Adult Foster Care in Fitchburg, Leominster, and North Central Massachusetts

Updated on: September 1st, 2026 • Resource: Adult Foster Care, Caregivers

Family caregiver helping an older adult stand and walk safely at home in Fitchburg or Leominster, Massachusetts

Families in Fitchburg, Leominster, and communities across North Central Massachusetts often provide substantial daily care for a parent, adult child, relative, or friend at home. When a loved one needs hands-on help or regular cueing and supervision with personal care, Adult Foster Care may provide structured support through MassHealth.

Mass Care Link serves eligible families throughout Massachusetts, including Fitchburg, Leominster, Gardner, and surrounding communities. Our 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 North Central Massachusetts, 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 assistance with at least one activity of daily living and live with a qualified caregiver. Depending on the relationship and program rules, the caregiver may be an adult family member, friend, or another qualified person.

Qualifying care may include help with bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, walking, or transferring. It may also include the cueing and supervision a person needs to complete a personal-care activity safely. After enrollment, the member and caregiver receive ongoing nursing and care-management support from an approved provider.

For a statewide overview, read our guide to Adult Foster Care in Massachusetts.

Family caregiver helping an older adult organize a daily care routine in North Central Massachusetts

Adult Foster Care Eligibility in Fitchburg and Leominster

Residents of Fitchburg, Leominster, and nearby communities must satisfy the same MassHealth requirements that apply throughout Massachusetts. Eligibility depends on the potential member’s 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 require 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.
The caregiver must meet applicable qualification and documentation 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. Learn more in our detailed guide explaining how to qualify for Adult Foster Care.

Serving North Central Massachusetts Communities

Mass Care Link works with eligible families in Fitchburg, Leominster, Gardner, Lunenburg, Westminster, Clinton, Lancaster, Sterling, Ashburnham, Winchendon, Athol, and other North Central Massachusetts communities, subject to eligibility and service availability.

Families may already be providing extensive daily assistance before learning that formal support may be available. Our admissions team can review preliminary information by phone or online and explain the assessments, medical records, and caregiver documents that may be required.

How Mass Care Link Supports Local Families

Reviews preliminary eligibility and MassHealth coverage requirements
Explains caregiver qualifications and shared-home requirements
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 review what to expect after applying for a step-by-step explanation of the admissions process.

Caregiver Payment in North Central Massachusetts

When the member and caregiver meet 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.

Our payment guide explains how family caregiver payments work in Massachusetts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Mass Care Link serve Fitchburg and Leominster?

Yes. Mass Care Link serves eligible families in Fitchburg, Leominster, North Central Massachusetts, and throughout the state. Enrollment remains subject to MassHealth requirements and service availability.

Does the caregiver need 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 an adult child care for a parent?

Possibly. An adult child may qualify as caregiver when the family meets the MassHealth coverage, daily-care, shared-living, caregiver, and other applicable requirements.

How does a North Central Massachusetts family begin?

Call Mass Care Link or complete the online prequalification form. Our admissions team will review preliminary information and explain the appropriate next steps.

Get Started in Fitchburg or Leominster

If you provide daily care for a loved one at home in Fitchburg, Leominster, or another North Central Massachusetts community, Mass Care Link can help you understand whether Adult Foster Care may fit your family’s circumstances.

Call 866-880-8889, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or complete our short prequalification form.