Shared Living
Shared Living is a residential option for individuals with disabilities that provides them the opportunity to live in private family homes with dedicated caregivers. Each individual plays an active role in planning their daily routine and receives services tailored to their needs through LifeStream’s clinical team and experienced professionals.
The Home Matching Process
The relationship between the caregiver and the individual is the key to a successful Shared Living experience. LifeStream ensures that caregivers have the skills needed to support the individuals we serve. The process involves both the individual and their family members in a highly personalized matching process. For many, this is the beginning of a long, and mutually rewarding relationship.
The Benefits of Shared Living
For individuals:
- Learning new skills
- Socializing with family and friends
- Participation in community activities
- Advocacy services
- Medication management oversight
- Individualized Service Plans (ISPs) are developed to help individuals reach new goals
For caregivers:
- Daily stipend
- Paid room and board
- 24-hour case management
- The emotional rewards that come with helping others
Caregiver Eligibility
Those providing care must meet the following requirements:
- At least 21 years of age
- Must own or rent a home
- May be married or single
- Must be able to provide personal car
- May be employed elsewhere
Adult Family Care
Adult Family Care is a program that provides a residential option for individuals who cannot safely live alone, but do not require the level of support of a more traditional group residence. AFC adults may move into the homes of host families, or remain at home with their family members who provide daily care and the normal supports of everyday life in the privacy and comfort of a home environment.
The physical, medical and psychological needs of individuals requiring care are assessed and monitored by a nurse and care management team. Host services typically cover medication management, assistance with activities of daily living, medical oversight, transportation, meal preparation, and more.
Eligibility Requirements
Participants:
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Must be covered by MassHealth Standard or MassHealth CommonHealth
- Have a medical or mental condition that requires daily supervision or physical assistance with at least one of the following:
- Bathing
- Toileting
- Ambulating
- Transferring
- Eating
- Dressing
- Physician approval is required
Caregivers:
- Must be at least 21 years of age
- Must own or rent a home
- May be single or married
- Maybe employed elsewhere
- Must successfully complete a review process, which includes a home visit, background checks ad several visits with the individual requiring care
- Must agree to monthly site visits by a nurse or caseworker
- Must complete orientation training, as well as CPR and First Aid Certification
- Spouses and those with guardianship status are not eligible
For more information about Shared Living or Adult Family Care, please email Lori Kydd.
Adult Family Care FAQ
- Participants with MassHealth Common Health or MassHealth Standard and have physician approval
- Those with a medical or mental condition that requires daily supervision or physical assistance with at least one of the following: bathing, toileting, ambulating, transferring, eating, dressing
- Referral is made to LifeStream Case Coordinator
- A Registered Nurse (RN) and Case Coordinator meet with the potential participant and conduct an assessment
- If criteria is met, approval is obtained through Primary Care Physician (PCP) and Coastline Elder Services
- Time frame is generally 6-8 weeks from intake to placement
- Upon approval, a member of the AFC team will review all program policies and procedures prior to admission
- A host family will be identified
- Three visits between participant and host family will be arranged, including one-hour and three-hour visits and an overnight visit
- If visits are successful, an admission date is determined
- The participant will be visited weekly by either an RN or Case Coordinator for the first month
- Monthly visits, or as needed, will be conducted by the RN or Case Coordinator to ensure successful transition into the home environment
- RN will monitor medical needs on an on-going basis; Case Coordinator will monitor psycho-social needs
- Must be 18 years of age or older
- Ability to pass a CORI and drug test
- May be a family member with the exception of parents of minor children, those with guardianship of adult children, or spouses
- Must have the ability to provide appropriate time necessary to care for participant
- Must have the ability to provide the medical care and physical assistance required to care for the AFC member
- An application must be completed and forwarded to LifeStream’s AFC program
- RN and Case Coordinator will conduct a caregiver assessment and a safety assessment of the home environment
- Applicant must obtain a physical and approval from PCP to provide AFC caregiver services
- Approved caregivers must complete an 8-hour orientation training before a member is placed
- CPR and first aide certification must be obtained and maintained
- 8 hours of annual training must be completed
- Tuberculosis screening takes place bi-annually
- Home must be maintained according to safety standards
- Caregiver will receive monthly home visits from the RN, Case Coordinator or both
- 24/7 on-call system for emergency situations
- Email Lori Kydd, Senior Director, Disabilities Services.
For more information about our Shared Living and Independent Living programs, please email Lori Kydd, Senior Director, Disabilities Services.