What Does the Connecticut AFL Program Cover? A Guide to Adult Family Living Services
For many Connecticut families, caring for an older loved one at home involves much more than occasional help.
An aging adult may need assistance with daily activities, meal preparation, personal hygiene, mobility, medication reminders, supervision, or simply staying safe throughout the day.
When these needs become more significant, families often begin looking for home-care programs that can provide structured support while allowing their loved one to remain in a familiar home environment.
One program families may encounter is Connecticut’s Adult Family Living (AFL) Program.
But what exactly does AFL cover?
The Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders (CHCPE) identifies Adult Family Living as one of its available home- and community-based services. Current Connecticut guidance describes AFL as providing continuous monitoring, supervision, coordination of daily living, and management of overall health and welfare in a private, non-related family residence when necessary to prevent or delay institutionalization.
In this guide, we’ll explain what the Connecticut AFL Program covers, what an AFL caregiver may do, what services have limitations, and how families can begin exploring whether the program may be appropriate.
What Is the Connecticut Adult Family Living Program?
The Adult Family Living Program, commonly called AFL, is a home-based service available through Connecticut’s broader home-care system for eligible older adults.
The program is designed to help individuals who need significant support remain in a community setting rather than requiring nursing-facility placement.
Connecticut DSS explains that the Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders (CHCPE) provides home and community-based services to eligible residents who are at risk of nursing-home placement and meet the program’s financial and functional requirements. Adult Family Living is one of the services listed by DSS.
The current state operating policy describes AFL as providing:
- Continuous monitoring
- Supervision
- Coordination of daily living
- Management of overall health and welfare
- Assistance with activities of daily living
- Household support
- Meal preparation
- Medication reminders
- Evening monitoring
- Assistance with communication
The specific services available depend on the individual’s needs and approved plan of care.
What Does the Connecticut AFL Program Cover?
The answer depends on the individual’s assessed needs and the services authorized through the program.
However, Connecticut’s current AFL operating policy specifically identifies several activities that can be included.
1. Assistance With Activities of Daily Living
A major part of AFL is supporting individuals with everyday activities that may become difficult or unsafe to perform independently.
These may include:
- Eating
- Dressing
- Personal hygiene
- Bathing-related support
- Other daily personal-care activities
- Mobility and supervision
- Other activities identified in the individual’s care plan
Connecticut DSS describes functional eligibility for CHCPE in terms of an individual’s need for assistance with critical needs such as bathing, dressing, transferring, toileting, feeding, meal preparation, medication administration, or ambulation.
This does not mean every person who needs help with one of these activities automatically qualifies for AFL.
Eligibility is determined through the state’s assessment and eligibility process.
2. Meal Preparation and Support
AFL can include household activities associated with helping an individual maintain a safe and appropriate daily routine.
The current Connecticut operating policy specifically identifies meal preparation as an AFL activity.
Meals provided in an AFL setting must meet applicable program requirements, including nutritional requirements and appropriate modification for prescribed diets when necessary. [1]
This is important because meal support is not simply about preparing food.
For some older adults, difficulty preparing meals can be part of a larger pattern of declining independence.
A caregiver may need to help with:
- Planning meals
- Preparing meals
- Making food accessible
- Supporting safe eating
- Following appropriate dietary instructions
- Monitoring whether the individual is eating and drinking appropriately
The exact responsibilities depend on the person’s needs and plan of care.
3. Laundry and Simple Household Tasks
The current AFL policy also identifies laundry and simple chores among the activities that may be provided.
These activities can be important because maintaining a home becomes increasingly difficult when an older adult has mobility limitations or requires significant supervision.
Depending on the approved care arrangement, household support may involve tasks such as:
- Laundry
- Simple household chores
- Meal preparation
- Maintaining an appropriate living environment
However, AFL should not be confused with a general housekeeping service.
The services are intended to support the needs of the eligible individual and their ability to remain safely in the community.
4. Supervision During Daily Activities
AFL is not limited to hands-on physical assistance.
The state policy also describes supervision and monitoring as important components of the program.
For example, an individual may be physically capable of completing part of an activity but still require someone nearby to provide supervision or assistance.
This can apply to activities such as:
- Eating
- Dressing
- Personal hygiene
- Moving around the home
- Completing daily routines
- Maintaining safety
This distinction is particularly important for individuals whose cognitive, behavioral, or physical limitations make independent completion of certain activities unsafe.
5. Medication Reminders
Medication support is another area specifically addressed by Connecticut’s AFL policy.
The policy allows for reminding an individual to take self-administered medications.
There is an important distinction between a medication reminder and professional medication management.
A caregiver should not assume that an AFL arrangement authorizes them to perform clinical medication-management duties simply because medications are part of the individual’s daily routine.
The appropriate responsibilities depend on the person’s care plan and applicable professional requirements.
