It was introduced to Oregonians by a Republican Governor and a Democratic Legislature, with the support of senior advocates such as Senator Wyden. It continues to enjoy bipartisan support because we are providing options consumers want at costs far less than institutional care. Assisted living has been very popular with Oregon Seniors. More than 70 percent of residents of assisted living facilities are paying with private funds. Residents also have substantial impairment, needing assistance with one or multiple activities of daily living such as dressing and grooming, bathing, toileting, mobility or eating.
Many residents also have some degree of cognitive impairment.
Well over half of the Medicaid eligible residents are fully dependent in some activities of daily living. This truly has become a nursing home replacement model for Oregon. Consumers did not want to have to move from one care setting to another as their frailty, and needs for service, increased. From the first rule adoption in 1989, assisted living facilities in Oregon have been licensed as 24 hour care settings. Services are required to be provided in private apartments that are disability accessible, with private baths.