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Nursing Homes in Oregon

In the decade since 2010, the population of Oregon grew by roughly 10% to reach over 4.2 million residents, according to the latest U.S. Census figures. This growth is significantly faster than that of the country overall, and the state is also home to more seniors aged 65 and over — 18.2% of Oregon's population compared to 16.5% for the United States. Seniors generally benefit from the low cost of health care in Oregon, which is 14% cheaper than the U.S. average, and the state is home to 10% more physicians per capita than the United States overall.

Nursing homes are intended to provide long-term care for seniors and people with disabilities. Specifically, these facilities are for people who don't require hospitalization but also can't safely live independently in the community. Although nursing home care is quite expensive, federal law mandates that Medicaid programs cover the cost for eligible residents in certified facilities. This guide provides cost comparisons for nursing home care in Oregon, its top cities and neighboring states and alternative levels of care. Seniors and families can also find information on financial assistance, regulations and other relevant resources.


SeniorAdvice's Guide to Nursing Home Care in Oregon



Oregon receives a SeniorScore of 69, which is just below the United States overall, at 72. Of the four categories that make up its total SeniorScore, Oregon has its lowest score in Finances, at 55. This is due to a relatively high cost of living, including above-average costs for all levels of senior care, although health care is actually cheaper than the national average. The state also has a high unemployment rate and a property tax rate that consumes more income than what is seen in the U.S. overall.

The categories of Health & Safety and General Quality of Life are both scored at 63. Recreation & Leisure is rated slightly higher, at 64. Some of the positive Health & Safety aspects include Oregon's higher-than-average life expectancy and prevalence of Medicare-registered physicians, as well as the number of senior care facilities. The property crime rate is high in relation to the U.S. average, but this is less likely to affect residents in nursing homes. The General Quality of Life category gains points for the mild climate of Oregon, with low humidity levels, comfortable summer temperatures and generally favorable winter lows.



Top Nursing Care in Oregon



Mirabella Portland - Portland, OR

Mirabella Portland

3550 SW Bond Ave

Portland, OR 97239

1-855-222-1541

12 Reviews  

Mirabella Portland is located within the Corbett-Terwilliger-Lair Hill neighborhood of Portland, Oregon. It is a 44 unit senior housing community. With around 15,000 individuals living in the 97239 zip code, the surrounding area has an average population density. ...

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The Cost of Nursing Home Care in Oregon



Oregon is the most expensive state in the region for nursing home care, with an average cost of $10,114 per month, according to the Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey. The U.S. average cost for this level of care is significantly lower, at $7,756 per month. Washington is next in terms of expensive, at a cost of $9,9581 per month. California and Nevada are slightly more affordable, with costs of roughly $9,250 per month, and Idaho is the cheapest in the region, at $8,669.

  • Oregon: $10,114
  • United States: $7,756
  • Washington: $9,581
  • Idaho: $8,669
  • California: $9,247
  • Nevada: $9,262

The Cost of Nursing Home Care in Oregon's Top Cities

Within the state itself, there is little variation in cost between most of the cities included in the survey. The exceptions are found in Medford, which has the lowest cost for nursing home care in Oregon, at $9,475 per month, and in Bend, which has the highest average cost, at $11,650. Portland, Salem and Eugene have costs between $10,000 and $10,650.

  • Portland: $10,083
  • Salem: $10,646
  • Eugene: $10,235
  • Bend: $11,650
  • Medford: $9,475

Senior Care Cost Comparison in Oregon

Nursing home care is by far the most expensive form of senior care in Oregon, as it is in all other states. In-home care and home health care cost roughly half as much as a nursing home and memory care is slightly more expensive than in-home options. Assisted living is more than 50% cheaper than nursing home care and adult day care costs roughly 25% of Oregon's nursing facilities.