6. Evening Monitoring
The Connecticut AFL policy specifically includes evening monitoring to ensure an individual’s safety.
This can be particularly relevant for older adults who may need additional supervision during the evening or overnight period.
For families, this can provide an important layer of support when an individual cannot safely be left without appropriate monitoring.
Again, the exact level and nature of supervision depends on the individual’s assessed needs and authorized services.
7. Assistance With Telephone Calls and Written Communications
The current AFL policy also identifies assistance with telephone calls and written communications.
This may be helpful for individuals who have difficulty managing everyday communication independently.
Examples might include assistance with:
- Making routine phone calls
- Understanding or communicating information
- Written correspondence
- Communicating changes or needs to appropriate people
The purpose is to support the individual’s ability to manage everyday life and remain connected to necessary services and people.
8. Transportation and Escort Support
The AFL policy specifically allows for escorting an individual to recreational activities and to medical, dental, or business appointments.
This is different from saying that AFL automatically pays for every transportation expense.
Transportation under CHCPE has its own rules and service requirements.
For AFL, the policy specifically identifies escorting the individual to certain activities and appointments as part of the covered service activities.
Families should therefore discuss transportation needs during the assessment and care-planning process.
9. Reporting Changes in the Individual’s Needs
AFL is also about monitoring the individual’s condition over time.
The current policy requires reporting changes in an individual’s needs or condition to the appropriate AFL sponsor or care manager.
This is important because an individual’s needs can change.
For example, an individual may begin to:
- Need more assistance with mobility
- Have difficulty completing personal-care activities
- Need additional supervision
- Experience changes in eating or daily routines
- Have increased safety concerns
Changes should be communicated rather than ignored.
A care plan can then be reviewed through the appropriate process when necessary.
Does AFL Provide 24-Hour Care?
The current Connecticut operating policy describes Adult Family Living as providing services on a 24-hour basis when necessary to prevent or delay institutionalization.
However, this should not be interpreted as meaning that every AFL participant automatically receives every type of care continuously throughout every hour of the day.
The individual’s needs, eligibility, assessment, and plan of care determine the appropriate service arrangement.
This distinction is important when comparing AFL with traditional home-care services.
What Does AFL Not Cover?
Understanding what AFL does not cover can be just as important as understanding what it does cover.
The current Connecticut operating policy specifically states that certain services are not separately allowed within the AFL arrangement.
For example, Meals on Wheels, homemaker services, companion services, and chore services are not allowed as separate services within an AFL arrangement.
Room and board charges are also treated separately and are not reimbursable as AFL services under the policy.
This does not mean that an individual receiving AFL cannot have meals, household assistance, or companionship.
Rather, certain activities are incorporated into the AFL service arrangement instead of being separately reimbursed as other CHCPE service categories.
Who May Qualify for Connecticut AFL?
AFL is not automatically available simply because someone is older or needs help at home.
The broader CHCPE program requires applicants to meet specific eligibility requirements.
According to Connecticut DSS, applicants generally must:
- Be 65 or older
- Be a Connecticut resident
- Be at risk of nursing-home placement
- Meet applicable financial eligibility requirements
- Meet applicable functional requirements
The state’s 2025 CHCPE information also explains that functional eligibility can involve needing assistance with at least three activities of daily living, or in certain circumstances assistance with two ADLs plus a qualifying need factor.
The state operating policy describes the determination of functional eligibility and the need for assistance with critical activities such as bathing, dressing, transferring, toileting, feeding, meal preparation, medication administration, or ambulation.
Ultimately, only the appropriate state assessment and program process can determine eligibility.
How Is an AFL Care Plan Determined?
AFL is not a one-size-fits-all service.
Connecticut’s CHCPE process includes financial and functional eligibility determinations and an assessment of the individual’s needs.
The state operating policy says the assessment is used to determine:
- Whether program participation is feasible
- The individual’s functional eligibility
- The appropriate service options
- The individual’s plan of care
- The level and frequency of services needed
This is important because two older adults with the same diagnosis or age may have very different care needs.
One person may need occasional supervision.
Another may require extensive assistance with personal care and daily activities.
The plan of care should reflect the individual’s actual needs.
AFL vs. Traditional Home Care
AFL and traditional home care are not the same thing.
Traditional home care may involve caregivers coming into an individual’s home for scheduled periods to provide specific services.
AFL is structured around a private-home living arrangement with continuous monitoring and support for individuals who need a level of assistance intended to prevent or delay institutionalization. [1]
The difference can be important for families trying to determine which type of support fits their situation.
Able Care At Home Services also has a detailed guide comparing AFL, PCA, and traditional home care, which can help families understand the differences between these options.
What Is the Difference Between AFL and PCA?
AFL and Personal Care Attendant (PCA) services are separate program/service categories.
