Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) for Home Care in South Portland, ME
Hands-on personal care at home from a certified nursing assistant, for families who want state-certified training. Post what you need in South Portland for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Nursing Assistants in South Portland, ME: the local picture
The nearest Medicare-certified nursing homes to South Portland are Pinnacle Health & Rehab At South Portland in So Portland (1.4 mi), Seaside Healthcare LLC in Portland (3.5 mi), Barron Center in Portland (3.7 mi). Nursing homes employ many of the area’s CNAs, and CNAs who want home care work often come from them.
Aides in Maine earn a median $18.55 an hour (BLS, May 2025, home health and personal care aides). Maine's minimum wage is $15.10 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).
South Portland has about 519 residents aged 85 or older, the group most likely to need hands-on help with bathing, transfers and toileting.
South Portland compared with Cumberland County and Maine
| Census figure | South Portland | Cumberland County | Maine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 85 or older | 1.9% | 2.2% | 2.3% |
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 33% | 26% | 31% |
| Residents 65 or older | 21% | 20% | 22% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 38% | 30% | 29% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 11% | 7.5% | 9.4% |
| Households with no vehicle | 7.8% | 6.9% | 6.8% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $61,620 | $67,204 | — |
Older residents in towns around South Portland
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | Residents 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oak Hill, ME | 3.7 mi | 1,653 | 205 |
| Portland, ME | 5.0 mi | 11,616 | 1,706 |
| Westbrook, ME | 6.2 mi | 3,753 | 393 |
| Old Orchard Beach, ME | 7.6 mi | 3,098 | 145 |
| Gorham, ME | 8.6 mi | 1,282 | 177 |
| Saco, ME | 9.8 mi | 3,852 | 316 |
Nursing homes near South Portland
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pinnacle Health & Rehab At South Portland | So Portland, ME | 1.4 mi | 3 of 5 | 73 | (207) 799-8561 |
| Seaside Healthcare LLC | Portland, ME | 3.5 mi | 4 of 5 | 147 | (207) 774-7878 |
| Barron Center | Portland, ME | 3.7 mi | 4 of 5 | 219 | (207) 541-6548 |
| Cedars Nursing Care Center | Portland, ME | 4.0 mi | 4 of 5 | 102 | (207) 772-5456 |
| Springbrook Center | Westbrook, ME | 4.4 mi | 2 of 5 | 123 | (207) 856-1230 |
| Fallbrook Commons | Portland, ME | 4.8 mi | 3 of 5 | 102 | (207) 331-9292 |
Home health agencies serving South Portland
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mainehealth Home Health And Hospice | Saco, ME | 11 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (207) 284-4566 |
| Interim Healthcare | Manchester, NH | 73 mi | 3.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (603) 668-6956 |
| Northern Light Home Care & Hospice | So Portland, ME | 0.8 mi | 3 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (800) 757-3326 |
Straight-line miles from the center of South Portland. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.
What a nursing assistant can help with
- Bathing, dressing, grooming and toileting
- Safe transfers, repositioning and walking
- Help with eating and fluids
- Taking and noting vital signs if asked
What CNAs costs in South Portland
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 31% of the $5,135 monthly median income of South Portland 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.
What to know before hiring a nursing assistant
To be certified, a nurse aide completes a state-approved training program of at least 75 hours, including 16 hours of supervised practical training, and passes a competency exam (42 CFR 483.152). The state then lists them on its nurse aide registry, which you can search online in most states.
Questions worth asking: Which state certified you, and is it current? Where have you worked as a CNA? Are you comfortable with lifts, catheters and incontinence care? More in our nursing assistants guide.
CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.
Nursing Assistants in South Portland: common questions
What nursing homes are near South Portland?
The closest Medicare-certified nursing homes are Pinnacle Health & Rehab At South Portland in So Portland (1.4 mi, 3 of 5 overall); Seaside Healthcare LLC in Portland (3.5 mi, 4 of 5 overall); Barron Center in Portland (3.7 mi, 4 of 5 overall). Ratings are from Medicare Care Compare.
How much does CNAs cost in South Portland?
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 31% of the $5,135 monthly median income of South Portland 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).
Can a CNA give medication?
Generally no. A CNA can remind someone to take medication. Giving medication is usually reserved for licensed nurses, or for aides with a separate state medication certification.
More senior care near South Portland
Nursing Assistants in nearby cities
- Nursing Assistants in Oak Hill, ME
- Nursing Assistants in Portland, ME
- Nursing Assistants in Westbrook, ME
- Nursing Assistants in Old Orchard Beach, ME
- Nursing Assistants in Gorham, ME
- Nursing Assistants in Saco, ME
- Nursing Assistants in Cumberland Center, ME
- Nursing Assistants in Yarmouth, ME
- Nursing Assistants in Biddeford, ME
- Nursing Assistants in North Windham, ME
- Nursing Assistants in Kennebunk, ME
- Nursing Assistants in Lake Arrowhead, ME
- Nursing Assistants in Brunswick, ME
- Nursing Assistants in Sanford, ME
- Nursing Assistants in Topsham, ME
- Nursing Assistants in Lisbon Falls, ME
Other care in South Portland
- Companion Care in South Portland
- Dementia Care in South Portland
- Respite Care in South Portland
- Live-In Caregivers in South Portland
- Post-Surgery Care in South Portland
- Senior Transportation in South Portland
- Home Health Aides in South Portland
- Personal Care in South Portland
- Overnight Caregivers in South Portland
- 24-Hour Home Care in South Portland
- Mobility Assistance in South Portland
- Parkinson’s Care in South Portland
- Stroke Recovery Support in South Portland
- Disability Care for Adults in South Portland
- Hospice Support in South Portland
- Senior Meal Preparation in South Portland
- Senior Housekeeping in South Portland
- Medication Reminders in South Portland
- Veterans’ Home Care in South Portland
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.
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