Maine · Caregiver Support
Caring for an aging loved one is one of the hardest jobs there is — and you shouldn't have to do it alone. Below are 30 verified Maine programs offering emotional support, respite, training, financial help, peer groups, and legal planning — most of them completely free.
Last updated July 2026
Start here in Maine
Maine ADRC — Aging and Disability Resource Centers
One call connects Maine family caregivers to free counseling, respite, training, and support groups through their local Area Agency on Aging.
Statewide — 5 Area Agencies on Aging covering all 16 counties
Maine's single point of entry for care partners. Free information, options counseling, and connection to all caregiver services statewide. Maine uses the term 'care partner' rather than 'caregiver' throughout its programs.
Five AAAs: Aroostook AAA | Eastern AAA | SeniorsPlus | Spectrum Generations | Southern Maine Agency on Aging
Statewide — Portland HQ with staff serving all 16 counties
Around the clock emotional support, crisis assistance, and care consultations for dementia caregivers. Maine Chapter serves all 16 counties. 33,000+ Mainers living with Alzheimer's in 2025.
Maine Chapter: 207-772-0115. Provides 24/7 helpline, support groups, education, and care navigation statewide
Statewide
Statewide advocacy organization connecting Maine caregivers to resources and amplifying caregiver voices in policy. Comprehensive resource guide listing all Maine aging services. LD 814 pending to increase AAA funding.
Free resource guide and advocacy — Maine has 324,000 family caregivers representing 28% of the population
Statewide — based in Portland
Program of EqualityMaine providing support and advocacy for older LGBTQ+ adults and their caregivers across Maine. Culturally competent caregiver support for Maine's LGBTQ+ community.
Unique Maine resource — LGBTQ+ inclusive caregiver support accessible statewide
Statewide
Free 24/7 confidential emotional support for caregivers experiencing burnout, distress, or crisis. Available by call or text. Maine's rural geography and harsh winters can intensify caregiver isolation.
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — call or text
Statewide
Free connection to local health and human services including emotional support, crisis intervention, and caregiver resource referrals across all 16 Maine counties.
Call or text 211 — also available online. Critical for rural Maine caregivers across all 16 counties
Statewide — through 5 Area Agencies on Aging
State-funded respite specifically for dementia caregivers. Reimburses up to 80% of eligible respite expenses (up to $5,303/year). Covers in-home care, adult day care, and up to 2 weeks overnight facility care. 20% co-pay with hardship waiver available.
80% reimbursement of eligible expenses — hardship waiver for co-pay available. Access through your regional AAA
Statewide — through 5 Area Agencies on Aging
Federal program providing respite and supplemental services for caregivers of adults 60+ or any age with Alzheimer's. Also includes kinship caregiver respite for grandparents. Access through regional AAA.
Contact ADRC at 877-353-3771 to be connected to your regional AAA for available respite services
Southern Maine — Cumberland, York, and Oxford counties
Flagship implementation of Maine's State Respite Program. Reimburses eligible respite expenses including in-home care, adult day, and home modifications up to $2,000 lifetime with prior approval. Waiver of 20% co-pay based on income.
Southern Maine focus — contact your regional AAA for identical program in other Maine regions
Statewide — search by Maine zip code
Searchable database of nearly 3,000 respite providers. Search by Maine zip code to find local and regional respite options beyond state programs. Useful for rural Maine communities.
Run by ARCH National Respite Network
Statewide — Veterans only
At least 30 days annual respite for caregivers of eligible veterans enrolled in VA healthcare. Togus VA Medical Center (Augusta) is Maine's primary VA facility. Community-based outpatient clinics serve other regions.
Must be caring for veteran enrolled in VA healthcare — Togus VAMC: 207-623-8411
Statewide — in person and virtual
Free education programs for dementia caregivers across all 16 Maine counties. ALZ Talks webinars, Savvy Caregiver workshops, care consultations, and in-person programs. Virtual options critical for rural Maine.
Virtual options available statewide — call helpline or visit website for current Maine schedule
Statewide — through 5 Area Agencies on Aging
Evidence-based 12-hour program (2 hours x 6 sessions) for families and friends caring for someone with dementia. Provides knowledge about dementia, communication skills, and self-care strategies. Free and offered statewide.
Maine has made Savvy Caregiver a statewide signature program — offered through all 5 AAAs
Southern Maine — online resources statewide
UNE's Center for Excellence in Aging and Health provides caregiver education, dementia resources, and community programs. Strong partnerships with Maine's AAA network and OADS for caregiver training statewide.
UNE collaborates with OADS on Maine caregiver programs — online resources available statewide
Statewide — through 5 Area Agencies on Aging
Caregiver training through Maine's AAA network covering dementia care, stress management, and navigating long-term care. Maine uses TCARE assessment tool to personalize caregiver support and training.
