Maine Assisted Living for Couples

Assisted living in Maine for couples

Assisted living facilities have been developed to accommodate the needs of senior adults and provide them with the opportunity to be part of a supportive community. People over the age of 62, or 55 in some cases, can apply for admittance and move into a senior living facility of their choice. Couples can live together in a senior living community, with access to a wide range of services and amenities. Many of these ALFs also accept people who suffer from dementia, provided they have integrated memory care units.

How many ALFs are there in Maine? In the state of Maine, there are about 80 assisted living facilities. These retirement communities can be found in locations such as Lewiston, Bangor, and Portland. All of these senior living facilities are licensed and regulated by the state of Maine, which is also responsible for the classification of assisted housing programs. According to this classification, ALFs can be divided into: assisted living programs, residential care facilities, and private non-medical institutions.

Prospective residents undergo an interview with the ALF staff, where their needs are thoroughly discussed and assessed. Based on this interview, an individualized service plan is developed, which will include information about healthcare and assistance requirements, treatment schedules, etc. Residents are handed an occupancy agreement, stating the available services and amenities, as well as the expenses incurred and their rights. Plans are updated every six months and after any major health event.

Assisted living facilities only accept residents whose needs do not exceed the available scope of care. Applications might be refused if the prospective senior adult represents a danger to himself/herself or to others. The same goes for those who are bedridden or require restraints, and for those who require 24/7 skilled nursing services or complete assistance. If the senior adult will require a higher level of care over time, a transfer to a more suitable community will be arranged.

Financing and costs of assisted living in Maine

The average cost for assisted living in Maine is around $5,000 per month. By comparison, the national median is of $4,000. It is worth mentioning that the overall costs can be lower for those who have a Medicaid policy. Compared to neighboring states – Massachusetts, New Hampshire, or Vermont – Maine has the most affordable rates.

Within the state of Maine, senior adults will discover that the costs of assisted living vary significantly. Portland has the most expensive rates for assisted living, followed by Lewiston. Both these two towns are densely-populated and this is one of the reasons why they are more expensive. More affordable rates can be found in Bangor. Nursing home care is more expensive than assisted living, but independent living and adult day healthcare are more affordable.

Assisted living costs in Maine

Assisted living facilities provide seniors with adapted housing, healthcare, and assistance with ADLs. Residents have access to various services and amenities, enjoying the highest possible quality of life. In the state of Maine, there are different types of assisted living communities available, with care packages varying accordingly. It is worth mentioning that most of them do not provide skilled nursing care; in some cases, this service might be available for a limited period of time, maximum three months. Keep on reading to discover more information on the costs of assisted living, along other details that might be useful. In this way, you can take an informed decision with regard to long-term care.

Average costs of assisted living and memory care in Maine

How much does assisted living cost in ME? In the state of Maine, the average cost of assisted living is $5,800 per month or $69,000 per year. This is considerably higher than the national median of $4,500 per month or $54,000 per year. Within the state, the most expensive assisted living facilities are found in Portland, averaging at $6,500 per month or $78,000 per year. The most affordable communities of this kind are located in Bangor, with an average cost of $4,750 per month or $57,000 per year.

How much does memory care cost in ME? When it comes to memory care, the average cost in Maine is $6,400 per month or $76,000 per year. Once again, this is significantly higher than the national median of $5,600 per month or $67,000 per year. Within the state, the most expensive memory care communities are located in Portland, averaging at $97,000 per year. The most affordable communities of this kind are found in Bangor, with an average cost of $5,900 per month or $70,000 per year.

Assisted living costs more than home care, home health care, and adult day health care. However, it is more affordable than nursing home care. Memory care costs more than home care, home health care, adult day health care, and assisted living. It is surpassed only by nursing home care, which averages at $11,000 per month or $132,000 per year.

What goes into assisted living costs?

Deposit fees have to be covered by prospective residents, in order to reserve their spot in the respective facility. These fees are returned when the resident in question moves into the community and the contract concludes. It is worth mentioning that the overall costs are influenced by several factors, such as: available services and amenities, marital status, living unit type and size. All residents benefit from utilities and various services, such as meal planning and preparation, housekeeping, general maintenance, laundry and linen service. Additional services might be available at extra cost.

