« Back to Glossary Index
Adult foster care provides a home-like setting for older adults or individuals with disabilities who need assistance with daily living. It offers personalized care and support in a family environment, rather than a large institutional setting.
Key Features:
- Home-Like Environment: Provides care in a private home, offering a more personal and intimate setting.
- Personalized Care: Caregivers provide individualized attention and support based on the resident’s needs.
- Assistance with Daily Living: Includes help with bathing, dressing, medication management, and meal preparation.
- Social Interaction: Fosters social interaction and a sense of belonging.
- Supervision and Monitoring: Caregivers provide supervision and monitor the resident’s health and well-being.
- Family Involvement: Encourages family involvement and communication.
- Smaller Setting: Typically serves a small number of residents, allowing for more individualized attention.
Who Benefits from Adult Foster Care?
- Older adults who need assistance with daily living but do not require intensive medical care.
- Individuals with disabilities who need support and supervision.
- People who prefer a home-like setting over a larger facility.
- Those who need a more affordable alternative to assisted living or nursing homes.
The Misconception: Adult Foster Care is Just “A Group Home” and “Only For People With No Family.”
The Interesting Angle: Adult Foster Care is Like “Extending Your Family Circle” – It’s About Finding a Supportive and Nurturing Home, Not Just a Place to Stay, and It’s About Building Meaningful Connections and Receiving Personalized Care, Not Just Being Placed in a Facility!
- The Common Misunderstanding:
- People think adult foster care is just a less desirable group home and that it’s only for seniors with no family support.
- The Real Story: Extending Your Family Circle
- Think of adult foster care as a way to:
- Find a caring home: Live in a family environment with personalized attention.
- Build new relationships: Connect with caregivers and other residents.
- Receive individualized support: Get help tailored to your specific needs.
- Maintain a sense of normalcy: Enjoy a more relaxed and home-like atmosphere.
- It is about finding a family-like setting: Not just a housing solution.
- It’s about creating a sense of belonging, not just providing a place to live.
- It’s about receiving personalized care, and not just generalized assistance.
- Think of adult foster care as a way to:
- Why This is Powerful:
- It changes the idea from “group home” to “family setting.”
- It shows that adult foster care is about more than just providing basic care.
- It helps people see the importance of personalized attention and social interaction.
- The “Get it Wrong” Factor:
- People think it’s only for people with no family, but it can supplement family care.
- They think it’s just a group home, but it provides a more personal and intimate setting.
- They think it is only about basic care, and not about social and emotional support.
Why Adult Foster Care is Important:
Adult foster care provides a valuable option for individuals who need assistance with daily living in a home-like environment. It helps to:
- Provide personalized care: Tailored to individual needs and preferences.
- Promote social interaction: Fosters a sense of community and belonging.
- Offer a more affordable alternative: Compared to assisted living or nursing homes.
- Maintain a home-like atmosphere: Provides a comfortable and familiar setting.
- Support independence: Helps individuals maintain their independence as much as possible.
- Provide family-like support: Creates a caring and nurturing environment.
How to Find Adult Foster Care:
- Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs):
- AAAs often have information on local adult foster care providers.
- Use the Eldercare Locator to find your local AAA.
- Link: https://eldercare.acl.gov/
- State Licensing Agencies:
- State agencies that license adult foster care homes can provide information on providers.
- Social Service Agencies:
- Local social service agencies may have information on adult foster care options.
- Referrals from Healthcare Providers:
- Doctors, nurses, and social workers can provide referrals to adult foster care providers.
- Online Directories:
- Websites that specialize in senior care may have directories of adult foster care homes.
Resources for Adult Foster Care and Related Information:
- Eldercare Locator:
- Helps find local services and resources for older adults, including adult foster care.
- Link: https://eldercare.acl.gov/
- National Council on Aging (NCOA):
- Offers resources and programs to support older adults, including information on long-term care options.
- Link: https://www.ncoa.org/
- AARP (American Association of Retired Persons):
- Provides information on long-term care and senior housing options.
- Link: https://www.aarp.org/
- Your Local Area Agency on Aging (AAA):
- They can provide local resources, and information regarding local programs.
- Use the Eldercare Locator to find your local AAA.
- Link: https://eldercare.acl.gov/
- State Licensing Agencies:
- Search for “[Your State] Adult foster care licensing” to find your state specific resources.