The 10 Best In-Home Care Services for Seniors in Salem, OR for 2023

Q: What is the difference between in-home care and home health care?

In-home care offers assistance with daily living activities that are required to remain safe within the home. This can include help with cleaning, transportation, medication reminders and meal preparation. Some self-care activities are often included, such as bathing, dressing, grooming and toileting. Home health care provides a medical component to assist with the treatment of chronic illness or injury. Skilled nurses and therapists are provided to treat wounds, monitor medical devices and provide therapeutic services.

Q: What types of services can a home care agency in Salem, OR provide?

A Salem home care agency is likely to provide services that assist with the maintenance of the home and personal hygiene. The caregiver will be available to transport the senior to medical appointments and help with grocery shopping or other errands that require the use of a vehicle. Cleaning duties are often included to ensure that the home is a healthy environment, and the caregiver can assist with personal grooming activities that include bathing and toileting assistance. Caregivers will also help with meal preparation and reminders for scheduled medications to ensure the health of the seniors under their care.

Q: What should I look for in a good home care agency near me in Salem, OR?

It&#8217;s important to know what care services are going to be required before choosing a home care agency. Once you know which areas require assistance, make sure the agency provides those services. Staff should have the appropriate qualifications and pass a background check. Training offered to new hires will indicate the level of investment in agency staff, and it&#8217;s helpful to meet potential caregivers in advance and choose who is most compatible with your needs based on skill and scheduling.

Q: What are some popular services in home care?

Most home care providers are brought in to assist with regular upkeep of the house, completing daily or weekly cleaning tasks that could include washing dishes, laundry, vacuuming, dusting and other light-duty efforts. Seniors who struggle with self-care will often receive help with bathing and grooming activities, such as hair and teeth brushing, dressing and toileting. Outside errands are also included by most agencies, providing transportation for appointments, doctor visits, bill paying and shopping.

Q: What is a home care assessment?

When someone expresses interest in home care, the agency contacted will usually begin with a home care assessment. This is an opportunity for the family to meet with a care provider to discuss the needs of their loved one and determine whether home care would be the best option. The provider will ask questions to learn about the abilities of the person who will be under their care and will be able to assess whether their skill set matches the needs of the applicant. They also have the opportunity to negotiate expectations with the family, providing information on their services and learning about the medical and assistive needs of the senior receiving care.

Salem, Oregon, finds itself on the list of best places for seniors to retire in Caring’s Senior Living Report for 2022, ranking third in the state for almost every metric. A comfortable climate combined with clean air and water provides the perfect space for seniors who enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. Although it’s experiencing growth, Oregon’s capital has maintained a reasonable cost of living, and home care services average $6,101 per month according to Genworth Financial. Salem seniors have access to exceptional medical care with two major medical centers in the area. Salem Hospital is ranked fourth in the state of Oregon by the US News and World Report.

Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in the Salem area – complete with services offered and reviews from families who’ve actually used the service. In addition to our in-depth provider listings, we’ve compiled resources to help seniors and their families to access all the tools they need to age in place safely and gracefully.

Directory of Home Care Services in Salem, OR

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Paying for Home Care in Salem, OR

The Cost of Home Care in Salem, OR

Home care in Salem costs an average of $6,101 each month which is just slightly higher than the Oregon average of $6,006 and equal to the neighboring city of Corvallis. This puts it above the national average of $4,957 and the $5,911 seniors would expect to pay in Albany or Eugene. However, Salem offers savings when compared to the Portland area, where monthly home care costs run as high as $7,146 on average.

Salem

$6,101

Oregon

$6,006

The United States

$4,957

Portland

$7,146

Corvallis

$6,101

Albany

$5,911

Eugene

$5,911

The Cost of Home Care vs. Other Senior Care Options in Salem, OR

Home care and home health care have an equal average monthly expense of $6,101 in Salem, despite home health care offering medical services that often involve therapists and registered nurses. Assisted living is a bit cheaper at around $5,500 per month. Full care in a nursing home provides significantly more medical care and costs an average of $10,615 per month when staying in a semiprivate space.

