What is Adult Foster Home
To explain simply:
- Adult Foster Care Homeis a small assisted-living facility that provides care for up to fiveresidents in a family atmosphere.
- Adult Foster Care Homes are licensed and monitored by the State of Oregon.
- They are mostly for people who need higher level of care or for people who are looking for quiet family atmosphere with more one on one care.
State of Oregon's description of Adult Foster Home:
Adult foster homes are single family residences that offer care in a homelike setting. Adult foster homes in Oregon are inspected and licensed. The adult foster home provider must meet certain standards to obtain a license. Staff from the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) Aging and People with Disabilities (APD), or the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) offices verify the qualifications of the caregiver, conduct yearly licensing inspections, and investigate complaints and concerns.
A little bigger explanation of Adult Foster Care:
- Adult Foster Care Homeis a small assisted-living facility for up to five residents in a family atmosphere. Adult Foster Care Homes are licensed and monitored by the State of Oregon. They are mostly for people who need higher level of care. Our Adult Foster Home is specialized in higher level of care than most Adult Foster Homes. We do care such as hoyer lift and 2 person transfer.Also, we have increased amount of activities, where we focus on weekly outings into the community.
- In Oregon, Adult Foster Homes are also called Adult Care Homes and Group Homes. In other states they have names such as Assisted Living, Residential Care Homes as well as Board and Room Homes.
- In Adult Foster Homes, the staff provide 24/7 care for the residents. The following services are provided: dressing, bowel and bladder care, bathing and grooming, dietary needs, 24-hour assistance, medication management, transportation, help with mobility, behavioral issues, activities, laundry, cleaning, and much more.
- The facilities in adult foster homes include private rooms, meals, TVs, and phones.
- In Adult Foster Homes, you can expect the same type of care as in nursing homes, but without physical and occupational therapy. In Adult Foster Homes, physical and occupational therapy can come to the facility by request.
🏠 Senior Living Options Comparison
Type of Care Setting & Size Level of Care Provided Best For Why Choose an Adult Foster Home Instead Adult Foster Home (AFH) Small home (up to 5 residents) 24-hour personalized care from consistent caregivers; nurse on call for support and oversight Individuals needing daily assistance, supervision, or behavioral support — Feels like family
— More one-on-one care
— Home-like, calm environment
— Affordable compared to larger facilities
— Access to on-call nursing guidance for health changes or medication needs Assisted Living Large community (30–100+ residents) Help with meals, meds, bathing, light mobility Seniors who are mostly independent but need some help AFHs provide closer supervision, higher caregiver ratio, and more flexibility for changing needs Independent Living Apartment-style community No medical or personal care; focus on social life Active, healthy seniors who need convenience, not care AFHs better for those who begin needing hands-on help or daily reminders Residential Care Facility Mid-sized licensed facility (10–40 residents) 24-hour care, similar to AFH but less personal Those who need help but prefer larger settings AFHs offer quieter settings and more personal, consistent caregivers Memory Care Secured facility specialized for dementia Structured routine, safety features, specialized staff Those with moderate to severe dementia or wandering behaviors AFHs can offer memory care in a smaller, calmer setting with individualized attention Nursing Home (Skilled Nursing Facility) Large medical facility 24-hour nursing and medical care, rehabilitation Individuals needing IVs, wound care, or medical monitoring AFHs are better suited for long-term living with personal care, not medical treatment
| Type of Care | Setting & Size | Level of Care Provided | Best For | Why Choose an Adult Foster Home Instead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Foster Home (AFH) | Small home (up to 5 residents) | 24-hour personalized care from consistent caregivers; nurse on call for support and oversight | Individuals needing daily assistance, supervision, or behavioral support | — Feels like family — More one-on-one care — Home-like, calm environment — Affordable compared to larger facilities — Access to on-call nursing guidance for health changes or medication needs |
| Assisted Living | Large community (30–100+ residents) | Help with meals, meds, bathing, light mobility | Seniors who are mostly independent but need some help | AFHs provide closer supervision, higher caregiver ratio, and more flexibility for changing needs |
| Independent Living | Apartment-style community | No medical or personal care; focus on social life | Active, healthy seniors who need convenience, not care | AFHs better for those who begin needing hands-on help or daily reminders |
| Residential Care Facility | Mid-sized licensed facility (10–40 residents) | 24-hour care, similar to AFH but less personal | Those who need help but prefer larger settings | AFHs offer quieter settings and more personal, consistent caregivers |
| Memory Care | Secured facility specialized for dementia | Structured routine, safety features, specialized staff | Those with moderate to severe dementia or wandering behaviors | AFHs can offer memory care in a smaller, calmer setting with individualized attention |
| Nursing Home (Skilled Nursing Facility) | Large medical facility | 24-hour nursing and medical care, rehabilitation | Individuals needing IVs, wound care, or medical monitoring | AFHs are better suited for long-term living with personal care, not medical treatment |