Adult Foster Care allows disabled, older adults to remain at home

NORFOLK -- Kathryn Moreau pulled out an electric clipper and gave her brother Jeremy Jordan a haircut in the kitchen of the family's home in Norfolk.

Then it was brother James Jordan's turn get a trim.

Moreau is not only their barber, she's also responsible for all of her brothers' daily needs.

Since their mother, Patricia Martin, died nearly six years ago, Moreau, 32, looks after her disabled brothers through a state program called Adult Foster Care.

"I promised my mother I would take care of them," Moreau said.

Some social-service experts believe more families could benefit from AFC if they knew about it.

"(AFC) is one of the best-kept secrets for those who qualify," said Roger Parks, AFC director at the Arc of South Norfolk, one of the agencies in Massachusetts that facilitates AFC, including screening, training and monitoring those who serve as caregivers. At the Norfolk Arc, the program is called Adult Family Care.

James and Jeremy have autism, and are among the 13,596 disabled adults and frail elderly in Massachusetts receiving care through AFC. The brothers are 31 years old, and along with their brother Jacob Jordan, form a set of triplets. Jacob is not disabled.

More than 5,000 of those receiving services through AFC are over the age of 60, according to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services.

MassHealth, the state's insurance program, runs AFC.

State and federal Medicaid dollars fund the program, and the goal is to help people remain at home, with support, rather than moving into an institutional setting, such as a nursing home.

To get services, one must be at least 16 years old; unable to live alone because of a medical, physical, cognitive or mental condition; and require help with daily tasks, such as preparing meals and bathing.

Those needing full-time skilled nursing care aren't eligible.

Caregivers can live with those they look after, or house them. A spouse or legal guardian can't serve in the role.

MassHealth spent $345 million on AFC in fiscal 2019, which concluded June 30. There is no cap on the number of eligible MassHealth members that can participate in AFC.

Caregivers are paid approximately $50 to $80 daily, depending on the level of care needed.

James and Jeremy were each diagnosed with autism when they were young children. Jeremy's diagnosis included "slight retardation," according to Moreau.

Their personalities are on the opposite ends of the spectrum. Jeremy is quiet and mostly agreeable, but needs a lot of help with tasks that require him to use his hands. James is more talkative, but has "high anxiety," according to Moreau.

James also enjoys teasing his sister, as he showed off an old speeding ticket.

"(The ticket) was only a warning," Moreau said with a smile.

Moreau gets a break for a few hours on weekdays while her brothers attend a day program in Norwood. The downtime gives her a chance to attend to her studies at Bridgewater State University, where she is in her final semester, on track to earn a bachelor's degree in sociology.

Her goal is to get a job working with disabled adults, and once she's employed, she said it won't stop her from caring for her brothers. She said her wife, Danielle Moreau, and stepfather, Roger Martin, will pitch in around the house.

Moreau shed light on why she promised her mother she would look after James and Jeremy.

Patricia Martin was aware of stories swirling around the former Fernald State School in Waltham, where people with disabilities were warehoused, and received substandard care.

"My mom was scared her sons would be going to a group home, and not be taken care of properly," Moreau said.

After Moreau finished the haircuts, James appeared holding a jigsaw puzzle featuring characters from "The Simpsons." He made it with Jeremy, and again displayed his sense of humor, this time at his brother's expense.

"We get along with each other -- sometimes," James said.

"They make me feel younger," Moreau said of her brothers. "We have a lot of fun."

Henry Schwan is the health reporter for the MetroWest Daily News. Follow Henry on Twitter @henrymetrowest. He can be reached at hschwan@wickedlocal.com or 508-626-3964.

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