The "Caring Homes" Program, is a community option for seniors age 60 years and older. Applicants for this program must meet state home care guidelines. The program provides supportive services in a private home to elders with complex medical and/or cognitive needs. Elders receive room, board, 24-hour supervision, assistance with daily activities and personal care. The caregiver may be a family member but not a spouse or a legal guardian. The elder pays the caregiver room and board. The caregiver also receives a monthly stipend (approx. $50 per day) for providing personal care services. The Caring Homes Program is funded by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA) and is a non-Mass Health program.

The "Enhanced Adult Family Care" program is specifically for elderly or disabled adults who are on MassHealth. Individuals who have complex medical and/or cognitive needs may receive supportive services in a home-like setting from a caregiver. Again, the caregiver may be a family member, but not a spouse or legal guardian. The individual pays the caregiver room and board and the caregiver receives a monthly stipend of $49.05 per day for providing personal care services. Enhanced Adult Family Care is funded by Mass Health.

The "Adult Family Care" program is for elders or disabled adults who do not require around-the-clock care and are on MassHealth. Elders who require assistance with one activity of daily living, such as bathing and dressing, may be eligible for this program. The elder pays the caregiver room and board and the caregiver receives a monthly stipend (approx. $20 per day) for providing personal care services. This option is not available to spouses or legal guardians. Adult Family Care is funded by Mass Health.

In order to qualify for the "Caring Homes" or "Enhanced Adult Family Care", an elder must meet the clinical requirements. They must be in need of hands-on physical assistance with at least three activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing and eating or require assistance with just two activities of daily living in addition to the need for management of behaviors such as wandering.

According to Kristina Gardiner, Adult Family Care/Caring Homes Director at OCES, "The Caring Homes and Adult Family Care Programs provide an incredible opportunity for caregivers who would like to provide care in the home setting. The caregiver not only receives a tax-free daily stipend, but the ongoing support of a Registered Nurse and Licensed Social Worker."

For more information about these three programs, contact Kristina Gardiner at
OCES 1-800-242-0246, extension 230.

OCES serves the towns of Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Easton, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Kingston, Lakeville, Marshfield, Middleboro, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Rockland, Stoughton, Wareham, West Bridgewater and Whitman.

About Old Colony Elderly Services
Incorporated in 1974, Old Colony Elderly Services (OCES) is one of 27 private, non-profit Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

The organization's mission is to provide services which will support the dignity and independence of elders by helping them maximize their quality of life; live safely and in good health; and, prevent unnecessary or premature institutionalization.

The agency has 110 employees and operates more than 12 programs serving elders, their families and caregivers. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oc-elderly.org.