What is the Adult Foster Care (AFC) Program?

Adult Foster Care Program provides assistance to individuals to live with a caregiver, who is trained by our staff and paid a stipend to provide daily care within a family setting rather than a nursing home or nursing facility.

Caregivers may be non-family members, or family members (except legally responsible relatives or spouses). The caregiver provides assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s) & Instruments of Activities of Daily Living (IADL’s) and 24-hour supervision.

Who is eligible?

You may be eligible for Adult Foster Care (AFC) services if you:

  • 16 years of age and older
  • Individuals who require assistance with activities of daily living (ADL’s) & Instruments of Activities of Daily Living (IADL’s) and unable to live alone
  • Requires direct care
  • Member of MassHealth Standard, BMC HP, CCA, SWH and Tufts HP and other approved providers
  • Physician approval

What AFC services will I get?

As a TotalCare member you will be eligible to receive the following services:

  • Nurse Monitoring
  • Medication Assistance
  • Companion Care
  • Personal Care Assistance
  • House Cleaning and Laundry
  • Meal Preparation
  • Case Management
  • And other services

I receive other services in my home. Can I still get AFC services?

Yes, in most instances, however it is important that you inform your Nurse or Case Manager of any other services in your home, so they can help you determine how these will coordinate with your Adult Foster Care (AFC) services.

What are my responsibilities?

As a TotalCare member, you are responsible for:

  • Following the guidelines of the AFC program
  • Informing TotalCare if your personal care needs change
  • Contacting TotalCare know if you move, change your phone number, or change your doctor.

What are TotalCare’s responsibilities?

As your AFC provider, TotalCare is responsible for:

  • Assessing the members’ eligibility for the AFC program
  • Evaluating the type and amount of services you need
  • Requesting MassHealth approval for AFC services
  • Working with you and your family  to establish service needs and outlining the responsibilities for both you and TotalCare.
  • Periodically meeting with you and/or your family to review your plan of care.
  • Conducting re-evaluations as needed, and submitting them to your primary care physician and to MassHealth for approval.

What if I have problems with a TotalCare staff member or caregiver?

Our members’ feedback is important to TotalCare’s ability to provide quality care. TotalCare has a process for addressing all complaints or concerns. Your Nurse or Case manager will explain the process to you and make every effort to help you resolve your complaint or concern.

Click here for our Feedback Form

What if I have a problem with a decision regarding my services?

Our members’ feedback is important to TotalCare’s ability to provide quality care. TotalCare has a process addressing all complaints or concerns. Your Nurse or Case manager will explain the process to you and make every effort to help you resolve your complaint or concern.

What if I need more information?

If you have additional questions about AFC, the cost, eligibility requirements, services  or scheduling appointments you can contact us by phone at (617) 315-4377 to schedule an in-home visit with our staff.