No Live-In Caregiver? Here’s How to Access Free Home Care Services

Ideally, everyone would be able to continue to live at home as they age, with the in-home care they need for daily activities and sustained health. The benefits of at-home care are well documented, including safety, mental health and quality of care. But not everyone can afford these services.  

Have you recently considered how you can benefit from home care services without having a paid live-in caregiver? In Massachusetts, if you are a disabled adult under 60, you may qualify for free home care services to maintain your independence at home through the Home Care Assistance Program (HCAP).  

Why would you need home care assistance?

By alleviating the regular tasks involved in maintaining a living space, assistance through the HCAP can help you live at home, protecting your independence. For people with a disability, simple chores like doing the dishes can be daunting, if not impossible. Homemaking services can make the difference between your freedom and being forced to live in an out-of-home facility. 

Who qualifies for home care assistance?

To qualify for HCAP, you must be an adult under age 60, (i.e., within the age range of 18–59) with a disabling condition that keeps you from doing at least one homemaking task. And you have to need these tasks completed in order to prevent going into a hospital or institution. In addition, you must:

• Meet the MRC — HCAP financial guidelines 
• Live alone (or with another adult relative or significant other with a disabling condition)
• Not be legally blind (MA Commission for the Blind also has a program)
• Not already have services through a comparable benefit such as a PCA

What services does HCAP offer?

The Massachusetts Home Care Assistance Program offers qualifying households service providers who take care of tasks like:

• grocery shopping and meal prep
• picking up medications
• laundry 
• light housekeeping, defined as:
  • dusting, vacuuming and  mopping floors, 
  • cleaning the kitchen and bathroom
  • changing the linens
  • trash removal

Their intended purpose is to lighten the load for you and your caregiver. They are not a cleaning person. Home care service doesn’t include other services outside of the ones listed above, such as:

• personal care
• companionship
• heavy cleaning
• transportation
• pet care

How does HCAP differ from Adult Foster Care?

The Home Care Assistance Program also differs from Adult Foster Care, where a friend or loved one receives financial assistance to live with you and help with at least one of the activities of daily living (walking, bathing, dressing, toileting or getting up from or down to a chair, couch, bed, toilet or bath).

While the two programs are independent, they can be used together if you qualify, to help your household run smoothly and maintain your health and quality of care.

Learn more about adult foster care and other options for adults in Massachusetts living at home with disabilities.