Best Assisted Living in South Portland, ME

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 14 assisted living communities in South Portland, ME using ME Dept. of Health & Human Services (DHHS) data, inspection records, complaints, amenities, and facility-level details. How we rank assisted living in ME
Reviewed by
Last updated
Jul 2026
We analyzed These are the facilities in South Portland, ME our team has analyzed — not a count of every assisted living provider in South Portland, ME.
14 homes
Other senior care options in South Portland:
Avg Walk Score: 56/ 100The average Walk Score across facilities in South Portland, ME. A third-party neighborhood walkability score (0–100) measuring convenience and context, not healthcare quality. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 50/ 100
Avg No. of Beds: 26The average licensed bed capacity across facilities in South Portland, ME. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 90

Compare Assisted Living around South Portland (Metro Area)

Info below is compiled from the ME Dept. of Health & Human Services (DHHS), senior community websites & trusted data sources such as Walk Score & BBB.

Communities are listed from highest to lowest based on our ranking methodology.

Care Types in This Table AL (Assisted Living): Housing with help for daily activities like bathing, dressing, and medication, without 24-hour skilled nursing. NH (Nursing Home): 24/7 skilled nursing care for residents with complex, ongoing medical needs. MC (Memory Care): Secured, specialized care for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia. RC (Respite Care): Short-term temporary care that gives family caregivers a break. IL (Independent Living): Community living with dining, activities, and transportation for active seniors who need little personal care.
City and state of the facility. Used for mapping and state-average comparisons.
Licensed bed capacity (maximum allowed). Not the same as how many beds are currently filled.
Indicates whether residents are allowed to have pets in the facility.
Third-party neighborhood walkability score (0–100). Convenience/context metric, not a healthcare quality measure.
Description of bed or unit types offered (e.g. assisted living, memory care), as reported in state or facility disclosures.
Reported or derived occupancy for the facility—typically how fully licensed capacity is utilized. Compare across peers in the same market.
A named contact for the facility. Hover the name to see their role — Administrator (state administrator of record or facility-provided administrator), Nursing Director, Medical Director, or Staff. The most authoritative available is shown.
Count of regulatory inspections in the reporting window. Higher volume can reflect more oversight visits, complaint-driven surveys, or routine licensure cycles.
Total count of deficiencies (cited regulatory issues) recorded in the selected reporting period. Read alongside inspection counts for context.
The average number of deficiencies this facility receives each time it's inspected, calculated as total deficiencies ÷ total inspections. A lower number suggests more consistent compliance with safety and care standards.
Wescott Road
AL
South Portland (Thornton Heights)
4
Facility 4
ME AVG 20
Rank #191 / 356
No
50
Facility 50
ME AVG 36
Rank #110 / 357
- 100.0% Zoe Sweet2
1
Facility 1
ME AVG 3
Rank #90 / 233
0.5
Facility 0.5
ME AVG 0.2
Rank #185 / 233
Seaside Nursing & Retirement
AL
NH
Portland
147
Facility 147
ME AVG 20
Rank #4 / 356
No
87
Facility 87
ME AVG 36
Rank #14 / 357
- 88.2% ----
The Park Danforth
AL
IL
Portland (North Deering)
-Yes
67
Facility 67
ME AVG 36
Rank #58 / 357
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed-----
The Grande At South Portland
AL
MC
RC
South Portland
52
Facility 52
ME AVG 20
Rank #52 / 356
Yes
32
Facility 32
ME AVG 36
Rank #178 / 357
1 Bed / 2 Bed 40.4% Caitlin Marsanskis9
14
Facility 14
ME AVG 3
Rank #223 / 233
1.6
Facility 1.6
ME AVG 0.2
Rank #220 / 233
The Heron House
AL
MC
Cumberland Foreside
24
Facility 24
ME AVG 20
Rank #90 / 356
Yes-Private Rooms / Semi-Private Rooms 87.5% Ron Lessard5
6
Facility 6
ME AVG 3
Rank #189 / 233
1.2
Facility 1.2
ME AVG 0.2
Rank #212 / 233
Skillings Street
AL
South Portland (Cash Corner)
2
Facility 2
ME AVG 20
Rank #302 / 356
No
48
Facility 48
ME AVG 36
Rank #119 / 357
- 50.0% -8
1
Facility 1
ME AVG 3
Rank #90 / 233
0.1
Facility 0.1
ME AVG 0.2
Rank #91 / 233
Pride House
AL
South Portland (South Portland Gardens)
8
Facility 8
ME AVG 20
Rank #108 / 356
No
63
Facility 63
ME AVG 36
Rank #66 / 357
1 Bed / Semi-Private Rooms--1--
One Willow Manor
AL
IL
South Portland (Ferry Village)
6
Facility 6
ME AVG 20
Rank #133 / 356
No
43
Facility 43
ME AVG 36
Rank #140 / 357
Private Rooms 33.3% Orane Walsh7
2
Facility 2
ME AVG 3
Rank #114 / 233
0.3
Facility 0.3
ME AVG 0.2
Rank #145 / 233
Scarborough Terrace – Memory Care
AL
MC
Scarborough (Oak Hill)
-No
39
Facility 39
ME AVG 36
Rank #156 / 357
Studio / 1 Bed-----
The Bellavita at Scarborough
AL
MC
South Portland
-No
62
Facility 62
ME AVG 36
Rank #68 / 357
------

