Adult Foster Care
Adult Foster Care, also known as AFC, is a program that allows elderly or disabled individuals to keep living at home with the help of a caregiver. If you are taking care of somebody, you could be compensated for this and get resources to make caregiving easier.
Keeping Families Together in the Comfort of Their Own Homes
AFC allows people in need of care to live with eligible Caregivers, usually family members or friends. Caregivers receive a tax-free stipend from our agency twice a month. They provide personal care, supervision, and assistance with daily household activities. Being a caregiver can be a full-time job with various challenges and stresses.
Each client is assigned a Registered Nurse to oversee their needs and create personalized care plans. Additionally, a Case Manager supports the Caregiver, maintains communication with medical and insurance professionals, advocates when needed, and provides access to resources. Bilingual services are also available if required.
Financial Aid
Live-in Caregivers who are in our Adult Foster Care program receive a tax-free stipend twice a month. This helps ease the burden of caring for a loved one.
Custom Care Plan
We recognize that everyone is unique. Each client receives a personalized care plan created by their assigned nurse and case manager who regularly keep in touch. This helps us maintain continuous clinical oversight to ensure their safety, health, and happiness.
Insurance Support
We understand that insurance can be confusing, so we’re here to help. We keep track of the insurance plans of our clients and any updates or alerts that may affect them. If there are any changes, we’ll let our clients know right away to make sure they stay covered without any interruptions.
Resources
It can be hard to find the balance between caring for a loved one on top of caring for yourself. That’s why we provide resources for our caregivers and guide them throughout the process. Our Brockton, MA Adult Day Health center can also provide some relief for you and yourloved one.
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Client Eligibility
- Needs 24-hour cueing, assistance, or supervision of ONE or more Activities of Daily Living
- Must be at least 16 years of age
- Must have MassHealth Standard (Medicaid), MassHealth CommonHealth, or Senior Care Options
- Must live in a safe home environment
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Caregiver Eligibility
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Live with the person needing care
- Can’t be a spouse, parent, or legal guardian
- Pass a CORI
- Follow AFC Care guidelines as set forth by the state of Massachusetts
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Benefits
- Tax free payment via check, direct deposit, or VITRA Debit Card
- Caregiver education
- Customized care plans
- Assigned Registered Nurse & Case Manager
- Client remains at home out of long term care facilities
- Insurance support
- Bilingual staff available
- 14 days paid time off
- 1 visit per month with an RN/CM
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Admission Process | Adult Family Care (AFC)
We guide you every step of the way to approval!
Phone Interview to Start Admission Process
To start the admission process a member of the care access team will call you to complete an application for you and your caregiver. The care access team will be your main point of contact throughout the intake process and will be able to answer all your questions. The care access team member will ask for a picture of your photo IDs, proof of your address and will also help you sign a Release of Information for your primary care provider; you or your caregiver will need access to email.
Request Medical Documentation
Next, the care access team member will reach out to your primary care provider to gather baseline medical information (medication list, diagnosis list, and notes from recent office visits). Make sure if you have not had a physical in the last 12 months you call and schedule one with your PCP. While notes from specialists can be helpful, we need to get a copy of your last physical from your primary care provider. Care access will also send a letter to your caregiver’s primary care provider; the PCP needs to sign the letter telling us that your caregiver is healthy and able to perform the care needed.
In-Person Registered Nurse and Case Manager Assessment
Once care access receives the notes from your primary care provider, the team member will schedule a home visit with a registered nurse and case manager. The registered nurse will complete an assessment (the assessment is a conversation) during which they will confirm that you qualify for the program and determine which level you qualify for. Level one means you are more independent and require less physical assistance. Level two means you are less independent and require more physical assistance. Level 2 is the higher stipend amount for the caregiver. The case manager will ask you to show them around the house. The case manager needs to confirm that the home is safe, clean, and an appropriate setting for you to receive care. We ask that you make sure you have working safety equipment in the home for this visit (a first aid kid, fire extinguisher, CO2/smoke alarms). If you are a SCO member, this visit will require a pre-authorization from your SCO case manager, make sure you tell them you want to join VITRA AFC.
Submit Order to Client’s Primary Care Provider for Signature
Once the registered nurse completes the paperwork, the RN will send an order for this service to your Primary Care Provider to sign.
Submit to Insurance for Authorization
Then, the care access team member will submit the paperwork and Primary Care Provider order to the insurance company for approval.
Admission Visit with Registered Nurse and Case Manager to Create Custom Care Plan
Once care access receives authorization from the insurance company, you can start the program right away. The intake team member will schedule an admission visit with the registered nurse and case manager. VITRA will sign a contract with the caregiver and an agreement with you. This is when the stipend goes into effect.