Nursing Homes in Maine

Maine is nicknamed “The Pine Tree State” after the white pine forests which cover its landscape. Maine has over 17 million acres of forest and more than 3,470 miles of coastline on the mainland – 5,000 miles total if you include all of its islands. With more coastline than California, it's no surprise that Maine is famous for seafood. Over 90% of the country's lobster is harvested in Maine, and much of the state's culture is influenced by the fishing industry. Locals love to celebrate Maine’s seafaring and fishing heritage, especially at events like the annual Maine Lobster Festival. Maine’s awe-inspiring natural beauty and the rustic charm of cities like Portland and Augusta make Maine an excellent retirement destination.

There are more than 15 nursing homes in Maine. A Place for Mom’s Senior Living Advisors can provide you with a list of nursing homes in Maine to help you find the community that fits your needs and budget.

The median monthly cost of a private room in a nursing home in Maine is about $10,500, according to Genworth. The median monthly cost for a semi-private room in Maine is around $10,000.

Top cities in Maine

Kennebunk Scarborough Auburn Bangor Bar Harbor Freeport

Maine Nursing Home Regulations

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is a federal agency that regulates and provides ratings for nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities. CMS offers guidance to state Medicaid services regarding rules for facilities that are Medicaid-certified. Medicare provides a national nursing home website to view the audit and licensing history of Medicare-approved nursing homes.

Each state regulates senior living communities differently, but you can use APFM’s guide to assisted living regulations to learn more about access to facility records in Maine.

Long term care facilities in Maine are also called convalescent homes or skilled nursing facilities. These communities are intended for seniors who require 24-hour monitoring and medical assistance. These communities are designed to promote independence among seniors who require constant nursing care to perform activities of daily living (ADLs), but do not require hospital-level care.

Cost of Living

Overall, the cost of living in Maine is considered to be less affordable than the national average. Most of the state is very rural which leads to high utility and transportation costs, and many people from the Northeast’s larger cities own vacation homes in Maine, driving up property values. Some of Maine’s largest industries include farming, logging, fishing, and shipbuilding. All index scores are based on a scale with the national average set at 100.

Price Indexes

Cost of Living: 117
Groceries: 107
Housing: 123
Utilities: 116
Transportation: 121

Demographics

Over 20% of Maine’s population are over the age of 65. In the 2016 presidential election, Maine leaned liberal overall. However, much of the state is very rural and these counties mostly voted Republican in 2016. Much of Maine is sparsely populated and many of the people who live in the state work in agriculture, farming, or fishing.

2016 Presidential Election

48% voted Democratic
45% voted Republican
7% voted third party

Population

Median age: 45
Over the age of 55: 36%
2018 population: 1,338,404
2020 population: 1,345,111
Estimated 2025 population: 1,362,026

Miscellaneous

22% regularly attend a religious service
52% consider themselves atheist, agnostic, or a non-believer
The state has a total of 1,574 congregations
There are 185 Masonic lodges in the state.

Climate and Weather

Maine’s climate is classified as warm-summer humid continental. This means that Maine experiences four distinct seasons with a wide range of temperatures. The summers in Maine are very warm and pleasant, while the winters are known for being harsh and snowy. Maine is a very mountainous state, with the Appalachian Mountain Range climbing up its western side. The numerous mountains in Maine have earned it the nickname “Switzerland of America.”