Page Reviewed / Updated - September 03, 2020
Oregon Project Independence (OPI) is a statewide program designed for non-Medicaid eligible, elderly, Oregon residents and individuals that have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or a related condition. This program provides participants with supervision in their homes, as well as assistance with their Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs), which includes mobility, grooming, preparation of food, shopping for essentials, and more.
This program does allow for some consumer direction, meaning that eligible applicants are able to hire the person of their choosing for some services. For instance, relatives, though not spouses, can be paid to provide homecare services. Though it’s important to note they must be qualified to provide the services and have a provider number.
This program is intended to reduce Medicaid funded, nursing home placements for the elderly, as well as individuals with Alzheimer's. Therefore, services are provided to individuals in their homes with the goal of increasing or maintaining the beneficiary's independence. Services may vary by county, but generally include the following:
The cost of services provided in this program depends on the income of the The cost of services provided in this program depends on the income of the participating individual. Program participants who are single individuals (one-person households) whose annual incomes are at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), $19,140 for 2020, receive services free of charge. This amount equates to $1,595 / month. For one-person households whose income is between 151% and 400% of the FPL, up to $51,040 in 2020, there is a sliding scale. In monthly figures, this amount equals $4,253. Those persons whose incomes exceed 400% of the FPL pay the full hourly rate of the service provided. However, medical expenses (health insurance premiums, health care bills, co-payments for prescription drugs, etc.) can be deducted from one’s income, which may effectively lower one’s cost of services. It should be noted that the full rate for a service purchased through this program is often considerably lower than the rate would be for the same service purchased on the open market directly from a home care provider. There is no fee for case management and meal delivery.
Oregon Project Independence is a program administered by the state’s 17 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs). To apply, find your local AAA office. One can also find additional program information on the Oregon Department of Human Services’ website.