The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Bangor, ME for 2024

Last Updated: June 5, 2024 - Caring.com offers a free service to help families find senior care and authentic reviews to help you in your decision. On average in Bangor, ME, residents and their loved ones rate In Home Care agencies 4.2 out of 5 stars across the 14 options below.

The Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey shows that Bangor residents pay $5,720 per month for private in-home care. Although this is significantly higher than the national average of $4,957, it’s consistent with home care costs in Maine as a whole. Local monthly rates are about $100 lower than in Portland, but seniors in Lewiston pay more economical fees of $5,339. Home care costs tend to be higher across state lines, with seniors in Manchester, NH, paying $6,149 for care and agencies in Boston, MA, charging $6,292.

Home care agencies in Bangor charge $5,720 per month for nonmedical care. While home health care clients pay the same average monthly rates for skilled nursing, agencies often charge more for this specialized level of care. Assisted living facilities charge about $1,000 less per month for personal care and housing, and those who obtain adult day health care as an alternative to private home care may save about $4,850 per month. Nursing home care is considerably costlier than home care at $10,585 per month.

Given the high cost of in-home care, many people use one or more forms of financial assistance to cover the expenses. Below, we explain some of the most common sources of financial help to pay for in-home care. If none of these options are available to you, you can reach out to your Area Agency on Aging or Aging and Disability Resource Center to learn about local resources.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: Long-Term Care Insurance covers expenses related to senior care, including in-home care. Depending on the policy type, beneficiaries may receive a cash payment to use towards long-term care or reimbursement for qualifying long-term care expenses. Note that there are limitations, typically a maximum benefit of $150 per day, and exact coverage terms vary depending on the exact policy, so always check the details.
• Medicare: Medicare does not cover in-home care because it is classified as custodial or nonmedical care. However, some Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans, which offer expanded benefits, may cover in-home custodial care.
• Medicaid: Medicaid coverage of in-home care varies between different states because it is not a federally mandated benefit. Currently, all states cover some in-home care services either through their standard Medicaid or a waiver program. The specific coverage rules are set individually by each state.
• Veterans' Benefits: The Aid and Attendance benefit is a monthly cash payment that beneficiaries can use to pay for senior care, including in-home care services. To qualify for A&A, Veterans must already receive the VA pension and meet several additional requirements, including needing assistance with activities of daily living. Contact the Department of Veterans Affairs to learn more.
• Reverse Mortgages: Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs) are federally insured loans that are available to homeowners age 62 and over. Reverse mortgages allow you to access a tax-free portion of your home's equity in cash. Many seniors use reverse mortgages to finance their care expenses, including in-home care. Note that although there are no monthly payments due on reverse mortgage loans, borrowers have to repay the loan once the last surviving homeowner passes away, moves, or sells the home.