Page 9 - Healthcare News 2025 Senior Planning Guide

“Adult Family
Care is a
community-based
residential care
option designed
for adults who
cannot live safely
on their own due to age, physical
disability, chronic illness, or
cognitive impairment.”
Opening Hearts and Homes
Adult Family Care Offers Numerous Benefits
By Kayla Brown-Wood
In today’s fast-paced world, where independence
is highly valued yet often difficult to maintain for
individuals with medical or cognitive challenges,
Adult Family Care (AFC) services offer a dignified
solution.
Grounded in respect, care, and a sense of
community, AFC enables individuals who need
assistance with daily living to thrive in a safe and
supportive home environment. At the same time,
it empowers caregivers, who are often family
members or trusted individuals, with the support
and resources to provide care in a sustainable and
fulfilling way.
Whether you’re a potential caregiver exploring
meaningful ways to help a loved one or a family
member seeking the best quality of life for someone
in need, understanding Adult Family Care can open
the door to a life-changing journey for both the
caregiver and the member.
What Is Adult Family Care?
Adult Family Care is a community-based
residential care option designed for adults who
cannot live safely on their own due to age, physical
disability, chronic illness, or cognitive impairment.
Unlike nursing homes or assisted living facilities, AFC
allows individuals to remain in a home environment
where they receive individualized care according to
their needs.
At its core, AFC matches a qualified caregiver with
a member who needs daily support in the form
of supervision and cueing or hands-on physical
assistance throughout an activity of daily living.
Such support may include help with bathing,
dressing, meal preparation, and medication
management. A care team consisting of a registered
nurse and case manager conducts monthly home
visits and provides support and training to ensure
everyone involved is set up for success.
The Benefit to the Member
For the individual receiving care, known as the
‘member,’ AFC is more than just a service; it’s a
lifeline. One of the most profound benefits of AFC is
the opportunity to remain in a home setting rather
than being placed in an institutional environment.
This can mean waking up in a familiar room
decorated to their liking, eating preferred meals at
the kitchen table, and receiving care from someone
they know, trust, and can rely on.
While members may need help with daily tasks,
they are still encouraged to participate in decision
making and maintain as much independence
as possible. This balance of support and self-
determination lies at the heart of our mission,
empowering individuals to live with dignity,
purpose, and a true sense of belonging.
Lathrop C ommunities...For people who are anything but retiring!
lathrop.kendal.org | 413-437-5892
Located amidst five top colleges, we take advantage of opportunities
to pursue our passions for art, music, healthy living, nurturing deep
friendships and being of service to others. We continue to learn,
grow, and evolve. Find out how our Quaker values encourage us to
be our best selves and live a life of real meaning “in community”.
A not-for-profit community rooted in Quaker values serving older adults.
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