Oregon Home Care: Common Terms, How to pay for Home Care, Licensing and Questions to ask
Oregon is unique and beautiful. You can step out your door and explore the scenery that reminds you why you live in the Pacific Northwest. The majestic Crater lake and Mount Hood bring visitors from all over the country. Portland is the largest city, a hub of culture, food and art, and home to OHSU – Oregon Health and Science University, known for exemplary work in the healthcare field. Over 18% ofOregon’s population are people aged 65 and older. Many aging adults will require care at some point. Most of the time, when people think of senior care the first thing they envision is a nursing home. This couldn’t be further from the truth: There are many different types and levels of care aside from nursing homes. Typically, people prefer to age in place as long as possible, rather than move into a senior living community – but the challenges of aging may cause living at home to become increasingly difficult. The focus of Oregon home care is to keep people healthy and safe.
To accommodate seniors who may require care, there are several cities of note in Oregon where our loved ones can receive quality healthcare: Portland, Bend, Corvallis, Eugene, Medford, Hillsboro, Pacific City, among many others.
- Oregon Home Care: Common Terms, How to pay for Home Care, Licensing and Questions to ask
- What is home care in Oregon?
- How do you know it may be time for Home Care?
- What Assistance do In-Home Care Aides Provide?
- What are the different Home care options?
- Laws and regulations for home care in Oregon
- How much does home care cost in Oregon?
- Questions and inquiries about home care
- Resources and Links – Oregon
- Search other areas for Home Care
What is home care in Oregon?
Home Care (or In home Care) is suited for seniors who may only require some basic assistance at home. Care plans can be customized for each individual. The Home Care aides bring a sense of personalization, providing companionship and socialization, a sense of connection. The home aides may support with activities of daily living (ADLs), which include medication reminders, assistance with bathing and eating. Home Care may be an excellent care options for family members if they must leave town or just need a break from caring for their loved one.
Home care and aging in place
In home care services in Oregon include assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs). These in-home aides may assist with personal care and monitoring like they would receive in a long-term care community. All while they remain in the comfort of their own home.
How do you know it may be time for Home Care?
What are the signs to look for?
Have you noticed your loved one is spending less and less time managing their hygiene or personal appearance. They may stop brushing their teeth or let their facial hair grow in an unkempt fashion when they didn’t before. Are they going longer periods of time in the same clothing, or neglecting relatively scheduled eating habits? Grooming and hygiene live under the umbrella of ADLs, and as such a Personal Care Assistant may help with these tasks.
Did you notice your loved one’s home is in disarray? Have they usually shown signs of tidiness or regular cleanliness, and now the home is disheveled and dirty. In Home Aides may assist in normal household maintenance like dusting and sweeping, cleaning the kitchen or doing laundry.
Is your loved one forgetting things more frequently? Typically, people forget things sometimes, but if you notice they are forgetting simple tasks they normally perform regularly, this may be a a sign that assistance is necessary.
It is not uncommon for elderly adults to experience trouble walking, getting up from a seated position or need help getting in and out of bed. Signs like this can be dangerous. The risk of a fall increases as mobility declines. The aide of a home care caregiver may assist with moving around the house safely.
What Assistance do In-Home Care Aides Provide?
Home Care Aides provide a variety of services and assistance. Depending on the individuals condition, elderly adults may require different types of care.
Services included in home care:
Often times, people think of nursing homes or retirement homes as the only places for senior care. As we’ve discussed earlier, there are multiple care options. And even within home care, there are levels of care suited for an individuals needs. The specific services offered in home care will vary state by state.
What are the different Home care options?
The various care services and options
Personal Care Assistant
- Companionship as well as assistance with activities of daily living, (non-medical personal care) toileting, dressing, grooming, and bathing.
- They can help with grocery shopping and meal preparation.
- A personal care assistant can help with family difficulties. If a family caregiver must leave town or be away from the home overnight the caretaker can stay with the individual and monitor and assist as needed.
- If a spouse is too heavy, a personal assistant can be a great asset in helping the individual move without risk of injury.
- These care assistants cannot perform any medical care.
Companion Care
- These companions spend time with older adults. Providing companionship is especially relevant for people who live alone, or do not leave the house due to cognitive impairments or frailty.
- These companions are there to look after the person, keep a watchful eye, act as an extension of the person to help with mobility and general physic functions.
- They may drive the person to appointments, prepare light meals and snacks. They may even play games or read and listen to music together.
- Companion care is a great way to bring social interaction and assistance to a person who may otherwise spend long periods of time alone.
Home Health Care
- Home health is the only type of home care associated with skilled nursing or any therapy services.
