Frequently Asked Questions

 For a list of current openings, please visit the Availabilities page. Or call and speak to our Marketing Director at 288-8014. Future Residents are encouraged to join our Future Resident Priority Waiting List to be alerted to availabilities in our community before the general public.

Birch Bay is pleased to be pet friendly.  You may bring up to two (2) pets in Apartments and Cottages are limited to one dog and one cat or two cats. Cats are welcome on Pleasant Cove and in Safe Harbor with a pet plan in place. Dogs must stay on leashes at all times throughout the community. At the Inn, a pet contingency plan and vet records are required. Dog waste stations are located throughout the community. Visitors are welcome to bring pets to visit their loved ones in their apartments if vaccination records are on file.

 Birch Bay Retirement Village is licensed under the Assisted Housing Program of Maine.

• We are licensed to provide Assisted Living services to our Apartment Residents and Residential Care to our Pleasant Cove and Safe Harbor Neighborhoods. Cottage Residents may pay for planned care services in their Cottages under our Personal Care Services Agency or Home Care License.
• We also offer a licensed Adult Day Program to the greater community.
• Medical services are available most conveniently through Mount Desert Island Hospital, our parent company. We are grateful to have a hospital provider at Birch Bay Village twice a week.

• The Cottages at Birch Bay Retirement Village are for sale through the Birch Bay Village Association where owners purchase stock.
• The Inn accommodations, which includes Apartments licensed as Assisted Living and Residential Care, are available for rental.

• Birch Bay is private pay. A financial application approval process takes place before residency.
• Many of our residents in residential care have purchased Long Term Care insurance which reimburses them for care.
• A small number of Residential Maine Care beds are reserved for resident financial hardship and do not become available upon move in. The availability of a Maine Care bed is never guaranteed.
• Medicare does not pay for care and services at Birch Bay as we do not offer skilled nursing and rehabilitation services.
• Applicants are encouraged to reach out to our Marketing Director for specific costs at each level of care.

• Birch Bay Village furnishes scheduled transportation for in-town shopping and errands and other planned stops at no charge to Residents. Other types of transportation options are available to Birch Bay Village Residents such as local buses and Island Connections (a volunteer transportation program). Taxis may also be utilized at additional cost to the resident.
• Additional fee for service BBRV Transportation is available for doctor’s appointment or personal errand upon request and availability of driver and vehicle – costs vary.