Adult foster care for new-immigrant families

What adult foster care means

Adult foster care usually means a small, family-style home where an older adult or disabled adult lives with a few other residents and gets day-to-day help. In some states, this is called an adult family home, board-and-care home, or adult foster care home.

These homes are different from large nursing facilities. Many families like the smaller setting because it can feel calmer, more personal, and more like a home. But rules, services, and levels of care vary a lot by state.

HearthRow is not a care home and does not provide care. We help you find licensed homes near you and encourage you to confirm each home’s current state license or certification yourself.

Why immigrant families often want this option

For many new-immigrant families, the hardest part is not just finding care. It is understanding the system, the words, and what is normal in the US. Adult foster care can be a helpful option when a family wants a smaller setting and more daily support than living alone can provide.

Some families also want a home where staff can speak their language, respect cultural food needs, or understand religious routines. Those things can matter a lot. They are not guaranteed, but they are reasonable questions to ask.

You do not need perfect English to begin. A short description of what you are looking for is enough, and we help connect you with licensed homes that may fit.

How HearthRow helps

HearthRow is a free matching and information service. We help you find licensed adult family homes near you based on your contact intent, such as where you need care and what kind of home you are looking for.

You can start without sharing medical records, diagnoses, financial account numbers, or other sensitive documents. We do not ask for those. We focus on helping you take the first step.

Some homes pay HearthRow a flat fee when we connect them with a family. It never changes what you pay, and you are never under any obligation.

Questions immigrant families should ask

When you talk with a home, keep the questions simple and practical. It is okay to ask the same thing more than once.

• Is the home currently licensed or certified by the state?
• What kind of help do residents get each day?
• Can the resident speak with staff in their preferred language, if needed?
• Are meals, bathing help, reminders, or supervision included?
• What are the house rules, visiting hours, and cultural or religious accommodations?
• What costs are private room and board, and what services are separate?

Always tour the home before deciding. Pictures and phone calls can help, but they do not replace seeing the place in person.

Understanding costs and Medicaid in plain English

Cost rules vary by state and by home. In many cases, room and board are paid privately, while Medicaid waivers may help with some personal-care services. That support is separate from finding a home and depends on your state’s rules.

Typical costs are only estimates, not quotes. Ask each home exactly what is included and what costs extra. If you need help understanding your state’s payment rules, check your state Medicaid office or licensing agency directly.

You can also read our plain-language cost guide here: adult foster care costs.

A few good next steps

A calm first step is usually best. Make a short list of what matters most, such as language, location, budget, and the amount of daily help needed.

Then compare a few licensed homes, ask questions, and visit in person if possible. You can also use our free matching tool here: get matched.

If you want more background on home types, care terms, and what to ask, our guides can help: browse guides.