Assisted Living in Oregon

State Information

Facts and Figures about Oregon
Population: 4,093,465
Capital: Salem
Largest City: Portland

Anyone looking for information on assisted living in Oregon would be wise to read this document, as we’ve taken the time to compile all sorts of useful information. Beyond just going over numbers, stats, and facts, we’ve crafted this page in order to help you understand what it all means, why each aspect is important, and finally to know what to look for and how to tell if a particular assisted living facility or senior care home in Oregon is a good fit for you or your loved one.

As we often say, there’s more to it than simply trying to find the “best” place, because that can be subjective. What’s great for one person might not be a great fit for someone else, but when you know what to look for, what to ask, and how it all fits together – you’ll be able to make an informed decision which can lead to a happier life. Assisted living doesn’t have to be a bad word, it doesn’t have to be a scary thing, it can be a great experience that actually opens one up to new adventures, experiences, to form new friendships, and more.

If you’re from out of state, here’s a few things worth checking out in Oregon for all ages and interests. This is important, because it’s easy to just fall into a bit of a depression when you’re sitting around in a home all day, and it’s always nice to get out and do activities while you’ve still got mobility, it’s not something anybody ever regrets. Oregon is home to the stunning Multnomah Falls, the historic Pittock Mansion, Oregon Garden, Coquille River Lighthouse, the High Desert Museum, and many more attractions. Whe4ther you love the outdoors, or aviation, or rich forests, concerts, modern art, you’ll find it here.

Now, let’s cover some quick facts about Oregon State, and then we’ll dive right into the vital information about the types of care that are available and how to narrow down this seemingly overwhelming decision.

Quick Facts about Oregon

  • Oregon is a very large state, it ranks 9th in overall land area with 98,381 square miles.
  • The population of Oregon is 4,093,465 which puts it in 27th place.
  • The median household income is above average, in 17th place in the USA with $60,834.
  • The cost of living is above average in Oregon, but there isn’t a sales tax, nor is there tax on income earned through social security so things tend to even out to a degree. Also, there may be Medicaid assisted avail bile, but we’ll discuss that in a few moments since it’s not all that straight forward.

Types of Assisted Living in Oregon

The types of care in Oregon vary depending on the particular facility, along with the needs of any given resident. We’ll talk about the initial assessment process in a moment, and how it helps to ensure that not only is a resident a good fit for a particular facility, but that said facility is also a good fit for the resident, whether it’s yourself, or somebody you care about.

In Oregon, workers can help administer medication, they can help with basic mobility, they’ll help with all sorts of general personal care, and helping to arrange additional nursing needs. Also, a resident or their family is permitted to contract outside help if needed.

Requirements for Moving in or Moving Out

Initial assessment information: The assessment process is very important, and there is a standardized procedure which will determine two key things. First of all, it will determine the exact levels of care a resident needs and wants, and will make sure that their facility of course is able to meet those needs. Secondly, this process will help to determine whether Medicaid will be able to help with the cost of care services in Oregon.

General Information About Care

Bathroom requirements: While the cost of living can be higher, you can see that you’re getting your money’s worth in certain ways, for instance the fact that every person is required to have their own private washroom. We’ve seen stares where eight or more people are sharing the same toilet, and it just isn’t ideal, it can lead to embarrassment, and a feeling of not quite being at home, even when a resident is in their home. This type of setup is much better.

Medication handling: If a resident needs assistance with administering their medication, an employee of the facility is allowed to help, but it needs to be at the guidance of a nurse, and the care giver taking responsibility for the medication must also have passed the required training program. Even if they aren’t licensed they can still administer it just as long as the above criteria are met.

Fire and Safety information: The safety guidelines are that the facility needs to have a sprinkler system that can activate itself in the event of a fire, along with a system that can be activated by hand. Also, the facility needs to keep track of their procedures, do drills on a regular basis, and ensure that they’re meeting the codes laid out by state and local laws.

Staff Training and Requirements

The initial training process includes information on how fire safety, how to act in an emergency, how to spot abuse and what to do when it is recognized, understanding the rights of patients and how to respect their dignity as individuals, and more. If a staff member is working with people that have cognitive difficulties, additional training is also required.

Medicaid for Assisted Living in Oregon and Additional Information

You may be eligible to repayment through Medicaid, but in Oregon the system works with tiers so it can be kind of confusing. It’s based on the services that are required by an individual, and you can speak to the Medicaid office or the facility themselves to gain a greater understanding.

You can also reach out to the Office of Licensing and Regularity Oversight to clarify any questions you may have, they operate under the Oregon Department of Human Services.

Overall, there are a lot of great reasons to seek care in Oregon, and they have certain policies in place that put them right at the top of the list in those categories, and for others there’s always room for improvement. It’s all about striking the right balance, understanding the needs of you or your loved one, and then finding a facility that caters to all of the above.