Nursing homes and assisted living in Maine

Maine has one of the oldest populations in the country, and many small communities have good care options. This guide explains the names you'll hear and who to call.

What care settings are called here

The Division of Licensing and Certification (DLC) of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) licenses the places the state groups together as Assisted Housing:

• Assisted Living Facility: this is assisted living, with private apartments and a shared dining room.
• Residential Care Facility: a residence with private or shared rooms, a shared living room and dining room, and daily help. It's the closest thing to a retirement home with care services.
• Adult Day Program: an adult day center with group activities and supervision. The person sleeps at home.
• Nursing Facility: a nursing home, with 24-hour nursing care.

Maine also has multi-level places that offer residential care and a nursing home on the same grounds. You can look up any place's license in the official search tool for licensed providers. This helps you compare options with confidence.

How MaineCare helps

In Maine, Medicaid is called MaineCare. It pays for nursing home services. Depending on need and income, it can also pay for services in a residential care facility. To decide, the state assesses the person in two areas:

• Functional: how much help they need.
• Financial: whether their income and resources allow them to qualify.

If the person would rather stay at home, there are home care programs.

How to apply:

1. Fill out the Long-Term Care application on My Maine Connection or call 1-855-797-4357.
2. Ask the Assessing Services Agency for the functional assessment: 1-833-525-5784. Every nursing home admission requires this assessment, no matter who pays.

How much care costs in Maine

These are the statewide medians from CareScout's Cost of Care Survey 2025 (data from July to November 2025):

• Assisted living (private one-bedroom unit): $8,205 a month
• Nursing home, semi-private room: $460 a day (about $13,976 a month)
• Nursing home, private room: $490 a day
• Non-medical home caregiver: $45 an hour
• Adult day health care: $115 a day

These are reference figures. Each place sets its own rates, so ask for the details in writing.

Who to call

• Maine Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (a free advocate for residents): (800) 499-0229 or (207) 621-1079.
• Area Agencies on Aging: 1-877-353-3771. When you call, choose your county. The state's five agencies also give guidance on all long-term care options.
• Eldercare Locator (national line): 1-800-677-1116.

Tips for your family

• Get the functional assessment early. It's the first step for almost any help from MaineCare.
• Ask about respite care. The local agencies run the caregiver support program and a state respite program for families caring for someone with dementia.
• Learn about the Independent Housing with Services Program. It combines affordable housing with some services. It may work for someone who doesn't need a care home yet.
• Try the Maine Access Navigator. It's an online questionnaire for people 60 or older that helps you see which services fit your needs.

This is general information and does not replace medical or legal advice.