Adult Care Homes In Oregon

Oregon (The Beaver State), known for its lush green forests, stunning coastline, and vibrant culture, is also a haven for quality adult care homes.

These facilities, often referred to as “adult foster care” or “adult family homes,” provide a range of services for seniors and adults with physical disabilities who can no longer manage their daily needs independently.

They offer a home-like environment, where residents receive personalized care and attention around the clock, fostering a sense of community and belonging.

Oregon’s adult care homes are unique in the way they operate. Rather than being large institutional facilities, these homes are single-family residences offering 24-hour care for a small number of residents.

This setup promotes a family-like environment and personalized care, ensuring that each resident’s needs are attended to promptly and effectively​.

The Bread and Butter: Services Offered

Adult care homes in Oregon aim to support their residents’ independence, choice, and decision-making. They offer a wide range of services, including:

• Personal care assistance: This includes help with eating, dressing, bathing and grooming, and mobility.
• Bowel and bladder care.
• Behavioral management as needed.
• General housekeeping tasks: This includes laundry, meal preparation, and transportation arrangements​​.
• Night care: Some high-level adult care homes are able to offer awake nighttime care.
• Nursing services: Again, homes licensed at a higher level may be able to provide nursing services like diabetic management, injections, colostomy care, tube feeding, bariatric care, and more.

Ensuring Quality: State Oversight and Licensing

To ensure the quality of care, all adult care homes in Oregon are inspected and licensed by the state.

Inspections are conducted before the licensee can accept residents and then at least annually.

If there are any complaints about the care provided or the condition of the adult foster home, the Oregon Department of Human Services will investigate​​.

If you are searching for a care home on your own, consult any complaint or violation history that the state has on file, and ask questions about anything that concerns you. A history of zero or few violations is a good indicator of whether or not the home operates well, both as a business and primarily, as the primary care provider for your loved one.

Bess Lindahl, careandkeeping.com

Owning an Adult Care Home in Oregon

Becoming an adult foster home licensee in Oregon requires meeting several standards.

The prospective licensee must:

• pass a background check
• speak English
• be at least 21 years of age
• own or lease a home that meets the required structural and safety standards
• complete a basic training course and pass an exam
• have the financial resources to open and maintain an adult care home business
• find and maintain qualified caregivers

This guarantees that the residents in Oregon are in safe and capable hands​​.

The Flip Side: Challenges and Benefits

Running an adult foster home in Oregon is not without its challenges. Loss of privacy, dealing with the death of a resident, handling complex care decisions, and managing difficult health conditions are some of the potential difficulties faced by adult foster home licensees​​.

Despite these challenges, many licensees find the benefits far outweigh the difficulties.

Not only do they have the satisfaction of running their own business and making a significant difference in the lives of others, but they also enjoy tax benefits and the joys of a multi-generational household​​.

3 Classifications of Adult Care Homes in Oregon

In Oregon, adult foster homes are classified into three categories primarily based on the training and experience of the providers.

These classifications also determine the type and extent of impairments potential residents may have, which are defined by six major activities of daily living (ADLs): eating/nutrition, dressing, personal hygiene, toileting, mobility, and behavior management.

1. Class 1 homes are for licensees who have passed the department’s basic training course and examination. Residents in these homes may need assistance with up to four of their ADLs.
2. Class 2 homes require the licensee to have two or more years of experience providing care to adults who are elderly or physically disabled. Residents in these homes may need assistance in all ADLs but require full assistance in no more than three ADLs.
3. Class 3 homes may be licensed to a currently licensed healthcare professional in Oregon, or to an applicant who has at least three years of experience providing care to adults requiring full assistance in four or more of their ADLs. The applicant must also have satisfactory references from at least two licensed healthcare professionals.

All classifications require the licensee to complete and pass the department’s basic training course and exam for potential adult foster home providers.

The Oregon Department of Human Services, Aging, and People with Disabilities, or the Area Agency on Aging verifies the qualifications of the caregiver, determines the classification of the adult foster home, conducts annual licensing inspections, and investigates complaints and concerns if they arise​​.

