Long-term care is a range of social and medical services for people with chronic illnesses, physical or cognitive disabilities. Oregon offers services in a range of settings to people who need assistance with daily activities. If your income and resources meet state and federal guidelines, we may also be able to help you pay for care in the setting of your choice.

Adult day services can help people with physical and cognitive impairments remain independent. Services are offered in a variety of centers around the state. Day service participants often have difficulty performing familiar daily tasks, have lost initiative, motivation or memory, or need a safe environment with supervision.

Adult day programs typically provide socialization, reminiscing, recreational exercise, counseling, support groups, information, nutritious meals and snacks, health monitoring and art/music therapy. For more information, Lifeworks Northwest, Older Adult Services Center, (503) 641-1475, in Aloha. In addition, some care facilities offer adult day care.

Adult foster homes are private homes with family-style living, offering room, board and physical care for up to five people 24 hours a day. Adult Foster homes are licensed, inspected, and monitored by Washington County Department of Disability, Aging & Veteran Services.

A wide variety of residents are served in Adult Foster homes, from those needing only room, board and minimal personal assistance to those residents needing full personal care and skilled nursing tasks. The care provided depends on the residents needs and the skills, abilities, and training of the provider.

Residential Care Facilities are homes for six or more people. They offer room and board with 24-hour supervision, assistance with physical care needs, medication monitoring, planned activities, and often transportation services. Some offer private rooms, and some registered nurse consultation services.

Residential care facilities are inspected, monitored and licensed by the State of Oregon Senior and Disabled Services Division of the Department of Human Services.

Assisted Living facilities are homes with six or more private apartments. They are fully wheelchair accessible and offer full dining room services, housekeeping and call systems for emergency help. Registered nurse consultation is available. Physical care and additional health care supervision and assistance can be provided in your own apartment.

Organized activities and transportation are available. Assisted Living Facilities are inspected, monitored and licensed by the State of Oregon Senior and Disabled Services Division of the Department of Human Services.

Nursing facilities provide nursing care on a 24-hour basis in a hospital-like setting. They provide skilled care, rehabilitation, and end-of-life care.

Nursing facilities are most appropriate for people who need a more protective setting. Many residents have medical and behavioral needs that cannot be met in other care settings.

Oregon requires that all residents be screened before they enter a nursing facility. This screening assures that your service needs match the level of care you receive. The screening also helps you and your family explore other possible settings.

Nursing facilities are inspected, licensed and monitored by the State of Oregon Senior and Disabled Services Division of the Department of Human Services in compliance with both state and federal regulations.

For a comparison of which services are available from which type of facility, see the State of Oregon’s Comparison of Long Term Care Facilities Chart at www.oregon.gov/DHS/spwpd/ltc/ltc_guide/comparison.shtml

Picking The Right New Home
We experience natural developmental stages or passages in life. Because of changes in roles and responsibilities, individuals find themselves either making or assisting in complex and important decisions about where they, a friend, or a family member, should be living. Changes in physical functioning, mental capabilities, life interests, financial situation, and social supports all determine which living situation is appropriate, and most importantly, where a senior individual is ultimately going to be the most content and the happiest.

Making a good decision regarding where a senior loved one chooses to live is important and can be difficult. Dont wait until there is a crisis to gather information. The best decisions are usually made without time pressures. Incorporating the help of friends and relatives not only gives one the opportunity to share the work of a search and move but also provides a ready support group to discuss what the move means to each of them.

By systematically considering available choices, you can compare the strengths and weaknesses of various options. It is important to try to be as open and honest as possible about what is absolutely needed or wanted versus things that are open to compromise and negotiation.

KNOW THE PERSONAL LIKES AND DISLIKES
A small, home-like residence which gives individual attention and care may be ideal for one senior individual and may feel claustrophobic and overbearing to another. Sometimes the ability to continue with a hobby or have a pet accompany the person guides all the decisions that need to be made. Take genuine stock of what is most important in your senior loved one’s life and make sure this can be maintained, if at all possible.

Know and Visit the Various Choices
Make sure that you look at the options from the point of view of the individual who will be living there. After a scheduled tour and obtaining the general information, make an unscheduled drop-in visit later to see if there are any differences. Pay special attention to the convenience of: location, visiting hours, visiting areas, food, types of care rendered, ancillary services, staffing, daily activities, religious activities, and safety/security issues. Dont be afraid to make as many trips back as necessary to get all your questions answered.

Quality vs. Cost
It can be difficult to find a comfortable balance between the two. Dont forget to ask questions and look into state or federal assistance which may help. Ask about options and procedures taken if an individuals funds were to become exhausted. Even though these questions may be difficult to ask or make you feel embarrassed, it is something that people who work with senior facilities and elderly care are quite comfortable dealing with. Also, they may have some excellent suggestions or alternative programs that you qualify for. Sometimes the level or type of care an individual needs can fluctuate frequently or change, which may also require consideration along with any other future needs.

Plan the Move
Hopefully, youll have plenty of time to prepare for the move. In case you dont, keep in mind other options to smooth the transition. Sometimes a trial stay or keeping two residences for a short period is possible. Obviously, the more crisis-based the decision, the less likely it is that everyone will have the time necessary to adjust. Remember that paid storage space can be obtained for items when it is too overwhelming to make final decisions on possessions.

Adjustment Period
When anyone is faced with a major change in life, it takes time to adjust. Assisting with change can be both exhausting and rewarding when it is done responsibly.This is a golden opportunity. Use this time to establish a pattern of cooperative understanding between loved ones who are working toward a mutual goal, and learn more about one another in the process. After all, home is truly where the heart is and it is important for everyone to feel comfortable with how and where they are living. Try to be patient with your emotions and those of people around you. Give new arrangements time to become comfortable.

Making a move can be difficult, even painful, especially later in life. The assistance of an outside party or professional may help with either making the decision itself or with the emotional consequences. Many times these life passages bring up both pleasant and painful memories from the past. Dont be afraid to get the necessary support so you can have a successful move. And whichever path you choose, be sure to make the most of it for everyone involved.

TYPES OF SENIOR HOUSING AND CARE

STATE LICENSING