Oregon assisted living facilities and personal care communities

Oregon Assisted Living Communities

According to Oregon law, an assisted living facility or personal care home is defined as an entity comprised of home-like individual units, which can house six or more senior or disabled adults with supportive services available 24 hours to fulfill the resident’s needs of daily living, health, and social interaction.

There are approximately over 200 assisted living and personal care facilities operating in Oregon.

Assisted Living Centers in Oregon – Cost Comparison

City	Monthly Minimum	Monthly Maximum	Monthly Median
Bend	$3,015	$5,300	$4,495
Corvallis	$3,380	$5,585	$4,158
Eugene	$3,350	$5,900	$4,364
Medford	$2,309	$4,695	$4,183
Portland	$2,205	$6,825	$3,868
Salem	$2,595	$4,835	$3,855

The average cost of assisted living in Oregon is $3,880 per month. Compared to the remainder of the United States, Oregon falls slightly above the national average cost for long-term senior care. The average cost also depends on the amount of personal care required. Within the state, most major urban areas with assisted living residences follow the same price trend with average costs falling in or around the $3,000- $4,000 range.

For more information about assisted living costs in Oregon, check outGenworth’s 2015 Cost of Care Survey.

Recreation & Attractions in Oregon

Nestled on the western coast of the United States, Oregon offers many outdoor and indoor adventures teeming with intrigue. For those adventurers, Oregon offers Crater Lake National Park. Known as the fifth oldest national park in America, the lake offers an array of water sports and activities to visitors including many land activities such as multiple hiking trails. Unrestricted fishing is also allowed.

One of Oregon’s most notable mountains, Mount Hood is a potentially active stratovolcano located in the Cascade Volcanic Arc of northern Oregon. With years of inactivity, locals have created recreational areas on and around Mount Hood, which includes areas to ski, hike, and climb.

Oregon’s Climate, Geography, & Culture

Oregon is a state for outdoor enthusiasts young and old. Oregon has one of the strictest environmental policies as one of the most progressive states. The state is home to controversial regulation with laws legalizing marijuana and assisted suicide. Oregon residents are typically happy and genuinely enjoy all the natural features that Oregon has to offer.

Because of the neighboring Pacific Ocean and the influence of Cascade Mountains, Oregon experiences a unique and variable climate. Temperatures vary depending on elevation and higher elevations tend to be cooler than other lower lying areas. Areas to the west of the Cascade Mountains experience warmer weather due to the Pacific air. Areas located on the eastern side of the mountains tend to experience a colder climate.

However, across the state, winters tend to be very mild with temperatures falling into the 30-40 degree range. Summer weather in Oregon is more stratified. In some colder areas, the high for the hottest parts of summer only reach the low 70-degree range. On the other hand, warmed areas in Oregon can see temperatures climbing into the high 80’s. Oregon accumulates an average of 40 inches of rainfall per year and 6 inches of snow per year.

Oregon’s Assisted Living Homes Regulations & Laws

Assisted Living homes are regulated by a state-to-state basis. Every state has a publicly accessible legal document outlining the regulations, licensing, operation and other rules for assisted living. The complete document outlining the regulations for assisted living homes operating in Oregon can be viewed online via the Oregon Department of Human Services website. This document also outlines any differences between assisted living homes and personal care homes. Public records concerning citations, inspections, violations and the like pertaining to individual homes are available via Oregon’s database of Sustained Homes Abuse Complaints.

Crime & Safety in Oregon

Oregon’s crime rates are about on par with the national average. It is extremely important to choose a safe community that you can feel secure living in. If you are not sure where to start your search, check out some of these safe Oregon communities:

Location	Violent Crimes Per 1,000 Residents	Property Crimes Per 1,000 Residents
Brookings	0.32	8.71
Hubbard	1.25	8.74
West Linn	0.23	10.84
Scappoose	1.65	12.28

(Source: safewise.com)

Payment Options for Oregon Assisted Living Communities

The Aged and Physically Disabled Waiver

For those seeking financial help, Oregon’s Medicaid offers the Aged and Physically Disabled Waiver to elderly and disabled residents. This program will provide services to allow the participant to continue to reside in a personal home or an alternate senior care home such as assisted living community to prevent the early admission into a nursing home. To find more information on this waiver, please review the Oregon Aged and Physically Disabled Medicaid Waiver factsheet.

Assisted Living Family Loans

Alternate payment options are available. Families can apply for an assisted living family loan. This provides temporary or long-term financial assistance when paying for assisted senior care. The program allows multiple people to contribute to payment.

Senior & Elderly Rights for Assisted Living Residences in Oregon

While residing in the home, a resident retains constitutional civil rights, rights of privacy, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion. The resident also retains the right to personal possessions, autonomy over personal finances, bodily autonomy, and power of attorney. The resident has a right to be informed of the process to file a complaint of unsatisfactory living situations, abuse, neglect and the like. The complete list of resident rights as guaranteed by the state of Oregon can be viewed in the official Oregon assisted living regulations beginning on page 37.

Oregon Personal Care Homes: Medical Record Rules & Regulations

Assisted living homes in Oregon are required to provide appropriate health services that are ordered by an attending physician, as well as keep all medical information confidential, accurate, and complete. Medical records shall be kept for a period up to 5 years from death or discharge date.

Residents in Oregon personal care communities have access to their medical records and can request a copy of all or a portion of their medical records. They can also request a copy of some or all of the information, and it is to be provided at a cost not to exceed the community standard.