- This type of care is of a much higher-level medical care and therapy.
- Home health aides must have a nursing degree or certification or go through specialized training.
Laws and regulations for home care in Oregon
Licensing
TheOregon Health Authority is in charge of licensing and overseeing all in home care agencies in the state.
Staffing
Staff go through orientation before employment and ongoing education while working. Before being hired, potential staff undergo a thorough background check.
Grievances
Any suspected abuse may be reported to The Department of Human services.
- The agency should have a plan in place for families to voice any grievances or complaints.
- The person receiving care has extensive rights pertaining to the provided services.
The individual under care has the right to file a complaint with the agency:
- Regarding their treatment and care provided.
- The failure of the agency to provide certain care.
- The lack of respect for property and/or person.
- Individuals have the right to participate in and be informed about, and consent to or refuse care in advance of and during treatment.
How much does home care cost in Oregon?
Oregon’s average cost for in home care is about $6,010 per month, which is higher than the national average. The national average is closer to $5,000 per month. The neighboring state of Washington is one of the more expensive states at $6,600 per month for in home care.
- Oregon: $6,010
- Washington state: $6,600
- California: $6,100
- Nevada: $5,200
- Idaho: $4,550
Costs vary quite a bit from city to city within Oregon. The central hub of Portland is the most expensive at $7,200 per month. The further you travel south the more affordable care you’ll find.
In home care ($6,010), while being on the higher end of cost for a month of care is still less than home health ($6,050) and the cost is much lower than a nursing home ($10,000+).
Questions and inquiries about home care
Agency Information
- Is the agency RN operated?
- Is the agency a franchise or locally owned and operated?
- Is the agency licensed by WA State Department of Health?
- Is the agency licensed for both home care and home health?
- Does the agency have liability insurance?
- Can the agency respond to you 24/7?
Caregiver Information
- Are employees licensed, bonded & insured? Or are they independent contractors?
- Does the agency test skills, conduct behavioral interviews and verify caregiver credentials?
- Are caregivers required to have current certifications for First Aid, CPR, and TB?
- Are caregivers provided continuing education/training?
- Can authorized individuals monitor care and make requests online in real time?
- Does the agency offer caregiver replacement when the “fit” may not be right?
Documentation and Supervision
- Does an RN/MSW/Care Manager conduct a free home care assessment?
- Does an RN/MSW/Care Manager create a home care plan?
- Does an RN/MSW/Care Manager supervise the caregivers?
- Do caregivers receive client orientation before arriving at a client’s home?
Policies and Cost
- Can services be cancelled with a 4-hour notification?
- Does the agency offer flexible scheduling, custom care plans, and a continuum of care?
- Does the agency have weekly or monthly minimums?
- What is the hourly minimum per shift?
- Does the agency offer home care discounts?
- What is the required deposit?
- Will the agency accept long-term care insurance?
Resources and Links – Oregon
Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman – The Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman is a free service available to residents, families, facility staff, and the general public.
Oregon Abuse Reporting Line for Children and Adults – To report elder abuse, please contact 1-855-503-SAFE (7233). State law protects the confidentiality of all people reporting abuse and anyone who reports suspected abuse in good faith. The department also accepts anonymous complaints of abuse or neglect.
Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians of Oregon-Elders Program – Caregiver Programs, Case Management, Home Health Services, Emergency Response System, Employment Services, Legal Assistance, Home Repair, Home Modification, Information and Referral/Assistance, Home Delivered Meals, Congregate Meals, Personal Care, Respite Care, Government-Assisted Housing, Sr. Center Programs
Nursing Facility Complaint Unit– If you suspect a nursing facility resident was neglected or abused, please contact the Nursing Facility Complaint Unit
Eldercare Locator This is a great resource to search for specific care in specific counties and cities. This database is a nationwide resource that connects older Americans and their caregivers with trustworthy local support resources. Connect with services such as meals, home care or transportation, or a caregiver education or respite from caregiving responsibilities. The Eldercare Locator is a public service of the Administration on Aging (AoA), an agency of the U.S. Administration for Community Living.
Medicare provides a search feature to find & compare providers near you, most senior housing and care providers are included on CareAvailability.com. Find & compare plans in your area. Determine if you qualify for premium savings
Medicaid offers information on how to apply for Medicaid, eligibility criteria, links to local state offices, and additional resources
The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. Whether you are living with Alzheimer’s or caring for someone with the disease, information and resources are available.
The Oregon Home Care Commission is dedicated to register and monitor the quality of all home care in Oregon. They define the qualifications of home care and the workers.
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