Senior and Disability Services

Jackson County:
Senior Services Office (541) 776-6222
Disability Services Office (541) 776-6210

Josephine County:
Senior and Disability Services Office 
(541) 474-3110  1-800-633-6409

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Adult Foster Home General Information - Page 2
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Adult Foster Home Classifications
There are three classifications of adult foster home licenses in Oregon. The classifications are based on the experience and/or training of the provider. Each home has a license posted that indicates the classification of the home. 

In each classification, the provider can only admit residents with a certain number of impairments. These impairments are defined according to six major activities of daily living (ADLs). These are eating/nutrition, dressing, personal hygiene, mobility, toileting and behavior management.

Definitions of Activities of Daily Living (ADLs):
• Eating/Nutrition. The ability to eat with or without special equipment.
• Dressing. The ability to dress and undress and to comb one’s hair, file nails, use makeup, etc.
• Personal Hygiene. The ability to bathe, wash hair, shave and care for teeth. 
• Toileting. The ability to get to and from the toilet, to wash afterward and to adjust clothing.
• Mobility. The ability to get around, both inside and outside, using items like canes and wheelchairs if necessary; ability to transfer from bed or wheelchair. 
• Behavior Management. The ability to understand one’s needs in areas such as health and safety. Any issues with confusion, disorientation, forgetfulness or wandering may be a behavior management need.

Adult Foster Home Classifications:

SDS RVCOG may allow, by written exception, a person to live in any classification of a home. The provider must be able to meet your needs, the needs of other residents, and all health and safety standards.

Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Needs Checklist
To help you decide which adult foster home can meet your care needs, you may find the following useful:

Instructions: For each activity of daily living, use the following checklist:
• Independent: You do not need the help of another person to do a task.
• Assistance: You need the help of another person to do part of a task.
• Dependent: You need the help of another person to do all of a task.

Check the box that identifies the care you need for each activity of daily living.

Activity of Daily Living	Independent	Assistance	Dependent
Eating / Nutrition
Dressing
Personal Hygiene
Toileting
Mobility
Behavior Management
Total :

Total each column.
• If you have checked all the ADLs as being independent or have checked you need assistance with up to four ADLs, any classification could meet your care needs.
• If you have checked you need assistance in all ADLs or have checked you are dependent in less than four ADLs, a class II or III home could meet your care needs.
• If you have checked you are dependent in four or more ADLs, a class III home could meet your needs.

Adult Foster Home Checklist
After you know the classification of the adult foster home needed, the next step is to call and visit some homes. The following checklist can help you decide which home you want to live in. Some questions may be more important to you than others.

Instructions: Fill in the answers for the following two questions.

Caregiver Questions	Home #1	Home #2	Home #3
Who is the main caregiver in the home?
If a resident manager provides the care, how long has she/he worked in the home?

  Instructions: Answer the following questions with a “Yes” or a “No.”

General Issues	Home #1	Home #2	Home #3
Does the home have a current adult foster home license posted?
Does the home have the license classification for your care needs?
Is the home close to family, physician, and social contacts?
Do you like the home, yard, and furnishings?
Does the daily routine of the home meet your lifestyle?
Do the residents interact well with each other?
Would you feel comfortable living with the residents and caregivers in the home?
Do the caregivers respect the residents’ privacy? (i.e., knocking on doors, not sharing personal information about residents.)
Does the home seem comfortable to you?
Do the other residents appear well cared for and content?
If pets, smoking or alcohol use is allowed in the home, is that okay with you?
Do you like the house policies and visiting hours?
If the provider’s family members are living in the home (spouse, children, relatives), is that okay with you?
Has this owner been a licensed provider long enough for you to feel comfortable
Do the caregivers understand your needs?
Will your personal choices such as religious practice be supported?
Bedrooms	Home #1	Home #2	Home #3
Is the available bedroom private?
If you have to share a room, is that okay with you?
Do you like the furniture (such as bed, dresser, or lamp?)
Can you bring your own furniture?
Is there space to bring some of your own furniture, if you want to?
Is phone and/or TV/cable available?
Is phone and or TV/cable included in the cost?
General Environment	Home #1	Home #2	Home #3
Are there smoke detectors and fire extinguishers?
Is there good lighting throughout the home?
Accessibility	Home #1	Home #2	Home #3
Are halls, doorways and bathrooms wide enough for walking and the use of canes, walkers or wheelchairs?
Is there enough room in the rest of the home to use canes, walkers or wheelchairs?
Are there objects or stairs that would make it hard for you to move around by yourself?   Look inside and outside the home?
Are ramps available for wheelchair use?
Bathroom(s)	Home #1	Home #2	Home #3
Is it clean and odor free?
Is it close to the bedroom?
Does it have safety grab bars and equipment?
Does it have safety grab bars and equipment?
Care Issues	Home #1	Home #2	Home #3
Is there an alert system between residents’ bedrooms and the provider’s?
If yes, can it be turned off for privacy?
If you have hearing or sight problems can the provider meet those needs?
Will the provider meet night-time needs to your satisfaction?
Are there activities offered (as a group or alone) that you would enjoy?
Is transportation available?
Do the providers/caregivers have experience caring for a person with your health needs?
Are there caregivers in the home when the provider is gone (shopping, vacations, social outings, etc.)?
Meals	Home #1	Home #2	Home #3
Do the meals and snacks appear tasty and nutritious?
Are the residents asked what they want to eat when planning meals?
Can special diet needs be met?
Will meals meet your cultural, religious or food preference?
Financial	Home #1	Home #2	Home #3
Does the provider have a private pay contract for you to review?
Is there a fee for transportation?
Is there a bed hold fee?
Is there a refundable deposit for damages beyond normal wear and tear?
Do you like the terms of the contract?
Does the home accept Medicaid residents?
Does the contract have a schedule of rates?
Does the contract require an advance payment?
Is there an acceptable refund policy?

Thinking About Opening an Adult Foster Home
Adult Foster Homes provide services individualized to the resident’s needs. They encourage the residents' right to independence, choice and decision-making while providing a safe and secure, family-like environment. Resident needs are addressed in a manner which supports and enables the individuals to maximize abilities to function at the highest level of independence possible. 

How to apply to start an Adult Foster Home
Contact the Senior Services Office in Jackson County at (541) 776-6222; or Senior and Disability Services Office in Josephine County (541) 474-3110 to obtain a copy of the Adult Foster Home Oregon Administrative Rules. If you are interested in applying to be a foster home provider, you will need to complete an orientation. Once you have gone through the orientation, you will be given an application.

Relative Foster Homes
Relative Adult Foster Homes are similar to Adult Foster Homes. Relative Adult Foster Homes are homes providing care and services to a relative, by blood or marriage, who is eligible for financial assistance from Senior and Disability Services. In order to qualify for compensation from SDS, the home must be in substantial compliance with the Adult Foster Home Administrative Rules. A spouse is not eligible for compensation as an Adult Foster Home provider. 

How to Apply to Be Considered a Relative Adult Foster Home
Contact the Senior Services Office in Jackson County at (541) 776-6222; or Senior and Disability Services Office in Josephine County (541) 474-3110 for a copy of the Adult Foster Home Oregon Administrative Rules and an application.

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