When you’re comparing assisted living communities, it’s easy to write down each starting rate and move on to the next tour. But two quotes can cover different things. One may include help with bathing or medication, while another may price those services separately after an assessment. Before you compare the totals, ask each community to show you how it would build the bill for your family member.
Ask for two totals
Start with the amount due at move-in and the expected monthly bill after that. Ask for both in writing, with the date of the quote, the apartment type and any assumptions about care. If the community still needs to assess your family member, ask which charges are firm and which could change after the assessment.
For Oregon assisted living and residential care facilities, the state’s disclosure rules cover payment terms, including what the basic rental rate includes, costs for additional services, deposits, applicable nonrefundable fees, and refund and proration conditions. Ask for the disclosure and the proposed agreement so you can review them alongside the estimate. Oregon administrative rules for residential care and assisted living facilities
Compare the same services at each community
Choose two or three examples from your family member’s ordinary week. Maybe they need a steadying hand in the shower, reminders at medication time and help getting ready for bed. Describe the help as specifically as you can, then ask where each service appears in the estimate. This gives both communities the same starting point and makes it easier to spot a service that one quote leaves open.
The Oregon Department of Human Services also publishes Consumer Summary Statements describing services available at individual communities. Use the statement alongside the quote to ask about both service availability and cost. Oregon Consumer Summary Statements
Ask what could change the bill
A quote reflects what you know today. Ask the community to walk through one realistic change, such as a resident needing more help getting dressed or getting to meals. Would staff reassess the resident? How would the new charge be calculated? Who would explain the change to the resident and family?
It’s also worth asking what happens if a move is delayed or a resident leaves midmonth. Find out which fees are refundable, how partial months are billed and what notice the agreement calls for. These details are easier to review before a deposit is due.
Verify any expected payment help
If your budget depends on a benefit or insurance payment, confirm what it would cover before counting it toward the monthly bill. Medicare explains that it generally doesn’t cover long-term care, including ongoing help with daily activities. If a community mentions Medicaid or another payment option, ask which charges it applies to and what still needs to be verified for your family member. Medicare’s long-term care coverage guidance
Before making a decision, put the written estimates side by side and circle anything that’s still blank. A short follow-up with each community can turn an uncertain quote into a comparison you can use.
If you’re sorting through assisted living options in the Portland metro and surrounding areas, Kate at Pacific Senior Advisory can help you organize your questions before the next tour. Email her at kate@pacsenioradvisory.com.
Sources reviewed November 3, 2026.