How to Open An Elderly Foster Care Home In Florida

Adult foster care (AFC) homes are assisted living facilities that provide an alternative to institutional care for elderly people and people with disabilities. AFCs can be single-family dwellings or multi-unit complexes owned by corporations. The state of Florida doesn't require any licenses or fees, but some counties and cities require AFCs to be licensed by their local health departments. Specialized licenses may be required if you provide certain care at your facility, such as registered nursing or physical therapy. AFCs can be for-profit or nonprofit entities that provide cost-effective alternatives to traditional nursing-home care.

Things You'll Need

• Home or multi-unit residence
• Money
• Licenses

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Instructions

• 1

  Get licensed. Visit your local or county health department to learn about the requirements for opening an AFC. You may be able to find the information on the department's website, but you may need to make an appointment to speak with an agency employee.

• 2

  Outfit your house with the proper equipment for the people you plan to care for. This may include having a wheelchair lift if you have stairs, oxygen tanks or handicap-accessible restrooms. Install any equipment required by the health department. You may also need to hire outside staff with care specialties.

• 3

  Purchase insurance. When caring for people as a business, you need to make sure you're insured against any accidents or damages. This may also be a condition of your license. Set up a meeting with a medicare/medicaid representative to see if clients can use their benefits for your service. This will depend on exactly what services you offer and to whom.

• 4

  Create a brochure or documents outlining the benefits of your AFC in comparison with nursing homes and other institutional care facilities. Make sure you give this material to your county's social services or elder care department so it can recommend clients to you. You may want to set up a meeting to inform the department about your new facility.

• 5

  Get involved in your community in order to plan activities for your clients. AFCs provide assisted living, so make sure your clients have the opportunity to be active.