Assisted Living in Maine: A Family Guide

Facts checked September 28, 2026 against official Maine sources

What assisted living is called in Maine, what it costs, how Medicaid can help, how to check a community’s license and inspections, and who to call if something goes wrong. Every fact links to the official source.

Licensed by

Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Licensing and Certification (DLC)¹

Licensed communities on Lilisity

294 assisted living, 40 with memory care

Medicaid help

Yes: MaineCare Section 97, Private Non-Medical Institution Services, Appendix C (Medical and Remedial Services Facilities)²

Typical cost

$8,205 a month (state median, CareScout 2025)

Long-term care ombudsman

(800) 499-0229³

File a complaint

207-287-9308; 1-800-383-2441⁴

What assisted living is called in Maine

• Assisted Living FacilityAssisted living in private apartments, in a building with a shared dining area.⁵
• Residential Care FacilityHousing and assisted living services in private or shared bedrooms, with common living and dining areas. The rule effective September 18, 2025 stopped using Levels I to IV for these homes, though other laws still refer to them.⁶
• Memory Care UnitA separate, designated area (or a whole facility) for people with Alzheimer's or other dementia.⁶

Memory care rules

A facility with a Memory Care Unit must meet extra rules, including admission paperwork showing who has legal authority to place the resident, and minimum direct care staffing of at least 1 worker per 12 residents on day shift, 1 per 18 in the evening, and 1 per 30 overnight.⁶

Questions to ask memory care about nights.

What assisted living costs in Maine

The median cost of assisted living in Maine is $8,205 a month, above the national median of $6,200 (CareScout Cost of Care Survey 2025, collected July to November 2025). Prices vary with the apartment, the level of care and the community, so ask each one for its current rate sheet, including care-level fees.

If more care is needed later: nursing home costs in Maine, with CareScout medians and the private-pay rates Maine nursing homes publish.

Plan with our free tools: how long will the money last? and home care or assisted living?

Paying for assisted living in Maine

Medicare does not pay for assisted living. Families pay from savings and income, long-term care insurance, or benefits such as VA Aid and Attendance (estimate it). Who actually pays for long-term care.

Medicaid. Yes. MaineCare (Maine Medicaid) pays for care services in licensed residential care and assisted living settings that take part in the program. To qualify, a person must meet medical eligibility rules, checked by the state's Medical Eligibility Determination (MED) assessment. Program: MaineCare Section 97, Private Non-Medical Institution Services, Appendix C (Medical and Remedial Services Facilities).² Medicaid does not pay rent or meals in assisted living in any state, and not every community accepts it, so ask each one.

How to check a community in Maine

Always visit in person, at a mealtime or in the evening if you can. Bring the tour scorecard and the 8 tour questions.

If something goes wrong

Complaints about care or conditions. The Division of Licensing and Certification investigates complaints that a licensed facility is not following the rules. File online, or by email (DLRS.Complaint@Maine.gov), fax, mail, or phone. Call 207-287-9308; 1-800-383-2441 or file online.⁴

Abuse, neglect or exploitation. Call 1-800-624-8404. How to report.⁷ If someone is in danger, call 911.

The long-term care ombudsman is a free advocate for residents of assisted living and nursing homes: they help resolve problems with a community, including move-out notices. Call (800) 499-0229 or find your local ombudsman.³

Find assisted living in Maine

Assisted living by city

Every community and county in Maine · 5 with verified resident testimonials

Sources

1. Licensing agency (maine.gov)
2. Medicaid (maine.gov)
3. Ombudsman (maineombudsman.org)
4. Complaints (maine.gov)
5. License types (maine.gov)
6. License types, memory care rules (maine.gov)
7. Reporting abuse (maine.gov)
8. CareScout Cost of Care Survey 2025 (state medians)

Facts checked against these official sources on September 28, 2026. Rules and programs change; confirm with the agency before making a decision. General information, not legal or financial advice.