Seniors aged 65 and older make up 18.2% of Oregon’s population, a rate that’s 10% higher than the national average. Attractive cities, beautiful scenery, mild weather and an affordable cost of living, compared to other coastal states, are just a few of the reasons older adults choose to retire in Oregon. The state also has world-class health facilities, including OHSU Hospital, which is a university research hospital that’s nationally ranked in geriatrics medicine.

At $5,045 per month, assisted living facilities in Oregon are an affordable option compared to the average prices in some neighboring states, such as Washington ($6,000) and California ($5,250), for seniors who want to live in a community with their peers while receiving assistance with daily activities. Low-income seniors, as well as adults with disabilities, may be eligible for financial assistance to help pay for assisted living, such as Medicaid and its waiver programs.

With this guide, you can learn more about the costs of assisted living and the resources available in the state to help you find and pay for a community that meets your needs. 

How Much Does Assisted Living Cost in Oregon?

According to Genworth Financial’s Cost of Care Survey for 2021, the median price for assisted living in Oregon is $5,045 per month. The national average is $4,500 per month. Among the states in the west, Oregon has assisted living rates that are middle of the pack. Both California ($5,250) and Washington ($6,000) have more expensive rates, but Idaho ($3,838) and Nevada ($3,750) are significantly less expensive. 

The Cost of Assisted Living in Oregon’s Top Cities

There is about a $1,600 difference between the most and least expensive cities for assisted living in Oregon. Eugene is at the top of the range, with a monthly average of $5,623. Salem is similarly expensive, with a median rate of $5,500 per month. Corvallis is at the bottom, with an average of $4,485 per month. Medford ($4,640) and Bend ($4,835) also have relatively inexpensive assisted living costs when compared to the rest of the state. Portland’s ($4,975) costs are closest to the state average. 

The Cost of Assisted Living vs. Other Types of Care

Assisted living is one of the most affordable types of senior care available in Oregon. Adult day health care is cheaper, but you still need to account for food, accommodations, utilities and many other costs of living. Seniors who stay in their own homes pay an average of $6,006 per month for homemaker services and $6,101 per month for home health care when 40 hours of service is required per week. Nursing home care costs more than any other type of care because of the high level of medical attention and supervision. The monthly average is $10,342 for a semiprivate room.  

Can You Use Medicaid to Pay for Assisted Living in Oregon?

Under the Oregon K Plan, which is an option aimed at seniors within the state’s Medicaid system, parts of assisted living are covered under provisions for activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). While this does not cover the cost of room and board within assisted living, the costs related to the personal care services you receive may be handled by your Oregon Health Plan (OHP). Because of the limited resources of this program, priority is given to seniors with disabilities in the most need. 

Medicaid’s Coverage of Assisted Living in Oregon

Oregon Medicaid can cover assistance services within long-term care settings through the K Plan, which is part of the Oregon Health Plan if you have an eligible disability or impairment. Covered services under this plan are described within one of two provisions.

Assistance with activities of daily living (ADL) covers functional activities that are necessary for a resident’s well-being, including:

• Bathing and personal hygiene
• Dressing and grooming
• Behavior monitoring
• Cognitive activities
• Eating
• Mobility and transfers

Assistance with instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) covers help with self-management tasks that seniors need to complete for their general comfort, health and happiness. Tasks include:

• Laundry and housekeeping
• Meal preparation
• Medication management
• Shopping
• Transportation

These services were previously covered by waiver programs, but changes in the Affordable Care Act allowed the state to provide these services as part of Oregon’s general Medicaid system. 

Eligibility for Medicaid in Oregon

To qualify for aging and disability services in the Oregon Health Plan, applicants must demonstrate their need for services and meet certain income limits. For single applicants, the yearly income limit is $10,092, and the asset limit is $2,000. Two-person households can have incomes up to $15,132 per year and assets up to $3,000. 