Rank badges are statewide: each community is ranked against every ME community we track that reports that metric, not just the 14 analyzed for South Portland.

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Wescott Road

194 Wescott Rd, South Portland, ME 04106
Overview of Wescott Road

Enjoy your independence at Wescott Road, an outstanding community in South Portland, ME, that offers assisted living. Here, residents receive exceptional support for their daily living activities, like bathing and dressing, around the clock. The community also handles the busy work like housekeeping and laundry, giving residents more time to do the things they love.

Enriching activities and stimulating programs are conducted to keep residents active and well-connected. Meal preparation is also taken care of, providing residents with delicious and healthy dining options that cater to their dietary needs and preferences. Prescriptions are also not a worry with medication management. With its nurturing environment and cozy communal spaces, residents are guaranteed the finest retirement experience.

Contact Wescott Road

Overview of Seaside Nursing & Retirement

Seaside Nursing & Retirement is in Portland, Maine. It sits about a mile and a half from downtown. The area scores 87 out of 100 for walking. That’s a high score. People can walk to get coffee. They can walk to a small park. They can walk to pick up a prescription. This helps residents who still get around on their own. It also helps family members who come to visit.

The building has 147 beds. Right now, 91% of those beds are filled. That’s a lot of full rooms. It shows that families in the area choose this place often. Most residents stay about 130 days. Some residents are here for a short time. They are healing after surgery or a hospital stay. Other residents stay much longer. They need ongoing nursing care.

Nurses care for residents around the clock. The team includes registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and certified nurse aides. Together, they give each resident about 4 hours and 34 minutes of care every day. Nurse aides do the biggest part of that work. They spend close to 2 hours and 47 minutes with each resident. They help with bathing. They help with getting dressed. They help residents move around safely. Registered nurses and licensed practical nurses handle the rest. They give medication. They treat wounds. They watch for changes in a resident’s health.

Families can pay for care in different ways here. Seaside takes Medicare. It takes Medicaid. It also takes private pay. This gives families more choices. A family might need short-term rehab coverage. Another family might need coverage for a longer stay. Having three payment options makes it easier to find a plan that fits.

Contact Seaside Nursing & Retirement

Overview of The Park Danforth

Situated between Falmouth, Yarmouth, Scarborough, and South Portland, The Park Danforth is a senior living community in Portland, ME that provides senior living options including independent living and assisted living, meeting the needs of seniors who want a balance of independence and assistance. The community offers different levels of care to match the requirements of its inhabitants, promoting independence, social engagement, and wellbeing.

The Park Danforth delivers a lively, compassionate, and encouraging atmosphere with 70 federally supported apartments in addition to 110 market-rate apartments, featuring fully-applianced kitchens and private baths. Numerous dining locations, adaptable meal plans, programs for life enrichment, transportation to cultural events, wellness services, and housekeeping are among the community’s amenities. A variety of activities are available to residents, including intellectual and spiritual pursuits and fitness programs, ensuring a fulfilling and engaged lifestyle.

Contact The Park Danforth

Overview of The Grande at South Portland

Settled in the peaceful city of South Portland, ME, The Grande at South Portland is a welcoming senior living community that offers assisted living, and memory care services. This community promotes a balance between luxury senior living and professional care. Spacious accommodations with several floor plans are suited for its residents’ immediate needs. With an expert team of professionals, it offers a Lilac Trace Memory Care for those with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

The community is committed to providing excellent services with an approach to hospitality as it offers professional culinary services, wellness-infused programming, and on-site services and amenities. Residents can also enjoy comprehensive wellness programs and therapeutic services and explore various social activities from scheduled outings to a diverse lifelong learning programs and curated events to foster social interaction. Thus, The Grande at South Portland proudly stands as a premier hospitality-focused community for senior living.

