AFC Story: Program Director Samantha Chhrech

My name is Samantha Chhrech, and for nearly a decade I had the honor of caring for my father in our home in Lowell through the Adult Foster Care (AFC) program. From 2015 until his passing in 2024 at the age of 93, I served as his alternative caregiver. But to me, it was never just a role or a program—it was simply being his daughter. Caring for him was my responsibility and my privilege as he grew older and needed more support.

My father was a survivor of the brutal regime of Pol Pot. He carried with him a lifetime of resilience, wisdom, and quiet dignity. As he aged, he lived with several health conditions including osteoporosis, kidney disease, gout, anemia, and hypertension. Through the Adult Foster Care program, I was able to provide the daily care he needed while keeping him in the place he loved most—his home, surrounded by family.

A typical day for us was simple but meaningful. In the mornings, I would help my father get dressed and prepare breakfast. We would sit together and talk before I left for work. While I was away, my sister and nephew helped care for him so that he was never alone. In the evenings, we spent quiet time together. He often shared Buddhist teachings and life lessons that had guided him through so many hardships. When the weather was nice, we would go for walks together, enjoying fresh air and the small moments that meant so much to both of us.

Caregiving was not always easy. There were difficult days, and it required patience, strength, and commitment. But with the support of the AFC program and the care team behind it, I was able to care for my father safely and with dignity. The program made it possible for me to balance work, family, and caregiving while ensuring that my father received the support he needed every day.

For families like mine, these services are essential supports. The care my father received was not fraud—it was legitimate, necessary assistance that allowed him to remain at home rather than in an institution. Programs like AFC are part of Medicaid home and community-based services that help older adults and people with disabilities live with dignity. Efforts to prevent fraud are important, but they should focus on individuals who misuse the system without creating barriers for families and providers who rely on these services every day.

Without these supports, my father likely would not have been able to remain at home with his family during his final years. The emotional, physical, and financial challenges would have been overwhelming. The AFC program allowed us to honor him, care for him, and keep our family together during that time.

Even now, as I reflect on those nine years, I do not see them as a sacrifice. I see them as a gift. I was able to give back love to the man who gave me everything. Those years allowed me to build a deeper relationship with my father as an adult, to hear his stories, and to learn from his wisdom.

I ask policymakers and leaders to protect access to Home and Community-Based Service providers so families like mine can continue caring for their loved ones. Programs like AFC are not just services—they are lifelines that allow families to provide compassionate, dignified care at home.

My story is not unique. Across our communities, families are doing the same thing every day: caring for their parents, grandparents, and loved ones. These programs make that possible. I hope my story shows why protecting them matters—not just for providers, but for families like mine who simply want to care for the people we love.