Adult Family Living/Foster Care Program (AFL):
Adult Family Living (AFL)—is a program that helps frail elderly individuals to remain living in private homes instead of moving into assisted living communities or nursing homes. This program works by providing financial assistance and support for family members or friends that act as both primary in-home caregivers and hosts of an elderly individual. This program is akin to a type of foster care for adults.
Benefits
Benefits of the AFL / Caregiver Homes program should be thought of on two levels: the benefits to the individual in need of care and the benefits received by his/her care provider.
Care recipients receive personal care, supervision, and assistance with day-to-day activities, such as eating, bathing, dressing and mobility. They can also receive assistance with the instrumental activities of daily living, such as transportation, shopping for essentials, and meal preparation. Elders also benefit by living in a family home with care being provided by someone with whom they are comfortable and familiar.
Care providers receive compensation for their caregiving efforts. In the case of family members, caregivers are paid for work that they would have likely provided for free. AFL offers four levels of compensation, depending on the care needs of the individual.
AFL Services
Assisting Client with Activities of Daily Living (ADLS):
- Bathing
- Toileting
- Personal Hygiene
- Ambulation and Transfers
- Dressing and Grooming
- Feeding
Assisting client with Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLS):
- Shopping and Errands
- Meal Preparation
- Laundry
- Housekeeping
- Assisting with cognitive or behavioral needs
- Maintaining participant safety 24 hours / 7 days a week.
- Cueing or reminders to take medications.
- Supporting services e.g. doctor’s appointments, transportation etc
- Social and recreational activities
- Meet scheduled or unpredictable participant needs e.g. E.R Visits
