Who can help at home?

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Home care workers

A caregiver such as a family member, partner, friend or neighbor often provides home-based services and supports. You can also hire an independent home care worker or a licensed agency.

How do I hire a home care worker?

The Oregon Home Care Commission’s duty is to ensure that DHS-funded home care services are high-quality. You can use the commission’s statewide registry to find potential home care workers.

You must schedule and supervise any worker you hire on your own. You may also need to pay employer taxes.

The Oregon Home Care Commission website has many resources on hiring and managing a home care worker. Here are a few you may find helpful:

• How to access the registry and locate a home care worker
• Employer tools
• Employers’ Guide

Hiring a home care worker through an agency

If you hire a home care worker through an in-home care agency, the agency assigns you a caregiver, schedules visits, and is responsible for employer taxes. Some agencies provide back-up if your regular caregiver is ill or on vacation.

You may wish to print copies of the Home Care Services Checklist before you contact an individual worker or an agency. The checklist will help you learn about and compare caregivers.

How do I pay for home care services?

Individuals usually pay for home care themselves. However, some long-term care insurance plans cover these services. Agencies tend to be more expensive than individual home care workers. In return, an agency frees you from some tasks.

People with limited incomes may be eligible for Medicaid and qualify for in-home services. Their activities of daily living must be greatly limited or impaired. To learn more, contact the ADRC of Oregon.