Nursing Homes and Senior Care in Maine

Nursing Homes by City in Maine

The Maine cities with the most CMS-certified nursing homes. All 49 cities are listed below the table. Homes in Maine average 4.3 hours of nursing care per resident per day; the national median is 3.7 hours.

5-Star Nursing Homes in Maine

Homes with CMS's top overall rating, ordered by inspection rating. See all highest-rated nursing homes in Maine.

Assisted Living in Maine

Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Licensing and Certification (DLC), Assisted Housing Program licenses assisted living in Maine. License types: Assisted Living Facility and Residential Care Facility. Use the state's search to check a community's license and inspection history.

• Maine assisted living facility search
• Maine assisted living rules
• Maine assisted living licensing (Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Licensing and Certification (DLC), Assisted Housing Program)

Memory Care Rules in Maine

Maine's term is "Memory Care Unit"; it isn't a separate license, but rules apply to facilities that offer dementia care. Facilities must give families a written disclosure of their dementia care services.

• "Memory Care Unit" means a unit, facility or distinct part of a facility that provides services in a designated, separated area for residents diagnosed with neurocognitive impairment such as Alzheimer's disease or other dementia (10-144 CMR Ch. 113 Part B, effective September 18, 2025).
• At admission to a Memory Care Unit, the resident's record must contain an evaluation by a qualified, licensed, and/or certified professional which indicates a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or other form of dementia.
• A facility operating a Memory Care Unit must provide residents and family members a written statement of philosophy, the assessment process and staffing, physical environment and design features, the frequency and types of activities, family involvement and support programs, security measures, in-service staff training, admission and discharge criteria, and legal advocacy information.
• The unit must be locked, segregated, or secured to limit access by residents inside and outside the designated or separated area, with secured outdoor space and walkways which allow residents to ambulate but prevent undetected egress.
• The unit must have policies and procedures regarding residents who may wander or elope.
• Facilities with a Memory Care Unit must conduct a variety of individual or group activities daily and a weekly activities program developed and coordinated by a designated activities coordinator.
• All new staff assigned to the unit must receive a minimum of eight hours classroom orientation and eight hours of clinical orientation prior to working with residents, from trainers with experience and knowledge in Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.
• Minimum direct care staff to resident ratios: 1:12 from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; 1:18 from 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.; and 1:30 from 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., plus additional staffing sufficient to meet residents' care and safety needs.
• The facility must complete a Staff Competency Evaluation before scheduling direct care staff on a Memory Care Unit, and provide annual staff training of 8 hours in dementia-related topics to all staff working on the unit.
• Memory Care Units must use a Person Centered Care approach to service planning and provide opportunities for family member engagement in the service planning process.

• Maine memory care rules

Medicaid Long-Term Care in Maine

Maine's Medicaid program is MaineCare. For nursing home Medicaid (2026), the state lists an income limit of $2,982 (Nursing Facility coverage group) and an asset limit of $2,000/$3,000 asset limit for an individual/couple (up to $8,000 of savings for an individual, $12,000 for a couple may be excluded). Residents keep a personal needs allowance of $40.

• Section 19, Home and Community Benefits for the Elderly and Adults with Disabilities (Medicaid Waiver for Elderly and Adults with Physical Disabilities): in-home care and respite. Home and community-based long term care services are available to individuals who require the type of medical care usually available in a nursing facility but are able to be cared for in their homes or in the community. Waiver income limit $2,982 and personal needs allowance $2,609 (2026 MaineCare Eligibility Guidelines). A functional assessment by Maine's Assessing Services Agency is required (1-833-525-5784).

• MaineCare nursing facility coverage
• Maine Medicaid long-term care limits

Nursing Home Inspections and Complaints in Maine

Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Licensing and Certification (DLC) inspects nursing homes in Maine for CMS. To file a complaint, call 207-287-9308; 1-800-383-2441 or use the state's complaint page.

• Maine nursing home inspection lookup
• File a nursing home complaint in Maine

Maine Long-Term Care Ombudsman

The Maine Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is a free, confidential advocate for residents of nursing homes and assisted living. Ombudsmen help with complaints, residents' rights and problems with care. Call (800) 499-0229.

• Contact the Maine Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program

Aging Services and Caregiver Support in Maine

Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) runs Maine's aging services, delivered through local Area Agencies on Aging. Family caregivers can get help through National Family Caregiver Program (and the state-funded Caregiver Respite Program for families caring for people living with dementia). Adult day services are licensed or certified by Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Licensing and Certification (Assisted Housing Program licenses Adult Day programs).

• Maine aging services: Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS)
• Area Agencies on Aging in Maine
• Caregiver support in Maine: National Family Caregiver Program (and the state-funded Caregiver Respite Program for families caring for people living with dementia)
• Maine adult day services

Guides for Your Next Step

See how to choose a nursing home, what memory care is, how Medicaid pays for nursing home care and what Medicare covers. For local help, call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116.

Frequently Asked Questions