Check below for Frequently Asked Questions about our programs and services.
Questions about:
Home Care | Family Caregiver Services | Adult Family Care | Personal Care Management
We do not employ the staff who provide direct care. We partner with agencies who do. For a list of the agencies we work with, please see our Partners and Affiliates page.
Transportation services can be provided depending upon provider availability and your individual care needs.
We can connect you with a SHINE counselor if you have questions about Medicare and/or MassHealth and provide information about public benefits such as fuel assistance and food subsidies.
There are several factors that determine your eligibility for Home Care Services, including:
Age requirements:
To receive Home Care services, you must be 60 years or older or have a diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease.
Individuals must be at least 60 years old and/or if under 60 have a confirmed diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or related disorder and in need of respite services.
Residency Requirements:
Consumers must be living at home in Massachusetts and may not be residing in an institutional setting* or Assisted Living Residence. We can assist individuals with support if they wish to transition to the community through other programs.
Financial and Insurance requirements:
Depending on their monthly/annual income, individuals may have to share in the cost of services. For individuals with certain types of MassHealth there is no cost for services. Most insurances do not pay for the state funded home care services; individuals with long term care insurance may be reimbursed for the cost of services provided. Income guidelines require that persons at a certain income will have a cost share amount. Copays can vary depending on annual income and whether you have MassHealth. Cost share amounts range depending on a person’s income and can be adjusted for some medical or household expenses.
Need:
To receive in-home services individuals must have a comprehensive assessment conducted to determine if they have qualifying unmet care needs related to their ability to manage daily activities.
Depending on eligibility, you may be able to get homemaking or help with chores, personal care, supportive home care or home health aide, medication management and administration, Alzheimer’s and Dementia coaching, transportation to and from medical appointments, and/or companion services. We can also connect you with adult day health, behavioral health, footcare, laundry service, medication dispensing systems and personal emergency response systems, and durable medical equipment. Caregivers can get support through services which give caregivers a break.
No, family caregiver services are free to all & have no income guidelines allowing for the services to be easily accessible to almost any & all caregivers.
Neither the caregiver nor the consumer must be receiving other services from ACP to be able to qualify for family caregiver services.
No, a caregiver does not need to be a family member in order to qualify for the program. Caregivers are sometimes friends or neighbors. It’s anyone who is providing a helping hand to the consumer & someone they view as providing supportive care services to them.
All caregiver services are individualized and tailored to meet the unique needs of the caregivers it supports. The services can include financial support towards caregiving expenses or short-term respite. The services also may include resource information and financial support information that may be beneficial in their caregiving journey. It can also include making appropriate referrals to support the caregiver or consumer on their behalf. Information on support groups may also be provided, such as opportunities to enroll in a SAVVY Caregiver workshop series (for caregivers caring for someone with Alzheimers or related dementias) co-taught by ACP caregiver specialist Monica Crespo. Many caregivers often report that the program connects them with other caregivers and reminds them that they are not alone and leaves them feeling more well equipped to continue on in their role going forward.
You must be at least 16 years of age and need supervision and cuing or hands-on help with at least one qualified ADL (activity of daily living), which include bathing, dressing, toileting, eating and transfers.
You must be at least 16 years of age and need supervision and cuing or hands-on help with at least one qualified ADL (activity of daily living), which include bathing, dressing, toileting, eating and transfers.
A family member or friend may be your caregiver. However, spouses and individuals with parental rights do not qualify to be an Adult Family Care caregiver.
Yes. Your caregiver will receive a monthly stipend from Access Care Partners.
We pay caregivers $30.25 per day for a level 1 consumer, and $60.50 per day for level 2 consumers. You may make up to $4800 per month, though most caregivers receive a lower monthly amount depending on the number of people being cared for in the home and the level of care needed.
To qualify for services, you must be enrolled in a MassHealth plan that covers PCA services and meet the clinical eligibility requirements.
If you are enrolled in a MassHealth connected plan that covers PCA Services, YES.
YES, you have to be enrolled in a MassHealth plans that cover PCA to receive services.
PCAs can be a family member or friend who has completed the state-required training. However, spouses, parents of minor children, and guardians are not eligible to be paid as a PCA.
PCA’s are paid directly, through a Fiscal Intermediary (TEMPUS UNLIMITED, INC.).
We do not provide the PCA for you. We empower and support you in hiring and managing your own PCA.
You can visit mapcadirectory.org to register or you will register and complete the process through the person who hires you as a PCA.
ADLs stands for “Activities of Daily Living,“ which are the basic self-care tasks needed to live at home independently, such a bathing or dressing.
There is no charge for the Money Management Program.
The Money Management Bill Payer Program assists older adults aged 60+ with managing their finances through help with budgeting, writing checks, ensuring bills are paid on time, and identifying scams. Our Representative Payee Program is for older adults who can no longer manage their finances independently and provides support by managing your social security benefits, handling essential bill payments and communicating with creditors and financial institutions.
The Money Management Program is different from financial assistance. We are not able to provide money to pay your bills. We help to ensure that they get paid on time.
