Supportive Housing Programs

Homepage -- Programs and Services -- Contact Information


If you have questions about the Supportive Housing Programs at Elder Services, e-mail us at housing@esbci.org

Table of Contents:

Adult Family Care
Group Adult Foster Care
Group Adult Foster Care - Assisted Living
Congregate Housing
Adult Family Care Host
Caregiver's Support


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Adult Family Care Program - A place to call home.

Many elders or disabled adults no longer feel comfortable, or are unable to live alone. Adult Family Care (AFC) is a specialized housing program which provides an opportunity for individuals to receive necessary daily care and supervision while living in a supportive and caring home. Family members can now qualify to be an Adult Family Care Caregiver, with the exception of a spouse or legally responsible adult

Someone can qualify for Adult Family Care if they...

    ...Are age 60 or over
            or chronically disabled between the ages of 18-59
    ...Are receiving Medicaid, Mass Health, or meets Medicaid income
        guidelines,
            or has the financial resources to pay privately
    ...Have a medical condition that limits their ability to care for
        themselves, and needs daily care and supervision
    ...Are willing to live in the home of another person

Adult Family Care caregivers provide the following high quality and personal service:

    --24 hour supervision, if needed
    --Private comfortable room
    --Assistance with daily personal needs such as bathing, dressing, and grooming
    --Three nutritional meals and snacks
    --Medication administration and monitoring
    --Cleaning and laundry
    --Transportation to medical appointments
    --Attendance at an Adult Day Health program
    --Coordination with family members
 

Professional services:

Each caregiver and participant in the Adult Family Care Program is assigned a team of professionals consisting of a licensed social worker and registered nurse. The responsibilities of the Adult Family Care team are to...

    ...Carefully match participant and caregiver (host family)
    ...Monitor participant via an on site assessment by both the social worker and registered nurse on
        a monthly basis
    ...Monitor the care provided by the caregiver (host family)
    ...Provide instruction and health teaching to participants, caregivers, and natural family
    ...Coordinate services with medical providers and social service providers
    ...Assist with emergencies 24 hours a day through our After Hours Emergency Response services

ANYONE can make a referral to the Adult Family Care Program.
Call the Intake and Referral Department of Elder Services of Berkshire County, Inc. at
(413) 499-0524 or 1-800-544-5242
housing@esbci.org


Group Adult Foster Care - Specialized in-home services

Group Adult Foster Care (GAFC) is a specialized housing program which provides up to one hour of daily care and supervision at no additional cost.  The individual can continue to remain in the community in their home environment with this daily service and also receives ongoing monitoring and case management from a Registered Nurse and Social Worker.
 

Someone can qualify for GAFC if they...

    ...Are age 60 or over, or
          chronically disabled between the ages of 21-59
    ...Are receiving Medicaid, MassHealth or meet the income guidelines for Medicaid
    ...Have a medical condition that limits their ability to care for themselves and need daily care
        and supervision
    ...Are willing to have an aide assist them every day
    ...Live in a designated supportive housing area, such as senior housing.
 

GAFC provides the following services:

    --Individualized plan of care to best meet care needs
    --Initiation of services through a community health care agency to provide assistance with personal
        care needs like bathing, dressing, grooming and meal preparation.
    --Maximum of 1 hour of service every day
    --Ongoing coordination and monitoring of contracted services
    --Participation  in an Adult Day Health program
    --Ongoing assessment of changing care needs by a Registered Nurse and Social Worker

All of the services provided by the GAFC program come at NO cost to the client.

For more information about the GAFC program, call Elder Services at
(413) 499-0524 or 1-800-544-5242
housing@esbci.org


Group Adult Foster Care, Assisted  Living - Affordable Supportive Housing

Group Adult Foster Care (GAFC), Assisted Living is a specialized housing program offered though Elder Services of Berkshire County, Inc. which provides the opportunity for low to moderate income individuals to reside in a certified assisted living facility and receive support services.

Someone can qualify for Group Adult Foster Care if they...

    ...Are age 60 or over,
            or chronically disabled between the ages of 21-59
    ...Are receiving Medicaid, MassHealth or meet income guidelines for Medicaid and SSI-G
    ...Have a medical condition that limits their ability to care for themselves and need daily care
            and supervision
    ...Wish to live in an assisted living facility

GAFC, Assisted Living combines high quality supportive services with the safe and supportive environment of a certified assisted living facility. In addition, each participant in GAFC, Assisted Living is assigned a team of professionals consisting of a licensed social worker and a registered nurse

GAFC, Assisted Living provides the following services:

    --Residence in a certified assisted living facility
    --Individualized plan of care to best meet care needs
    --Ongoing professional monitoring of the individual's physical and psychosocial health
    --Routine supervision of supportive services provided

The professional GAFC team...
    ...Coordinates services with trained assisted living staff
    ...Monitors services
    ...Assesses the participant on a monthly basis for changes in health status and care needs
    ...Assists with emergencies 24 hours per day through After Hours Emergency Response System.

Elder Services has agreements with three certified assisted living facilities in Berkshire County to offer GAFC - Assisted Living:

Rosewood Assisted Living
318 Onota Street
Pittsfield, MA

For more information about GAFC, Assisted Living call Elder Services at
(413) 499-0524 or 1-800-544-5242
housing@esbci.org


Congregate Housing - A shared living option

                   
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Congregate Housing is shared living in specially designed apartments in public housing developments.  Each tenant has their individual, private room.  The rest of the apartment, including the kitchen, dining room and living room is shared with house mates.

This is a housing option that combines safe, affordable housing with companionship.  If needed, supportive services such as assistance with bathing, meal preparation and cleaning can also be provided.

Someone would qualify for Congregate Housing if they...

    ...Are age 60 or older,
        or chronically disabled between the ages of 18-59
    ...Meet the financial qualifications for subsidized housing
    ...Do not require 24 hour care or supervision
    ...Are willing to live with others

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The benefits of Congregate Housing are...

    ...A safe, secure and affordable living environment.
    ...Opportunities for socialization with other house mates.
    ...Independence in the community.
    ...Services available such as assistance with bathing, meals, homemaking.
    ...Regular professional monitoring by a skilled case manager.

Congregate sites are located in the following subsidized housing complexes:

Providence Court, Pittsfield
2-five bedroom apartments

The Curtis, Lenox
1-two bedroom apartment

To learn more about Congregate Housing, call Elder Services of Berkshire County at
(413) 499-0524 or 1-800-544-5242
housing@esbci.org


Adult Family Care Host
 Spread the branches of your family tree...

Consider opening your home to an elder or disabled adult who needs care through the Adult Family Care Program.  Adult Family Care is a specialized housing program offered through Elder Services of Berkshire County which provides an opportunity for individuals to receive necessary daily care and supervision while living in a supportive home.

Support, instruction and monitoring is provided by a registered nurse and a licensed social worker.

Monthly tax-free stipend is provided.

Help someone stay independent with dignity!

Create an inter-generational family for your children and grandchildren!

For more information
contact Elder Services of Berkshire County
email - housing@esbci.org or call us at 499-0524 or 1-800-544-5242


Caregiver's Support

    Caring for another person is very rewarding and it is also very challenging.  It's important to give good and proper care, but it's just as important to take care of yourself.  How can you care for someone if you are exhausted, stressed, anxious and on edge?

    Here are some suggestions for taking care of yourself....
 

Take care of your body
 


Take care of your mind and spirit
 


Call Elder Services at
(413) 499-0524 or 1-800-544-5242
housing@esbci.org