Hospice Support in Brewer, ME: Caregivers at Home

Local figures

Hospice Support in Brewer, ME: the local picture

9

Medicare-certified hospices serve Brewer ZIP codes

326

residents 85 or older (3.4% of all residents)

29%

of residents 65+ in households live alone (29% in Penobscot County)

36%

of residents 65+ report a disability (37% in Penobscot County)

Medicare lists 9 hospices whose service area includes Brewer ZIP codes, the nearest offices being Gentiva in Brewer (1.0 mi) and Beacon Hospice, An Amedisys Company in Bangor (3.9 mi).

577 Brewer residents 65 or older live alone (29% of those in households). Someone on hospice who lives alone usually needs added hours of help between the hospice team’s visits.

Brewer compared with Penobscot County and Maine

Census figure	Brewer	Penobscot County	Maine
Residents 85 or older	3.4%	2.3%	2.3%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	29%	29%	29%
Residents 65+ with a disability	36%	37%	31%
Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing	5.1%	6.9%	4.8%
Residents 65 or older	22%	20%	22%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	11%	12%	9.4%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$59,167	$50,478	—

Older residents in towns around Brewer

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Live alone (65+)
Bangor, ME	4.1 mi	6,353	39%
Hampden, ME	5.8 mi	962	20%
Orono, ME	6.9 mi	1,227	33%
Old Town, ME	12 mi	1,259	44%
Bucksport, ME	14 mi	1,040	41%
Ellsworth, ME	19 mi	1,913	30%

Hospices serving Brewer

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Gentiva	Brewer, ME	1.0 mi	(207) 573-7012
Beacon Hospice, An Amedisys Company	Bangor, ME	3.9 mi	(207) 942-2920
Community Health & Counseling Services	Bangor, ME	3.9 mi	(207) 947-0366
Bristol Hospice - Bangor LLC	Bangor, ME	3.9 mi	(207) 605-9620
St. Joseph Hospice	Bangor, ME	3.9 mi	(207) 907-1810
Mainehealth Home Health And Hospice	Rockport, ME	45 mi	(207) 284-4566

Straight-line miles from the center of Brewer. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.

What it covers

What a caregiver for hospice support can help with

Comfort, company and a calm presence
Gentle personal care and repositioning
Small meals and fluids as the person wants
Telling the hospice nurse about changes

Cost

What hospice support costs in Brewer

At the Maine median aide wage of $18.55 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,608 a month in wages, which is 33% of the $4,931 monthly median income of Brewer households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Maine's minimum wage is $15.10 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

Hiring directly, you agree the rate with the caregiver and usually become the household employer (U.S. Department of Labor rules). Some families qualify for programs that pay for care at home; see Medicaid programs for family caregivers: who can be paid, and the rules in 12 states.

Before you hire

What to know before hiring a caregiver for hospice support

Under Medicare, hospice is for someone whose doctors certify a life expectancy of six months or less and who chooses comfort care instead of treatment to cure the illness. Medicare does not cover room and board for hospice care at home (Medicare.gov).

Questions worth asking: Have you cared for someone at the end of life? How do you work with a hospice nurse? Can you sit overnight in the last days if needed? More in our hospice support guide.

CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.

Questions

Hospice Support in Brewer: common questions

How much does hospice support cost in Brewer?

At the Maine median aide wage of $18.55 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,608 a month in wages, which is 33% of the $4,931 monthly median income of Brewer households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Maine's minimum wage is $15.10 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

Who qualifies for hospice under Medicare?

Someone whose hospice doctor (and regular doctor, if they have one) certifies a life expectancy of six months or less, and who accepts comfort care instead of curative treatment (Medicare.gov).

More near Brewer

More senior care near Brewer

Hospice Support in nearby cities

Other care in Brewer

More for Brewer families

Sources

Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year; CMS provider data (October 25, 2026); U.S. DOL state minimum wages (July 1, 2026); BLS OEWS May 2025 aide wages, which cover employed aides rather than private rates.

In-Home Hospice Support in Brewer, ME