In-Home Care in Oregon

Oregon has a total population of 4,246,155, with 18.2% aged 65 and over. The state has multiple advantages that may appeal to older adults, including world-class health care facilities such as the top-ranked OSHU Hospital and Providence St. Vincent Medical Center. Oregon is somewhat tax-friendly for senior citizens, as there’s no tax on Social Security benefits.

Seniors can expect to pay $6,006 per month for home care. This type of care — also called in-home care — assists with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing and dressing, along with light housekeeping, laundry and shopping services. Home health care, on the other hand, provides medical services for seniors aging in place. These services may include but aren’t limited to physical therapy, wound care and preventative medical care.

This guide contains cost information and comparisons for home care in Oregon, as well as information about applying for Medicaid and COVID-19 regulations for health care providers. A list of free resources for Oregon seniors is also included.

The Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey reports the cost of home care in Oregon as $6,006 per month. Although this is slightly higher than the national average of $4,957, it’s less expensive than Washington’s monthly average cost of $6,547 for in-home care. California is also costlier at $6,101 per month for home care, while Idaho is a bit lower at $5,434. Nevada is one of the least expensive states in the area with a cost of $5,148 per month for in-home care.

Oregon’s cities have varying home care costs. Portland is the most expensive locale at $7,146 per month for home care, while Bend is hundreds of dollars less at $6,435. Salem and Corvallis both have a monthly average cost of $6,101 for in-home care. Albany and Eugene have an estimated per-month cost of $5,911 for home care, while Grants Pass is about $500 less at $5,482 for in-home care per month.

Seniors in Oregon have different care types from which to choose. In addition to in-home care ($6,006), there’s home health care ($6,101) for those who need medical services. Assisted living ($5,045) delivers assistance with daily tasks in a homelike setting, often with multiple amenities. For seniors who need care during the day, adult day health care may be an option ($2,654). Nursing home care in a semiprivate room, which is the most expensive care type at $10,342 per month, is for seniors who need 24/7 supervision and skilled nursing care.

Oregon Medicaid — which is called the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) — covers in-home care through the Section 1115 Demonstration Waiver. This waiver is for senior Medicaid recipients who need help with activities of daily living (ADLs) and aren’t currently receiving long-term care services, such as nursing home facility care. This program also provides a monthly benefit to seniors aging in place who receive unpaid care from family members.

There are multiple ways to apply for the Oregon Health Plan (OHP). Apply online through the Oregon Eligibility (ONE) website, which is also where you can report changes and renew coverage.

You can also apply with a paper application. They’re available in many languages, and they can be printed and faxed, mailed or delivered in person to your local Oregon DHS office. Call OHP Customer Service at 800-699-9075 to have a paper application mailed to you or apply by phone.

What Information You Will Need

All Medicaid applicants must provide documentation when applying for coverage. Some of the verifications you’ll be asked to submit when applying for Oregon Medicaid include:

• Identification
• Social Security card
• Citizenship documents if applicable
• Proof of all income
• Copies of insurance policies
• Documentation of all assets

In general, Medicare does not cover the cost of non-medical home care. That being said, there are situations in which Medicare provides some coverage for medical home care, referred to as “Home Healthcare.” There are several eligibility restrictions for coverage, including that individuals must be homebound and have a referral from their doctor specifically for home healthcare services.

Below is an overview of some of the skilled medical professionals whose in-home services are typically covered by Medicare – for more in-depth information, refer to our Guide to Home Healthcare.

• Physical Therapists: Physical therapy is used to help patients recover from injuries (broken bones, knee injuries, etc.), treat ongoing conditions such as arthritis, and assist in recovery from surgeries and procedures such as a knee or hip replacement.
• Visiting Nurses: Licensed nurses can provide a number of medical services for those who don’t need to stay in the hospital, but do need regular medical services such as wound care, changing feeding tubes, etc.
• Occupational Therapists: Occupational therapists help seniors regain or maintain the ability to accomplish normal, daily tasks, such as bathing, dressing, eating, and other daily activities.
• Speech Therapists: Speech therapists help seniors who are struggling to adequately communicate due to a stroke, dementia, or any other cause regain the ability to functionally communicate using a variety of means. Additionally, speech therapists help to keep seniors independent by modifying diets, teaching special techniques to swallow safely, and retraining associated muscles.

As mentioned above, in-home care is distinctly different from home healthcare. But, there can be some overlap in services between the two types of care. So, while Medicare doesn’t cover non-medical in-home care, there are in-home care services that may be covered in special circumstances when they’re provided in conjunction with home healthcare (such as an occupational therapist helping with eating or dressing)

To find quality home care providers near you, simply input the zip code or city where you would like to start your search. We have an extensive directory of home care agencies all across the nation that includes in-depth information about each provider and hundreds of thousands of reviews from seniors and their loved ones.