A recent survey of the Adult Family Care (AFC) program indicates a very high level of satisfaction among caregivers and people receiving in-home services through the program.
The program averaged more than 96% positive responses in the most recent edition of the biannual AFC Satisfaction Survey. AFC Program Director Jeanne Leyden said the results of the survey confirmed what she already believed to be true about the program and the AFC team. “It makes me proud to see the quality care being provided by our caregivers, and to hear such kind words about our team of nurses and social workers,” said Leyden.
AFC, also known as Adult Foster Care, is a MassHealth-funded program that supports and financially assists live-in caregivers for those who are unable to live alone and are eligible for MassHealth/Medicaid.
The survey polled roughly 400 individuals, consisting of both live-in caregivers and care recipients; grading criteria such as staff knowledge, comfort level and overall satisfaction with the program.
“We are constantly striving to provide the best quality care and support to both our program caregivers and participants,” said Leyden. “Although we are required by MassHealth to conduct these surveys, we truly appreciate the opportunity to hear how we are doing as a program, and to identify areas in which we can make improvements.”
AFC can provide a personalized care plan for eligible applicants who are elderly, or young and disabled, and have a chronic medical or psychiatric diagnosis that necessitates assistance with at least one of the following: bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring between positions, ambulating or eating.
To provide care through AFC, the caregiver must be able to meet those needs and live in the same home as the person receiving care. Friends and family are eligible to become live-in caregivers—but legal guardians and spouses are not.
AFC can provide live-in caregivers with a tax-free stipend of up to $18,550 annually, two-weeks of paid time off annually, along with ongoing support and training from a nurse and social worker.
In addition to grading services, the AFC Satisfaction Survey also offered caregivers and participants an opportunity to provide written feedback on their experiences. Many of those comments thanked AFC for helping a loved one receive in-home care.
“The monthly visits and check helps my family stay in the home that my father and family built by hand and grew up in,” said one participant. “Thank you for making this possible!”
Adult Family Care is a non-profit program at Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services that supports in-home caregivers across the Greater Boston, North Shore, and Merrimack Valley areas. For more information, visit adultfamilycare.org or call 617-628-2601.
