Sen. Seminara Applauds Advancement of Bill to Enhance State’s Aging-in-Place Regulations

Sen. Lisa Seminara, Ranking Senator on the Aging Committee and the Human Services Committee, today applauded the Senate’s advancement of legislation to increase support for at-home care for elderly people in Connecticut. The bill now awaits the governor’s signature.

“This legislation will help elders stay in their homes while saving state taxpayers money,” Sen. Seminara said.

The bill requires agencies employing home health aides and home care professionals to provide better training on recognizing and responding to harassment, abuse and discrimination. It has the support of the AARP.

“Aging is neither a Republican nor a Democratic issue: It’s a human issue,” Sen. Seminara said. “People want to age in place at home, and this bill will help people do exactly that. As a state, we collectively send a clear message with this bill: We are protecting our most vulnerable citizens.”

The bill includes a regulatory presumption of Medicaid eligibility for people who remain in their homes but need outside help. It creates an online state nursing home consumer dashboard which would provide detailed information on quality of care in the state’s nursing home industry. It also expands the state’s Homecare Program by providing stipends for Medicaid-eligible people to stay in their homes and avoid much-more expensive nursing homes.

In 2023, Sen. Seminara was honored by the Connecticut Association for Healthcare at Home for her work to improve the lives of Connecticut’s seniors. She received recognition as a “2023 Legislator of the Year” for her work on the bipartisan Aging Committee.