November 16, 2016
The report includes the most recent data on the economic impact of the profession in Oregon
The Oregon Health Care Association (OHCA) has published the 2016 Long Term Care State Report which compiles a variety of data sources and research on the long term care sector in Oregon. The report highlights the impact of long term care on Oregon’s economy, the cost of the new minimum wage law on the sector, Oregon’s ranking in critical long term care measures, key demographics for Oregon’s aging population, the costs associated with long term care, and more.
“Using academic, government, and commissioned data sources, we created a report that showcases the continuum of long term care services and supports, and its significant impacts, in our state,” said Walter Dawson, DPhil, OHCA’s director of research and analytics. “We hope interested Oregonians and policy makers will use this information in making decisions about the sector.”
The report shows that nearly 83,000 Oregonians are employed in the long term care service sector, and, in 2014, the last year relevant data was analyzed, the economic footprint of the sector in Oregon was nearly $7 billion.
Some of the other highlights from the report include:
- The total direct labor cost increases of the new minimum wage to the sector are estimated to be $437 million by 2022.
- Oregon invests more in home and community-based services as a percentage of public long term care service spending than any other state.
- In 2015, 85,668 Oregonians were 85 or older. By 2035 this cohort is projected to double in size, with 173,634 Oregonians over the age of 85.
- There is a 43 percent Medicaid to private pay shortfall in assisted living and a 56 percent Medicaid to private pay shortfall in memory care.
The report is available to view online. OHCA will continue to produce a new, updated state report every two years.
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