This month Kathy Kopitsky, Director of the Adult Family Care (AFC) program at the Minute Man Arc in Concord has shared insightful blogs of how Adult Family Care is a great option to living alone, nursing home or other institutional care settings. Adult Family Care is an exciting and growing statewide program in Massachusetts.
What is Adult Family Care?
The term Adult Family Care (AFC) is also known as Adult Foster Care. AFC is a MassHealth program which supports individuals age 16 and older who are unable to live independently due to a medical, physical, cognitive or mental disability. AFC participants live with trained paid caregivers who provide daily care with activities of daily living (ADLs).
Certain relatives of a MassHealth member may serve as that member’s AFC caregiver. Spouses, parents of a minor member (including adoptive parents), or any “legally responsible” relative of the member may not become an AFC caregiver.
For additional information about Adult Family Care, click on MassResources.org link. Scroll down to the A-Z Program list on the left and click on Adult Family Care / Adult Foster Care (AFC). Here you will find excellent comprehensive information about adult family care eligibility, caregiver information, and how to apply for AFC services.
Locating AFC Provider Agency
Currently there are fifty seven AFC provider agencies in Massachusetts. To locate an AFC provider near you:
- Contact your local Aging Services Access Point (ASAP) to request list of AFC providers in your area. To locate your local ASAP call 1-800-AGE-INFO (243-4636), TDD/TTY 1-800-872-0166, or go on-line to ASAP Locator
- Contact Beth Shelton, MassHealth AFC Program Manager, at (617) 222-7485 or by email at beth.shelton@state.ma.us
Additional Resources
Click here for Adult Family Care / Adult Foster Care programs that are listed on the New England INDEX website.
Family Care-giver Handbook – Home Care
provides great information about home care services, assessments of physical, health and nutrition needs; and how to find and pay for services.
Hi,
The Massresources.org link is not working. I am looking to find more information in regard to helping families learn how they can find out if they are eligible to become a AFC caregiver. Thanks!
Rachel,
Here is some information on Adult Foster Care in Massachusetts. This information came from our Disability Links Fact Sheet.
http://www.massafc.org/
I loved reading about Adult Family/foster care resources. I work as an occupational therapist with adults who have developmental disabilities. One of my passions is to discover what their dreams are and how to have those fulfilled. The Adult family Care program sounds like a way for parents to have their dreams fulfilled by being able to continue to care for their child. Thank you, Kathy and everyone for the work you are doing to make this happen for families.
Emily Berheide