The 3 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Belfast, ME for 2024

 

Belfast sits at the mouth of the Passagassawakeag River in a region where prospective assisted living residents have 3 residential care facilities to choose from. Rates in this city run about $1,200 below the state norm and $2,160 over the national median at around $7,507 per month.

In our comprehensive directory, we give you insight into the amenities and quality of care assisted living facilities in Belfast provided by listing 23 reviews reviews. Seniors and visitors who provide feedback typically give local facilities 4.28 out of 5 stars stars based on their value, staff and the quality of care.

Maine’s Department of Health and Human Services, Assisted Housing Program, oversees the operation and licensing of all assisted living communities in Belfast and the rest of the state. It regulates two types of assisted living facilities, including type I facilities, which provide medication administration but no other skilled care, and type II facilities, which also provide skilled nursing services.

 

• Waldo County General Hospital operates out of Belfast and serves assisted living residents through a range of age-related services, including radiology, rehabilitative therapies and joint replacement. The hospital has primary care doctors who administer preventive and routine services, and it handles after-hour needs through its walk-in care clinic and 24-hour emergency room. It also provides telemedicine services for some medical needs.

 

• Among the 16 surveyed counties in Maine, Belfast’s Waldo County ranks sixth for health factors and outcomes. The county has a primary care physician per 1,330 residents, aligning with national norms and supporting access to medical care, and the rate of preventable hospitalizations falls below state and national averages at 2,184 per 100,000 patients. While drinking water violations negatively affect the county’s overall health rating, the local air quality compares favorably to national standards, which may promote a comfortable environment for seniors.

 

• Health care expenses in Belfast come in about 16% lower than in a typical U.S. city, which may make this city a practical option for assisted living residents with medical needs. Additionally, comparatively low housing, utility and transportation costs may positively impact the cost of long-term residential care.

 

• Belfast serves as part of the AARP Age-Friendly Network and has a variety of policies and procedures in place to create a welcoming environment for assisted living residents. The organization gives Belfast a livability score of 54, compared to the average U.S. city rating of 48, for the opportunities it provides for social involvement and access to amenities, such as grocery stores and libraries.

 

• Belfast’s weather runs cooler than most Maine cities, with daytime temperatures ranging from 29 to 35 degrees Fahrenheit during the winter months and from 72 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the summer. To keep residents comfortable and active throughout the year, many assisted living facilities have indoor amenities, such as fitness centers and arts and crafts studios.

 

• Maine has a state income tax rate of 5.80% to 7.15%, but it fully exempts Social Security benefits and provides deductions for government pension income. This may help some seniors afford assisted living fees in Belfast.

 

Assisted living communities in Belfast charge a median monthly rate of $7,507 for care.

In Belfast, assisted living residents pay around $7,507 per month. While this runs considerably higher than the national norm of $5,350, it offers significant savings over Maine’s baseline rate of $8,712, as well as rates in most nearby cities. For example, in Portland rates run about $860 higher than in Belfast, and in Lewiston, rates come in $2,230 higher. Across state lines in Burlington, VT, rates exceed Belfast’s norm at around $13,460, but in Manchester, NH, care costs run lower at approximately $7,275.

Seniors who need long-term care in Belfast pay approximately $7,507 per month for assisted living. This tracks about $260 higher than what in-home care agencies charge for administering personal care services in the client’s home. However, assisted living costs about $2,300 less than nursing home care, which encompasses 24-hour medical monitoring and skilled nursing services, such as medication administration and wound care, in a hospital-like environment.

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.