Home Health in Portland, Maine: Search Near You, How to Pay, Licensing, Local Resources, and Questions to Ask
Portland, Maine, offers a picturesque coastal setting with a rich maritime history, vibrant arts scene, and a welcoming community, making it an appealing destination for retirees. The city’s walkable downtown, scenic waterfront, and numerous parks provide ample opportunities for recreation and relaxation. Maine is recognized as one of the most elder-friendly states in the country, with a healthcare system that is among the best and most accessible in America. For seniors considering aging in place, Portland’s combination of natural beauty, cultural amenities, and quality healthcare services creates an ideal environment for receiving home health care.
Home Health Communities near Portland, Maine
Elara Caring
South Portland, Maine 04106
Amedisys Home Health
Portland, Maine 04102
Centerwell Home Health
Portland, Maine 04101
Northern Light Home Care & Hospice
Scarborough, Maine 04074
Chans Home Health Care
Brunswick, Maine 04011
Mainehealth Care At Home
Saco, Maine 04072
Able Home Health
Saco, Maine 04072
About Home Health in Portland, ME
Home Health in Portland, ME, encompasses a range of medical and therapeutic services delivered in the comfort of one’s home. These services include skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language therapy, and assistance from certified home health aides. Coordinated under a physician’s supervision, home health care aims to support recovery, manage chronic conditions, and promote independence. This approach allows individuals to maintain their routines and quality of life while receiving necessary medical support.
Considerations when looking for Home Health Care Agencies in Portland, ME
There are 4 Home Health providers within 10 miles of Portland, Maine. The city has a population of approximately 66,215, with 16.9% of residents aged 65 and older. In Portland, the summers are comfortable and warm, the winters are cold and snowy, and it is partly cloudy year round. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 13°F to 78°F and is rarely below -3°F or above 87°F.
Cities near Portland, ME
- South Portland, ME – 3 miles south
- Westbrook, ME – 5 miles west
- Falmouth, ME – 6 miles north
- Scarborough, ME – 7 miles southwest
- Gorham, ME – 11 miles west
Pricing and How to Pay for Home Health Services
Paying for senior care involves several factors, including the type of services needed and coverage options available. On average, seniors can expect to pay $5,720 per month for home health services, which typically include skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language therapy, and medical social services. These essential services help ensure a comfortable and well-supported aging experience. Costs may vary based on location, level of care required, and agency offerings.
Many home health care agencies choose to become Medicare-certified, allowing them to receive reimbursement for eligible services. Additionally, home health providers may educate individuals and their families on self-care techniques to promote independence. When prescribed by a physician, home health services are often covered by medical insurance and are commonly provided after a hospital stay or skilled rehabilitation.
How to pay for Home Health and available coverage
Medicare:
Generally Medicare reimburses the cost of Home health services. Medicare typically covers your loved one when recovering from an illness or an accident or a surgery.
*Medicare covers the specific ailment. When treatment is completed Medicare coverage stops.
Medicare is not a long-term care solution.
Medicaid:
Medicaid programs are put in place on a state-by-state basis. Each state will have their own regulations regarding the coverage of care. Some individuals at a certain low-income level may qualify for Medicaid Home and Community Based Service Waivers.
Veteran Aid and Attendance:
This benefit is available to some military veterans or surviving spouses.
- A veteran may qualify for as much as $2,050 each month.
- A veteran with a sick spouse may be eligible for $1,600 per month.
- If a veteran has passed, their surviving spouse can qualify for $1,300 per month.
Private Insurance:
- Most health insurance companies typically cover some services for acute medical needs.
- Do be aware, long-term coverage vary by plan. Not all long-term insurance will assist with home health services as the needs of the person tend to be temporary.
Private pay:
Families which can afford to do so may pay for care with private funds. Private pay can be a combination of retirement funds, personal savings, pension payments and family members may contribute funds toward a loved one’s care as well.
Definitions of types of care
Home Care: Caregiver assistance related to activities of daily living, including: mobility, eating, toileting, bathing and personal hygiene, dressing and grooming or cognition support. These services are typically not covered by medical insurance and do not require a physician’s order.
Home Health: includes skilled nursing services, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech language therapy and medical social services. A home health care agency may choose to be Medicare certified to be reimbursed for their services. Home health agencies may also teach you how to care for yourself. Services ordered by a physician, covered by Medical Insurance and typically provided following a hospital or skilled rehab stay.
Rehabilitation & Therapy: treatment for an injury, illness, or pain with the goal of restoring function, including nursing and therapy services. Rehab is ordered by
a physician and services are provided by nurses and physical, occupational, and speech therapists. Examples include working with a physical therapist to help you walk and with an occupational therapist to help you get dressed.
