Adult Foster Care in Southbridge and South Central Massachusetts

Updated on: September 2nd, 2026 • Resource: Adult Foster Care, Caregivers

Family caregiver supporting an older adult at home in Southbridge, Massachusetts

Families in Southbridge and South Central Massachusetts 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 provide structured support through MassHealth.

Mass Care Link serves eligible families throughout Massachusetts, including Southbridge and South Central Massachusetts and nearby 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 South 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 help 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 involve bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, walking, transferring, or the cueing and supervision needed to complete a personal-care activity safely. Enrolled members and caregivers also receive professional nursing and care-management support through an approved provider.

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

Caregiver assisting a loved one with daily activities in South Central Massachusetts

Eligibility in Southbridge and South Central Massachusetts

Local residents must satisfy the same MassHealth requirements that apply throughout Massachusetts. Eligibility depends on MassHealth coverage, age, daily care needs, the 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.
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 guide explaining how to qualify for Adult Foster Care.

Supporting Families Across the Local Area

Southbridge and neighboring communities connect families across southern Worcester County. Many households balance daily caregiving with work, transportation, and medical appointments. A clear admissions process can help families understand coverage, shared-home rules, assessments, and documentation before MassHealth reviews the application.

Mass Care Link serves eligible households in Sturbridge, Charlton, Webster, Dudley, Oxford, Auburn, Spencer, Brookfield, and surrounding communities, subject to program eligibility and service availability.

How Mass Care Link Helps

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 review what to expect after applying for a step-by-step explanation.

Caregiver Payment

When the member and caregiver meet all 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 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 Southbridge and South Central Massachusetts?

Yes. Mass Care Link serves eligible families in this area and throughout Massachusetts. 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 when the family meets the coverage, daily-care, shared-living, caregiver, and other applicable requirements.

Get Started

If you provide daily care for a loved one at home in Southbridge and South Central Massachusetts, Mass Care Link can help you understand whether Adult Foster Care may fit the household circumstances.

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

This article provides general educational information. Eligibility, caregiver approval, payment, and authorization depend on current requirements and individual circumstances.