Contact The Grande At South Portland

Overview of The Heron House

On Route 1 in Cumberland Foreside, Maine, The Heron House is a single-story, 24-bed assisted living and memory care community sitting at 88% occupancy. 21 of its 24 beds are currently filled. It offers residents both private and semi-private rooms. Pets are welcome.

The service model is residential in character; home-cooked meals are served thrice daily. While regular housekeeping, laundry, and social programming are part of the standard offering. An on-site beauty salon rounds out the day-to-day amenities.
In-home physician services and in-home rehabilitation are available, meaning residents do not necessarily need to leave the building for basic medical and therapy needs. Licensed nurses and CNAs staff the facility around the clock, with short-term rehab and respite care also on the service list.

The Walk Score is 1 out of a hundred. There are no errands that can be done on foot; this address requires a car for everything.

State inspections by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Licensing and Certification have tended to focus on infection prevention and control, dietary and food service, and housekeeping and upkeep.

A small, residential-model assisted living and memory care community in coastal Cumberland County: high occupancy, home-style operations, and a service stack that keeps most routine care in-house.

Contact The Heron House

Overview of Skillings Street

Ideally situated in the lively setting of South Portland, ME, Skillings Street is a friendly retreat that offers assisted living. The community also helps with residents’ daily living activities and personal needs 24/7 to ensure their comfort and safety. Here, residents have more opportunities to focus on recreation, as housekeeping and laundry services are also provided.

Encouraging residents to live actively and maintain social connections, exciting events and engaging programs are conducted. Delicious and healthy meals are also served to meet residents’ dietary needs and preferences. With medication reminders, residents do not have to worry about their prescriptions. The community is a good option for those aiming to maintain their independence in retirement, especially with its dedicated services and supportive environment.

Contact Skillings Street

Pride House

549 Westbrook St, South Portland, ME 04106
Overview of Pride House

Spend your golden years at Pride House, a loving community in South Portland, ME, that offers assisted living. The community also helps with daily living activities, including bathing and transferring, and household tasks, around the clock for residents’ comfort. Promoting a nurturing and welcoming environment, the community ensures residents feel at ease during their stay.

Here, residents will not run out of things to do for leisure and wellness with a variety of fun activities and engaging programs that highlight their interests and capabilities. Delicious and healthy meals are also served to meet residents’ dietary needs and preferences. For convenience and safety, medication reminders and transportation services are also available. The community’s exceptional services and well-maintained amenities create the ideal setting where residents can live comfortably in retirement.

Contact Pride House

Overview of One Willow Manor

Introducing One Willow Manor, a senior community conveniently nestled within the heart of Downtown South Portland, Maine. This assisted living community caters to various service types, including Independent Living and Retirement Home options. In addition, their compassionate team extends round-the-clock support for activities of daily living, encompassing personal care and medication management. Conveniently situated in close proximity to retail shopping, places of worship, medical services, and a plethora of local amenities, One Willow Manor truly enriches the lives of its residents.

Numerous churches stand within a four-mile radius, and an abundance of drug stores are situated within a mile of the facility. Notably, the community is strategically positioned just 1.28 miles away from Mercy Hospital, further ensuring residents’ peace of mind regarding medical care. Within the nurturing environment of One Willow Manor, residents are presented with a diverse array of living arrangements. This unique approach empowers each individual to select the precise level of care and assistance suited to their distinct requirements. This adaptable framework enables senior adults to preserve their autonomy and self-sufficiency, all the while taking solace in the assurance that assistance is perpetually accessible if needed.

Contact One Willow Manor

Scarborough Terrace – Memory Care

Scarborough Terrace, 600 Commerce Dr, Scarborough, ME 04074
Overview of Scarborough Terrace – Memory Care

Scarborough Terrace is the premier assisted living and memory care community. The beautiful and upscale senior living practices compassion and kindness ready to attend to any need– with mental, physical, and emotional needs. Scarborough Terrace is a small community that strives to be elegant, caring, and affordable, where residents can feel safe and secure. 
The senior living community’s exceptional service includes medication management and housekeeping, to name their essentials which are assisted by their well-trained staff that are ready to accommodate any resident’s needs. 

