Oregon Care Home Consulting & Training

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From our Team
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Looking to lease a care home?

If you’re looking to lease an adult foster care home in the Portland Metro area, you’re probably aware there is a significant lack of homes for lease and a lot of competition for homes. Unfortunately, this has been leading to issues for future licensees, including extremely large lease payments and less-than-ideal lease terms. Also, some homes have unpermitted work, which has caused delays in licensing.  

How can you protect yourself and make the right decision about a leased home?

Getting a house is a vital part of opening your own care home; however, finding the "right" home for you, your family and your business is more important. Please reach out to us for guidance first before you lease a home. Please feel free to schedule a free, 15-minute mini-consultation with us.

Also, see our Opening A Care Home in Oregon infographic. 

Ask Alyssa: What is a Shift Caregiver?
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“Are caregivers considered shift caregivers if they work regular shifts in my care home?”

I've been asked this question a lot over the years. There is confusion around the terms shift vs substitute caregivers*, and for good reason. The short answer is, substitute caregivers are not shift caregivers, even if they work a regular shift. 

Let’s break down these two roles:

Shift caregivers are equivalent to a resident manager (RM) who does not live in the home. 

  • Shift caregiver model: Shift caregivers (CGs) are used in the “shift caregiver model.” This is rarely used in adult foster homes in Oregon.

  • In lieu of a live-in provider: Shift CGs don't live in the home and there will be multiple, approved shift caregivers who work in the home in shifts when there is no licensee, administrator, or RM who lives in the home.  

  • Must take EQC & submit an application: Shift caregivers must take EQC Essentials and meet the same experience requirements as RMs, and they must submit an application to licensing and be approved. 

  • On the license: Shift CGs are listed on the AFH/ACH license.

Substitute caregivers are your day-to-day care staff who are not RMs or shift caregivers, as defined above.

  • Not required to take EQC: They are not required to take EQC and you do not need to submit an application to the State for approval (Note: Multnomah Co. does have a caregiver application); however, they must still be qualified caregivers.

  • Can work regular shifts: These caregivers may work regular shifts during the week, but they are still considered “substitute caregivers.”

  • Have schedule limitations: In general, substitute CGs cannot work more than 48 consecutive hours in a week, meaning no more than 2 full days in a row as the only caregiver (unless they meet the requirements of an RM).

In summary, unless you are using the rare “shift caregiver model” in your care home, your caregivers are considered substitute caregivers. 

Hopefully this helps clarify these unique roles in your adult foster care home. Please see the chart below for a visual of the similarities and important differences. 
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*In Multnomah County, "substitute caregivers" are called caregivers and "shift caregivers" are called shift managers.

"The time is always right to do what is right.”

- Martin Luther King Jr.
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