Connecticut elder law attorneys know that many seniors struggle to afford the costs of long term care. Many older people also dread the idea of having to move into a nursing home or having to be cared for by strangers. While there are skilled healthcare professionals who provide assistance to older people, elder abuse is still a big problem and often even the best and most caring health aide or care provider does not have the same level of concern and affection as a senior’s family member. 
Because of the difficulty for many seniors in getting the care they require, Connecticut is trying something different. News 8 WTNH explains a new program in the state of Connecticut that provides financial assistance to families who provide physical care for aging parents.
Nirenstein, Horowitz & Associates can provide help to seniors and their families in understanding this new program and in taking full advantage of any and all benefits that are available to seniors and their families, including benefits through Medicaid and benefits offered through the Veterans’ Administration. To find out more about the ways in which our Connecticut elder law attorneys can assist seniors and their families with finding appropriate care solutions – and taking steps to get care paid for – give us a call today.
Connecticut Providing Financial Help for Family Caregivers
According to WTNH, the new program in Connecticut that is paying for families who care for older relatives is called the CT Adult Family Living/ Foster Caregiver programming. The program allows for an eligible caregiver to obtain a tax-free stipend of as much as $500 per week, which equates to over $26,000 annually. The goal of the program is to alleviate the financial burden that is associated with being a caregiver and to make it possible for individuals to provide care at home to family members when they might otherwise be prevented from doing so as a result of a need for full-time employment to support themselves and their families.
The program does not just involve giving family caregivers money either, as caregiving can be a stressful and difficult process. A leading home healthcare agency, Assisted Living Services, is a credentialed provider and will be providing training to caregivers so they will know how to be successful at caring for a loved one.
Caregivers who take part in the program will go through an orientation, education and training period. They will also be supported by a registered nurse who makes regular visits, typically around once every six weeks or so. In special circumstances, Assisted Living Services will also help caregivers obtain access to resources, such as a Certified Dementia Care Specialist, to provide additional assistance and support, and will provide technological devices aimed at providing ready access to emergency care, at encouraging compliance with medication protocols, and in helping to reduce the risk of falls occurring.
To ensure that caregivers are fulfilling their responsibilities in a manner that provides an appropriate level of care, Assisted Living Services has also been vested with authority by the state to ensure that the caregiver is properly maintaining the home and is meeting the health and safety needs of the senior who is being cared for. Assisted Living Services will pay the tax-free financial stipend to caregivers on a weekly basis, and will make payments available via direct deposit, to participants who are serving as caregivers for their senior family members.
Applicants can qualify to be part of the program if a senior Connecticut resident age 65 or older is at risk of being placed in a nursing home.
Getting Help from Connecticut Elder Law Attorneys
While innovative programs like the one in Connecticut could help many seniors and their families, there is still a growing problem related to who will provide elder care– and how it will be paid for – as baby boomers age and the population as a whole grows older.
Seniors and their families need to understand their options for long term care and for covering nursing home costs. Nirenstein, Horowitz & Associates can provide the assistance that you need in making a plan to get an appropriate level of care and to get that care paid for without spending down your life savings and losing the chance to leave the legacy that you had been hoping for.
To find out more about your options for planning for long term care, join us for a free seminar. If you are ready for personalized advice on all aspects of the nursing home planning and long term care planning process, give us a call at 860-548-1000 or contact us online today.
Mr. Nirenstein is licensed to practice before the courts of the State of Connecticut and the United States District Court. He is a member of the Connecticut and Hartford County Bar Associations, and the Estate and Probate, Elder Law, Business Law and Real Estate Sections of the Connecticut Bar Association.
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