Home Care in Maine

The average starting cost of home care in Maine is per hour, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data. Based on our ranking methodology, the top-rated home care agencies in Maine are FirstLight Home Care of Southern, ME (126A), Amada Senior Care of Southern Maine - Portland, ME or Home Instead - Wells, ME.

Home care in Maine allows seniors to continue living at home while receiving personalized support with everyday activities. Families in communities such as Portland, Bangor, and Sanford can choose from a variety of home care providers offering services that help older adults stay safe, comfortable, and connected to their routines. Many families look for caregivers who provide reliable assistance, meaningful companionship, and care tailored to their loved one’s individual needs.

As you compare care options, it helps to understand the difference between home care and home health care. Home care provides nonmedical assistance, including help with personal care, meal preparation, light housekeeping, and companionship. Home health care, on the other hand, delivers medical services through licensed health care professionals. While some agencies provide both types of services, A Place for Mom’s network focuses on nonmedical home care providers. A Place for Mom has partnered with 39 home care agencies to help families find the right fit.

Home care in Maine typically costs 39 per hour, which can be compared to the national average of $32.^[01] Costs are fairly consistent across the state. Home care rates in cities like Portland, Scarborough, Bangor, and Lewiston typically exceed the national average, with only modest differences from one community to another. Local pricing may still vary depending on caregiver availability, the level of support needed, and the number of care hours scheduled each week.

Monthly costs vary depending on how many hours of care your loved one needs. The following costs are determined based on the average hourly rate in Maine.

• Part-time care (20 hours/week): $3,339 per month
• Full-time care (44 hours/week): $7,345 per month

Several factors can affect home care costs in Maine, including:

• Specialized care needs
• Overnight, weekend, or holiday care
• 24-hour or live-in support
• Caregiver experience and certifications
• Location within Maine

In Maine, families often pay for home care using a mix of private funds and public programs. While nonmedical home care is usually paid out of pocket, certain programs can help cover costs depending on eligibility.

Private pay options

Common options for private pay include:

• Social Security benefits
• Retirement accounts or savings
• Reverse mortgage
• Life insurance conversion
• Long-term care insurance

VA benefits

Eligible veterans and their surviving spouses may be able to use benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to help pay for care at home. In addition to the VA Aid and Attendance benefit, which provides supplemental monthly payments to qualifying veterans who need assistance with daily activities,^[02] veterans enrolled in VA health care may have access to services such as:^{[03,04,05,06,07]}

• Homemaker and Home Health Aide Care
• Home-Based Primary Care
• Skilled Home Health Care
• Hospice Care
• Home Respite Care

For additional information about eligibility and available services, visit VA.gov or contact the Maine Bureau of Veterans Affairs.

Maine Medicaid

Medicaid is joint program of federal and state governments designed to support people who have low incomes. Medicaid in Maine is known as MaineCare. For eligible residents, it can help to offset the cost of home care services through two programs:^[08,09]

• The Consumer Directed Attendant Services (CDAS) program
• The Elderly and Adults with Disabilities Medicaid Waiver

Both programs cover services such as light housekeeping, help with activities of daily living (ADLs), ostomy care, catheterization, home delivered meals, and more. The CDAS is an entitlement, meaning any eligible resident will receive services. The Elderly and Adults with Disabilities Waiver program isn’t an entitlement, so your loved one may be placed on a waiting list if the program is full.

To be eligible for Medicaid, residents must meet financial and medical need requirements

Apart from the state’s Medicaid programs, Maine also offers several other programs that can be used to pay for home care services.

Medicare

Medicare generally won’t cover nonmedical home care, such as bathing, grooming, and medication management. However, it may cover these services when provided in conjunction with medically necessary home health care services provided by licensed medical professionals.^[10]

Maine regulates both home health agencies and nonmedical home care providers to help protect consumers. These regulations ensure agencies meet standards for safety, training, and quality of care.^[11,12]

Does Maine require home care agencies to have a license?

Yes. In Maine, nonmedical home care agencies, also called personal care agencies, must be licensed through the Division of Licensing and Certification within the Department of Health and Human Services. This requirement also applies to home health agencies.^[11,12]

Does Maine conduct inspections of home care agencies?

Yes. The Maine Department of Health and Human Services conducts routine inspections of licensed home care agencies, including both scheduled and unannounced visits.^[11,12] These inspections verify that agencies comply with state licensing requirements and continue to meet standards for safe, quality care.

How to check licensing and inspection reports for home care agencies in Maine

Use Maine’s Licensed Provider Search tool to understand an agency’s license status and inspection performance. Licensed agencies must meet requirements related to:^[11,12]

• Staff qualifications
• Safety protocols
• Care standards

Some agencies may also seek voluntary accreditation from organizations like The Joint Commission, which can indicate a higher level of quality.^[13]

What are hiring practices for home care agencies in Maine?

Licensed home care agencies in Maine must meet state requirements for screening, hiring, and training caregivers. These requirements include:^[11,12]

• Background checks for prospective caregivers
• Verification of caregiver qualifications, credentials, and applicable certifications
• Required orientation, initial training, and ongoing education

These regulations help ensure caregivers are prepared to deliver safe, high-quality care while protecting the well-being of the seniors they serve.

Choosing the right home care agency is one of the most important steps in helping your loved one remain safe, comfortable, and supported at home. As you compare providers, consider the following tips:

• Verify licensing. Confirm that the agency is licensed in Maine. A Place for Mom verifies licensing for agencies in our network twice each year to help families make informed decisions.
• Read reviews and testimonials. Look for consistent feedback about caregiver dependability, communication, and quality of care.
• Ask about caregiver training. Learn how caregivers are onboarded, supervised, and kept up to date through ongoing education.
• Request detailed pricing information. Ask about hourly rates, minimum service requirements, and additional fees for overnight, weekend, or holiday care.
• Review available services. Make sure the agency can provide the level of support your loved one needs now and in the future.
• Meet potential caregivers. A strong personality match can help your loved one feel more comfortable and build trust with their caregiver.

Read more: How to Choose a Home Care Agency