If you want to know what adult foster care was like before at-home programs existed, flash back a few decades. You’d have to take your loved ones to a facility, and you wouldn’t have the ability to see them that often. With the dawn of at-home assisted living services, this is no longer an issue! If you’re interested in providing at-home adult foster care to your loved ones, the first thing you’ll need to do is become a licensed caregiver. This process varies from state to state and has a few unique aspects depending on where you apply. If you’re looking to become a licensed caregiver in Massachusetts, read on for a guide to doing so!
Meet The Basic Criteria First
If you’ve met the basic guidelines necessary to apply to be a registered caregiver, this is a step that should be pretty easy to follow! However, it’s important to know the requirements beforehand so you’ll get an idea of your chances. Most states have basic guidelines for age and legal requirements, and Massachusetts is no different in this regard. To be a caregiver in Massachusetts, you must be 18 years of age or older and reside in the same home as the caregiver. You can’t be a legal guardian or married to the person you’re caring for. The person you’re caring for must be over 16 years of age, have MassHealth insurance, and have a medical condition that makes daily tasks difficult or impossible to complete.
References
If you haven’t gotten any references prior to applying for the position, now would be a good time to lock them down! As is customary for a lot of traditional jobs, you’ll need to provide qualified references in order to submit your application. Make sure that the people you talk to can properly vouch for you and take time to look at their reference notes before you apply. If you talk to the right people, you should be all set!
Taking a TB Test
If you haven’t taken a tuberculosis test before, now is a good time to start! One of the lesser known requirements for applying is having a physical and TB test on file from the last 12 months. A physical is something that you should be getting yearly anyways, but taking a tuberculosis test may not be something you’ve done before. If you can get it done before you apply, it will make a world of difference to how fast it moves!
Adult Foster Care With Gabriel Care
Gabriel Care offers the best alternative to assisted living that your family can ask for. Gone are the days of needing to put your loved ones in a facility to provide the best care! You’ll be able to administer the same services right from the comfort of your home. To see if your loved ones qualify for the program, click here to start the admissions process!