Adult Family Homes (also called Adult Foster Homes) are places where Veterans can live in a rented room.
They are private homes where a few residents (6 or less) rent rooms. The homes have shared common spaces and Veterans might share a bedroom and bathroom with another person.
There is a trained caregiver on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This person can help the Veteran with activities of daily living (e.g., bathing and getting dressed). VA may also be able to provide a health professional (e.g., a nurse) to come to the Adult Family Home and give the Veteran extra care.
The VA does not pay for the Veteran's rent, which usually includes basic services. However, the VA may pay for some of the extra services, such as nurse visits, that a Veteran may need in an Adult Family Home.
Most times, the rent at an Adult Family Home is less expensive than at an Assisted Living Facility.
Adult Family Homes are not provided or paid for by VA. Your eligibility is based on clinical need and setting availability. Your VA social worker or case manager may be able to help you with eligibility guidelines.
You will have to pay for the Adult Family Home yourself or through other insurance. Your VA social worker/case manager can explain any services that you may be able to get while living in an Adult Family Home that could be paid for by VA.
Some services are included with the price of renting a room. Other services may be provided by VA.
For Veterans:
- Help with your activities of daily living (e.g., bathing and getting dressed)
- Help taking your medications
- Some nursing assistance (varies by state and facility)
- Some or all of your meals (varies from place to place)
- Planned recreational and social activities
For Family Caregivers:
- Round-the-clock assistance for the Veteran
- Peace of mind when Home and Community Based Services can no longer meet all the Veteran's needs at home
- A place to enjoy spending time with the Veteran without the daily responsibilities of caregiving
You can also talk with a VA social worker to help decide if you will need a nurse or aide to come and provide care to you at the Adult Family Home.
Some services are included with the price of renting a room. Other services may be provided by VA. Most Adult Family Homes provide:
Deciding to move into an Adult Family Home is an important decision for you and your family.
You can use a Shared Decision Making Worksheet to help you figure out what long term care services or settings may best meet your needs now or in the future.
There's also a Caregiver Self-Assessment. It can help your caregiver identify their own needs and decide how much support they can offer to you. Having this information from your caregiver, along with the involvement of your care team and social worker, will help you reach good long term care decisions.
Your physician or other primary care provider can answer questions about your medical needs. Some important questions to talk about with your social worker and family include:
- How much assistance do I need for my activities of daily living (e.g., bathing and getting dressed)?
- What are my caregiver's needs?
- How much independence and privacy do I want?
- What sort of social interactions are important to me?
- How much can I afford to pay for care each month?
If an Adult Family Homes seems right for you, your VA social worker may be able to help you locate options in your community.
You can also use the Helpful Websites listed in the Guide to Long Term Care to help you locate Adult Family Homes in your community.
I like living in an Adult Family Home because it is small and I feel included in the life of the family that is caring for me. It feels like home.
Martin, Veteran
I live in a different state from my son, so I don't get to visit as often as I like. It helps my peace of mind knowing that he has wonderful people watching out for him at the Adult Family Home.
Sarah, Veteran's mother and caregiver