Maine's TCARE (Tailored Caregiver Assessment and Referral) tool personalizes support for each caregiver's specific needs
National — available to all Maine caregivers
Comprehensive caregiver education library including fact sheets, online programs, and Maine-specific resource directory. Especially valuable for rural Maine caregivers with limited local in-person options.
No registration required — online resources accessible from any Maine community
Statewide
Free caregiver tools, guides, and education. AARP Maine reports 324,000 caregivers (28% of Mainers) and is actively working on LD 814 to increase AAA funding. Maine Paid Family Leave launching May 2026.
AARP membership not required — AARP Maine is actively advocating for a $5,000 federal caregiver tax credit
Statewide
Non-Medicaid state program paying family members (excluding spouses and legal guardians) as personal care providers for frail elders at home. Income-based eligibility. Adult children and other family members can be paid caregivers.
Spouses and legal guardians excluded from being paid — adult children eligible. Contact ADRC at 877-353-3771 for eligibility
Statewide — employed Mainers only
Maine's new Paid Family and Medical Leave program launches May 2026. Up to 12 weeks paid leave for workers caring for a seriously ill family member. Workers began paying into program January 2026.
Benefits launch May 2026 — workers paying into program since January 2026. Contact Maine DOL for current details as program launches
Statewide — Veterans only
Monthly stipend for caregivers of eligible veterans with 70%+ service-connected disability. Also includes CHAMPVA health insurance. Legacy cohort protected through September 2028 per VA final rule.
Must be caring for veteran with 70%+ service-connected disability rating. VA extended legacy cohort protection through September 2028
Statewide — through 5 Area Agencies on Aging
Federal program providing information, counseling, training, respite, and supplemental services to care partners of adults 60+ or any age with Alzheimer's. Grandparent kinship caregiver services also available.
Contact ADRC or your regional AAA — Maine uses TCARE tool to assess and match caregivers to appropriate services
Statewide — in person and virtual
Free caregiver support groups throughout Maine from Portland to Bangor to Presque Isle. Virtual groups available statewide — essential for Maine's rural and remote communities. ALZConnected online community available 24/7.
Call helpline or visit website to find group by zip code — virtual options critical for rural Maine caregivers
Statewide — 5 regional AAAs
Care partner support groups through Maine's five Area Agencies on Aging covering all 16 counties. Groups for general caregiving, dementia, and grandparent kinship caregivers. Virtual options available.
Contact ADRC at 877-353-3771 to find your regional AAA and available support groups
Central and mid-coast Maine — Kennebec, Waldo, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Androscoggin, Franklin counties
One of Maine's five AAAs providing care partner support groups, Savvy Caregiver, and adult day services across central and coastal Maine. Serves a large rural region with creative outreach solutions.
Central Maine focus — contact for current support group schedule and in-person or virtual options
National — available to all Maine caregivers
Free online peer community of 25,000+ caregivers active 24/7. Especially valuable for Maine caregivers in rural and remote areas where local in-person groups may be far away or weather-limited.
AARP membership not required — virtual peer support bridges Maine's geographic and seasonal isolation
Statewide — offices in Augusta, Bangor, Lewiston, and other communities
Free legal advice for Mainers 60+. Covers Medicare, MaineCare (Medicaid), powers of attorney, advance directives, Social Security, pension benefits, consumer issues, guardianship defense, and elder abuse.
Income not a barrier for adults 60+ — call toll-free statewide. Funded through OADS and all 5 Maine AAAs
Statewide — through 5 Area Agencies on Aging
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling for Maine beneficiaries and their care partners. Trained volunteer counselors help navigate Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and Part D drug plans statewide.
Unbiased — not affiliated with insurance industry. Access through your regional AAA or call statewide number
Statewide — independent nonprofit
Free advocacy for care partners with concerns about nursing home, assisted living, residential care, adult day, home care, or hospice quality. Unique: Maine's Ombudsman covers home care and adult day services, not just facilities.
Unusually broad scope — covers home care and adult day recipients, not just facility residents. Free and confidential
Statewide
Free legal advocacy for Mainers with disabilities and their care partners. Maine's designated Protection and Advocacy agency. Covers disability rights, public benefits, housing, institution advocacy, and abuse/neglect investigations.
Toll-free: 800-452-1948. Free services for people with disabilities and their family caregivers — all 16 Maine counties
Statewide — offices in Portland, Bangor, Lewiston, and other communities
Free civil legal services to low-income Mainers including elder law, advance directives, powers of attorney, MaineCare (Medicaid), housing, and consumer protection issues for caregivers and care recipients.
Income eligibility requirements apply — statewide toll-free: 800-879-7100. Covers Native American communities through Wabanaki Legal News
Honest answers to what Maine family caregivers ask most.
Your care plan keeps every Maine caregiver resource — phone numbers, eligibility, and next steps — in one calm, organized place.
Always free — no credit card required.
Source: LTCareNav.com research, updated on July 2026. Programs, phone numbers, and eligibility rules change frequently — please verify contact information directly with each organization before referral. This page is informational and not legal, medical, or financial advice.