Looking for an Adult Foster Care Home? Here’s What You Need to Know

Published Oct 12, 2020
There comes a time in some people’s lives when they have to think about professional care for their loved ones. With the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, adding an extra responsibility of caring for someone can be almost impossible. This is especially the case when a loved one may require even more attention due to the effects of intellectual, emotional, or developmental disability. If this is the case for you, don’t feel bad, adult foster care gives you the option to have your loved one carefully looked after.
What is adult foster care?
Adult foster care refers to the care and assistance provided to someone in a home-like environment. Contrary to nursing homes, adult foster care generally does not include medical treatment.
Some areas in which you can expect assistance include:
- Bathing and getting dressed
- Meal preparation and in eating
- Laundry
- Walking and climbing and descending stairs
- Recreational activities
- Transportation to and from appointments
Where can I receive adult foster care?
Adult foster care is provided in homes with populations generally not exceeding six people, but this may vary according to state laws. Depending on where you are and who your provider is, your loved one may receive varying levels of assistance and care. As we know, some people may require more extensive care for more debilitating disabilities, to which many providers may cater.
The reason many people choose to seek adult foster care for their loved ones is that these providers are able to look out for their clientele around the clock. In some cases and some states, family members of the loved one can provide this care themselves while receiving compensation from the government.
The list of those states is as follows:
Connecticut
Louisiana
Indiana
Massachusetts
Ohio
Rhode Island
Texas

Who can receive adult foster care?
Adult Foster Care assists adults (16 and up) who require special daily assistance and have a preexisting medical condition, in which living alone is not a good option.
How much does it cost to receive adult foster care?
As with most services in America, costs may vary drastically depending on what state you are in. Adult foster care is consistently less expensive than nursing homes and assisted living, considering the services are much less extensive. Cost components of adult care are generally split into two: the cost of care and cost of room or board. You’ll likely be looking at costs between $2,000 to $4,000 monthly for these services.
Will insurance cover the costs of adult foster care?
Unfortunately, not all insurance plans have provisions for adult foster care. Medicaid has some state-specific policies regarding this. Fortunately, in most states, Medicaid will be able to cover a portion of the costs in one way or another. Specifically, Medicaid can cover the cost of room or board but covers only a part of the cost of care.
Is adult foster care the right move for me or my loved one?
Whether adult foster care is the right move or not for your case will require a lot of thinking. If your loved one needs more attention than what you and your relatives can provide, then you may want to explore this option. Caring for a loved one with special needs is a valiant and noble effort, but if it’s entirely outside of your means, you shouldn’t be afraid to seek help.
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About The Author
Terrence Tan Ting is an industrial engineer by profession but a full time writer by passion. He loves to write about a wide range of topics from many different industries thanks to his undying curiosity.