Home Care

$6,101

Home Health Care

$6,101

Assisted Living

$5,500

Nursing Home Care (semiprivate room)

$10,615

Financial Assistance for Home Care in Salem, OR

Given the high cost of in-home care, many people use one or more forms of financial assistance to cover the expenses. Below, we explain some of the most common sources of financial help for paying for in-home care. If none of these options are available to you, you can reach out to your Area Agency on Aging or Aging and Disability Resource Center to learn about local resources.

Long-Term Care Insurance: Long-Term Care Insurance covers expenses related to senior care, including in-home care. Depending on the policy type, beneficiaries may receive a cash payment to use towards long-term care or reimbursement for qualifying long-term care expenses. Note that there are limitations- typically a maximum benefit of $150 per day- and exact coverage terms vary depending on the exact policy, so always check the details.
Medicare: Medicare does not cover in-home care because it is classified as custodial, or non-medical, care. However, some Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans, which offer expanded benefits, may cover in-home custodial care.
Medicaid: Medicaid coverage of in-home care varies between different states because it is not a federally mandated benefit. Currently, all states cover some in-home care either through their standard Medicaid or a waiver program. The specific coverage rules are set individually by each state.
Veterans’ Benefits: The Aid and Attendance benefit is a monthly cash payment that beneficiaries can use to pay for senior care, including in-home care services. To qualify for A&A, Veterans must already receive the VA pension and meet several additional requirements, including needing assistance with the activities of daily living.Contact the Department of Veterans Affairs to learn more.
Reverse Mortgages: Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs) are federally insured loans that are available to homeowners age 62 and over. Reverse mortgages allow you to access a portion of your home’s equity in cash, tax free. Many seniors use reverse mortgages to finance their care expenses, including in-home care. Note that although there are no monthly payments due on reverse mortgage loans, borrowers do have to repay the loan once the last surviving homeowner passes away, moves, or sells the home.

Free & Low-Cost Home Care Resources in Salem, OR

Seniors who live in Salem can lower their home care expenses through several programs offered by government and non-profit agencies. These agencies can assist with utility costs, home repairs or modifications, transportation and more to help ensure seniors on a fixed income have the resources they need to cover their budgets. Contacting the agencies below can provide more details on the services provided and begin the application or registration process.

Resource	Contact	Service
Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency	(503) 588-9016	Residents over the age of 60 may qualify for a monthly discount on their garbage and utility bills if their income is at or below 60% of the state median income and they are listed as the account holder for a single-family residence. The organization may also be able to offer a one-time payment toward the resident's water bill and electric bill.
Center 50+ Home Help	(503) 588-6303	Seniors in need of minor home repairs and modifications can reach out to the Fix-It Brigade of the Center 50+ Home Help program. Volunteers can assist with some seasonal yard work, light repairs and installation of grab bars.
Community Action Weatherization Services	(503) 315-7055	Assistance with home weatherization can be provided to residents of Polk and Marion county who fall within the non-profit organization's income guidelines. A representative will assess the home to determine weatherization needs and then complete the work required to ensure more comfortable living through extreme weather events.
Marion-Polk Food Share	(503) 364-2856	The Marion-Polk Food Share operates the Salem Meals On Wheels program, providing daily meals Monday through Friday and the option of frozen meals to use on the weekend. Meals are delivered to the recipient's home and can be purchased for $5 per meal unless eligible for a subsidy that covers some or all of the cost.
Polk County Tax Exemptions for Seniors	(863) 534-4700	Seniors who qualify for the regular homestead and fall within income guidelines may qualify for a senior exemption on their property taxes. Those who have lived in their homes for 25 years or more and have an assessed value that does not exceed $250,000 may qualify for an additional exemption.

Determining Your Loved One’s Need for In-Home Care

Aging can be a difficult process, and loved ones may not always ask for help – often times it’s up to their family to evaluate their need for help around the house. While no two situations are exactly alike, this checklist can help you and your loved ones determine when it’s time to start the search for a home care provider.

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Checklist for determining the need for home care

Guidelines for Talking About In-Home Care

If you’ve determined that your loved one needs the assistance of a care provider in their home, it may be time for a difficult conversation. Handled correctly, however, this process can bring a family together and ensure that everyone’s concerns are addressed. Use this PDF as a starting point to help the conversation stay as positive and productive as possible.

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Talking with Family and Others about a loved one's needs

The 10 Best In-Home Care Services for Seniors in Salem, OR for 2023