Maine
Grant program offers Maine caregivers a lifeline
Kristy Basso sets a timer for 25 minutes any time she does a chore outside her West Paris home. As the primary caregiver for her 77-year-old mother, who has dementia, Basso is worried about leaving her mom alone for too long.
Earlier this year, when two of her five children, who are both in the military, were going to be stationed in the same place at the same time, Basso wanted to take a rare vacation. But she had to “jump through hoops” to find a caregiver who could watch her mom, Kathleen Parsons. That was only her second overnight trip since 2020.
With assistance from a pilot grant program called Respite for ME, Basso can now pay a caregiver to spend three hours with her mom every other week.
Although participants in Respite for ME say the program provides a welcome breather, it’s set to end on Sept. 30, and it will be up to the legislature to decide whether to permanently fund it.
“I’m kind of dreading that because I won’t be able to have someone come in anymore and I’ll just be more tired,” Basso said.
Respite for ME was funded through Gov. Janet Mills’ Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan, using $5.1 million in American Rescue Plan funds, and began enrolling caregivers in October 2022. The two-year program offers grants up to $5,171 to those providing care to a loved one at home.
In addition to paying for temporary caregivers, the funds can be used for counseling, training, financial guidance and assistive technology.
At least 23 nursing homes in Maine have closed over the past decade, and concerns about the quality of care at assisted-living facilities have grown.
As the state’s population — the oldest in the nation — continues to age, the responsibility to care for older adults could increasingly fall on family caregivers.
The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that 51,000 caregivers in the state provided 87 million hours of unpaid care last year, valued at $1.9 billion.
Drew Wyman, executive director of the Maine chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, said caring for loved ones with dementia comes with an extra emotional toll.
“You don’t know what you’re going to get when you’re dealing with someone with cognitive decline,” he said. “And the bulk of this caregiving in Maine falls on family members.”
Taking care of yourself
Dr. Susan Wehry, who directs AgingME, a geriatrics workforce enhancement program at the University of New England, said data has shown that respite care is “vital.” She applauded Maine for giving participants a lot of latitude in how the respite dollars can be spent, noting that limiting grants to medical needs isn’t as effective.
“One of the self-defeating beliefs is ‘nobody can take as good of care of my husband as I can,’ ” Wehry said. “While that may or may not be true, it is also true that if you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be able to take care of him for long, either.”
A state-funded respite program for low-income Mainers who care for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia has been in effect for decades.
Respite for ME was intended to expand the program to include people caring for individuals over 60; those caring for people of any age with dementia; and those caring for adults with disabilities.
Relatives over age 55 who provide care to someone else’s children are also eligible. There is no income criteria, but the caregiver must not be getting paid for the care and must have suffered economic hardship because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The grants are administered by the state’s five nonprofit areas on aging, including SeniorsPlus in western Maine.
Betsy Sawyer-Manter, president and CEO of SeniorsPlus, said she hopes to see the program continue, noting that those providing in-home care deserve support.
“This is a huge undertaking and with the continual growth of the older Mainer population as well as grandparents providing kinship care, it is vital for these unsung heroes,” she said.
So far, 1,072 participants have received a total of more than $2.3 million, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. An initial report published after the first year of the program found that three-quarters of the recipients at the time identified as women and 63 percent made less than $35,000 a year.
The labor of caregiving
After her mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2017, Basso eventually gave up her job as a private-duty nurse to care for her full-time.
Her family doesn’t qualify for any of the state’s income-based waivers, so Basso provides the care without compensation. She said she’s fortunate to have income from her husband’s job: “If I was a single mom, I wouldn’t be able to do this at all.”
A recent survey of Maine caregivers found that more than half reported that caregiving was somewhat or very much a financial strain, and nearly 60 percent took time off work, went in late or left early to provide care.
A progress report on the Respite for ME program’s first year found that the funds improved the mental health of participating family caregivers. Half of them reported lower burden scores. High stress scores decreased 7 percent; high depression scores decreased 9 percent; high financial strain decreased 13 percent; and negative impacts on job performance decreased 16 percent.
In addition to some respite care, Basso has used the grant money to buy her mom a bidet, a handrail for the stairs and a bench for the shower.
Basso, who was a nurse for 20 years and worked in dementia wards of nursing homes, said her mom would qualify for a nursing home, but neither of them wanted that. Her mom also worked as a nurse and had made it clear she didn’t want to end up in a nursing home.
