I’d like to retire to Maine — and that’s not just my love of lobster talking. I’d If I do retire there, I won’t be alone. Maine has one of the highest percentage of senior populations in the U.S., second only to Florida, according to the World Atlas. Unfortunately, Maine seniors are experiencing a housing crisis, with limited access to affordable, quality homes. The situation is so dire that many Maine seniors are forced into institutional housing before they really need to be there. A situation like this is why it is so important to be aware of the costs of long-term care near you.
The average annual price of a semi-private room in a Maine nursing home is $91,980, or $7,665 per month, according to our July 2016 database update. The average annual price of a private nursing home in a Maine is $99,280, or $8,273 per month. While Maine’s nursing home are the 10th costliest in the nation, they are less expensive than the nursing homes in their neighboring states, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts. The average Caregiverlist Star Rating is higher as well — 3.3 out of 5, compared to New Hampshire and Vermont, who each score an average of 3.1 out of 5 stars, and Massachusetts, whose average Caregiverlist Star Rating is 2.9.
Below is a snapshot of Maine nursing home costs and ratings. You can also see our findings on our Maine nursing home cost infographic.
Snapshot
Total Number of Nursing Homes: 110
Average Single Price: $276
Average Double Price: $252
Caregiverlist Nursing Home Star Rating
5-Star: 15
4-Star: 62
3-Star: 27
2-Star: 1
1-Star: 5
Average : 3.3 (out of 5) stars
Maine seniors and their families should understand the costs of nursing homes in their area, along with their overall ratings. Hospitals often discharge the senior to a nursing home for post-hospital stay rehabilitation after a stroke or major surgery. If the senior’s stay is longer than the Medicare-covered 100 days, those costs becomes out-of-pocket. The nursing home talk is a difficult one and most families avoid the discussion until the need is imminent. Caregiverlist believes and informed consumer is in the best position to make those critical long-term care choices. We are always updating our nursing home database to provide the latest costs and ratings for nursing homes nationwide.
In-home caregiving can be an attractive option if 24-hour care is not needed. Many families will work with a quality home care agency for their senior care needs. The hourly rate for senior home care in Maine can range from $16 to $34 per hour, depending on the location and level of care required, with the added benefit of one-on-one assistance. “We have been able to help families stretch their savings to cover elder care costs and at the same time provide compassionate care that goes above and beyond in the home,” says Sonia Garcia of FirstLight Home Care of Southern Maine. “We become part of the family and offer a safe, engaging and nurturing care that lessens the worry for families.” A quality home care agency will also conduct the necessary background check and provide all liability and worker’s compensation insurance protections and payroll taxes as required by law.
Each family has to determine their own breaking point between cost and level of care. We recommend you consult with a professional who can come up with a financial action plan to anticipate future long-term care costs. They will help assess your future spending needs.
Caregiverlist can also provide a care plan to find senior home care agency options in Maine and help you learn about the costs for senior care. Seniors and their family caregivers can research nursing home costs and ratings in any state nationwide through the Caregiverlist Nursing Home Directory, the only resource with this trademarked information.
