Respite Care in South Portland, ME
A few hours, a day or a weekend of cover so the family member doing the caring can rest, work, see a doctor or travel. Post what you need in South Portland for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Respite Care in South Portland, ME: the local picture
Most older adults in South Portland live with someone: 62% 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 1,786 South Portland residents aged 65 or older report a disability (33%) (26% in Cumberland County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.
Medicare lists 10 hospices serving South Portland ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.
South Portland compared with Cumberland County and Maine
| Census figure | South Portland | Cumberland County | Maine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 33% | 26% | 31% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 38% | 30% | 29% |
| Residents 65 or older | 21% | 20% | 22% |
| Residents 85 or older | 1.9% | 2.2% | 2.3% |
| 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+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oak Hill, ME | 3.7 mi | 1,653 | 22% |
| Portland, ME | 5.0 mi | 11,616 | 30% |
| Westbrook, ME | 6.2 mi | 3,753 | 30% |
| Old Orchard Beach, ME | 7.6 mi | 3,098 | 27% |
| Gorham, ME | 8.6 mi | 1,282 | 26% |
| Saco, ME | 9.8 mi | 3,852 | 23% |
Hospices serving South Portland
| Hospice | Office | Distance | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beacon Hospice, An Amedisys Company | So Portland, ME | 0.8 mi | (207) 772-0929 |
| Affinity Care Of Maine, LLC | South Portland, ME | 0.8 mi | (207) 345-6669 |
| Northern Light Home Care & Hospice | South Portland, ME | 0.8 mi | (800) 757-3326 |
| Gentiva I | South Portland, ME | 0.8 mi | (207) 245-1648 |
| Andwell Health Partners | Scarborough, ME | 4.5 mi | (207) 777-7740 |
Nursing homes near South Portland (ask about short stays)
| 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 |
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 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
What respite care 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 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.
Respite Care in South Portland: common questions
Which hospices serve South Portland?
Medicare lists 10 hospices for South Portland ZIP codes, including Beacon Hospice, An Amedisys Company, Affinity Care Of Maine, LLC, Northern Light Home Care & Hospice.
How much does respite care 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).
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 South 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 senior care near South Portland
Respite Care in nearby cities
- Respite Care in Oak Hill, ME
- Respite Care in Portland, ME
- Respite Care in Westbrook, ME
- Respite Care in Old Orchard Beach, ME
- Respite Care in Gorham, ME
- Respite Care in Saco, ME
- Respite Care in Cumberland Center, ME
- Respite Care in Yarmouth, ME
- Respite Care in Biddeford, ME
- Respite Care in North Windham, ME
- Respite Care in Kennebunk, ME
- Respite Care in Lake Arrowhead, ME
- Respite Care in Brunswick, ME
- Respite Care in Sanford, ME
- Respite Care in Topsham, ME
- Respite Care in Lisbon Falls, ME
Other care in South Portland
- Companion Care in South Portland
- Dementia 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
- Nursing Assistants 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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