What Is Adult Foster Care in Massachusetts? A Family Guide
Adult Foster Care in Massachusetts is a MassHealth-funded option that helps eligible people receive daily personal-care assistance while continuing to live in a qualified home with a caregiver. The program also provides caregiver training, nursing oversight, care management, and monthly caregiver payments based on the member’s assessed needs and MassHealth approval.
The program is designed for individuals who need daily physical assistance or cueing and supervision with at least one activity of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, toileting, eating, walking, or transferring. Care may be provided by a qualified family member or another eligible caregiver who lives in the same home.
This arrangement offers a personalized approach, fostering a sense of community and emotional well-being for members while ensuring their physical needs are met. In Massachusetts, AFC programs are often funded through MassHealth, making this option accessible for many families.
What Is Adult Foster Care in Massachusetts?
For families considering Adult Foster Care, the process may seem overwhelming, but with the right partner, it can be life-changing. Mass Care Link simplifies the journey, ensuring members and caregivers feel supported every step of the way.
In this article we explain and provide further resources on the following topics:
- General Information on Adult Foster Care
- Understanding the Basics of Adult Foster Care
- How Mass Care Link helps with Adult Foster Care
- Choosing Care (including benefits of homecare, selecting the right type of care and the right AFC management provide)
- How to Get Care (including eligibility, ADLs, compensation and the application process)
Who is Eligible for Adult Foster Care?
To qualify for AFC, members must meet specific criteria:
- Be a Massachusetts resident who is age 16 or older.
- Have an eligible MassHealth coverage type, generally MassHealth Standard or CommonHealth, subject to verification.
- Need daily physical assistance or cueing and supervision with at least one activity of daily living.
- Be able to receive care safely in a qualified home setting.
- Live in the same qualified home as a caregiver who is age 18 or older.
- The paid caregiver cannot be the member’s spouse or court-appointed legal guardian. A parent cannot be paid through the program to care for a child under age 18.
Caregivers must also meet program requirements, including required screenings and training. Review the complete Adult Foster Care eligibility requirements, or complete our quick prequalification questions to take the next step.
The Benefits of Adult Foster Care
Adult Foster Care offers numerous advantages:
- Personalized Care: Each care plan is tailored to the individual’s specific needs, ensuring comprehensive support.
- Familiar Environment: Members remain in a home setting, promoting comfort and stability.
- Emotional Connection: Family caregivers often strengthen their bonds with loved ones through the caregiving process.
- Cost-Effective Solution: MassHealth funding helps make care accessible for eligible members.
- Holistic Support: AFC addresses both physical and emotional needs, enhancing quality of life.
How Mass Care Link Helps with Adult Foster Care
Mass Care Link is a leading provider of Adult Foster Care services in Massachusetts. The organization guides families through every step of the AFC process, ensuring a smooth transition and ongoing support.
Key Services Offered:
- Application Assistance: Mass Care Link helps families complete applications and gather required documentation.
- Training and Support: Caregivers receive comprehensive training to ensure they can meet the demands of their roles.
- Care Plan Development: Care specialists develop personalized care plans to align with each member’s needs.
- Regular Assessments: Mass Care Link conducts frequent evaluations to make sure members receive quality care.
- Compliance Oversight: The organization ensures that caregivers meet all regulatory requirements, providing peace of mind.
Choosing Care
Approximately 154,000 adults in Massachusetts live with disabilities severe enough that they need help taking care of themselves. While this figure includes adults of all ages, elder residents 65 and older make up a disproportionately large share of those requiring ongoing long-term care and personal assistance. If you have a family member with an increased need for care, the limitations and cost of assisted living options available may have led you to consider taking care of them at home. There are a variety of care options available for Massachusetts residents in your situation. The following resources can help you make the decision that’s best for you and your family.
Adult Foster Care vs. Other Care Options
Choosing the right long-term care option depends on a person’s medical needs, independence, finances, and family support system. This guide compares Adult Foster Care (AFC) with home health aides, assisted living, nursing homes, adult day programs, personal care attendants, and other community-based services. It explains how AFC combines the comfort of living at home with personalized daily care, professional nursing oversight, caregiver training, and financial support, making it an ideal solution for many individuals who need ongoing assistance but do not require institutional care. LEARN MORE >
The Advantages of Receiving Care at Home
For many people, receiving care at home offers significant emotional, physical, and financial benefits. Remaining in familiar surroundings helps preserve independence, maintain daily routines, and reduce stress while allowing loved ones to stay actively involved in care. Advances in telehealth, home medical technology, and caregiver support have made aging in place more practical than ever, while home-based care can also lower healthcare costs and reduce the risk of hospitalizations and infections. LEARN MORE >
Choosing the Right Adult Foster Care Provider
Not all Adult Foster Care providers offer the same level of support. When selecting a provider, families should consider experience, reputation, nursing and care management services, caregiver training, payment reliability, help with paperwork, scheduling flexibility, and personalized care planning. A strong provider not only helps caregivers navigate MassHealth requirements but also delivers ongoing guidance, community resources, and professional oversight that improves outcomes for both caregivers and care recipients. LEARN MORE >
How to Get Care
Once you decide to participate in Adult Foster Care, there are still several hurdles before you can start receiving payment for caring for your loved one. The eligibility requirements, compensation structure and application process can seem daunting. These resources will help you navigate the process more easily.
