Please Note: This page is about elder care, ageing in place, and home care for the elderly.  For information on programs for seniors (age 50 or 55+)  please click on this Senior Services link.

Aging and Disability Services (from the Maine Office of Aging & Disabilities):

Links, resources, support, community services for the aging and disabled in Maine

Community Health & Counseling Home Health Care: 1-800-540-3811 / 255-8311

Home health care; hospice program

Eastern Area Agency on Aging: 1-800-432-7812

Resource center for seniors and their caregivers including: Nutrition information and food programs; Alzheimer’s & dementia care resources; Medicare drug and insurance advice; Home repair assistance; Pet food assistance and much more.

Elder Services Navigator: Machias 610-9432

Support for seniors: The Elder Services Navigator works with seniors and/or their caregivers to help find resources and connect them with services & supports. No fees – MaineCare is not required. For more information contact DCP.

Family Caregiver Support Services—Elder Services: 1-800-262-2232

Programs, resources and support groups

Home Modifications for Aging (Elderly Hardship Grant): 207-626-4602

The Maine State Housing Authority offers the MaineHousing’s Home Accessibility and Repair Program and a sub-program relevant to seniors called the Elderly Hardship Grant.  This program is relevant to seniors wishing to age in place and to families caring for loved ones at home. This is because the grants can be used to make home modifications, not just for structural improvements but also to improve disability access. Home modifications include projects such as the addition of a wheelchair ramp to the home’s exterior or widening of doorways and access points to allow wheelchair access in the home’s interior and bathroom modifications such as the addition of a walk in tub (with transfer bench), hand rails, modified toilet etc.

Hospice Volunteer Program: Calais 454-3616 / Machias 255-3356

Family support; Comfort for the terminally ill

Independent Support Services (through Catholic Charities Maine): 1-888-477-2263 / 454-0492

For seniors and adults with physical disabilities, especially those on a limited income– Homemaking Services include light housekeeping, grocery shopping, essential errands (such as banking and pharmacy), laundry, menu planning, and food preparation.  Call for more information

Legal Services for Maine Elders: 538-8784 / 1-800-750-5353

Free Legal help for seniors (must be a resident of Maine, 60 years or older, low income guidelines may apply)

Living Innovations: 255-3733

In-home support for the elderly; Respite care; Community connections services include social events and outings, fitness & leisure activities

Maine Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program: 621-1079 / 1-800-499-0229

A non-profit agency whose mission is to advocate for quality of life and care for long-term care consumers. Services are free and confidential.  Serving residents of nursing homes, assisted housing programs including residential care and assisted living, consumers receiving home care services including homemaker, adult day and hospice. Also serving patients in hospitals facing barriers in accessing long-term care services. Staff is knowledgeable about long-term care services and can answer questions about services, including where to find services, how services are paid for, what to do if services are denied, terminated or reduced, and how to proceed when problems arise.

MAS Homecare of Maine: 561-9533

Home care for the elderly or chronically ill

Memory Care Facilities in Washington County: 888-319-7682

This free site lists residential facilities, assisted living, and boarding houses available in Washington County (and anywhere else in Maine as well) for seniors with Alzheimers or dementia.

Public Health Nursing (PHN): 287-4112 / 1-877-763-0438

Nurse Home Visiting – Nurses can provide support to patients of any age, in their home, providing health assessments, medicine management, and care coordination. This is a free service for residents of Maine, no insurance or Mainecare required

Resource Advocates Program (Downeast Community Partners): 598-5648

Support for people who need help tackling an issue (filling out paperwork, filing documents, organizing finances, understanding healthcare paperwork, or finding resources that may be available to you). The Resource Advocate can come to your home and help you figure out a plan and see it through. Free service – no age restrictions

Respite Care Services: Facilities to temporarily provide care for loved ones (based on bed availability).

• Calais Alternative Care: 454-8960 (152 South Street, Calais)
• Harrington House “Grace Home”: 483-2247  (call and they will provide address)
• Maine Veterans’ Home: 255-0162 – must meet their residential criteria (32 Veterans Way, Machias)
• Marshall Health Care Facility: 255-3387 – private pay basis (16 Beal Street, Machias)
• New Horizons: 454-3709 (526 South Street, Calais)
• Washington Place: 454-3663 (40 Palmer Street, Calais)

Respite Care Program (for Caregivers): Contact EAAA at 941-2865

The Maine Caregiver Respite Program is a program for state residents acting as full time caregivers to elderly individuals who have been diagnosed with dementias, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Vascular dementia, or Parkinson’s disease. This program offers caregivers a break from the stresses of caregiving responsibilities, and provides options of short term care of care recipients in the home, as well as outside of the home. Services include adult daycare, in home aides, and short-term overnight care, such as nursing home care. Caregivers are able to choose the respite caregivers and even family members of care recipients are eligible to be paid respite care providers. This program also provides an emotional outlet for stresses and concerns of caregivers, such as support groups and activities, as well as provides valuable information about dementia, hospice care, etc.

Senior Companion Program: 262-7915

Offered through the Washington County Cooperative Extension, this program arranges for senior volunteers to visit and offer assistance and friendship to homebound elders.  To volunteer or to sign up for a companion check out the website link above for more information.

Sunrise County Homecare Services: 1-800-595-4444 | 255-3344

Home health care; Visiting nurses, physical therapy

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Aging in Place: Resources for elder care and aging in place

The Benchmark Blog: Q&A blog with helpful advice for caregivers and seniors

Renters Rights for Disabled Tenants: Helpful information on tenant rights

Senior Guidance: This organization provides comprehensive lists of Assisted Living Facilities, Senior Care Homes and Senior Living Communities, broken down by state and county.  22 such facilities are listed for Washington County

ELDER ABUSE:
Avoiding Scams for the Elderly:
This resource explains the most common types of scams targeting the elderly, as well as general tips for avoiding them. Senior citizens tend to be viewed as easier targets for financial scams.

Guide to Recognizing Elder Abuse: 1-877-664-6140
A comprehensive guide from the National Council for Aging Care.  Plus links to resources and other great information on aging in place

Nursing Home Abuse Center: 1-800-962-2873
Resource for suspected elder abuse or concerns about nursing home care

END-OF-LIFE:
The Conversation Project is dedicated to helping people talk about their wishes for end-of-life care

POLST, Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatments Advanced Medical Directive information

SAFETY:
The Guide to Fire Safety for People with Disabilities This guide helps the family and caregivers make preparedness plans in the event of a fire or other disaster

Guide to Recognizing Elder Abuse from the National Council for Aging Care

Home Improvement Assistance Information on making modifications to your home to improve safety and accessibility, including finding financial assistance and hiring a contractor

**For more resources for caregivers see our resource page For Caregivers of the Elderly **