Senate Bill No. 1471 establishes a two-year pilot program in Hartford, aimed at providing a subsidized memory care program specifically for low-income senior citizens aged 65 and older. The Commissioner of Social Services is tasked with developing this program, prioritizing contractors with experience in assisted living services, particularly community action agencies. The program is designed to serve as an alternative to placements in secured units within skilled nursing facilities and must comply with existing regulations. Additionally, the commissioner is required to create a funding model that optimizes the use of state funds and may seek federal approval for a Medicaid waiver to support the initiative.

To ensure the program's effectiveness, the commissioner will convene a working group comprising representatives from community action agencies, senior advocacy organizations, and medical professionals specializing in Alzheimer's disease and dementia care. A report on the program's development is due by September 1, 2025, to the relevant legislative committees. The bill also includes a new section that will take effect on July 1, 2025, and clarifies the terminology used in the context of Alzheimer's disease. The implementation of this pilot program is expected to incur costs for the Department of Social Services, which will depend on the program's scope and administrative needs.