Page 10 - Healthcare News 2025 Senior Planning Guide

Your Community. Your Hospice.
Local People Caring for Local People.
Brookhaven Hospice personalizes care that focuses
on the needs of individuals during their end-of-life
journey. We aim to meet the medical, emotional,
and spiritual needs of our patients and their loved
ones with local clinicians and providers.
413.415.8330 I BrookhavenHospice.com
The Benefit to the Caregiver
AFC caregivers are truly the heart of the program. Whether
a caregiver is a devoted family member or someone drawn to
the role out of compassion and a drive to make a difference,
the rewards of caregiving through AFC are both practical and
deeply fulfilling. Providing care in an AFC setting isn’t just a
job; it’s a vocation and heartfelt calling rooted in kindness,
patience, and a deep commitment to supporting another
person’s well-being.
To recognize the significant responsibility of caregiving,
the AFC program provides a tax-free stipend to caregivers.
Additionally, caregivers are also entitled to a room and
board payment, which is provided through a portion of the
member’s monthly entitlements. The program includes
clinical support from a registered nurse and case manager,
who visit at least monthly to assess the member’s health,
provide training, and troubleshoot any challenges. This
support network is invaluable, ensuring caregivers are never
left to navigate the journey alone.
A Bridge to Support
Importantly, AFC also serves families. For those who have
been caring informally for a loved one with increasing needs,
the program can be a much-needed bridge. It allows family
members to formalize the care they are already providing,
gain financial support, and receive guidance from a qualified
team. It removes the isolation that can often accompany
family caregiving and replaces it with partnership and a sense
of relief.
“While members may need help with
daily tasks, they are still encouraged
to participate in decision making and
maintain as much independence as
possible.”
Your Community
Foundation of Western
Massachusetts makes more ...
equity and inclusion
post-secondary education
early education
local arts and creativity
community partnerships
charitable giving
good ...possible
through the power
of collective giving.
Make more possible at
communityfoundation.org
In partnership with the
Community Foundation
Awareness Initiative
If you or someone you know could benefit from AFC,
whether as a caregiver or a member, reaching out is the
first step. You may find that what begins as a caregiving
arrangement becomes something even more profound: a
shared life, filled with care and compassion. With the right
support, care can happen right where it matters most, in the
place you both call home.
Member and Caregiver Eligibility
To qualify as a member for Adult Family Care, the individual
must be age 16 or older, have MassHealth (Medicaid), or be
enrolled in another qualifying health insurance plan. They
must also be unable to live alone due to a chronic medical,
cognitive, or physical condition and require daily assistance,
supervision, or cueing with at least one activity of daily
living. AFC services must be ordered by a physician, and the
member must live in the same home as the caregiver.
To qualify as an Adult Family Care caregiver, the individual
must be at least 18 years old and may not be the legal
guardian or spouse of the member. The caregiver must reside
with the member, be physically capable of providing hands-on
assistance, and successfully complete all required screening
and training processes. Caregivers don’t need a professional
healthcare license, just a genuine heart for helping others and
a strong commitment to providing meaningful, quality care.
For more information on the Adult Family Care program at
BFAIR, call (413) 664-9382 or visit bfair.org. n
Kayla Brown-Wood is director of Community Services at
BFAIR.
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