Adult Foster Care Eligibility Requirements
Qualifying for Adult Foster Care in Massachusetts requires meeting several eligibility criteria. Individuals must generally be at least 16 years old, qualify for MassHealth, need assistance or supervision with at least one Activity of Daily Living (ADL), and be able to live safely in a home with caregiver support. Understanding these requirements early can help families determine whether AFC is the right fit and prepare for the application process. LEARN MORE >
Understanding Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
Activities of Daily Living, commonly called ADLs, are the everyday self-care tasks healthcare professionals use to measure a person’s ability to live independently. These include activities such as bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, personal hygiene, and mobility. Because the need for assistance with at least one ADL is a key requirement for Adult Foster Care eligibility, understanding how ADLs are evaluated helps families better navigate the qualification process and determine the level of care a loved one needs. LEARN MORE >
Caregiver Compensation
Adult Foster Care recognizes the daily responsibilities family caregivers often assume. Eligible caregivers may receive up to $1,520 per month, based on the member’s assessed needs and MassHealth approval. The program also provides nursing oversight, training, and care management. Learn whether you may be able to receive payment for caring for a parent in Massachusetts.
How to Apply for Adult Foster Care
Although the application process may seem intimidating, it generally follows three primary steps: completing a medical evaluation, undergoing a home assessment, and submitting the required paperwork. Families work with an Adult Foster Care provider throughout the process to verify medical eligibility, ensure the home meets safety requirements, gather documentation, and complete the necessary MassHealth forms. With proper guidance, the process can be much more straightforward than many families expect. LEARN MORE >
General Information on Adult Foster Care
Still have questions on Adult Foster Care? From separating myth from fact, to understanding MassHealth’s role, to answering some of the most common questions, these resources can provide the information you need to stay informed and make the best decisions for your loved one.
Adult Foster Care: Myth vs. Fact
Many families have misconceptions about Adult Foster Care that prevent them from exploring the program. Common myths include believing it is only for seniors, that caregivers must be medical professionals, that participants must move into a facility, or that qualifying is extremely difficult. In reality, Adult Foster Care enables eligible individuals to remain at home with care from a qualified family member or friend while receiving professional support, caregiver training, and financial assistance through MassHealth. LEARN MORE >
Understanding MassHealth and Adult Foster Care
MassHealth plays a central role in making Adult Foster Care possible by funding the program for eligible Massachusetts residents. Rather than paying for institutional care, MassHealth allows qualified individuals to receive personalized care at home from a family member or friend while also providing nursing oversight, care management, and caregiver support. Understanding how MassHealth eligibility connects with Adult Foster Care is one of the first steps toward accessing these valuable services. LEARN MORE >
Transitioning to Adult Foster Care
Moving into Adult Foster Care is a significant life change, but careful planning can make the transition much smoother. Families benefit from evaluating care needs, preparing the home environment, completing eligibility requirements, coordinating with healthcare providers, and establishing a personalized care plan before services begin. With ongoing support from an Adult Foster Care provider, both caregivers and care recipients can adjust successfully while maintaining independence and quality of life. LEARN MORE >
Frequently Asked Questions
Families considering Adult Foster Care often have questions about eligibility, caregiver qualifications, compensation, living arrangements, MassHealth coverage, and the application process. A comprehensive FAQ helps answer these common concerns while explaining who can become a caregiver, what services are covered, how payments work, and what to expect after enrollment, giving families greater confidence as they explore whether Adult Foster Care is the right option for their loved one. VIEW FAQ’S
Local Adult Foster Care Guides for Western Massachusetts
Mass Care Link serves eligible families throughout the Commonwealth. Explore local Adult Foster Care information for Holyoke and Chicopee, Pittsfield and the Berkshires, Greenfield and Franklin County, and Westfield and Western Hampden County.
Official Sources
Start Your Adult Foster Care Journey Today
Already caring for a loved one at home? Complete Mass Care Link’s quick prequalification questions or call 866-880-8889. Our Intake Department can review the initial requirements and help you understand the application process. Eligibility and payment require assessment and MassHealth approval.
This article provides general educational information. Eligibility, caregiver approval, payment, and authorization depend on current requirements and individual circumstances.