A nursing home is a residential-living and medical-care facility for people who do not need the degree of medical care provided by a hospital but who need some regular medical attention. Most nursing homes have nursing aides, Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), and Registered Nurses (RNs) on staff and available 24 hours a day.

Some nursing homes have special care units for people with serious memory problems such as Alzheimer’s disease. And some nursing homes will allow couples to live together. Most nursing home residents are older persons but other adults who require 24-hour care may also live in nursing homes.

In Oregon, nursing homes are regulated to ensure they provide a safe and caring environment for residents who require regular medical attention but not the intensive care of a hospital. These facilities are staffed with nursing aides, LVNs, LPNs, and RNs available around the clock to meet the medical needs of residents. Oregon also mandates that nursing homes accommodate residents with special needs, such as those with Alzheimer’s disease, by providing specialized care units. Furthermore, the state allows for the accommodation of couples in nursing homes, enabling them to live together. While the majority of nursing home residents are elderly, these facilities are also available to other adults in need of 24-hour care. Oregon's nursing homes are subject to both state statutes and federal laws that govern their operation, staffing, and the quality of care provided to ensure the well-being and rights of residents are upheld.