MassHealth Adult Foster Care: Understanding The Difference Between a Caregiver and a Care Recipient

A caregiver is a person who provides care to the care recipient at their home. Most of the stats show that almost 60% of caregivers who reside with their recipients are either a friend or a family member. In the state of Massachusetts, if someone wants to get enrolled as a caregiver, he/she must meet some of the following criteria:

•   A caregiver must be someone who is 18 years or older.

•   In order to get approved, a caregiver has to be verified identify, and provide personal references.

•   There is no restriction on whether a caregiver should be the family member of the care recipient or not.

•   However, adult foster care through MassHealth restricts the spouse, a minor, and someone who is legally responsible or married to the care recipient from being the caregiver.

Additionally, once someone becomes a qualified caregiver, then he/she needs to reside in the home of the care recipient, and has to commit himself/herself to provide care. However, caregivers receives a monthly stipend/payment for fulfilling their duties, and this stipend/payment is not taxable income under the IRS.

The duties of the caregiver are set by MassHealth. Some of the responsibilities are the following:

•   The caregiver is responsible to ensure that the care recipient is receiving the proper care that fit their needs.

•   The caregiver should ensure that the care recipient’s rights are being protected.

•   The caregiver should also make sure that the care recipient takes all meals and medications as prescribed by a primary care physician. 

Being a caregiver is a wonderful endeavor because it gives caregivers the ability to provide care for someone at home and it gives the care recipient the opportunity to enjoy a better quality of life. If you would like more information about how to apply and start receiving a monthly for your services, contact Mass Care Link at 508-880-8889 or go to website https://masscarelink.org/ppc/adult-foster-care-2/.

Mass Care Link