Care fees are included in the overall costs, in accordance with the number of daily living activities seniors receive help with. Residents can opt for different care packages, as mentioned, with these including: daily planned activities, emergency response systems, physical and occupational therapy, medication management, and scheduled transportation. Second occupancy fees are covered by spouses who want to live together. Certain utilities might be available at extra cost as well, such as the cable and Internet access. Limited healthcare often comes from third-party providers, with the costs born by the residents themselves.

What goes into memory care costs?

Dementia seniors can move into memory care communities, where elderly residents have access to healthcare, adapted housing, and 24/7 monitoring. Residents also benefit from amenities and services destined to make life more comfortable. The personnel help them overcome the challenges caused by dementia, as well as maintain their independence for as long as it is possible. The available care packages are developed in accordance with the type of dementia and the illness stage. Safety features are chosen with care, so as to minimize the confusion experienced and reduce the risk of injuries or wandering. Assistance with various ADLs is available and included in the basic care package.

Memory care residents benefit from regular access to therapy sessions, where they can work on their speech, cognitive, and memory skills. In this way, memory care centers can delay the progression of dementia. The general services that are available include the following: laundry and linen service, housekeeping, scheduled transportation, meal planning, and general maintenance. Care-related services that are offered include diabetes care, wound care, mobility assistance, and incontinence care.

Senior living in Maine - cost comparison with other states

As you have seen above, the average cost of assisted living in Maine is above the national median. Maine is more expensive than Vermont and New York, but more affordable than New Hampshire and Massachusetts. The overall costs are as follows: Vermont - $5,250 per month or $63,000 per year; New York - $4,500 per month or $54,000 per year; New Hampshire - $6,000 per month or $72,000 per year; Massachusetts - $6,500 per month or $78,000 per year.

The cost of memory care in Maine is also above the national median. Maine is more affordable than its neighboring states, including New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and New York. The overall costs are as follows: New Hampshire - $6,600 per month or $79,000 per year; Vermont - $8,700 per month or $104,000; Massachusetts - $7,000 per month or $84,000 per year; New York - $6,500 per month or $78,000 per year.

Finding the best senior living facility in Maine for your needs

Whether you are interested in assisted living or memory care, remember that the costs might vary from one facility to the other, in accordance with the available care. The sooner you start looking, the sooner you will find the right place for your senior, preparing for the next stage in his/her life.

We recommend you give us a call and we will happily provide detailed information on the costs of each senior living facility, along other useful details. Through our years of experience and knowledge accumulated in the field, we are able to assist seniors and caregivers in discovering the best facilities for their seniors, with careful consideration to their needs and available budget.

Services provided to married couples by assisted living facilities in Maine

Access to general services is available for all residents. These can include: 24/7 security, housekeeping, general maintenance, Internet and telephone, meal planning and preparation, laundry and linen service, scheduled transportation. Depending on the facility classification, additional services might be offered, including care management, diabetes care, dietary services, physical and social activities, protection from environmental hazards, limited nursing services, and personal supervision.

Couples have access to all of the above-mentioned services, and they can also benefit from assistance with ADLs. They can be helped with any of the following: getting dressed, eating, grooming, bathing, toileting, and oral hygiene. Assistance should be minimal, with residents being encouraged to remain as independent as possible. They might also receive assistance with medication management; the staff can monitor them while taking their treatment or they can handle the administration themselves.

As many assisted living facilities have integrated memory care units, dementia residents benefit from a wide range of services. Senior residents have access to general services and might receive assistance with activities of daily living, in accordance with how severe their condition is. Moreover, seniors might benefit from medication management and round-the-clock supervision, to reduce the risk of injuries to a minimum.

Amenities for couples moving to an assisted living in Maine

Assisted living facilities provide both married couples and single senior adults with the opportunity to live in apartments. These units have all the necessary amenities, including a fully-functional kitchen and an accessible bathroom. Room-style units are also available, but they cannot accommodate more than two residents. Many ALFs allow prospective residents to move in together with their pets, recognizing the obvious benefits of socialization and physical activity.

General amenities offered by assisted living centers in Maine include fine-dining restaurants and cafes, learning center, library, computer room, social clubs, religious service, swimming pool, gym, and woodworking shop. Social and recreational activities are organized on a regular basis, and a lot of these facilities provide residents with the possibility to take part in off-site trips. Dementia residents benefit from various therapies, memory gardens, and guided walks.