North Berwick for a senior (Portland, Wells: apartment, house, subsidized)

[Soup Nazi]

Hi all,

My dear friend is considering moving from Vermont to North Berwick, Maine. She is 65 years old, has some health issues that require doctor visits several times a year, and is living on Social Security alone. She hasn't been able to find affordable housing that will allow her to keep her dog in Vermont, but has found a wonderful place in North Berwick that she can afford. I took her there for a short overnight getaway (we stayed in Wells) and I thought the area was just wonderful. The town is small but quiet, and the apartment house is centrally located. She hasn't looked beyond the basics, so I thought I would help make sure this is a good fit for her.

There is a York Hospital medical center in town, from what I gather from the Internet. Is this a good choice for medical care? What is the nearest large medical center if she requires specialized services? Right now she goes to Dartmouth-Hitchcock in NH for care, but that is a 30 minute drive and I doubt she will be able to drive much in the future due to eyesight problems (macular degeneration). Would there be any kind of public transportation to larger medical centers?

I worry that she might feel a bit isolated there, and have suggested she apply to the waiting list for 100 State Street in Portland, which is also subsidized for seniors and I believe is close to Mercy Hospital. It would take longer to get into an apartment there and admittedly it does not look as attractive as the one in North Berwick.

Any suggestions are much appreciated. Many thanks.