“While working in a nursing home, you’re always doing the best that you can. However, you end up having more patients than you can care for as well as you want to,” Basso said. “As a nurse, you have 30 people on your floor that you’re responsible for, and I know that my mother just wouldn’t thrive in an environment like that.”
She said she’s fortunate to have the skills and knowledge to care for her mom, but said there are times she loses patience and has to walk away for a moment. It’s like caring for a child, Basso said, but in reverse.
“I do it because I love her. She’s always loved me and it’s the best that I can do for her,” Basso said. “But it doesn’t mean that it’s easy.”
As nursing homes close, Basso expects more families will care for loved ones at home, which she worries could lead to more elder abuse and neglect. People who don’t have a background in caregiving may get frustrated more easily and lash out, she said.
Basso said there should be more resources so people understand how to deal with certain behaviors.
A survey by the Alzheimer’s Association found that two-thirds of dementia caregivers reported difficulty finding resources and support, Wyman said.
The organization offers a free 24-7 hotline (800-272-3900) staffed by clinicians and specialists that provides support and information for family caregivers, as well as free training sessions and virtual support groups.
Wehry said there’s been a recent shift in caregiver training to focus more on dementia-related behaviors and how to understand them. Her training program at UNE emphasizes the notion of “respite with, not respite from,” which means creating opportunities for caregivers to take a break with their loved one, such as eating at a “dementia-friendly restaurant.”
If society were more accepting of people with dementia, she believes, that would lessen the demand on family caregivers and reduce the need for respite services.
“There will be those times where you need a break. That’s OK,” Wehry said. “But a healthier society would be where you need fewer of those breaks because you’d be able to have a good life with the people that you’re supporting.”
The Maine Lottery offers several games for those aiming to win big.
You can pick from national lottery games, like the Powerball and Mega Millions, or a variety of local and regional games, like the Pick 3, Pick 4 and Gimme 5.
While your odds of winning a big jackpot in the Powerball or Mega Millions are generally pretty slim (here’s how they compare to being struck by lightning or dealt a royal flush), other games offer better odds to win cash, albeit with lower prize amounts.
Here’s a look at Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from Dec. 12 drawing
10-50-55-58-59, Mega Ball: 05
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from Dec. 12 drawing
Day: 7-8-7
Evening: 2-2-6
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from Dec. 12 drawing
Day: 4-2-5-7
Evening: 7-7-0-7
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 12 drawing
06-20-23-30-36, Lucky Ball: 11
Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Gimme 5 numbers from Dec. 12 drawing
09-11-12-30-37
Check Gimme 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the Maine Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3, 4: 1:10 p.m. (Day) and 6:50 p.m. (Evening) ET daily.
- Lucky For Life: 10:38 p.m. ET daily.
- Lotto America: 10:15 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Gimme 5: 6:59 p.m. ET on Monday through Friday.
- Cash Pop: 8:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. & 11:30 p.m. ET daily.
Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.
Where can you buy lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a USA Today editor. You can send feedback using this form.
PORTLAND (WGME) — Maine has spent the past two years grappling with a rise in deed fraud schemes.
The CBS13 I-Team first began investigating after an elderly man didn’t receive his tax bill and learned someone had transferred his property without his knowledge.
Since then, multiple landowners have come forward saying something similar almost happened to them. Our reporting has uncovered for-sale signs posted on land, fake driver’s licenses and signed agreements to transfer deeds; all tied to scam attempts.
Maine has spent the past two years grappling with a rise in deed fraud schemes. (The Nathanson family)
The growing pattern prompted a state commission to issue new recommendations aimed at stopping the fraud.
Landowners say scam nearly cost them their property
Two summers ago, Cheryl and Ralph Nathanson learned their land on Little Sebago Lake had been put up for sale online.
“We could have lost our property,” Cheryl Nathanson said.
The Nathansons, who live in Connecticut, were stunned when they discovered a fraudulent listing for their Maine plot.
“We notified the police and they said they can take a report on it but that there’s nothing they could really do,” Ralph Nathanson said.
Police told them it was a classic case of deed fraud: scammers posing as property owners, listing land they don’t own and disappearing with the cash.
The couple was advised to sign up for property alerts through the Cumberland County Registry of Deeds, but quickly learned those alerts offered little protection.
“You can register for the deed fraud but it only informs you, by email, after the deed has been transferred. So it’s basically worthless,” Ralph Nathanson said.
