Assisted Living Facilities in Waterville, ME
Noted for its bustling farmers market and year-round events such as the Taste of Greater Waterville, Waterville provides a vibrant backdrop for retirement living. It has about 16,000 residents, roughly one in five of whom are seniors. It has a low cost of living, relatively few violent crime occurrences and access to high-performing medical facilities, and its user-friendly public transportation system makes it easy for residents without private vehicles to navigate the region.
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.
Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in Waterville, ME
Woodlands Senior Living of Waterville
147 West River Road, Waterville, ME, 04901
Woodlands Senior Living of Waterville
141 River Road, Waterville, ME, 04901
Snow Pond Residential Care Center
888 Pond Road, Augusta, ME, 04330
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What to Consider About Assisted Living in Waterville
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.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in Waterville
- 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.
Paying for Assisted Living in Waterville
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.
The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities
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.
The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care
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.
Note: Care cost data for Waterville was not available, so data for the closest city, Lewiston Area, was used instead.
Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Waterville
In Maine, the state funded medical program, MaineCare, covers the cost of an assisted living community. As long as seniors meet the financial eligibility criteria for MaineCare, they may have the entire cost of their assisted living unit paid for by the state.
Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Assisted Living in Maine page.
More Ways to Pay for Assisted Living
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.
Free Assisted Living Resources in Waterville
Planning for current and future care needs can be a challenge, but older adults in Waterville have access to several local and statewide agencies and programs that help them make informed decisions. Through the following resources, seniors get general and one-on-one assistance with finding options for paying for assisted living and locating community-based services to complement what they receive through residential care.
Resource
Contact
Service
(207) 873-4745
Spectrum Generations is a local nonprofit organization that provides free and low-cost services to those aged 60 and over in Waterville. It houses the region’s Aging and Disability Resource Center, which serves as a single entry point for community-based services such as transportation, options counseling, legal assistance, financial planning and nutrition services. Spectrum Generations also hosts online health and wellness workshops, including Enhance Fitness, Living Well with Chronic Pain and Tai Chi for Health & Balance.
(207) 287-9933
The closest Bureau of Veterans Services office is in Togus, about 20 miles south of Waterville. At this location, veterans obtain information and referrals for services such as counseling, transportation, social programming and financial assistance. The office can also screen veterans for benefits that may help cover assisted living services and determine their eligibility for veterans’ home placement.
(207) 621-1079
(800) 499-0229
The ombudsman advocates on behalf of assisted living residents, helping them obtain the services in the care plans, understand their rights and resolve interpersonal conflicts and issues related to the quality of care. The ombudsman can also counsel seniors and families regarding local assisted living options, ways to pay for care and what to do if services are denied or reduced. All advice and assistance is free and confidential.
(800) 750-5353
Maine Legal Services for the Elderly is a free statewide program that provides over-the-phone legal advice and assistance to those aged 60 and over. Through this agency, older adults can get help with resolving issues related to public benefits, such as denied Medicare claims or canceled policies and Social Security overpayment. The organization can also connect older adults with other organizations in the community to meet their needs.
Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Waterville
Waterville-area assisted living communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all assisted living communities in Maine are required to follow. Visit our Assisted Living in Maine page for more information about these laws.
