AARP’s Maine Caregiver Resource Guide
Download this guide with live links that includes tips for caregivers as well as state and national resources, such as the Maine directory of assisted living facilities and services.
Alzheimer’s/Dementia – Savvy Caregiver Training
Training workshop for family or caregivers of loved ones with dementia or Alzheimers. Training provides family caregivers the knowledge and skills essential for successful caregiving. Training is provided over 6 – 2hr. sessions. Materials and training are provided at no cost through EAAA
Caregiver Support Group
For caregivers of family members or friends, and for hospice workers. Email: lking@mainevets.org.
Maine Veteran’s Home, Machias | 1st Friday of the month 2:00 – 4:00p
Caregivers Facebook Group
A private facebook group for caregivers in Washington County – both informal and professional caregivers welcome. Our goal is for this group to provide a platform for caregivers to talk to each other, ask questions, offer solutions based on experience with similar challenges, and point to helpful resources.
Down East Hospice Volunteer Program
Calais 454-3616 / Machias 255-3356
A volunteer program of cost-free, non-medical comfort care to the terminally ill, the grieving, and their families. The volunteer program’s mission is to provide support for persons facing death so they may live the remaining days of their lives as fully as illness will allow, and subsequently to provide bereavement support for those in need. Also on Facebook here.
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 (Downeast Community Partners): 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 Services & Dementia Programs (EAAA): 941-2865 / 1-800-432-7812
The Family Caregiver Resource program offers information, assistance, support, appropriate referrals, and sometimes just a friendly ear, to anyone who is providing unpaid assistance to a senior. The program also serves grandparents and seniors caring for grandchildren, nieces / nephews or other children. There is no charge for the informational services provided by EAAA’s Caregiver Resource Specialists. And some of the topics which can be covered by the Specialists include: Information on community services to support caregiving; Federal and state program information; Education on caregiving issues; Support groups; Supportive individual education on caregiving issues; Respite for caregivers of families dealing with Alzheimer’s disease
Family Caregiver Support Services—Elder Services (Maine.gov): 1-800-262-2232
Programs, resources and support groups including the booklet “Connections: A Guide for Family Caregivers in Maine“
Maine Senior Guide
A comprehensive web resource about all things senior. From reverse mortgages to transportation, from independent living to volunteer opportunities, Maine Senior Guide covers any topic of interest to Maine’s older residents, their caregivers, and families.
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 (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.
Taking Action for Health: 255-3741 or email: angela@healthyacadia.org
This is a free, interactive 18-hour workshop series that is open to anyone living with a chronic health condition, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, obesity, arthritis, migraines, asthma, eating disorders, depression and more. Caregivers are also welcome. Classes meet once weekly for six weeks. Participants will learn appropriate use of medications; how to evaluate new treatment options; appropriate exercise for maintaining/improving strength, flexibility and endurance; nutrition information; how to communicate effectively with family, friends and health professionals; techniques to manage frustration, pain, fatigue and isolation; and decision making processes. This free workshop series is provided through Healthy Acadia
Additional Links & Resources for Caregivers:
Aging Care: Resources for caregivers
Alzheimer’s 24/7 Helpline: 1-800-272-3900
A free resource for reliable information and support, day or night
ALZConnected:
An online community that enables caregivers of Alzheimer’s and dementia patients or family members to connect with one another
Alzheimer’s Navigator:
A powerful online tool to help caregivers identify their needs and locate supportive programs and services
Brochure – “Seniors and Accidental Overdose”
Download this helpful brochure on the signs of a potential overdose, what to look for, what to do, and risky combinations that can cause an overdose.
The Benchmark Blog: Q&A blog with helpful advice for caregivers and seniors
BenefitsCheckUp.org:
A comprehensive website from the National Council on Aging that lets you search for additional financial assistance programs that you or your loved one may be eligible for, such as lower energy bills, discounted prescriptions, help with insurance, transportation, and much more
Caregiver Resources: Lots of links to resources from the National Alliance for Caregiving
A Caregiver’s Guide to Understanding, Recognizing, and Preventing Elder Abuse:
Online tips for caregivers from Maryville University on understanding elder abuse.
Complete Guide for Choosing In-Home Care: Guide from the National Council for Aging in Place
The Conversation Project: is dedicated to helping people talk about their wishes for end-of-life care
Elder Care Locator: An online tool from the Department of Health and Human Services to find programs and services in your area
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
POLST, Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatments: Advanced Medical Directive information
Prepare to Care: Booklet from AARP for family caregivers
Scam Protection for Veterans: AARP and the US Postal Service have joined together to create this project: “Operation Protect Veterans” to alert elderly veterans and help them protect themselves from scammers trying to defraud them of their pensions and benefits, including bogus offers to turn their benefits into cash, modify VA loans, or provide new military benefits. If you spot a scam you can also contact their Fraud Watch Network Helpline toll-free at 1-877-908-3360