Over the holidays, many Connecticut residents may have realized that their elderly parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles were exhibiting signs of physical and mental decline that may indicate a need for in-home assistance to keep them aging safely in place. What most do not know, however, is that there is a state program that pays family members to care for their loved ones in the comforts of their own homes. Named the CT Adult Family Living / Foster Caregiver, or AFL program, the family caregiver can receive a tax-free stipend of more than $500 per week, depending on the complexity of care. Assisted Living Home Care Services Inc., an independent home-care company in Cheshire, Putnam and Westport, is a credentialed provider that helps local families access the program’s many benefits.
“One of the most unfortunate consequences of growing older is loss of independence and the solution often involves expensive assisted living or nursing home facilities,” said Mario D’Aquila, MBA, chief operating officer of Assisted Living Home Care Services. “The Adult Family Living program offers another reality by allowing a family member or close friend to administer the necessary care right in the elderly person’s home, while getting compensated for their effort. Home care is much more cost-effective than an inpatient care facility, so it’s a win-win-win scenario all around.”
D’Aquila added that the AFL program is part of the Department of Social Services’ Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders (CHCPE). In order to qualify, applicants must be a Connecticut resident, 65 years of age or older and at risk of nursing home placement — meaning the applicant needs assistance with critical personal care such as bathing, dressing, eating, taking medications, toileting or transferring — as well as meet the program’s financial eligibility criteria.
In its formal role as a credentialed provider of the program — the family caregiver must work through an intermediary agency like Assisted Living Home Care Services to get paid — Assisted Living provides approved caregivers, whether they be daughters, sons, nieces, nephews or other relatives and friends, with the tools necessary to be comfortable and successful at caregiving, such as:
- Conducting a free home assessment to ensure that fire alarms, life alert systems and other safety measures are up to date;
- Guiding them through the program application process;
- Orientation, education and ongoing support staffed with bilingual professionals able to translate and answer any questions;
- Ensuring that the home is properly maintained as required by the state;
- Making sure the caregiver is meeting the home care and safety needs of the participant;
- Paying the caregiver weekly and offering direct deposit for convenience;
- Enlisting resources, such as a Certified Dementia Care Specialist, to assist in training for certain circumstances;
- Utilizing the company’s CarePlus program, which combines caregiving and technology to help address client needs at no additional cost;
- Providing the caregiver with resources to take care of their emotional and mental health during the process.
D’Aquila added that the AFL program offers four levels of compensation based on the total activities of daily living required by the aging individual. The income is tax-free as a difficulty of care stipend.
Many caregivers struggle to earn a living while simultaneously managing their senior relative or friend under the same roof. Here, the AFL program can help with additional income.
“The No. 1 wish of most senior citizens is that they want to remain in their own homes for as long as possible throughout their aging process,” D’Aquila said. “We encourage Connecticut residents caring for an elderly person to apply for this hidden jewel as it will truly be a life-changing experience for the entire family.”
