Adult Foster Care in Boston and Greater Boston
Families throughout Boston and nearby communities often provide daily care for a parent, adult child, relative, or friend at home. When a loved one needs hands-on assistance or regular cueing and supervision with personal care, Adult Foster Care may offer structured support through MassHealth.
Mass Care Link serves eligible families across Massachusetts, including Boston and the surrounding Greater Boston area. Our admissions team helps potential members and live-in caregivers understand program requirements, coordinate assessments, gather documentation, and navigate the MassHealth authorization process.
If you care for someone at home in the Boston area, begin with our short prequalification form or call Mass Care Link at 866-880-8889.
What Is Adult Foster Care?
Adult Foster Care is a MassHealth-funded program for eligible individuals who need daily help with at least one activity of daily living and who live with a qualified caregiver. Depending on the circumstances, the caregiver may be an adult family member, friend, or another qualified person.
Qualifying care needs may include bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, walking, transferring, or the cueing and supervision required to complete a personal-care activity safely. Enrolled members also receive professional nursing and care-management oversight from an approved provider.
For a statewide explanation, visit our guide to Adult Foster Care in Massachusetts.
Who May Qualify in Boston?
Boston residents are evaluated under the same MassHealth requirements that apply throughout Massachusetts. Eligibility depends on the potential member’s MassHealth coverage, age, daily care needs, living arrangement, caregiver relationship, home setting, and MassHealth approval.
- The potential member generally must be at least 16 years old.
- The member must have qualifying MassHealth coverage.
- The member must need daily physical assistance or cueing and supervision with at least one qualifying activity of daily living.
- The member and caregiver must live together in the same qualified home setting.
- The caregiver must satisfy applicable program requirements.
A spouse or court-appointed legal guardian cannot serve as the paid caregiver. A parent may potentially serve as caregiver for an adult child who is 18 or older when all other requirements are met. Review our detailed guide explaining how to qualify for Adult Foster Care.
Serving Boston Neighborhoods and Nearby Communities
Mass Care Link works with eligible families throughout Boston, including Dorchester, Roxbury, Mattapan, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, East Boston, Charlestown, Brighton, and other neighborhoods. We also serve nearby communities such as Chelsea, Revere, Everett, Somerville, Cambridge, Quincy, and Brookline, subject to eligibility and service availability.
Greater Boston families often balance caregiving with work, medical appointments, transportation, language needs, and other household responsibilities. Our team explains the process clearly and helps families identify the assessments and documentation needed for MassHealth review.
How Mass Care Link Supports Greater Boston Families
- Reviews preliminary program and MassHealth coverage requirements
- Explains member and live-in caregiver responsibilities
- Coordinates nursing, psychosocial, and qualified-setting assessments
- Helps identify required medical and caregiver documentation
- Submits applicable information for MassHealth review
- Provides ongoing nursing and care-management support after enrollment
Families can also read what to expect after applying for a step-by-step overview of the process.
Can a Boston Family Caregiver Receive Payment?
When the member and caregiver satisfy all program requirements, an approved caregiver may receive up to $1,520 per month, based on need and MassHealth approval. Payment is not automatic. The authorized amount depends on the member’s assessed needs and the MassHealth determination.
Learn more about how family caregiver payments work in Massachusetts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Mass Care Link serve Boston and Greater Boston?
Yes. Mass Care Link serves eligible members and caregivers in Boston and throughout Massachusetts. Enrollment remains subject to MassHealth requirements and service availability.
Does the caregiver have to live with the member?
Yes. Adult Foster Care is a live-in caregiver program. The member and caregiver must share the same qualified home setting.
Can I receive support for caring for my parent in Boston?
Possibly. An adult child may qualify as the caregiver when the family satisfies MassHealth coverage, care-need, living-arrangement, caregiver, and other applicable requirements.
Do I need to visit an office to begin?
No. You can begin by phone or through the online prequalification form. Our admissions team will review preliminary information and explain the appropriate next steps.
Start the Process in Greater Boston
If you provide daily care for a loved one at home in Boston or a nearby community, Mass Care Link can help you understand whether Adult Foster Care may be appropriate for your family.
Call 866-880-8889, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or complete our short prequalification form.