Contact Scarborough Terrace – Memory Care

Overview of The Bellavita at Scarborough

Bellavita at Scarborough is a warm Assisted Living and Memory Care community nestled in Scarborough, Maine, just seven miles from Portland. This area, steeped in history and timeless charm, showcases the coastal beauty of New England. Sandy beaches and rocky shores, celebrated by local artist Winslow Homer, create a picturesque scene in Scarborough.
This assisted living community is conveniently placed near shopping, places of worship, and healthcare services. With numerous drug stores within a mile, accessibility is enhanced. Only 3.43 miles from Spring Harbor Hospital, healthcare remains within reach. Residents of Bellavita can easily enjoy Higgins Beach and Saco Bay for outdoor relaxation. The Bellavita provides open spaces, parks, and recreational areas for residents’ pleasure. Its strategic location near Interstate 95 offers quick travel to Portland, Boston, and the scenic beauty of southern Maine. Bellavita at Scarborough combines history with modern comfort, creating an inviting lifestyle for residents. 

Contact The Bellavita at Scarborough

Weighting overview

  • 35%
    Resident Experience
  • 25%
    Regulatory
  • 15%
    Visual Media
  • 10%
    Website
  • 10%
    Stability
  • 5%
    Environment
01

Resident & Family Experience 35%

The single largest share of every ranking. Aggregated review sentiment and volume from major platforms — the closest signal to real resident experience.

  • Includes
  • Review Sentiment
  • Review Volume
02

Regulatory & Safety Record 25%

State inspection records, citations, and complaint visits. We weight per-inspection rates more heavily than raw counts.

  • Includes
  • State Inspections
  • Citations/Inspection
  • % Inspections w/ Citations
  • Complaint Visits
  • Accreditations
  • BBB Rating
03

Visual Media & Transparency 15%

Communities that publish high-quality visuals give families a real preview. No photos or tours = a negative transparency signal.

  • Includes
  • Video Tours
  • Virtual Walkthroughs
  • Photo Quantity
  • Photo Quality
04

Website & Operator Transparency 10%

Site quality and whether the operator publishes basic accountability information — staff names, contact details, ownership.

  • Includes
  • Website Content
  • Mobile Usability
  • Staff Info Available
  • Owner Info Available
05

Community Stability 10%

Operational signals indicating whether a community is well-run and meeting demand.

  • Includes
  • Occupancy Rate
  • Bed Options
06

Environment & Pricing 5%

Walkability and pricing transparency. Walk Score is weighted higher for Independent Living than for Memory Care, where most residents do not leave unaccompanied.

  • Includes
  • Walk Score
  • Pricing Transparency
No paid rankings Communities cannot pay to influence placement.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Assisted Living in South Portland, ME

What is the average cost of assisted living in South Portland, ME?

The average monthly cost of assisted living in South Portland, ME is approximately $7,300. Actual rates vary by community, level of care, and floorplan.

What is the price range for assisted living in South Portland, ME?

Assisted living in South Portland, ME typically ranges from $6,800–$9,400 per month, depending on the community, room type, and care needs.

What is the typical staff-to-resident ratio at assisted living facilities in South Portland, ME?

Assisted living facilities in South Portland, ME typically operate with a staff-to-resident ratio in the range of 1:6 to 1:12.

What's the difference between assisted living and memory care in Maine?

Assisted living in Maine supports residents with daily activities (bathing, dressing, medication management) while preserving independence. Memory care is a specialized form of assisted living for residents living with Alzheimer's or dementia, and adds 24/7 secured environments, dementia-trained staff, and structured routines designed to reduce confusion and wandering.

What's the difference between assisted living and a nursing home in Maine?

Assisted living in Maine is a residential model focused on housing, hospitality, and help with daily activities. Nursing homes (skilled nursing facilities) provide 24/7 medical care from licensed nurses for residents with significant health needs, and are regulated more strictly under both state and federal CMS rules.

Does Maine Medicaid cover assisted living?

Maine Medicaid does not directly pay room-and-board for assisted living, but most states (including Maine) offer Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers that can offset the cost of care services delivered inside a licensed community. Eligibility, waitlists, and covered services vary — check directly with the state Medicaid agency.

What is assisted living?

Assisted living combines private or semi-private apartments with help on activities of daily living (meals, bathing, dressing, medication management) and a social calendar — for residents who need some support but do not need 24/7 medical care.