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OUR HOUSE RESIDENTIAL CARE

OH Residential Care Logo

Our House, located in Portland, Oregon, is a 24-hour residential care facility for people living with HIV. Our House is the only facility of its kind in Oregon and SW Washington.

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Since 1988, Our House has been a residential care facility that provides services for people with HIV. Residents work with skilled professionals in nursing and therapeutic everyday activities.

Living Well

 

At Our House, some residents regain their health and become independent enough to be discharged. Others remain at Our House for continued intensive services, maintenance services or palliative care.

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• Resident Capacity: 14

• 24-Hour Licensed Nursing Services

• Intensive HIV Clinical Services

• Therapeutic Activities

Virtual Tour of Residential Care Facility

OUR PHILOSOPY OF CARE

Our Philosophy of Care is based upon compassionately and effectively meeting the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of our residents and clients using harm reduction, community, compassionate communication, and self-determination.  

ADMISSION INFORMATION TO
OUR HOUSE RESIDENTIAL CARE

1.  Admission Criteria:

  1. HIV/AIDS and

  2. The need for a nurse 24 hours as evidenced by any one of the following: epeated hospitalizations/ER visits within the past 3 months

  • Inability to manage medication regime

  • Change of condition resulting in new or deteriorating ADL deficits

  • Complex care plan due to unstable condition/symptoms

  • Uncontrolled pain or other symptoms (fatigue, nausea, etc....)

  • Unexplained weight loss or gain

  • Dementia or behavioral issues that contribute to decreased management of any of the above issues

  • Insurance coverage:  Medicaid eligibility or private insurance that will contract for needed services

  • Method of payment for Room and Board

​ 3.  Evidence of no communicable TB and

4.  Must meet income restrictions under Our House funding

     agreements.

 

Other assessment considerations for Our House include:

  • History of behavior that may jeopardize the safety and comfort of current residents

  • Psychiatric instability and resulting behaviors that are not able to be managed by Our House staff

  • Current and history of violent/disruptive behaviors related to substance use---assessment includes ability/willingness to participate in behavioral care plan

 

2. Resident Selection Process:

Our House manages a wait list.  Referrals are taken by Social Services.  The following information is obtained: demographics, income and insurance verification, provider’s names, general medical issues, mental health, and substance use disorder needs, living situation, level of functioning with activities of daily living, history of criminal/violent behavior, and how medical care needs are being met.  While Our House acknowledges the chronological order in which people are referred and put on the wait list, priority may be given to someone who has acute medical needs with no appropriate care being delivered in their current living situation.  Priority may be given to someone with a low income, houselessness or access to fewer resources. Selection may also be determined by the Our House nursing staff’s ability to manage a person’s level of care.  Our House does not discriminate against anyone based on race, color, gender, gender identity, marital status, sexual orientation, age, heritage, national origin, political ideology, religion, or creed. 

       

3. Pre-Admission Assessment:  

If a person is determined clinically appropriate for admission, then a pre-admission assessment will be arranged. Pre-admission assessments are done with the person by social services and nurse.  This may happen at the facility, or offsite at the hospital, a person’s home, etc. The person’s care team is consulted. This may include recent OT/PT/SLP notes, Primary or specialty care physicians, former caregivers etc... The assessment includes current and past medical history, combined with mental health and substance use assessment. The assessment determines if the person’s care needs can be met by the facility.  At this time the person is required to provide signature indicating receipt and understanding of the following:

 

  • Room and Board obligations

  • Uniform Disclosure Policy

  • Participation in care: There is expectation that residents participate in basic level of care.

  • Medication management policy

  • Resident Rights Policy

 

A written copy will be placed in the chart upon admission.

 

 

4. Within 24 hours of admission, nursing and social services staff review the following policies and resident is required to provide signatures to indicate understanding:

  • Our House Drug Alcohol, Weapon and Disruptive Behavior Agreement

  • Personal Possessions

  • Consent Form (for use of name and photograph—this is optional).

  • Privacy Practices

  • Notification Form (people to be notified in case of illness/death)

  • Orientation Book (ex: fire safety and evacuation, grievance procedures, guest policy, pets, staff names and roles, cigarette smoking, activities and resident meeting, voluntary and involuntary move-out criteria).

 

5. Based on comprehensive pre-admission and admission assessments, the following may occur:

  • Behavior contract and/or care plan

  • Plan for recovery support

  • Immediate enrollment in mental health services

  • Advocacy by nursing staff with providers for symptom management regarding unstable health issues

 

6. Our House recognizes that people living with HIV may struggle with severe mental health and addiction problems that significantly impact their ability to qualify and receive appropriate housing and healthcare services.   Our House is committed to being tolerant and patient with people who are working through their long-term struggles with these issues. While flexibility is practiced whenever possible, staff use clinical discretion in considering involuntary move-out. Involuntary move-out may be initiated based on the following circumstances:

  • Resident’s level of care exceeds that which can be offered at Our House

  • Resident is not physically present on site to utilize the services provided

  • Repeated, active substance use that results in behavior that interferes with rights of other residents

  • Inappropriate behavior that repeatedly and/or significantly interferes with rights of other residents such that it becomes a danger to themselves or others

  • Non-payment of Room and Board with no willingness to participate in payment arrangements

 

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