Choosing a Long-term Care Setting

• Overview
• Licensed facility - what it means
• Choosing a long-term care setting
• How to start
• Facility types - review the choices
• Compare licensed care services
• Tools & Resources
• Nursing home inspections (federal reports)
• Substantiated Complaint Information for Oregon's Care Facilities

Overview
Long-term care settings provide a range of social and medical services for people who need assistance with daily living tasks or health care. Choosing a care setting for yourself or a loved one can be overwhelming and confusing.

This section of our site will provide you information about the different types of care settings, what services they provide, where they are located and things to consider before choosing a care setting.

It is usually beneficial to plan ahead when making a decision as important as where you will live and who will provide the care you need. However, if you must select a care setting with little notice - during a crisis or serious illness, this information will help you make an informed choice.

What is a licensed facility?
To be licensed by the Department of Human Services, Seniors and People with Disabilities, means that legal approval has been granted for a facility to operate in the State of Oregon. Certain standards must be met and maintained for facilities to be licensed. All facilities are inspected periodically to make sure they continue to meet the Oregon Administrative Rules that are written for that facility type. Specially trained Department employees make unannounced licensing inspections to facilities. These inspections are typically called surveys.

The results of all surveys are public information. Facilities will provide you with a copy of their latest survey upon request. The Department is taking steps to make these surveys available on-line, so that you can view the results at any time.

In addition to licensing inspections, the local Seniors and People with Disabilities and Area Agency on Aging offices are responsible for investigating complaints of abuse or neglect of any resident in these facilities.

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