Assisted Living in Portland, Maine: Search Near You, How to Pay, Licensing, Local Resources, and Questions to Ask
In the charming city of Portland, Maine, Residential Assisted Living offers a harmonious blend of independence and supportive care, ideal for those aged 55 and over seeking a serene yet engaging lifestyle. Renowned for its high-quality facilities, Maine ranks impressively in national assisted living standards, providing peace of mind for residents and their families. Embrace the golden years with confidence in Portland’s welcoming community, where comfort meets compassionate care in the picturesque backdrop of Maine.
Some are available for private pay, and others for Medicaid-paid residents. Assisted Living provides protective oversight, personal services, social care needed because of impaired capacity to live independently, and regular supervision on a 24-hour basis.
Assisted Living Communities near Portland, Maine
About Assisted Living in Portland, ME
In Portland, Oregon, residential assisted living is defined as a supportive living arrangement designed to cater to individuals over the age of 55 who may need assistance with daily activities but still cherish their independence. These facilities provide a range of services including meal preparation, housekeeping, medication management, and personal care assistance, all tailored to individual needs. Emphasizing a community-focused approach, many of these residences also offer social and recreational activities, fostering a sense of belonging and well-being. Portland’s residential assisted living options stand out for their commitment to creating a safe, comfortable, and engaging environment, allowing seniors to enjoy a fulfilling lifestyle with the right level of support.
Considerations when looking for senior housing in Portland, ME
There are 27 assisted living facilities in Portland, ME. As of 2024, Portland, Maine has a population of approximately 67,972 residents. Of these, around 10,437 are over the age of 55+. In Portland, the summers are comfortable; the winters are freezing, snowy, and windy; and it is partly cloudy year round. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 16°F to 78°F and is rarely below 1°F or above 87°F.
Cities Near Portland, ME
- South Portland: Southwest, approximately 2.88 miles away.
- South Portland Gardens: Southwest, around 3.02 miles distant.
- Peaks Island: Northeast, about 3.65 miles away.
- Cape Elizabeth: Southeast, roughly 4.69 miles distant.
- Westbrook: Northwest, approximately 5.70 miles away.
Pricing and How to Pay
In 2023, families in Portland were paying an average of $8,202 per month for assisted living communities. This rate is significantly higher than the national average of $5,844 for the same period.
You want to consider your payment options for assisted living, memory care, and care homes. For these services, Medicare is NOT an option for payment.
The most common payment for these services would be out of pocket Private Pay and assessing a combination of retirement funds, personal savings, and pension payments.
Medicaid can also be an option, be sure to see if you or a loved one qualifies.
Long-Term Care insurance is also a possible option in cases of chronic conditions, be sure to see if you or a loved one qualifies.
For our Veterans and spouses of veterans, be sure to assess Veteran Aid and your eligibility for these benefits.
Medicare – NO:
- Medicare does NOT pay for Assisted Living.
- People 65 years and older and individuals with end stage renal disease are eligible for Medicare benefits, no matter their income.
- Coverage is meant for people in need of short-term care.
Private pay – YES:
- Many families pay for assisted living with private funds.
- Private pay can be a combination of retirement funds, personal savings, and pension payments.
- Family members may contribute funds to pay for assisted living or other senior housing and care.
Medicaid – MAYBE:
- Medicaid provides health coverage to millions of Americans. Eligible participants include: low-income adults, elderly adults and people with disabilities.
- Medicaid is administered by state, according to federal requirements. The program is funded jointly by each state and the federal government.
- Every state has their own individual Medicaid assistance program.
- National guidelines are in place do decipher how states must spend Medicaid money, but with allowances toward the guidelines.
- The state determines what levels of care will be covered by Medicaid, who is eligible, and how much the state will reimburse the care community.
- If you are unsure whether you qualify for Medicaid, you should apply. You may be eligible depending on your household income, family size, age, disability and other factors.
Long-term Care Insurance – MAYBE:
Long term care insurance is a great way to pay for assisted living, and planning ahead is important when considering how to pay for senior housing and care. Nearly 75% of people over the age of 65 will require long-term care and services at some point. Buying into long-term care insurance when a person is in their 50s and 60s is the most common time to do so.
- Long-term care insurance helps cover the costs of chronic medical conditions.
- Individuals and couples with the ability to pay into long-term care insurance have the advantage of a head start in allocating funds for senior care.
Veteran Aid and Assistance – MAYBE:
This benefit is available to some military veterans and surviving spouses who live in an assisted living community and those who have in-home care.
- There are specific guidelines, but 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.
Questions to Ask
Finding a senior living community can be overwhelming. Here are some tips on things to be observant of:
Local Hospitals and Healthcare Providers Portland, ME
- Maine Medical Center
- Address: 22 Bramhall St, Portland, ME 04102
- Phone Number: 207-662-0111.
- Northern Light Mercy Hospital
- Address: 175 Fore River Parkway, Portland, ME 04102
- Phone Number: 207-879-3000
- Northern Light Mercy Primary Care, Falmouth
- Address: 75 Gray Road, Northern Light Mercy Health Center, Falmouth, ME 04105
- Phone Number: 207-535-1340
- Northern Light Mercy Women’s Health – OB/GYN Care
- Address: 195 Fore River Parkway, Northern Light Mercy Health Center, Suite 310, Portland, ME 04102-2785
- Phone Number: 207-553-6920
- Portland Public Health Clinic
- Address: 39 Forest Ave, Portland, ME
- Phone Number: (207) 756-8418
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.