2022 Medicaid Income Limits for Seniors in Oregon

	Income Limits*	Asset Limits
Single Applicant	$10,092	$2,000
Two-Person Household (Only One Person Applying)	$15,132	$3,000 for applicant  $137,400 for non-applicant
Two-Person Household (Both People Applying)	$15,132	$3,000

*Per Year

In addition to meeting the income limits, Medicaid requires you to prove that you are:

• Aged 65 and older, or younger with a disability
• A resident of Oregon
• A U.S. citizen or legal resident

Applying for Medicaid in Oregon

Oregon Medicaid provides several ways to apply for an OHP plan. You can:

• Apply online using the Oregon Eligibility (ONE) system
• Download, print and complete an application, then mail it to the address in the instructions
• Call OHP Customer Service at (800) 699-9075 to have an application mailed to you

Enrollment in the Oregon Health Plan is available at all times of the year.

Before You Apply

In order to complete an application that has the highest chance of approval, you’ll need to provide detailed information about yourself and other members of your household when appropriate. This includes:

• Personal information, such as an address, phone number, birth date and social security number
• Proof of income and assets, including bank and investment accounts
• List of tax deductions
• Proof of legal residency if not a citizen
• Information about other health insurance coverage
• Information about the demographics of your household (optional)

Where to Go to Get Help

If you’re having trouble applying for Medicaid coverage or need to resolve an issue with your existing benefits, the following organizations may be able to help.

Resource	Contact	Service
OHP Client Services Unit	(800) 273-0557	The official client service interface for Oregon Health Plans can answer basic questions about eligibility, describe the types of available coverage, advise members on how to resolve bills and process changes to client records. If you need direct assistance with an application or referrals to medical providers, please contact the OHP customer service line at (800) 699-9075​
Oregon Public Benefits Hotline	(800) 520-5292	Operated by Oregon Law Help, this hotline can help seniors resolve problems with their Oregon Health Plan. Counselors can also help you with issues related to other public benefits, including Social Security, SSI, Medicare, food stamps and in-home services. Phone lines are open between Monday and Thursday. Call the hotline number to find out the specific hours of operation.
OHA Ombuds Program	[email protected] or (877) 642-0450	The OHA Ombuds Program supports OHP members by addressing concerns through a secure email system. You can also send a message to the program by phone and a representative will get back to you.

Can You Use Medicare to Pay for Assisted Living in Oregon?

Unfortunately, Medicare does not cover the cost of assisted living in Oregon. Unlike nursing homes, assisted living facilities are not considered to be “clinical settings’ and so are not eligible for Medicare coverage. That being said, you can still use Medicare to cover the cost of approved medications, doctor visits, medical equipment, etc.

For more information about Medicare visit medicare.gov.

Are There Other Financial Assistance Options for Assisted Living in Oregon?

	How to Apply	How It Works
Aid and Attendance	Apply online at va.gov.	If you are a veteran and you receive a VA pension, you may also be eligible for the Aid and Attendance benefit. This benefit takes the form of a monthly cash allowance that you receive in addition to your standard pension. This benefit is used by veterans who need long-term care services, including care received at an assisted living facility.
Reverse Mortgages	Research and learn about the different types at ftc.gov	If you own a home, you may be able to use a reverse mortgage to access some of the equity in your home. Like traditional loans, reverse mortgages do need to be repaid with interest, typically within 12 months, so seniors should carefully weigh this option alongside other financing methods.
Long-Term Care (LTC) Insurance	Learn about how to receive LTC insurance benefits at acl.gov.	While those who currently need assisted living will typically not be eligible, if you purchased an LTC insurance policy in the past, you may be able to use it to help pay for assisted living. While most policies cover at least a portion of the cost, you still need to check the specific terms of your policy.

Free and Low-Cost Resources for Seniors in Oregon

Get help with financial, legal and living assistance and other seniors issues by contacting the following free and low-cost resources. 