A realtor lists their property…. Again
The following summer, the Nathansons discovered a real estate sign had been placed on their land.
“I was notified by a neighbor that there was a for-sale sign, a realtor for-sale sign, on our land,” Ralph Nathanson said.
A realtor from Old Orchard Beach had unknowingly entered into an agreement with someone impersonating the couple.
“Some of the information was correct, some of it wasn’t. You can get anything off of Google,” Cheryl Nathanson said.
Ralph Nathanson remembers confronting the agent.
“You are selling my property and I’m not selling the property,” Ralph Nathanson said. “The phone went silent.”
Despite the ordeal, the couple believes they were lucky to have seen the sign, knowing how bad these schemes can get.
State commission concludes work on deed fraud
“Currently, you all might be landowners and your land might be at risk, and you might not know right now that somebody has sold your land,” Jane Towle with the Real Estate Commission said, during the final meeting of the Deed Fraud Commission.
This fall, a state commission of stakeholders convened to examine ways to prevent deed fraud in Maine.
The Nathansons urged the commission to go beyond awareness campaigns.
CBS13 I-Team Reporter Stephanie Grindley: “You think the state should act beyond just awareness?”
Cheryl Nathanson: “100%.”
Ralph Nathanson: “Absolutely. I think the state of Maine has a responsibility to protect landowners.
But not everyone in the meeting agreed on the scope of the problem.
Attorney General calls deed fraud a low-priority scam
In the final meeting, Attorney General Aaron Frey remained staunch in his skepticism, saying complaints of deed fraud are still relatively rare.
“What we’re seeing for people getting hurt and losing money, this would probably not be the thing I want to highlight over other scams that are happening right now that are actually costing people their retirement savings,” Frey said.
Sen. Henry Ingwersen of York, who spearheaded the commission, sat down with the I-Team following the final meeting.
Grindley: “During the meeting, I did hear the Attorney General essentially call this a non-issue. His office isn’t getting complaints. He doesn’t see a bunch of consumers loosing money to this. Has that changed your stance?”
Ingwersen: “We’ve had three that have really been highlighted just in southern Maine. We haven’t heard a lot from around the rest of the state, but there has been some, so I think that even though it’s rare, we really need to address it.”
“I was pleased that we did come up with a couple of recommendations that we’re going to put in the report,” Ingwersen said.
Key Recommendation: Verify the seller’s identity
The first area of agreement among most, not all, stakeholders would legally require listing agents to verify a seller’s identity.
“The way it is now, it’s best practice. And a lot of professionals are doing best practice,” Ingwersen said. “The red flags in deed fraud are cash sale, land only, a quick sale at below-market value If we had realtors really paying attention to those red flags but also a policy that would require them to check the identity of the fraudulent seller, or of the seller, thoroughly, I think it would prevent, even if it prevented one instance of deed fraud, I think it would be very helpful.”
The commission did not outline exactly how identification should be verified.
“We didn’t really specify what that identification process was going to be. We’re leaving that up to rule making,” Ingwersen said.
Second Recommendation: Easier path to undo a fraudulent deed
Currently, the only way to reverse a fraudulent deed in Maine is to go to court.
The commission proposes allowing an attorney to file an affidavit with the registry.
“Allow an attorney to file an affidavit with the deed recorder that would allow the deed to be, the fraudulent deed, to be nullified in a way that is a little bit quicker than we currently have,” Ingwersen said.
The recommendations will now head to the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee. Any legislative change likely wouldn’t take effect until 2027, if the proposals make it into a bill and then survive a vote.
“I think we made some good progress, but I don’t think this is going to go away. I think this will continue,” Ingwersen said.
Landowners fear fraud will try until it succeeds
“We were thinking, do we take a loan out on it just to secure it?” Ralph Nathanson said.
As the legislative process begins, the Nathansons say Maine cannot wait. They fear it’s only a matter of time before a sale of their land goes through.
“To lose land like this or to find out that their land is now gone, I just can’t imagine that,” Ralph Nathanson said.
Ideas Left on the Table: Title Freeze and National Guidance
Several proposals failed to gain traction, including a “title freeze.” a concept similar to a credit freeze that would allow a landowner to lock their deed from unauthorized transfers. Maine could have been the first state to pilot it, but members said they lacked enough information.
Instead, they pointed to national group studying deed fraud. The Uniform Law Commission is drafting model legislation that states, including Maine, could adopt to better protect landowners.
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