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Does Maine Pay For In-home Care?
Date Updated: July 26, 2024
Written by:
Rachel Lustbader is a writer and editor with a background in healthcare and technology. Her work has been published on websites including HealthCare.com, BiteSizeBio.com, BetterHelp.com, Caring.com, and PayingforSeniorCare.com. She studied health science and public health at Boston University.
Both of Rachel’s grandmothers had very positive experiences in senior living communities, and Rachel saw firsthand the impact that kind, committed caregivers and community managers can have on seniors’ and their family members’ lives. With her work at Caring, Rachel hopes to help other families find communities, caregivers, and at-home products that benefit elderly loved ones and make life less stressful for family caregivers
Maine does pay for in-home care in some circumstances. Seniors in the state may qualify to have the cost of in-home care services covered by MaineCare if their doctor has assessed them as being homebound and they are on a low income. Home care agencies in Maine typically charge around $30 per hour for their services, making Maine one of the more expensive states in the country when it comes to home care.
Medicare does not cover the cost of in-home help with the activities of daily living directly. However, MaineCare’s waivers make home care services more accessible to those on a low income. There is additional support available for veterans via VA Aid & Attendance benefits and self-directed care programs.
Family Members Can Be Paid To Provide Care
Maine offers several options through which a family member could be paid to provide care services. The Consumer Directed Attendant Services program allows non-spouse family members to provide care to disabled adults who are in receipt of Medicaid. The Home Based Care program is a non-Medicaid program that is delivered through the Office of Aging and Disability Services. Seniors can contact their local Area Agency on Aging for information about the programs available in their area and the eligibility criteria.
Only Homebound Seniors Can Receive Help With In-Home Care Costs
To be eligible for support with the cost of in-home care, seniors must undergo a needs assessment where it is determined they are homebound. The definition of homebound for the purposes of Medicare is that the senior would normally be unable to leave their home without assistance. They may still go out for short periods such as to attend a place of worship or an adult day center. However, going out requires planning and effort. It is possible for a senior to receive help with the cost of attending adult day care plus additional in-home care.