  • Memory Care: $5,824
  • Assisted Living: $4,659
  • In-Home Care: $5,472
  • Home Health Care: $5,529
  • Adult Day Care: $2,582
  • Nursing Home Care: $10,114

Financial Assistance for Nursing Home Care in Oregon



As you can see above, nursing home care is often the most expensive senior care option — sometimes even two to three times the cost of other types of senior living. The primary reason for this is the 24/7 skilled nursing and other medical services that are provided. Thankfully, most people aren't forced to pay for skilled nursing care entirely out-of-pocket. Rather, many qualify for financial assistance programs to help cover the cost of nursing care.

Medicaid is the most comprehensive financial assistance program, but not all seniors are eligible for Medicaid. And because each state operates its own Medicaid program within federal guidelines, eligibility and benefits vary from state to state. Below, we provide more information on Medicaid in Oregon.



Medicaid in Oregon


There are just under 900,000 people enrolled in Oregon's Medicaid program — officially named the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) — as of the most recent figures from 2020. A report from the Oregon Department of Human Services puts the number of nursing homes in the state at 137. OHP will cover the cost of nursing home care for eligible residents. Within OHP, there are also several programs related to long-term care, but these are intended to keep seniors and people with disabilities out of nursing homes so they may live independently in the community.

Medicaid Eligibility in Oregon

An individual must be classified as having a low or very low income to be eligible for Medicaid in Oregon. They must also be a resident of the state, a U.S. national, citizen, permanent resident or lawfully admitted alien and show a need for the type of health care or assistance that Medicaid provides.

In addition to these factors, the individual must either be aged 65 and older, pregnant, a caregiver for a child aged 17 and younger or diagnosed with one or more disabilities. As of 2021, the maximum annual income for an eligible individual is $17,131, and for a couple, it is $23,169. Applications for Medicaid can be submitted online at ONE.Oregon.gov or by calling (800) 699-9075 to request a paper application.



Additional Financial Assistance Options


  • Medicare: For the first 20 days in a skilled nursing facility, Medicare will cover the entire cost of care, and a portion of the costs up until day 100. After 100 days, Medicare won't cover any of the costs. Importantly, seniors must also have a "qualifying hospital stay" that lasts 3 days prior to their admission to a nursing home in order to qualify for Medicare coverage.
  • Aid and Attendance: Aid and Attendance may be available to veterans who receive a VA pension. This benefit is a monthly cash allowance that veterans receive in addition to their standard pension amount. It is intended for veterans in need of long-term care services and may be used to pay for skilled nursing care.
  • Reverse Mortgages: For those who own a home, reverse mortgages are loans that one can take out against the value of their home, essentially converting some of the home's equity into cash. It's often a good fit for married couples when only one partner needs nursing care, as the other residents of the home may continue living there. Keep in mind that reverse mortgage loans do need to be repaid (with interest), typically within 12 months of receiving the loan.
  • Long-Term Care Insurance: For seniors who already have long-term care insurance, the cost of skilled nursing care may be covered. Most policies cover at least a portion of the costs, but it depends on the specific policy terms. It's important to note that older adults who are already in need of skilled nursing care will not be eligible to sign up for a long-term care insurance policy.

Oregon Nursing Home Care Rules and Regulations



Nursing homes in Oregon are licensed by the Office of Safety, Oversight and Quality, which is a division of the Oregon Department of Human Services. All such facilities must follow state and federal laws in hiring, construction, administration and day-to-day operations. State government workers inspect Oregon's nursing homes on a routine basis and investigate complaints and other reports made by residents, family members, staff and the general public. The full list of administrative rules can be viewed online, and short summaries of the rules are listed here.

Scope of Care

Oregon's nursing facilities must offer 24/7 nursing care, on-site physical rehabilitation, post-hospitalization recovery services for serious illnesses and surgeries and end-of-life (hospice) care. They must provide accommodation for each resident, whether it be in a private or semiprivate room, as well as providing safety, security and all meals.

Care Plan Requirements

Individuals must only be admitted to a nursing home based on the order of a physician and only when the individual's needs can be met by the facility. Upon admission, the resident's current condition and medical history must be recorded, as well as other relevant information, such as treatments, medication and dietary requirements. A licensed nurse must assess each new resident within 8 hours as to their mental status, vital signs, nutritional status, skin condition and mobility. This assessment forms the basis of a preliminary care plan, which must be completed within 24 hours of admission.

