Adult Foster Care

AlzWife2023

I’m in Massachusetts caring for LO with Alzheimer’s full time. He’s got Medicaid and is almost approved for Adult Foster Care (AFC) which means I’d be paid a non-taxable stipend to care for him. He was evaluated as needing level II care which means he needs help with two or more ADLs and behavioral supervision.

Please share your experience with the AFC program.

I am wondering specifically about whether the agencies that do the evaluations and monthly check-ins are paid separately or do they skim off the stipend? I’m reading about all different rates on different websites and the nurse quoted me a stipend that a lot lower than what I find in The Mass Health (Medicaid) official documents.

towhee

Sorry, I have no experience, but logistically I don't see how they could "skim" off the stipend unless the money was paid to them first and then they paid you, so if your check comes directly from the government this should not be a problem. I would not expect a nurse to have up to date info, and salaries have risen significantly. There might be different rates for different programs (I just read about caregiver rates being cut for a program in another state because covid relief funds were running out) and I would stick to official websites and personnel who helped you apply for the program.

AlzWife2023

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/201135#Comment_201135

I learned by reading all the regulations that the payments are made to the agency then the agency pays me the stipend. So there you go. I read on a different elder care site that the agencies take 20-40%. It seems this one is taking at least 40%. I guess 1200 a month for the nurse visit, social worker visit, and administrative fees is not too outrageous. Just wish that I, the caregiver could get more.

Thanks for your reply.