173 Assisted Living Communities in Multnomah County, Oregon

The average cost of assisted living in the county is $4,825 a month. This guide is a starting point covering the cost of assisted living care in the county, as well as financing options to pay for it. You’ll find in-depth information on 173 Assisted Living Communities in Multnomah County and several in surrounding areas. The Cost of Senior Care in Multnomah County, OR

• Assisted Living: $4,825
• Nursing Home Care: $9,125
• In-home Care: $5,339
• Adult Day Health Services: $2,167

Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care study shows that the monthly price of assisted living in Multnomah County ($4,825) is $232 higher than the state average and $825 higher than the national average. Costs are similar in Corvallis at $4,882, while prices are lower in Salem ($4,360), Albany ($4,210), Eugene ($4,025) and Bend ($4,553). 

Note: Senior care cost data wasn’t available for Multnomah County, so data for Portland, the county seat, was used. 

Monthly senior care costs are largely based on the type of care provided, which is why around-the-clock skilled nursing in a licensed nursing home costs nearly double what assisted living does in Multnomah County. In-home help from a home health aide or homemaker is also more expensive than assisted living, and unlike residential senior care rates, in-home care prices don’t include ongoing expenses such as groceries, home maintenance, property taxes and utilities. 

Medicaid is America’s national health coverage program designed to provide basic health care to low-income children, pregnant women, adults with disabilities and seniors. The elderly and disabled make up 17% of Medicaid enrollees in Oregon, and nearly 75% of seniors and people with disabilities meet the financial criteria for free Medicaid coverage in the state. 

The Oregon Medicaid program is called the Oregon Health Plan. To qualify for long-term care coverage, seniors must have an income at or below 300% of the federal poverty level and own no more than $2,000 in assets ($3,000 per couple). The current monthly income limit for OHP is $2,313 for single seniors and $4,626 for couples applying together.

If only one spouse is seeking OHP coverage, the non-applicant spouse is allowed to keep up to $126,420 of the couple’s jointly owned assets. Some assets are also exempt from Medicaid limits, including the principal residence of the applicant valued at $585,000 or less, one vehicle, an irrevocable burial trust worth $1,500 or less and personal effects, such as clothing, household items and collectibles.  

Oregon K Plan

As a Medicaid-expansion state, Oregon extends medically necessary, community-based support services to Medicaid enrollees through the K Plan under the Community First Choice Option or the Affordable Care Act. The K Plan helps seniors age in place within their communities while living at home or in an assisted living facility rather than being placed in a nursing home. 

To qualify for services through the K Plan, seniors must be assessed as needing the level of care normally provided in a nursing home and be able to safely remain in the community. If approved, seniors are provided with a range of medically necessary services based on their individual needs, such as:

• Homemaker and personal care services
• Skilled nursing and medication management
• Transportation to and from medical appointments
• Help with meal preparation and/or home meal delivery
• Access to adult day health services
• Durable medical equipment
• Minor home modifications to improve safety and accessibility
• A personal emergency response system
• Ongoing case management
• Help with activities of daily living

Because the K Plan is a Medicaid entitlement program, there are no statewide enrollment limits or waiting lists for services. 

For more information about OHP enrollment and the Oregon K Plan, contact the Oregon Department of Human Services at (503) 945-5600 or the Hollywood Senior Center at (503) 288-8303. 

Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly

The Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly provides Medicaid-eligible seniors with comprehensive services and long-term care supports designed to allow seniors to age in place within their community. 

PACE is open to applications from Multnomah County residents aged 55 and older who are enrolled in Medicaid or dual-covered by Medicaid and Medicare and require the level of care normally offered in a nursing home. Applicants also must be willing and able to live safely in the community in their own homes or an assisted living facility. 

PACE participants receive access to all the services covered by Medicaid and Medicare as deemed medically necessary including:

• Primary medical care, including preventive, emergency and specialty services

• All prescription medications

• Physical, occupational, speech and/or recreational therapy

• Durable medical equipment and medical supplies

• Mental health services

• Transportation to and from the PACE Social and Health Center

• Nutritional counselling, communal meals and home meal delivery

• Hospitalization and hospice care

• Dental care

• Adult day health services

• Assisted living care

PACE services are delivered by an interdisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, therapists and support staff that is centralized at the PACE center. Once enrolled in PACE, seniors may only receive health and long-term care services through the program. 

Seniors who don’t qualify for Medicare or Medicaid may enroll in PACE on a private-pay basis. 

For more information on the Multnomah County PACE program, contact the Department of Human Services PACE Coordinator at (844) 224-7223. 

Veterans and their dependents and survivors can get help with VA claims, health care enrollment and appeals at any of the five Multnomah County Veterans Services offices, including one at the Hollywood Senior Center. Health services are available at the Portland VA Medical Center, which offers outpatient, diagnostic, acute and emergency care services. 

Portland VA Medical Center
3710 S.W. U.S. Veterans Hospital Rd., Portland OR 97239
(503) 721-1498

Senior Homes has an extensive directory of senior living options, with care and living providers across the United States.