Three paths to care, one dedicated team
Every family arrives with a different question. Whether you're caring for a parent at home, exploring supportive housing, or ready to be paid for the care you already give, there's a MassHealth program built to fit. Here's how each one works.
Care designed around a life, not a facility
Our programs share the same foundation: registered-nurse oversight, a personalized plan of care, and a team that handles the MassHealth paperwork for you. What changes is the setting and who provides the day-to-day care.
Not sure which program fits? That's normal, and it's exactly what our care managers are here for. Read on to compare the three side by side, then tell us about your family. We'll confirm eligibility and point you to the right path, at no cost to explore.
How our programs compare
Three ways to bring care home. Here's what sets each one apart.
Adult Foster Care
- Where care happens
- A private home — the member's own or the caregiver's. They must live together.
- Who provides the care
- A family member or trusted caregiver who lives with the member, trained and supported by a nurse. A spouse or legal guardian cannot be the paid caregiver.
- Who it's for
- MassHealth members age 16 or older who need daily hands-on help and want to stay in a familiar home
- Cost
- No cost to eligible MassHealth members
Group Adult Foster Care
- Where care happens
- Approved senior or supportive housing communities
- Who provides the care
- Agency-employed direct care workers on a set schedule, overseen by a registered nurse
- Who it's for
- Adults age 22 or older with MassHealth Standard or CommonHealth who live in qualifying housing and need help with daily personal care
- Cost
- No cost to eligible MassHealth members
Become a Caregiver
- Where care happens
- A shared private home — the member and paid caregiver must live together
- Who provides the care
- You — an adult child, sibling, other relative, or trusted friend, certified and paid for your time. Not a spouse or legal guardian.
- Who it's for
- People already caring for a loved one who want training and compensation
- Cost
- Receive a stipend, generally excluded from federal taxable income when requirements are met
Which program is right for you?
Start with where your loved one lives and who's providing care. One of these usually points the way.
Caring for someone at home
If a parent, adult child, sibling, other relative, or friend needs daily help and shares a private home with you, Adult Foster Care lets the person who knows them best become their paid caregiver.
Living in senior or supportive housing
If your loved one lives in an approved community, Group Adult Foster Care brings scheduled personal care and nurse oversight right to their apartment.
Already the one giving care
If you're the person showing up every day, we help you get certified, supported by a nurse, and compensated for the work you already do.
Let's find the right program together
Tell us a little about your family and where care is needed. We'll walk you through eligibility, answer every question, and help you choose with confidence.
No cost to explore · No obligation · MassHealth-covered care