Respite Care: short term relief for family caregivers to take a break from the caregiving responsibilities and allows for a healthier and better quality of life for both the caregiver and care receiver. Respite services include: companionship, personal care, recreational activities and security. Respite care can be provided as short stay or for a longer period that allows the family caregiver to go on vacation or a business trip. Longer duration respite care is generally found at select senior housing communities although some Companion services may provide this service in the home.
Hospice Care (Palliative Care): emphasizes comfort measures and counseling to provide social, spiritual and physical support to the dying patient and his or her family. The goals of hospice are to keep the patient as comfortable as possible by relieving pain and other symptoms. Hospice care, is typically offered in the last six months of life and covered under Medicare Part A .
Local Hospitals and Healthcare Providers in Portland, ME
- Maine Medical Center
22 Bramhall St, Portland, ME 04102
(207) 662-0111 - Northern Light Mercy Hospital
175 Fore River Pkwy, Portland, ME 04102
(207) 879-3000 - InterMed
84 Marginal Way, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 774-5816 - Martin’s Point Health Care
331 Veranda St, Portland, ME 04103
(207) 828-2402 - Greater Portland Health
180 Park Ave, Portland, ME 04102
(207) 874-2141
Questions to ask when looking for Home Health
- How long has the agency been serving this community?
- Does the agency have any printed brochures describing the services it offers and how much they cost?
- Is the agency an approved Medicare provider?
- Is the agency currently licensed to practice (if required in the state where you live)?
- Does a national accrediting body certify the quality of care?
- Does the agency offer seniors a “Patients’ Bill of Rights” that describes the rights and responsibilities of both the agency and the senior being cared for?
- Is there a care plan in place that outline the patient’s course of treatment, describing the specific tasks to be performed by each caregiver?
- How closely do supervisors oversee care to ensure quality?
- Will agency caregivers keep family members informed about the kind of care their loved one is getting?
- Are agency staff members available around the clock, seven days a week, if necessary?
- Does the agency have a nursing supervisor available to provide on-call assistance 24 hours a day?
- How does the agency ensure patient confidentiality?
- How are agency caregivers hired and trained?
- What is the procedure for resolving problems when they occur?
- How does the agency handle billing?
- Is there a sliding fee schedule based on ability to pay, and is financial assistance available to pay for services?
- Will the agency provide a list of references for its caregivers?
- Who does the agency call if the home health care worker cannot come when scheduled?
- What type of employee screening is done?
Resources and Links – Maine
Legal Services for the Elderly of Maine Maine residents age 60 and older can call the statewide Legal Helpline to get free and confidential help with legal problems. The Helpline Attorneys provide information and advice on a wide variety of non-criminal legal problems including elder abuse and protection orders, housing issues including eviction and foreclosure, consumer debt, public assistance benefits, guardianship, Medicare/MaineCare, Powers of Attorney, Health Care Advance Directives, and health care coverage disputes. LSE also has attorneys located in offices across the state that provide legal representation in some situations. If LSE can’t help, callers are offered referrals to private attorneys, potentially at reduced fees.
Office of Aging and Disability Services The Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) supports Maine’s older and disabled adults by providing Adult Protective, Brain Injury, Other Related Conditions, Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Long Term Care, and Aging and Community services to the people of Maine.
Adult Protective Services Intake The Office of Aging and Disability Services provides or arranges for services to protect incapacitated and dependent adults age 18 and over. If you or someone you know is being abused, neglected, exploited or is unsafe, call Adult Protective Services to make a confidential report
Maine State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) The Maine SHIP grant is administered by the Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) and is a partnership between OADS, five area agencies on aging (AAA), the Bureau of Insurance, and the Legal Services for the Elderly (LSE). The Program Director is responsible for program administration, training activities and project coordination among the partners. Counseling and outreach activities are performed primarily by staff and volunteers at the AAAs. Staff attorneys at the LSE Hotline counsel beneficiaries by phone and refer them to AAAs if face-to-face assistance is required while the Department of Insurance furnishes relevant publications and offers consultation and training support.
Eldercare Locator This is a great resource to search for specific care in specific counties and cities. This database is a nationwide resource that connects older Americans and their caregivers with trustworthy local support resources. Connect with services such as meals, home care or transportation, or a caregiver education or respite from caregiving responsibilities. The Eldercare Locator is a public service of the Administration on Aging (AoA), an agency of the U.S. Administration for Community Living.
Medicare provides a search feature to find & compare providers near you, most senior housing and care providers are included on CareAvailability.com. Find & compare plans in your area. Determine if you qualify for premium savings
Medicaid offers information on how to apply for Medicaid, eligibility criteria, links to local state offices, and additional resources
The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. Whether you are living with Alzheimer’s or caring for someone with the disease, information and resources are available.
