Admissions & Cost

Admissions Process

Care at the OVHL is an earned benefit offered by the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs (ODVA). When a veteran has a United States Department of Veterans' Affairs (USDVA) physician’s certification that nursing home care is needed due to a service-connected disability, they may be eligible to have some or all of the cost of care at the OVHL covered by the USDVA.

We understand the unique needs of the men and women who served our country and our staff gladly assist veterans and their families during the application process to determine the best options for your living arrangements and cost of care.

Determine Eligibility

To be admitted to the OVHL, an applicant must be:

A veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, as defined by the USDVA, discharged under general or honorable conditions; or
The spouse, or surviving spouse of a veteran as defined by the USDVA; or
Gold Star Parent (parent who lost a child to war-time service)

An applicant must also:

Be able to pay the residents' portion of the cost of care, if any
Be in need of skilled or intermediate nursing home care as determined by physician and USDVA
Not require medical care for which the Home is not equipped or staffed to provide
Not have violent traits that may prove dangerous to the veteran, residents of the Home, staff or others

Application

Applicants must submit an Application for Admission and USDVA 1010 EZ and include copies of the following:

The veteran’s DD214 (military discharge papers)
The veteran’s (or admitting resident’s) current insurance information
A marriage certificate (for spouses of veterans only)
Power of Attorney (POA) papers
A USDVA physician’s certification that nursing home care is needed due to a service connected disability may qualify a veteran to be eligible to have some or all of the cost of care at the OVHL covered by the USDVA. Typically veterans who have a 70 percent or greater service-connected disability and are in need of skilled nursing care due to their disability may be eligible to have their cost of care covered by the USDVA.

Application Forms
Admissions Packet USDVA 1010EZ form

Admissions Process

Once submitted, OVHL’s Admissions Coordinator will contact the applicant or the responsible party upon reviewing the application. Upon approval, the applicant will be scheduled for admission based on occupancy availability.

Cost

The Oregon Veterans’ Homes (both in The Dalles and in Lebanon) are a benefit meant to provide exclusive, first-class, long-term care at an affordable price exclusively as a benefit for Oregon veterans, their spouse, and Gold Star Parents (parents who lost a child to war-time combat).

Part of the Homes’ affordability comes from an established benefit that allows veteran residents to combine private, federal, and/or Medicare or Medicaid to cover daily costs. Both Homes experience a higher than state average occupancy rate primarily because of the commitment to providing the highest quality of care at lower costs to veteran residents.

Daily room rates include room, board, and skilled nursing care, as well as amenities and activities. Specialized memory-related care (for residents with Alzheimer’s or memory care needs) is an additional cost.

Effective January 1, 2023, rates are:

Veteran General Care - $331.80 ppd
Veteran Memory Care from - $342.30 ppd
Spouse General Care from - $360.15 ppd
Spouse Memory Care from - $370.65 ppd