Connecticut DSS lists both among the services available through its home-care system, but they have different rules and structures. [2]
The state’s current AFL policy describes AFL as a private-home living arrangement involving continuous monitoring and supervision.
PCA services, by contrast, are structured around personal assistance with activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living.
Because the eligibility rules and caregiver requirements differ, families should not assume that qualifying for one automatically means qualifying for the other.
If you’re comparing these programs, review the individual circumstances with an appropriate program representative or provider.
Can a Family Member Be the AFL Caregiver?
This is an area where families should be especially careful.
Some online articles and older program information describe family caregiving broadly, and Able Care’s existing marketing content also discusses compensation for family caregivers.
However, the current Connecticut DSS AFL operating policy states that the designated AFL provider cannot be the service recipient’s relative.
That means families should not assume that a spouse, adult child, sibling, or other relative automatically qualifies to serve as the AFL provider.
Other Connecticut home-care/self-directed arrangements may have different caregiver rules.
For that reason, it is important to determine which specific program and service arrangement applies to the individual before making assumptions about caregiver eligibility or compensation.
This is also why an individualized eligibility review is important.
How to Explore the Connecticut AFL Program
If you believe AFL may be appropriate for someone who needs significant support at home, the next step is to learn more about the individual’s eligibility and available options.
Start by considering:
- Age: Is the individual 65 or older?
- Residency: Do they live in Connecticut?
- Daily needs: Do they need help with important activities of daily living?
- Safety: Would additional support help them remain safely at home?
- Financial eligibility: Do they meet the applicable CHCPE financial requirements?
- Living arrangement: Does the individual’s current home environment fit the AFL model?
These questions do not determine eligibility by themselves, but they can help you understand whether an AFL discussion may be worthwhile.
Connecticut DSS currently directs individuals seeking CHCPE information to its Community Options Unit at 860-424-4904.
How Able Care At Home Services Can Help
Understanding Connecticut’s home-care programs can be confusing.
Families may encounter AFL, PCA, CHCPE, Medicaid, traditional home care, companion services, and other terms while trying to determine what kind of support may be appropriate.
At Able Care At Home Services, we help Connecticut families understand the Adult Family Living process and explore available care options.
Our goal is to make the process easier to understand and help families take the appropriate next step.
We can help you:
- Learn how the AFL program works
- Understand basic eligibility considerations
- Discuss your loved one’s care needs
- Understand the enrollment process
- Learn about caregiver and provider requirements
- Navigate the next steps
- Understand available home-care options
If you’re unsure where to begin, you don’t have to figure out every program requirement on your own.
Frequently Asked Questions About Connecticut AFL
What does the Connecticut AFL Program cover?
Connecticut AFL can include continuous monitoring and supervision, coordination of daily living, meal preparation, laundry and simple chores, supervision during activities of daily living, medication reminders, evening monitoring, appointment escort, communication assistance, and reporting changes in an individual’s needs.
Does AFL cover bathing and dressing?
AFL can include supervision or assistance with activities of daily living such as dressing and personal hygiene. The exact services depend on the individual’s assessed needs and plan of care.
Does AFL cover meal preparation?
Yes. Meal preparation is specifically identified among the services that may be provided under the Connecticut AFL policy.
Does AFL cover medication?
AFL can include reminders for self-administered medications. Medication reminders should not automatically be interpreted as authorization for clinical medication management.
Does AFL provide 24-hour care?
The current Connecticut policy describes AFL as a 24-hour service arrangement when necessary to prevent or delay institutionalization. The exact services and level of support depend on the individual’s needs and plan of care.
Does everyone over 65 qualify for AFL?
No. Age alone does not establish eligibility. Connecticut’s CHCPE requirements also include Connecticut residency, functional need, risk of nursing-home placement, and applicable financial eligibility requirements.
Is AFL the same as traditional home care?
No. AFL is a specific home-based service arrangement involving continuous monitoring and support in a private home. Traditional home care can involve scheduled services delivered by home-care workers. The programs have different rules and structures.
Can a family member automatically become an AFL caregiver?
No. Families should not assume this. Connecticut’s current AFL operating policy states that the designated AFL provider cannot be the service recipient’s relative. Other home-care arrangements may have different caregiver rules.
Helping Connecticut Residents Understand Care at Home
When an older loved one begins needing more assistance, families often face difficult questions.
How much help is needed?
Can the person safely remain at home?
What services are available?
Which program is appropriate?
And what will those services actually cover?
Understanding what the Connecticut AFL Program covers is an important first step.
Adult Family Living is designed to provide structured support in a home environment for eligible individuals whose needs make continued community living possible with appropriate services.
If you are exploring AFL for yourself or a loved one, take the time to understand the current eligibility requirements, service limitations, and caregiver/provider rules.
Able Care At Home Services is here to help Connecticut families understand their options and take the next step.