Resource	Contact	Service
Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA)	(800) 722-4134	SHIBA helps seniors in assisted living throughout Oregon get the most out of their Medicare benefits. Whether just signing up for coverage or having trouble with a claim, counselors use all the resources at their disposal to resolve issues. In addition to one-on-one assistance, classes are available in cities throughout the state to help beneficiaries understand what kind of care is covered and how it can fill the gaps.
LeadingAge Oregon	(503) 684-3788	LeadingAge is a network of nonprofit organizations that advocate for excellence in assisted living communities throughout Oregon. It does this by providing education and training to facilities and advocating for resident-focused policies at the state and local levels. While the focus of LeadingAge is on provider improvement, individuals can learn a lot about assisted living in their community through its knowledge base.
Oregon Area Agencies on Aging	List of Locations	There are 16 Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) that deliver services for older adults both directly and through nonprofit funding. While not all AAAs offer the same services, it’s expected that local agencies provide food and nutrition support, caregiver assistance, Medicare counseling and general help with receiving care in the community. Agencies can also direct seniors to ADRC services and other community resources that can fulfill specific needs.
Long-Term Care Ombudsman	(800) 522-2602	The Oregon Long-Term Care Ombudsman advocates for the rights of individuals living in assisted living facilities throughout the state. The program is operated by trained staff and over 180 volunteers who address reports of abuse, mistreatment, financial fraud, evictions and resident care. Anyone who experiences or witnesses abuse can contact the Ombudsman. The program also informs seniors about their rights as residents in long-term care facilities.
Legal Aid Services of Oregon	List of Locations	This nonprofit legal organization has 8 regional offices in the state where assisted living residents and other seniors can go to get help with a wide range of topics. They can also call the statewide hotline to get help with everything from government benefits and emergency financial aid to general legal information. Seniors with low income and in need of an attorney may be able to get pro bono representation from a volunteer.

COVID-19 Rules for Assisted Living in Oregon

The following information is based on research done on several government websites, including oregon.gov/DHS/COVID-19 These rules apply to nursing homes and other types of senior living facilities. We’ve most recently updated this data on 2/13/2022, but since COVID-19 is a rapidly evolving pandemic, contact your local senior living facility or Area Agency on Aging for more specific and up-to-date information.

Visiting Loved Ones

Can I visit my relative in person if he/she wants emotional support from me?	Yes (Conditions Apply)
Can I visit my relative in person for end-of-life compassion care?	Yes
Will my loved one be required to self-quarantine after I visit him or her?	No
Do I need to wear PPE and/or a cloth mask if I do visit my relative in person?	Yes
Are Hairdressers and other non-medical contractors still allowed in senior living facilities?	Yes
Does the state recommend or require that senior living facilities assist families with setting up virtual visit alternatives?	Yes
Are visitors being screened for elevated temperatures?	Yes
Are visitors being asked questions about health, travel, and potential virus contact?	Yes

Outings and Group Activities

Are residents allowed to leave the facility for non-medical reasons?	Yes
Are residents of senior living facilities who leave and return required to self-quarantine?	No (Conditions Apply)
Are senior living facilities required to cancel all group outings?	No
Are residents still eating together in the dining hall?	Yes (Conditions Apply)
Are facilities still allowed to host group activities within the community?	Yes (Conditions Apply)

Safety Measures for Staff & Contractors

Are staff members and contractors being screened for elevated temperatures?	Yes
Are staff members and contractors being tested for Coronavirus?	Yes (Conditions Apply)
Are staff members and contractors being asked questions about health, travel, and potential virus contact?	Yes

Safety Measures for Residents

Are staff members required to regularly screen residents for coronavirus symptoms?	Yes
Are residents relied on to screen themselves and self-report potential coronavirus symptoms?	No
Are staff members required to take residents’ temperatures?	Yes
Are residents being tested for coronavirus?	Yes (Conditions Apply)

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Oregon

Assisted living facilities in Oregon and licensed and regulated by the Department of Human Services, Aging and People with Disabilities Division. Statutes related to initial licensing and continuous operation are listed within Chapter 411, Division 54 of the Oregon Administrative Rules.