Aging Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: SB-900
Title: AN ACT INCREASING FUNDING FOR AGING IN PLACE INITIATIVES.
Vote Date: 3/2/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable Change of Reference to Appropriations
PH Date: 2/23/2021
File No.:
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
Aging Committee
REASONS FOR BILL:
Currently many family caregivers provide services for seniors who remain in their homes.
These caregivers can become overworked and stressed assuming so many additional
responsibilities. More support would be a benefit to the caregivers who assist the seniors in
remaining in their homes. This ultimately will allow the seniors to maintain their
independence, dignity and mobility. The bill is designed to increase state support for
initiatives allowing senior citizens to age in place in their homes by increasing funding to the
Dept. of Social Services and the Dept of Aging and Disability Services. This may ease some
of the financial burden to the state.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Senator Paul Formica, Connecticut General Assembly: He is in support of this bill
because our state's population is rapidly aging. The bill will increase state resources for
initiatives that would allow senior citizens to age in place at home. This increased support for
the Dept. of Social Services and the Dept. of Aging and disability services would allow them
to expand services to state programs to seniors.
David Seifel, The Dept. of Social Services: They are not in support of this legislation. The
Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders which includes both a Medicaid waiver and a
state-funded portion is currently open to all eligible persons, without a waitlist, and has
adequate funding to support anticipated caseload growth. For that reason, the Dept. does not
see the need for additional funding for the Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Mark McGoldrick, Chairman, Home Heath Care Assoc. of America: They are in support
of this bill especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional funds to the Connecticut
Home Care Program for Elders would help persons maintain their independence, dignity and
mobility. The Connecticut Statewide Respite Care Program offers relief to stressed
caregivers. The program may subsidize the cost of services. The funding for the two
programs would help improve the well-being of seniors so they can remain at home longer in
a safe and familiar environment.
Mag Morelli, President, LeadingAge Connecticut: They are supportive of this proposal.
This bill would increase the funding for these initiatives which is needed to expand access to
more individuals and their families.
Kathleen Flaherty, Executive Director, Connecticut Legal Rights Project, Inc.: They
offered testimony in support of this bill. The Connecticut Legal Rights Project was established
in 1990 due to a Consent Order that mandated the state provide funding for CLRP to protect
the civil rights of DMHAS clients who are hospitalized, as well as those clients who are living
in the community.
Christy Kovel, Director, Alzheimer's Assoc., Connecticut Chapter: The Connecticut
Home Care Program for Elders and the Alzheimer's Disease Respite Care Program provide
resources needed to support older adults with the challenges they may face as they age.
Increasing funding for both these programs is more cost efficient and honors consumer
choice and will help meet the growing needs of the states changing demographics.
Anna Doroghazi, AARP Connecticut: They are in support of this of this proposal. The
AARP strongly supports additional appropriation for these programs. They point out that a
large majority of Americans want to remain in their current home if possible. The Connecticut
Home Care Program for Elders and the Alzheimer's Respite Program also provide help to
individuals who are family care givers, who juggle full time work, taking care of children, and
providing help for their aging loved ones.
Christine DiLeone, Volunteer, Community Educator and Advocate for the Alzheimer's
Assoc., Connecticut Chapter: She offered her support for this bill and cited her own
personal experiences with family members. She points out that one of the main reasons'
caregivers provide care and assistance to a person with Alzheimer's or another type of
dementia are the desire to keep a family member at home. The stress and difficulties that
care givers face is very great because of the multiple responsibilities that they have in caring
for their loved ones as well as other family needs.
Erin Mahoney, Volunteer Advocate, Alzheimer's Assoc., Connecticut Chapter: She
offered testimony in support of this proposal and cited her own experience with a family
situation. The Alzheimer's Disease Respite Care Program provides those with Alzheimer's
the opportunity to stay in the community as well a providing the care giver a much-needed
break. Being a care giver to someone with Alzheimer's is physically, mentally and emotionally
taxing. She believes that additional funding will give more family caregivers much needed
help while caring for a loved one at home.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
Page 2 of 3 SB-900
No opposition testimony was submitted.
Reported by: Richard Ferrari, Assistant Clerk Date: 3/8/21
Richard ONeil, Assistant Clerk
Joe Perkus, Clerk
Page 3 of 3 SB-900