Respite Care in Portland, ME: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Portland, ME: the local picture

11,616

residents 65 or older (17% of Portland)

61%

of residents 65+ in households live with someone, often a family caregiver

30%

of residents 65+ report a disability (26% in Cumberland County)

14

Medicare-certified hospices serve Portland ZIP codes

Most older adults in Portland live with someone: 61% of residents 65 and older in households do. When one of them needs care, the person they live with usually provides most of it, and respite is what keeps that sustainable.

About 3,293 Portland residents aged 65 or older report a disability (30%) (26% in Cumberland County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 14 hospices serving Portland ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Portland compared with Cumberland County and Maine

Census figure	Portland	Cumberland County	Maine
Residents 65+ with a disability	30%	26%	31%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	39%	30%	29%
Residents 65 or older	17%	20%	22%
Residents 85 or older	2.5%	2.2%	2.3%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	9.1%	7.5%	9.4%
Households with no vehicle	15%	6.9%	6.8%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$58,471	$67,204	—

Older residents in towns around Portland

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
South Portland, ME	5.0 mi	5,580	33%
Oak Hill, ME	8.2 mi	1,653	22%
Westbrook, ME	9.8 mi	3,753	30%
Old Orchard Beach, ME	11 mi	3,098	27%
Cumberland Center, ME	12 mi	306	23%
Yarmouth, ME	12 mi	1,221	37%

Hospices serving Portland

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Beacon Hospice, An Amedisys Company	So Portland, ME	4.3 mi	(207) 772-0929
Affinity Care Of Maine, LLC	South Portland, ME	4.3 mi	(207) 345-6669
Gentiva I	South Portland, ME	4.3 mi	(207) 245-1648
Northern Light Home Care & Hospice	South Portland, ME	4.3 mi	(800) 757-3326
Andwell Health Partners	Scarborough, ME	8.7 mi	(207) 777-7740

Nursing homes near Portland (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Pinnacle Health & Rehab At South Portland	So Portland, ME	3.6 mi	3 of 5	73	(207) 799-8561
Seaside Healthcare LLC	Portland, ME	5.0 mi	4 of 5	147	(207) 774-7878
Cedars Nursing Care Center	Portland, ME	5.6 mi	4 of 5	102	(207) 772-5456
Fallbrook Commons	Portland, ME	6.8 mi	3 of 5	102	(207) 331-9292

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

What it covers

What a respite caregiver can help with

Taking over the usual routine while you are away
Meals, medication reminders and personal care
Company and activities
Overnight cover for a weekend or a trip

Cost

What respite care costs in 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 33% of the $4,873 monthly median income of 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.

Before you hire

What to know before hiring a respite caregiver

Family caregivers carry most long-term care in the U.S., and burnout is a common reason a home arrangement breaks down. The federal National Family Caregiver Support Program funds respite through local Area Agencies on Aging, and the ARCH National Respite Locator lists respite programs by state.

Questions worth asking: Can you do a short paid visit first, while I am home? Are you available at short notice if I am ill? Can you stay overnight, and what do you charge for it? More in our respite care guide.

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

Questions

Respite Care in Portland: common questions

Which hospices serve Portland?

Medicare lists 14 hospices for Portland ZIP codes, including Beacon Hospice, An Amedisys Company, Affinity Care Of Maine, LLC, Gentiva I.

How much does respite care cost in 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 33% of the $4,873 monthly median income of 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).

Does Medicaid or Medicare pay for respite care?

Medicare pays for short inpatient respite stays only for people on its hospice benefit (Medicare.gov); the hospices on this page serve Portland. Many state Medicaid home and community-based programs, veterans’ programs and the National Family Caregiver Support Program fund respite. Our guide Medicaid programs for family caregivers: who can be paid, and the rules in 12 states covers Maine.

More near Portland

More senior care near Portland

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Portland

More for Portland 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.

Respite Care in Portland, ME