I. What You Should Know About Home Care in Bend, OR
Bend has a relatively healthy population, thanks in part to good access to clinical care, a low rate of physical inactivity and several other health factors that favor this city in comparison to the state and nation. The number of physicians per capita in Bend is 22% higher than the nationwide average, and the cost of health care is 6.6% lower. As of the 2020 U.S. Census, the city has an estimated 102,059 residents, with just over 17,000 of them aged 65 and over. In relation to the total population size, the number of seniors living in Bend is virtually identical to the national average of 16.8%.
Due to its fairly compact size, you can usually find what you need close to home in Bend. Shops and restaurants are clustered along the center from north to south, while parks, restaurants and cafes are scattered throughout. The local hospital, St. Charles Medical Center, provides excellent care and is ranked above average in many conditions prevalent in the senior population.
Considering all of the above, Bend may be just right for you or your loved one to age in place with the help of in-home care.
II. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in Bend, OR
Home care services for seniors in Bend cost around $6,435 per month, according to the 2021 Genworth Financial Cost of Care Survey, with no difference in the average monthly rate between in-home care and home health care services. This is based on a need for 44 hours of care per week at the city’s average hourly rate of $33.75. As such, you can expect a much lower monthly bill if you only need a few hours of help around the home each day or when supplementing paid caregivers with friends and family members.
The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities
With an average cost of $6,435 per month, Bend is a relatively expensive city for home care services. Statewide averages are considerably lower, at $6,006 and $6,101 per month, depending on the type of service. The national average for home care is 23% lower than that of Bend, and it’s 20% lower for home health care. Portland is the least affordable city in Oregon, at $7,146 per month for both types of home care. Costs in Salem and Eugene are in line with Oregon as a whole.
The Cost of Home Care Compared to Other Senior Living Options
As mentioned above, the cost of full-time home care services in Bend is relatively high. Assisted living is more affordable by $1,600 per month while providing more hours of care and supervision compared to in-home services. The cost of adult day services in Bend is 71% lower, at $1,842 per month, but it doesn’t provide a comparable amount of care and supervision. Nursing home care costs just over $10,000 per month, which is an increase of 56% from full-time home care.
III. How to Find Home Care in Bend, 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 Bend, OR.
IV. Home Care Resources for Seniors in Bend, OR
Council on Aging of Central Oregon
What You Should Know
If you live in the tri-county area of central Oregon, which includes Bend, you may be eligible for various services provided by the Council on Aging (COA). This nonprofit organization uses federal, state and local funding to help seniors remain active, healthy and engaged members of the community and, ultimately, avoid unnecessary nursing home placement.
Free and subsidized programs available from the COA and its partners include in-home care and home health services, caregiver support, adult day care, home modifications and repairs. You may also be eligible for home-delivered meals and/or community dining opportunities. General information and advice on Medicare, benefits and aging are also available.
Who Is Eligible?
Eligibility is determined based on the specific program or resource you’re requesting. Services with a minimum age requirement are generally for people aged 60 and over. Some programs also prioritize based on age and/or income, which means you may be on a waiting list.
How To Get Started
You can contact the COA Help Desk at (541) 678-5483 during regular business hours or visit the local office at 500 NE Greenwood Avenue for in-person assistance.
Bend Senior Center
What You Should Know
The Bend Parks and Recreation Department manages this local senior center as part of the Larkspur Community Center. Scheduled classes and activities for the senior community include arts, crafts and pottery, cooking, gardening, music and dance. Plenty of casual opportunities, such as drop-in games, social clubs and movies, take place daily and weekly. Specialized low-intensity and therapeutic fitness classes for older adults and people with disabilities are also organized regularly. You can check the schedules and calendar on the website for more information.
Who Is Eligible?
People of all ages are welcome to visit the center, including those from out of town, although fees are higher if you’re aged under 61 and/or not a resident of Bend. A monthly pass costs $16 for locals aged 61 to 79 or $13 for people aged 80 and over. A discount of 20% is available for annual memberships.
How To Get Started
Bend Senior Center is open from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on weekdays and from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturdays. It’s located at 1600 Southeast Reed Market Road, and you can contact it at (541) 388-1133.
211info
What You Should Know
Residents of Bend can contact 211info for support, answers and connections to a long list of health and human services available throughout Oregon and southwest Washington. This nonprofit organization works with the state and local city governments to connect people with help in their communities. You can call at any time for free assistance in finding services such as care management, transportation, food and nutrition, health care and many others related to aging and disabilities.
Who Is Eligible?
The requirements for each service vary widely, and you can find out more about eligibility via the website or by calling. Some services are open to anyone in need, while others focus on people with disabilities of a certain age or income bracket.
How To Get Started
You can search the website or call 211 or the toll-free line at (866) 698-6155 at any time to get answers and directions to relevant local services. Non-English interpreters are also available.
Cascade East Transit Dial-a-Ride
What You Should Know
CET and its Bend Dial-a-Ride program help eligible residents by providing curb-to-curb transport across an area slightly larger than the traditional fixed route service. You can view a service area map online. Those eligible for the program can use it for any reason, and transportation is available every day of the week. Each ride costs $1.25 to $2.50, depending on eligibility level, and participants can make reservations from 24 hours to two weeks in advance.
Who Is Eligible?
This program is reserved for people in one or more of these three eligibility groups: disabled, low-income disabled and low-income senior. You can find eligibility guides and other useful information on the website.
How To Get Started
You can call (541) 385-8680 for general information, to request an application or to make a reservation.
NeighborImpact
What You Should Know
NeighborImpact is a nonprofit organization in nearby Redmond that assists people in need through a variety of programs. Seniors may be able to increase their quality of life and remain in their own homes for longer with help from programs such as home energy assistance, weatherization, repairs and accessibility modifications. General financial counseling and planning are also available. Residents may qualify for nutrition programs, including a food bank, as well as connections to relevant community-based organizations in their area.
Who Is Eligible?
The service area of NeighborImpact includes Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson Counties, which means people in Bend are covered. Most programs have additional requirements, such as a maximum monthly income, as well as having a genuine need for the type of help requested. The website covers these requirements in detail.
How to Get Started
Visit the website for details of NeighborImpact’s specific programs, or call (541) 548-2380 during regular business hours.