Maine Veterans' Home Caribou, found at 163 Van Buren Road, Suite 2, in Caribou, sits on the Cary Medical Center campus and has served veterans since 1990. The home gives priority to veterans-honorably discharged, including National Guard, Merchant Marine, and eligible spouses-and holds space for up to 70 residents, divided into 30 beds for residential care and 40 for nursing and skilled care. The place uses a waitlist, putting veterans and those with urgent medical needs first, and helps with military paperwork like DD-214 forms and with understanding VA benefits and funding. Staff, working both full- and part-time, include a dedicated administrator and a team trained in veterans' needs, with 24-hour RN coverage and an on-site Medical Director.
Care levels here cover long-term care, short-term skilled nursing, rehabilitation and therapy, memory care, and respite stays, with counseling on payment options-VA benefits, Medicare, MaineCare, private pay, and insurance-available. Veterans with a 70% or higher service-connected disability can get their care fully covered, and there's support for others with VA and Medicare stipends, depending on eligibility, including for short stays. No Maximus assessment's needed for Respite stays, but it is for long-term care, and admissions require a doctor's medical history.
Rooms offer privacy and modern comforts, with quiet areas for family and small gatherings, and two dining rooms plus a full kitchen managed by a registered dietitian. Residents get individualized care plans blending nursing, therapy, and a variety of activities, including veterans' outings, community visits, bowling, trips to the local Performing Arts Center, and special event programs. There's a rehab gym, an on-site pharmacy called MVH Pharmacies, a barber and beauty shop, and transportation options like a wheelchair-accessible van and bus. Outdoor spaces, including a courtyard, give spots for relaxing or cookouts, and the larger building hosts multipurpose rooms with a piano and TV for group events.
People interested in living here can ask the admissions team for tours and help with applying, using either paper or online forms, and staff will explain what care is available, what steps to take, and funding resources. Volunteers help with activities, mail, special events, and transportation. Maine Veterans' Home Caribou is one of six related homes across the state, all run independently from the VA and focused on supporting Maine veterans and their eligible family members.
