The 5 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Waterville, ME for 2024

The Waterville region also has several assisted living facilities to accommodate older adults who don’t need skilled nursing services but require help with daily living activities such as grooming, meal preparation and mobility. On average, seniors in Waterville pay $6,150 per month, which is high compared to state and national averages. 

This guide provides an overview of the pros and cons of living in Waterville and an outline of local senior care costs. It also highlights the agencies and programs that serve older adults in the region.  

Assisted living facilities in Waterville comply with regulations set by the state’s Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Licensing and Certification. This division provides oversight for long-term facilities in the entire state and enforces rules regarding staffing and staff training, public funding, scope of care and medication and nutrition services. It also fields and investigates complaints made by or on behalf of residents.   

• Waterville is among the most economical places to live in Maine, which may offset relatively high assisted living costs. The overall cost of living is about 20% lower than national and state medians, primarily due to low housing and transportation expenses. 
• Seniors in Waterville don’t pay state income taxes on Social Security benefits, but all other retirement income is taxed at rates well above the national average. Property taxes are relatively high and may make residential living an attractive option for those who don’t qualify for property tax relief programs.  
• The Kennebec Valley Community Action Program provides fixed-route bus service throughout the Waterville region through the Kennebec Explorer program. Fares range between $1.25 and $3.50 and can be paid with cash, a prepaid ticket or a bus pass.  
• Property crime is more common in Waterville than in the average U.S. city, but the local violent crime rate is a little lower than the national average. To keep residents and their belongings safe, many assisted living facilities have controlled access and utilize state-of-the-art security equipment.  
• As is typical of the upper northeast region of the country, Waterville’s weather is relatively cool for most of the year. July is the warmest month with high temperatures around 80 degrees, and humidity levels are generally low. Winters are very cold with temperatures as low as the single digits, and the city gets over 70 inches of snowfall annually. Many assisted living facilities in Waterville provide social and recreational activities throughout the cold months to prevent boredom.  
• Waterville is home to Thayer Center for Health, the state’s largest outpatient center. This facility provides a range of services including cardiology, minor orthopedic procedures and radiology and diagnostic imaging. Northern Light Inland Hospital is a 105-bed continuing care center that provides primary care and walk-in services. Overall, there are about 275 doctors per 100,000 people, which is higher than the national average and may appeal to those with chronic conditions.  

Seniors in Waterville pay $6,150 per month for assisted living, making it a relatively pricey city for this level of care. By comparison, nationally, assisted living facilities charge $4,300 per month for services, and in Maine, the monthly median rate is $5,942.   

In Waterville, assisted living residents pay $6,150 per month for services, making it among the costlier cities in Maine to obtain this level of care. Bangor is a more economical option at $4,842, and in the Portland area, rates exceed Waterville’s median at $6,583. In New Hampshire’s Manchester area, fees are considerably higher at $7,560, but in the Burlington region of Vermont, care is affordable at $5,425 monthly. 

At $6,150 per month, assisted living is among the more expensive senior care options in Waterville. Even so, it may be an economical choice for those with strict budgets. Home-based care, including homemaker services and specialized home health aide services, costs about $1,000 less at $5,148, but it doesn’t include housing costs, meals and activities. Adult day health care tends to be the cheapest option, with seniors in Maine paying $3,467 per month for care. Nursing home care is costlier than assisted living, with those in shared rooms paying $9,125 per month and those with private rooms paying $9,581.  

While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for assisted living, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance assisted living costs include:

• Veterans Benefits
• Life Insurance Policy
• Long-Term Care Insurance
• Reverse Mortgage

For more information about different ways to finance assisted living, visit our Assisted Living in Maine page.