I. What You Should Know About Home Care in Eugene, OR
Eugene is a great place for people of all ages, thanks to the area’s stunning natural beauty, friendly atmosphere and abundance of services and amenities. Approximately 16% of the city’s 172,622 residents are seniors aged 65 and older, and the number of retirees in the region is projected to grow to 21% by the year 2030.
Seniors who enjoy the outdoors can spend their days exploring the city’s numerous parks and trails, many which are equipped with restrooms and offer shady picnic areas. There’s also a number of well-known museums in the area, including the Lane County History Museum, the Oregon Air and Space Museum, and the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at the University of Oregon.
In terms of getting around, the city has an extensive public transportation system, and most buses are equipped with a kneeling feature that makes boarding safe and easy. There are also a number of health care facilities in Eugene, including the PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center and the Eugene Urgent Care Center.
II. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in Eugene, OR
Genworth’s 2020 Cost of Care Survey shows that on average, Eugene seniors pay $5,529 per month for home care. Home health care, which also includes some limited medical care, costs around $5,577.
Genworth’s figures are based on 44 hours of care each week, or just over six hours a day. You may find that you don’t require this much assistance, so your home care costs may be well below the rates listed in the Genworth study. Home care and home health care services in Eugene cost an average of $29 and $29.25 per hour, respectively, so it’s easy to calculate your monthly expense based on the type of assistance and number of service hours you need.
The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities
Eugene’s in-home care costs are just slightly above the Oregon statewide averages of $5,472 for home care and $5,529 for home health care. Rates in neighboring Corvallis are a bit lower at $5,425 for either type of in-home care, while in Albany, seniors pay about $5,339 for home care, and $5,720 for home health care. Rates are significantly higher in Bend, where home care costs $5,911 and home health care averages $6,101 per month.
The Cost of Home Care Compared to Other Senior Living Options
In Eugene, there’s a number of community-based and residential long-term care services available to seniors. The least-expensive option is adult day care, which costs around $3,467 per month. Home care and home health care rates are just slightly higher than the average cost of assisted living, which is $5,430. Around-the-clock skilled nursing care in a nursing home is the costliest type of care at $10,235 per month.
III. How to Find Home Care in Eugene, OR
Finding a home care provider for yourself or a loved one can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Below, we explain the process of how to find a home care provider in 5 simple steps. Use the infographic below to help guide your search for in-home care in Eugene, OR.
Remember that there’s not necessarily a right or wrong choice – it comes down to choosing a provider that you feel comfortable with and who’s capable of meeting your specific needs. No matter which provider you choose, you should always have a formal arrangement with your expectations and the payment rate in writing. Doing so will prevent confusion or potential disagreements down the line so that the focus remains on helping the person receiving care.
IV. Home Care Resources for Seniors in Eugene, OR
RideSource
What You Should Know
RideSource is the door-to-door, wheelchair-accessible public transit service for people who can’t use the regular fixed-route bus system due to disability. Once approved for the RideSource program, you can reserve rides seven days a week, and the service operates throughout the Eugene/Springfield metro area. Because this is a shared-ride service, your trip might involve multiple stops to pick up and drop off other riders along the way.
Who is Eligible?
If you need a safe, affordable way to travel to medical appointments, shopping areas, church and social engagements, and you have difficulty using public transit due to a temporary or permanent disability, you can apply to become a RideSource rider.
A RideSource staff member will visit you at home to evaluate your needs and assess whether you qualify to use the service based on your level of functioning. You may also need to have a form completed by your physician to verify your eligibility for the RideSource service.
How to Get Started
To learn more about RideSource, call (541) 682-5566 or (877) 800-9899.
Meals on Wheels & Kibble on Wheels
What You Should Know
FOOD for Lane County, a nonprofit organization, operates Eugene’s Meals on Wheels program. This program provides homebound seniors aged 60 and older and adults living with disabilities with freshly prepared, home-delivered meals Monday through Friday. When the volunteer driver drops off your daily noontime meal, they take a few minutes to chat with you and perform an informal safety check.
If you’re an eligible pet owner, you can also apply for free home-delivered dog and cat food through the Kibble on Wheels program. This program prioritizes those with an income at or below 130% of the federal poverty level and need help covering their pet food costs.
Who is Eligible?
If you’re struggling to maintain a healthy, balanced diet because you have difficulty shopping for groceries or preparing meals, you can apply for home-delivered meals through Meals on Wheels, and food for your pets through the Kibble on Wheels program. Each hot Meals on Wheels meal costs $8, and a subsidy is available for those with limited financial resources.
How to Get Started
To sign up for the Meals on Wheels program, call (541) 607-5065.
Campbell Community Center
What You Should Know
Owned and operated by the City of Eugene, the Campbell Community Center is a wheelchair-accessible multipurpose social and recreational center for seniors. Located in Skinner Butte Park alongside the Bascom Riverbank trail, the center offers a wide variety of free and low-cost classes, weekly clubs, activities and special events for older adults.
A number of local social service agencies also provide limited programming at the center, such as preventative health screening clinics, fall prevention workshops and support groups for those living with chronic health conditions.
Who is Eligible?
As a Eugene resident, you’re welcome to participate in any of the programs, classes, seminars and events offered at the center. Most of the programs are geared toward adults aged 50 and older.
How to Get Started
For current program information and operating hours, you can call the center at (541) 682-5318.
Senior and Disability Services
What You Should Know
Senior and Disability Services is the federally mandated Area Agency on Aging for Lane County. This nonprofit agency helps seniors remain independent by providing access to a wide range of community-based programs and supports, such as transportation services, in-home care and assistance with energy costs. You can also contact the agency to connect with free health insurance counseling and legal services.
Who is Eligible?
As a senior aged 60 or older, you’re eligible for free assistance through Senior and Disability Services. A case manager can help you develop a long-term care plan to identify the assistance you need to safely age-in-place in the comfort of your own home.
How to Get Started
To learn more about the programs and services offered through Senior and Disability Services, call (541) 682-3353 or (855) 673-2372.
Lane County Veterans Services
What You Should Know
Lane County Veterans Services provides veterans, survivors and dependents with free assistance in navigating the VA benefits system. Veteran service officers can help you file for service-connected and non service-connected disability claims, apply for survivors’ benefits, get copies of your military records and apply for VA pension benefits, such as Aid and Attendance or the Housebound Allowance.
Who is Eligible?
If you’re a vet, survivor or dependent, you’re eligible for assistance through the Lane County Veterans Services office. You can schedule a meeting with a veteran service officer at the office in downtown Eugene, or if you have difficulty leaving your home due to disability, you can request a home visit from a VSO.
How to Get Started
To speak with a Lane County veteran services officer, call (541) 682-4191.