Massachusetts

Adult Foster Care

What is the Adult Foster Care Program?

Also known as Adult Family Living, the Adult Foster Care Program is a healthcare benefit offered through MassHealth (MA Medicaid) that supports caregivers in providing assistive services to members who need supervision and aid with daily functions due to advanced age, disability, weakness or illness. The AFC program must be delivered through a fully accredited and state licensed provider agency - that's us, Home Care AFC! We do this by pairing our caregivers and the member they care for with a team of experts - a Registered Nurse and a Case Manager. This care team works with our caregivers to understand the needs of each member and to provide regular oversight and support through monthly home visits to uphold consistency and quality of care. Our team strives to ensure every aspect of the caregiving process is as resourced and streamlined as possible. If you'd like to learn more about the Adult Foster Care Program you can check out our Do I Qualify? page.

What does a caregiver do?

The caregiver is an individual who is paid through the AFC program for aiding (by cueing and supervision, or hands on help) in the daily functions of a member who needs assistance with some activities. This includes help with:

Ambulating (walking)
Dressing
Toileting
Bathing
Eating
Transferring
Transportation to medical appointments
Medication management

Caregivers meet with their care teams monthly so that they can receive support and resources in their caregiving journey! They are also responsible for working with their care team to ensure all required documentation is signed and completed. Caregivers must live in the same household as the member they care for, but they do not have to be a family relation.

How do caregivers benefit?

If approved by insurance, caregivers are eligible to receive a tax free stipend (per member that they assist) of up to $1,500 per month ($18,000 per year) to compensate their caregiving efforts. We know that caregiving comes with financial and time sacrifices, so this financial support can be a big help. Many caregivers in our program are already doing this important work, so this program provides financial support for the effort they would be putting in anyway!

Caregivers also receive the support and expertise of a dedicated care team. We understand that many who find themselves in a caregiving position, especially for family members, have taken over this role out of compassion, love, or necessity rather than personal knowledge or capabilities in this field of work. Our care team is here to fill that gap and support you every step of the way by providing resources, knowledge, references and advice as you navigate caregiving!

How do I enroll?

Contact us or fill out an Eligibility Consult so we can find out a bit more about your situation and if you qualify. The individual you care for will need to have MassHealth (MA Medicaid). If the person you care for doesn't have this insurance or waiver, or you're not sure, reach out anyway! They may qualify to get MassHealth even if they don't have it now, and we have resources to assist you in getting enrolled so that you can benefit from the valuable support AFC provides.

What does my care team provide?

Our care teams are made up of a Registered Nurse and a Case Manager. These team members are your caregiving support network! They provide monthly educational resources and meet with you on a monthly basis to stay updated on the health of the member you care for. In addition, they are a valuable source of knowledge when it comes to references. We know that the caregiving journey can have unexpected turns and our teams are happy to point you to professionals, organizations, and services that may aid you along the way to ensure you are aware of all your options and resources! Our team is passionate about being involved in our community to provide a network of assistance to our caregivers.

How do members benefit?

Our goal is to provide the tools necessary to ensure that each of our members (the individuals who receive assistance from caregivers) can live a healthy, fulfilling life in the comfort of their own home! We emphasize wholistic health and aim to provide support - not just in traditional home health terms, which tend to focus on physical/medical aspects - but in every aspect of their lives including relationships, personal interests, and more. We also encourage our members to feel connected to and participate in their local community. We believe in the power of engagement and connection - on the family level and on a broader community level - to foster a happy, healthy and fulfilling life!

You can also reference the AFC Regulations from MassHealth to verify these statements: MassHealth AFC Regulation

Download 130 CMR 408.00.