Who Can Help at Home?

In-Home workers

A caregiver such as a family member, partner, friend or neighbor often provides Home-Based Services and supports. You can also hire a professional home care in-home worker or a licensed agency.

How do I hire an in-home worker?

Consumers who receive Medicaid, Oregon Project Independence (OPI), or Oregon Project Independence Medicaid (OPI-M) in-home services, can use the Carina system to find in-home workers. Carina is the online referral system designed to help you find a qualified worker. The Oregon Home Care Commission's Employer Resource Connection program can assist with Carina and can also provide materials and help to learn how to manage in-home workers.

Consumers paying privately may visit this website for information and resources to help interview, hire, and manage an in-home worker.

Here are a couple other resources you may find helpful:

Hiring an in-home worker through an agency

If you hire an in-home 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.

Consumers receiving Medicaid/OPI/OPI-M can request to have an agency provide their services. This request can be submitted to the person's case manager, personal agent, or service coordinator. They will either send the request to an agency or provide you with the list of agencies to contact.

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, and takes care of the employer roles such as taxes, vacations, background checks, etc.

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.