Affordability: Cost of Adult Care Homes in Oregon

The cost of adult care homes in Oregon varies, with the state average for a private room being $5,550-$6,000 per month for the base rate according to Bess. However, it’s important to note that costs may vary depending on the level of care required and the specific care services offered by the home​.

Individual care costs will be determined after an assessment that range from an additional $500 a month to $10,000, if a resident requires total care and awake staff. I am seeing a total average cost of $7,900 in care homes. But the Oregon average for Long Term Care settings in general is $10,342

Bess lindahl, careandkeeping.com

Does Medicaid Pay for Adult Care Homes in Oregon?

Yes, Medicaid can cover the cost of adult care homes in Oregon. The Oregon Medicaid program, known as the Oregon Health Plan, provides support for long-term care services, which can include adult foster care homes.

However, the specific coverage can depend on a variety of factors, including the individual’s financial situation, their medical needs, and the specific services provided by the care home.

It’s also important to note that not all adult care homes may accept Medicaid as a form of payment. If you are looking for a home that accepts Medicaid or a Medicaid spend-down, be sure to verify this ahead of time.

Finding the Right Home

We highly recommend working with a local senior care consultant when looking for senior housing in Oregon. They are an abundant service in the state and will save you countless hours and headaches during your search.

Advice From an Oregon Senior Care Consultant

Senior care consultants, also known as placement and referral specialists, or placement advisors will know the local options intimately. Here are Bess’ top three things to look for:

• “Do the other residents look happy and well cared for? This is your best visual indicator that a care home is worth considering. When the residents are clean, well-fed, and interacting with each other and the caregivers, it means they feel at home and are getting their needs met.”
• “In my experience, the warmth and compassion that a care provider exudes during a tour with the family is usually the deciding factor for the family.”
• “Listen to your gut reaction when you meet with the owner and primary caregivers.”

How to Find the Right Adult Care Home in Oregon

Finding the right adult care home can be a complex process, but there are several steps that can help guide the decision:

1. Identify Needs: Start by making a list of a loved one’s needs, including medical care, assistance with daily activities (like bathing, dressing, and eating), social activities, and any other special needs they may have.
2. Location: Consider the location of the home. It may be beneficial for the care home to be near family, friends, or medical facilities that the person is already familiar with.
3. Budget: Determine what you can afford. This may involve looking into what costs are covered by VA, long-term care insurance, or Medicaid.
4. Research: Look online for care homes in the desired area. A local referral and placement advisor can help you narrow down the options and find the best fit for your loved one.
5. Visit: It’s important to visit potential homes in person. This allows you to get a feel for the environment and ask questions. You may want to visit multiple times at different times of the day.
6. Ask Questions: Some important questions might include: What is the staff-to-resident ratio? What training does the staff have? How are medical emergencies handled? What activities are available for residents?
7. References: Ask for references from families of current or past residents.
8. Inspection Reports: In Oregon, adult foster homes are inspected and licensed by the state. You can request to see these inspection reports to assess the quality of the care home. You can also look up any adult care home inspection results, violations, and notices on the Oregon Department of Human Services website.
9. Trial Stay: If possible, arrange for a trial stay. This can give the person a chance to experience the home’s environment and see if it’s a good fit.
10. Legal Review: Before signing any contracts, it might be beneficial to have them reviewed by a lawyer or trusted advisor to ensure you understand all the terms and conditions.

Remember, it can be helpful to involve the person who will be staying in the care home in this process, as much as possible, so that their wishes and preferences are taken into account.

In Summary

Adult care homes in Oregon are an excellent senior housing option with many benefits for adults who require assistance with daily living activities.

With the state’s rigorous oversight and licensing process, residents and their families can have peace of mind knowing they’re in a safe and nurturing environment.

While challenges exist for those operating these homes, many find the rewards of providing such crucial service far outweigh the difficulties.

For more information about becoming an adult foster home licensee in Oregon, contact your local adult foster home licensing office​.

Frequently Asked Questions