Adult foster care home
Care for a few adults who need daily support in your licensed home, paid by families or state programs.
- $5k-30k
- Full-time
- From home
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.
Official data
5,988 US businesses with employees in this field, +2.8% in a year
NAICS 623990 “Other residential care facilities”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.
What it is
You open your home to a small number of older adults or adults with disabilities who need help with meals, medication reminders, personal care and daily routines. Names and rules vary by state, for example adult foster care, adult family home or adult family care home.
Your first three steps
- Search your state's licensing agency for adult foster care or adult family home rules, and read the requirements for home size, training and background checks
- Check with your city or county on zoning, home occupation rules, and any HOA or lease limits on running a care home
- Talk to a local Area Agency on Aging or an existing provider to learn how referrals and payment work in your area
Who pays
Families paying privately, plus in some states Medicaid waiver programs or other state and county programs that pay for long-term care.
How it makes money
A monthly rate per resident, set privately or by the program. Income depends on how many residents your license allows and the level of care each one needs.
Skills that help
- Patience and compassion
- Cooking and basic household management
- Organizing medications and appointments
- Clear communication with families and case managers
Watch out for
- Most states require a license or certification, plus background checks, training and home inspections. Check your state's rules
- Home safety changes such as grab bars, ramps, smoke detectors and bedroom size rules may be required
- Check which insurance you need, such as general liability and professional liability, and workers' compensation if you hire relief staff
- Care is demanding and often needs someone present around the clock, so plan backup cover
- Medicaid and program payments can be slow to start and rates vary, so keep a cash cushion
Deep research report · US
Everything you need to start: adult foster care home
Researched with live web search for United States: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start an adult foster care home?
Startup costs are typically around $5,000 to $30,000, depending on home safety changes, furnishings, training and licensing fees. Costs vary with the state and how much your home needs to be adapted.
Do I need a license to run an adult foster care home?
Most states require a license or certification, plus background checks, training and home inspections, so check your state's rules. You may also need safety changes such as grab bars, ramps and smoke detectors.
How much can an adult foster care home earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on the number of residents, private fees or program rates. Payments can be slow to start, and care often needs someone present around the clock.
Similar health and wellness ideas
Walk-in drug testing collection site
Run a small private office where employers and individuals send people for drug tests, with samples going to a lab.
- $8k-30k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Mobility equipment rental and delivery
Rent wheelchairs, knee scooters, walkers and portable ramps short-term, delivered to homes, hotels and care settings.
- $5k-25k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Home-based adult day program
Care for a few adults at a time in a homelike setting, where your state allows adult day services in a residence.
- $5k-25k
- Part-time
- From home
Herbalist practice with a small apothecary room
Rent a small room or studio for consultations and sell your own herbal blends and teas to clients and walk-ins.
- $7k-35k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Online contact lens shop
Sell prescription contact lenses online and ship them to customers, with a licensed eye care professional on your team or as a partner.
- $5k-25k
- Part-time
- Online
Non-medical home care agency
Match trained caregivers with seniors who need help at home, and run the scheduling and client care from a home office.
- $8k-40k
- Part-time
- From home