.0
Review Score
48 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Wendy S - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

We had a good experience with birchwood's senior living. Mom did enjoy the folks there and everybody was very kind and considerate to us. Mom passed away in April of 2023. She had a short stay at Birch Woods...

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29
29 Photos available

The Park Danforth

777 Stevens Ave, Portland, ME 04103
8.0
Review Score
4 reviews
DH - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

I really like Park Danforth and my loved one likes it as well. We picked this community, because my father was here previously and had a great experience. It's a safe place for a loved one that I am...

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Top-rated Assisted Living facilities in Scarborough

See top facilities
11
11 Photos available
3
3 Floor plans available

The Enclave of Scarborough

18 Black Point Road, Scarborough, ME 04074
8.9
Review Score
52 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

The staff are all lovely and very friendly and supportive to my mom and to the family. They are approachable and quick to respond to needs or requests. My mom's room is always clean and her laundry is done...

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11
11 Photos available

Scarborough Terrace

600 Commerce Dr, Scarborough, ME 04074
8.9
Review Score
28 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
BD - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

I am so thankful for A Place For Mom suggesting that I contact Scarborough Terrace. We love Scarborough Terrace. My mom is well taken care of and it is easy for me to communicate with staff about her needs....

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14
14 Photos available
7
7 Floor plans available

Atria Kennebunk

One Penny Lane, Kennebunk, ME 04043
9.7
Review Score
56 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Brian Luro - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Atria Kennebunk is a well run assisted living facility. The staff members are all very friendly and attentive to the tenants. Any staff member that I have had the pleasure of interacting with has been...

Get Pricing

Top-rated Assisted Living facilities in South Portland

See top facilities
22
22 Photos available

The Grande at South Portland

25 Country Club Rd, Portland, ME 04106
8.4
Review Score
22 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Rossanne - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

The Harbor Chase of South Portland is very knowledgeable about residents with dementia and how to handle them. They walk you through the process and explain how it works. The housekeeping and laundry are...

Get Pricing
14
14 Photos available
7
7 Floor plans available

Atria Kennebunk

One Penny Lane, Kennebunk, ME 04043
9.7
Review Score
56 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Brian Luro - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Atria Kennebunk is a well run assisted living facility. The staff members are all very friendly and attentive to the tenants. Any staff member that I have had the pleasure of interacting with has been...

Get Pricing
29
29 Photos available

75 State Street

75 State St, Portland, ME 04101
9.3
Review Score
16 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Thomas - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

I would say overall, our experience has been a positive one. We picked this one because of the price, and the fact that it was a nonprofit organization.

Get Pricing

Top-rated Assisted Living facilities in Lewiston

See top facilities
8
8 Photos available
3
3 Floor plans available

Schooner Estates Senior Living

200 Stetson Road, Auburn, ME 04210
9.1
Review Score
33 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

I would recommend the facility to others. The staff has been super throughout the process. It is expensive. However, there are very few options in Maine, so you just have to go with what is available and...

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20
20 Photos available

The Highlands

30 Governors Way, Topsham, ME 04086
8.9
Review Score
20 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

My loved one is currently a resident at The Highlands and everything has been very good for her at this facility so far. The cleanliness and friendliness are great. The staff has been wonderful. The care...

Get Pricing

Assisted living requirements and regulations in Maine

The DHHS provides licensure and oversight for assisted living facilities in Maine. To be licensed, facilities generally have to meet state requirements outlined in Maine’s Assisted Living Rules and Regulations. DHHS typically conducts inspections of assisted living facilities, but the records of inspections aren’t publicly available at this time.

DHHS’s regulations outline the rights of residents of assisted living communities in Maine. These rights, as outlined in the document above, include but are not limited to the following:

  • The right of the resident to communicate grievances and recommend changes
  • The right of the resident to manage their own financial affairs
  • The right of the resident to privacy and consideration
  • The right of the resident to communicate privately with anyone that the resident chooses
  • The right of the resident to appeal an involuntary transfer or discharge

These same regulations outline who can be an administrator at an assisted living facility. Administrators typically must meet the following requirements:

  • Age 21 or older
  • Management and supervisory experience
  • Experience in the health care field, social services, or related areas

Regulations on caregiver qualifications are limited in Maine. It may be ideal to ask your prospective communities how they train their staff, what type of certifications staff members hold, and how they handle continuing education opportunities for staff.

State licensing in Maine

We developed a system to rate each state on how easy — or difficult — it is to find important assisted living records and reports, and we compiled tips to help you in your search.

States with the most transparent records allow you to look up important information about each assisted living facility online, including inspections, complaints, survey results, violations, capacity, and whether the facility accepts Medicaid.

Access to Maine assisted living records: Moderate

Public access to assisted living records and reports for the state of Maine is moderate. Here are some key findings that informed this rating:

  • Maine has a good search form for finding licensed communities and information about them, but the state was marked down significantly because it doesn’t make information about inspections and violations available online.
  • Maine conducts inspections of communities on at least an annual basis.

This state of Maine provides moderate access to assisted living records and licensing.

How to look up Maine assisted living licenses and records

How we arrived at our Maine rating

We developed a standard methodology for state data collection and evaluation, and we based our rating primarily on the objective, state-specific accessibility criteria outlined in these questions:

  1. Are licensed assisted living communities listed online in any form? Yes
  2. If Yes to #1, is the information updated frequently? Yes
  3. If Yes to #1, is the list of licensed communities searchable? Yes
  4. Does the state post inspections, complaints, survey results, or violations online? No
  5. If Yes to #4, is the information updated frequently? (within 90 days) No or N/A
  6. If Yes to #2 and #4, is the enforcement information included in the same place as licensed communities? No or N/A
  7. If Yes to #4 and No to #6, are violations and inspections searchable at all? No
  8. Is information about special licensing for care shown? Yes
  9. Is capacity shown? Yes
  10. Payment types shown (e.g., Medicaid, private pay)? Yes
  11. Is the administrator/contact name shown? Yes
  12. Can the state fine a facility? Yes
  13. What is the frequency of inspections? Every 24 months
  14. Does the website includes pricing of facilities? No

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical, legal or financial advice or create a professional relationship between A Place for Mom and the reader. Always seek the advice of your health care provider, attorney or financial advisor with respect to any particular matter, and do not act or refrain from acting on the basis of anything you have read on this site. Links to third-party websites are only for the convenience of the reader; A Place for Mom does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites.