OREGON PROJECT INDEPENDENCE

Since 1975, Oregon Project Independence (OPI) has been providing services to seniors and people with physical disabilities while they are living in their own homes. Services are provided statewide through Area Agencies on Aging, such as NorthWest Senior and Disability Services local offices.

Services include personal care, homemaker/home care services, chore services, assisted transportation, adult day care, respite, case management, registered nursing services and home-delivered meals. The goals of Oregon Project Independence are to:

• Promote quality of life and independent living among seniors and people with physical disabilities;

• Provide preventive and long-term services and supports to eligible individuals to promote self-determination and reduce the risk for institutionalization;

• Provide services to frail and vulnerable adults who either lack or have limited access to other long-term services and supports; and

• Optimize eligible individuals’ personal and community support resources.

Eligibility for the Oregon Project Independence program is based on level of need determined by each administering Area Agency on Aging using a common assessment tool; there are no financial eligibility requirements. Priority is given to frail and vulnerable older adults who are lacking sufficient access to other long-term services and supports or who are at the greatest risk for needing out-of-home placement.

OPI has traditionally served those who are 60 years of age or older or who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder and meet the requirement of Oregon’s long-term care services priority rule. However, in 2014, OPI expanded to include all adults 19 years of age or older with a physical disability.