Medication Management Requirements

All use of medication must be reviewed quarterly, at a minimum, and reordered by a physician when applicable. Residents may be permitted to self-administer most types of medication if deemed fit to do so. In any case, medications must be kept in locked cupboards or drawers and never shared between residents. Injectable medications must only be administered by a licensed nurse or physician.

Staff Screening Requirements

Nursing homes must have a written plan that ensures a sufficient level of staffing to care for each resident, and it must contain procedures to be put in place when staff are absent for any reason. The plan must also contain a weekly schedule of staffing that indicates the number and classification of each staff member. Oregon's Background Check Unit (BCU) is responsible for performing criminal history searches for all nursing home staff.

Staff Training Requirements

Employees and volunteers must complete an orientation program for each task they're responsible for, and this must occur before they perform these tasks independently. The facility administrator must coordinate annual in-service training in accordance with state regulations.

Medicaid Coverage

Oregon's Medicaid program covers the cost of care in approved nursing homes. When Medicaid is the primary source of funding for a nursing home resident, they must be seen by a physician every 30 days, at a minimum, during the first 90 days of residency and every 60 days after this period.

Reporting Abuse

Abuse and neglect should be reported to the local Area Agency on Aging, Oregon Department of Human Services and/or county law enforcement. Complaints can also be submitted to the Long-Term Care Ombudsman.


Free Nursing Home Resources in Oregon



Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon

The ADRC provides a central location for information and resources that relate to the aging population and people with disabilities in Oregon. The website contains a searchable database of resources at the local and statewide levels, information on the types of care and facilities available in Oregon, financial assistance options and guidance to help plan for future needs. Additionally, there are resources and tools available for caregivers, including free online training sessions in multiple languages. Residents can find contact information for the ADRC in their county by viewing a map on the website.

Senior Law Project

The Portland Regional Office of Legal Aid Services of Oregon provides a free service for low-income seniors aged 60 and over who need help with civil cases. Attorneys can help with legal services related to estate planning, housing issues, including long-term care facilities, public benefits, bankruptcy and debt. After a 30-minute appointment to discuss the issue, eligible residents may have their cases taken up by volunteer attorneys who provide their services at no cost. Office locations and contacts are listed on the website, and seniors can call the main office during regular business hours at (503) 224-4086.



Oregon Agencies


Oregon Department of Human Services

Address: 500 Summer Street NE E-15, Salem, OR 97301
Phone Number: (503) 945-5600
Website: oregon.gov/dhs/Pages/index.aspx

The Oregon DHS provides a wide range of assistance programs and other services, including those specifically for seniors and people with disabilities, and its staff are responsible for the licensing, regulation and inspection of nursing homes in the state. Residents can apply for benefits and food assistance, report abuse and access information on long-term care facilities and the Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE).



Area Agencies on Aging in Oregon


Oregon has organizations known as Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) all across the state that are great sources of information, counseling and other assistance that can be useful to seniors and their family members. Staff are knowledgeable on local issues affecting the aging population, such as the types and locations of senior care facilities, and they provide free, unbiased information to residents. The local AAA should be considered as the first point of contact for anyone unsure of their options relating to health care, insurance, long-term care and other senior-related concerns. A map of regional Area Agencies on Aging can be viewed online.



Veteran Affairs Office in Oregon


Veterans and their eligible dependents can seek help and find information on many topics affecting this segment of the population, including local senior care options, by asking staff at one of Oregon's County Veteran Service Offices (VSOs). The main service provided by VSOs is assistance in securing the full VA benefits they're entitled to, which includes help with the appeals process if necessary, and these benefits can be used to cover the cost of care. The Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs website has a county map and list of all service locations.



Social Security Offices in Oregon


Seniors in Oregon can visit one of the many Social Security offices around the state to apply for benefits and/or disability status that may be very useful in covering the cost of a nursing home or other senior care. Residents can also apply online for Medicare, retirement and disability benefits and check the status of their applications without having to visit an office in person or wait in line.

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