Respite Care in Saco, ME: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Saco, ME: the local picture

3,852

residents 65 or older (19% of Saco)

76%

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

23%

of residents 65+ report a disability (28% in York County)

10

Medicare-certified hospices serve Saco ZIP codes

Most older adults in Saco live with someone: 76% 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 879 Saco residents aged 65 or older report a disability (23%) (28% in York County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 10 hospices serving Saco ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Saco compared with York County and Maine

Census figure	Saco	York County	Maine
Residents 65+ with a disability	23%	28%	31%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	24%	27%	29%
Residents 65 or older	19%	22%	22%
Residents 85 or older	1.5%	2.2%	2.3%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	7.1%	8.1%	9.4%
Households with no vehicle	5.4%	4.7%	6.8%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$68,043	$59,150	—

Older residents in towns around Saco

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Old Orchard Beach, ME	3.2 mi	3,098	27%
Oak Hill, ME	6.2 mi	1,653	22%
Biddeford, ME	6.3 mi	3,857	33%
South Portland, ME	9.8 mi	5,580	33%
Gorham, ME	11 mi	1,282	26%
Kennebunk, ME	12 mi	1,921	23%

Hospices serving Saco

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Andwell Health Partners	Scarborough, ME	5.3 mi	(207) 777-7740
Compassus - Greater Maine	Scarborough, ME	5.3 mi	(207) 761-6967
Beacon Hospice, An Amedisys Company	So Portland, ME	10 mi	(207) 772-0929
Affinity Care Of Maine, LLC	South Portland, ME	10 mi	(207) 345-6669
Northern Light Home Care & Hospice	South Portland, ME	10 mi	(800) 757-3326

Nursing homes near Saco (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Seal Rock Healthcare	Saco, ME	2.3 mi	2 of 5	105	(207) 283-3646
Southridge Rehab & Living Ctr	Biddeford, ME	3.4 mi	3 of 5	62	(207) 282-4138
Pine Point Center	Scarborough, ME	3.5 mi	2 of 5	61	(207) 883-2468
St Andre Health Care Facility	Biddeford, ME	3.6 mi	5 of 5	96	(207) 282-5171

Straight-line miles from the center of Saco. 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 Saco

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 28% of the $5,670 monthly median income of Saco 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 Saco: common questions

Which hospices serve Saco?

Medicare lists 10 hospices for Saco ZIP codes, including Andwell Health Partners, Compassus - Greater Maine, Beacon Hospice, An Amedisys Company.

How much does respite care cost in Saco?

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 28% of the $5,670 monthly median income of Saco 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 Saco. 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 Saco

More senior care near Saco

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Saco

More for Saco 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 Saco, ME