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Home Care Services

If you or a loved one need help with personal care or daily tasks and want to stay in your own home and community, consider using home care services. Home care services can help you stay as safe and independent as possible in your home.

See if you qualify for government-paid servicesIf you are paying privatelyHome care optionsNew home care option: Agency with Choice

Some people qualify for government-paid services through Medicaid or Oregon Project Independence. If you don't qualify, there are other community resources that can help. You can also choose to pay for an in-home care provider yourself.

See if you qualify for services

The first step is to learn about programs you might qualify for and apply.

Medicaid Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS)

Most government-paid services are provided through Medicaid. Whether you qualify is based on your income, financial resources, and how much help you need at home.

 To apply for Medicaid LTSS

Oregon Project Independence (OPI)

Another option is OPI. OPI is a state-funded program for adults who need help to stay in their home, and who don't have Medicaid long-term care benefits.

For this program, you pay for part of your services on a sliding scale.

There are no income or asset limits for OPI. (If you have limited income and assets, you may qualify for OPI-M, which covers the full cost of services.)

In some areas, there is a waiting list for OPI. Priority is given to people with the highest needs who are at risk of having to leave their home because they don't have enough support.

 To apply for OPI

Call or visit your local Area Agency on Aging or Aging and People with Disabilities office.

Learn more about OPI

Oregon Project Independence Medicaid (OPI-M)

OPI-M is an expansion of Oregon Project Independence that uses federal Medicaid dollars. This means more people can get services.

If you qualify, there is no cost for services.

There are income and asset limits for OPI-M. However, they are much higher than the limits for Medicaid/OHP, so more people qualify. 

 To apply for OPI-M

Call or visit your local Area Agency on Aging or Aging and People with Disabilities office.

Learn more about OPI-M

Home care options

You can receive home care services in different ways. For some options, you must be receiving government-paid services. Others accept self-pay.

Hire in-home help

Consumer Employer Program (through the Oregon Home Care Commission)

This is an option if you have Medicaid LTSS, OPI, or OPI-M.

You hire and manage your in-home workers. You are the employer, but the program pays your workers directly. You can get help to find workers through the Oregon Home Care Commission.

Use the online care matching service (Carina)Get help from a consultant (Employer Resource Connection)

Independent Choices Program

This is an option if you have Medicaid LTSS.

You hire and manage your in-home workers. The program gives you a monthly cash benefit and you pay your workers yourself. You can hire who you want, including home care workers, your spouse, or other family members. 

Learn more about Independent Choices

Work with an in-home care agency

In-home care agency (IHCA)

This is an option if you have Medicaid LTSS, OPI, OPI-M, or are paying privately (self-pay).

In-home care agencies provide in-home care for individuals who do not want to, or can't, act as the employer. The IHCA is responsible for screening, interviewing, and hiring the workers who will help you. You work with the IHCA to find workers from among its employees. 

If you have Medicaid, OPI, or OPI-M:

  • We pay the IHCA directly.
  • To learn more, talk with your case manager. 

If you are paying for services yourself: 

New option: Agency with Choice

Agency with Choice (AwC)

This is an option if you have Medicaid LTSS.

You share employment responsibilities with an agency. You select and train a Direct Support Worker (DSW). An agency (GT Independence) handles hiring, background checks, taxes, and paying your worker. They also help resolve issues and coordinate back-up coverage if your regular worker is out. We pay the agency, and they pay your worker.

To see if AwC is right for you, talk with your case manager.

If you are paying privately

Visit the Aging and Disability Resource Connection ADRC website or call 855-673-2372. ADRC has trained Options Counselors who can help you find resources.

We also have free materials that can help you interview, hire and manage private pay providers.