What Is Long Term Care?
In Oregon, this can mean a number of care settings and options:
Nursing Facility-These seetings provide the highest level of care on both a short term (rehabilitative) and long term basis. Nursing homes must meet Federal regulatory standards and have established staff to resident ratios.
Assisted Living/Residential Care Facility-These settings provide assistance to residents based on care needs and generally establish the cost of such care accordingly. Residential Care Facilities may have shared rooms, while Assisted Living settings generally do not. In addition, Assisted Living rooms have a small kitchenette available to residents, although meals are also provided in a shared dining setting. Assisted Living and Residential Care Facilities are licensed and regulated by the Oregon Department of Health and Human Services and do not have any requirement for staff to resident ratios.
Adult Foster Home- (Also Called Adult Care Homes in Multnomah County)-These are homes in residential neighborhoods that provide care for up to five individuals. Many owners/operators live in the home as well, although some are owned by a non-resident operator who employs a resident manager to oversee the day to day care in the home.
Memory Care-These are actually Assisted Living/Residential Care facilities who have a special endorsement for all or a part of the care setting. The memory care portion of these facilities is locked/secured and intended to provide specialized and enhanced care to individuals with dementia who may be at risk of wandering if they are not in a secured setting. As with Assisted Living and Residential Care, these facilities are regulated by the Oregon Department of Health and Human Services and do not have mandatory staff to resident ratios.
In Home Care-This level of care occurs in one's own home and may be for short periods of time or around the clock, depending on the level of need. There are many agencies who provide this type of care. They are regulated by the Oregon Health Authority.