About This Service

SeaStar Senior Services now takes Medicaid in Oregon!

SeaStar Senior Services complies with Oregon Administrative Rules and Washington Administrative Code when hiring caregivers as well as onboarding new clients.

Clients can rest assured that before any caregiver visits their home, they have been thoroughly vetted with background and reference checks, drug testing, received care training, and evaluated by our staff nurse to ensure that medication is administered properly.

We also individually assess each prospective client's specific needs in advance, then create a written service plan which details all caregiver tasks. This helps ensure that SeaStar meets your needs from day one.

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SeaStar can provide the following home care services:

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Activities of Daily Living

Feeding

• Meal preparation
  • Following special dietary needs
• Cutting up food
• Preparing finger foods
• Prompting client to eat
• Assistance with utensils
  • Hand over hand
• Feeding client with spoon/fork

Bathing

• Assisting client getting in and out of shower
• Standing by to offer assistance
• Hands-on assistance
• Sponge and bed baths

Dressing

• Selecting and laying out clothing
• Helping with putting on clothing – zipping & buttoning
• Full assistance getting dressed

Grooming

• Setting out comb, toothbrush, toothpaste, denture care
• Assisting client while performing grooming tasks
• Full assistance with grooming tasks
• Nail care – cleaning and filing only

Toileting

• Reminder to toilet
• Assistance using the toilet – off and on
• Assist with wiping and cleaning after toilet use
• Changing briefs
• Emptying colostomy and ostomy bag

Ambulating

• Providing cane or walker
• Assisting with a helping hand
• Helping to get in, get out, and use wheelchair

Transfers

• Provide assistance getting up and moving
• Use sit-to-stand device if needed
• Transfer from bed to chair to tub, etc.

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Instrumental Activities of Daily Living

Companion care:

• Keeping the client company
• Puzzles and playing games
• Watching television
• Reading
• Making phone calls
• Pet care

Errands:

• Shopping
• Escorting to medical appointments
• Social events

Home Management:

• Housekeeping
• Laundry

Medication services:

• Reminders
• Assistance
• Administration

Vital Signs:

• Take temperature on forehead
• Blood pressure with electronic cuff
• Oximeter – oxygen and pulse
• Weights
• CBGs

Documentation:

• Bowel movements
• Appetite
• Changes in condition
• Infections
• Behaviors
• Sleep patterns
• Daily routines

Nursing Services:

• CBG testing
• Wound care
• Other delegatable tasks

Frequently Asked Questions About In-Home Senior Care

How much does in-home senior care cost in Portland?

Cost depends on the level of care needed, the number of hours per week, and whether long-term care insurance is being used. SeaStar provides free, no-obligation estimates after an initial consultation, so families know exactly what to expect before committing to anything. We also accept long-term care insurance, which significantly reduces out-of-pocket costs for many of our clients.

Do you accept long-term care insurance?

Yes. SeaStar accepts long-term care insurance and can help families understand and activate their policies. If you're unsure whether your policy covers in-home care, bring the policy details to your free consultation and we'll walk through it with you.

How quickly can you start care?

Before we place a caregiver, we conduct a comprehensive needs assessment to make sure the match is right. In most cases, care can begin within a few days of your initial consultation. For urgent situations — for example, a parent being discharged from the hospital — we can often move faster.

What's the difference between a caregiver and a care manager?

A caregiver provides hands-on, day-to-day support in the home: companion care, personal care, transportation, errands, and similar tasks. A care manager works at a higher level — assessing the senior's full situation, developing an individualized care plan, coordinating with healthcare providers and family members, and overseeing the care being delivered. SeaStar's care management is led by an MSW (Master of Social Work)-credentialed professional, which is unusual in this industry and especially valuable for families navigating complex situations from out of state.

Are your caregivers bonded and insured?

Yes. All SeaStar caregivers are employees (not independent contractors), background-checked, drug-tested, CPR-trained, and fully covered by SeaStar's insurance. We pay caregivers above minimum wage because consistency, training, and retention directly affect the quality of care your loved one receives.

What makes SeaStar different from a national franchise?

Three things. First, SeaStar is locally owned and operated — not a franchise — so no franchise fees are passed on to our clients. Second, our care plans are developed and overseen by an MSW-credentialed care manager, not delegated to office staff. Third, our founder, Niki Tucker, is a licensed social worker with more than 20 years of experience in senior care and guardianship across Oregon and Washington. SeaStar is also women-owned, family-owned, and LGBTQ+ friendly.

Let SeaStar make a difference for you!