How do I find and access senior services?

Area Agency on Aging (AAA) - regional level / Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Aging and Disability Services - OADS (state level)

Details

What you need to know

Fee

Most services free or on sliding scale ONLINE OPTION: Yes - maine.gov/dhhs/oads; 211maine.org WHERE TO GO: Your regional AAA; municipal senior center; 2-1-1 Maine; OADS

Online Option

Yes - maine.gov/dhhs/oads; 211maine.org

Where to Go

Your regional AAA; municipal senior center; 2-1-1 Maine; OADS

Maine Notes

Important state-specific details

MAINE ADRC (Aging and Disability Resource Center): Maine's integrated one-stop resource for seniors and people with disabilities - call 1-877-353-3771 statewide.
MaineCare HCBS Waivers: Maine's Medicaid programs include Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Services (CDPAS) and other waivers allowing home care instead of nursing facility placement; apply through OADS.
SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program): free Medicare counseling available through all Maine AAAs - contact your regional AAA or call 1-800-262-2232.
Maine PROPERTY TAX FAIRNESS CREDIT: low-to-moderate income homeowners and renters receive a state income tax credit for excess property taxes paid - file Schedule PTFC with state income tax return; valuable for seniors on fixed incomes.
HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION ($25,000): significant property tax relief for primary residences - apply with local assessor by April 1.
TREE GROWTH / FARMLAND programs: for seniors who own agricultural or forested land.
Adult Protective Services (APS): report elder abuse at 1-800-624-8404 (APS 24-hour hotline).
Legal Services for the Elderly / Pine Tree Legal Assistance: free civil legal help for Mainers 60+ - (800) 750-5353.

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

Maine DHHS OADS - maine.gov/dhhs/oads | 1-877-353-3771; SHIP Medicare: 1-800-262-2232; APS: 1-800-624-8404; 2-1-1 Maine: dial 211