In-Home Care in Connecticut

Connecticut may not be the first state that springs to mind when thinking of great places to retire, but the 2020 Census found an above-average 17.7% of its 3.6 million residents are aged 65 and older. Numerous charming towns and extensive countryside bursting with greens in the summer and many shades of yellow and brown in the fall are clearly appealing to older adults. Medical care is also a likely factor due to its high standard, exemplified by well-regarded facilities, such as Yale New Haven Hospital and Hartford Hospital.

Many in-home care and home health care agencies serve Connecticut’s seniors. The former specializes in non-medical care services, such as light housekeeping, companionship and assistance with daily activities, including bathing and dressing. The latter is a medical service that tailors support based on need, such as skilled nursing, physical therapy and maintaining on-site medical equipment. In-home care typically costs $5,243 per month in Connecticut, while home health care fees average $5,339.

This guide considers the costs of varying types of senior care in the region, particularly in relation to Medicaid and Medicare. It also lists some useful resources for Connecticut seniors being cared for in their homes.

Although Connecticut’s average in-home care fee of $5,243 is $286 per month above the national median, it’s more affordable than the surrounding states’ fees for similar services. The results of the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey reveal New Yorkers pay, on average, $5,339 for in-home care, while in New Jersey, seniors expect to pay around $5,529. Fees increase significantly in New England states, such as Rhode Island ($5,720), and Massachusetts ($5,911).

Location can play a big role in the costs for in-home care, as the variations in fees across Connecticut reveal. The state’s most affordable city is New Haven, where the average fee is $5,243 per month. Only $10 separates the median fees for Hartford and Bridgeport, which are $5,329 and $5,339, respectively. Connecticut’s costliest city for in-home care is Norwich, where seniors can expect to pay around $5,506 per month.

There are direct links between the type of care provided, the caregiver’s expertise and the agency’s fees, as Connecticut’s varying senior care costs clearly reveal. There’s an average difference of $8,635 between nursing home care fees ($13,764 per month) and assisted living ($5,129) — both of which are accommodation and care services, but with the former providing almost hospital levels of support. This is also true of in-home care and home health care agencies. The former typically charges $5,243 per month, while the latter usually costs another $96 for the addition of basic medical care. The most affordable option is adult day health care, which, although providing limited medical assistance, delivers it in an environment with lower overheads, reflected in an average fee of $1,842.

The short answer is yes, but it won’t cover all costs. HUSKY C, Connecticut’s Medicaid program for seniors, doesn’t directly pay for home care but does fund all medical and some non-medical services through two waiver programs, the  Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders and the Individual and Family Supports Waiver. The former waiver offers the most comprehensive range of home care services delivered by professional agencies, while the latter offers limited support that can be delivered by a caregiver nominated by the senior.

Connecticut’s Department of Social Services provides four ways for seniors to apply for Medicaid.

• Online: The quickest way is via ConneCT
• By phone: Seniors who prefer to call, should contact (855) 626-6632
• In-Person: Those who prefer face-to-face conversations can make an appointment with the nearest DSS field office
• By mail: Seniors who don’t need assistance with their applications should complete a copy of Form W-1 LTC and mail it to the nearest DSS field office

What Information You Will Need

Seniors should expect the DSS to look back over the previous five years of their financial histories. Although each case is unique, it’s common for applicants to provide:

• Proof of their citizenship status and Connecticut residency
• Their Social Security number
• Banks statements to verify income
• Health insurance policy numbers
• Proof of assets, such as retirement accounts, stocks and bonds

In general, Medicare does not cover the cost of non-medical home care. That being said, there are situations in which Medicare provides some coverage for medical home care, referred to as “Home Healthcare.” There are several eligibility restrictions for coverage, including that individuals must be homebound and have a referral from their doctor specifically for home healthcare services.

Below is an overview of some of the skilled medical professionals whose in-home services are typically covered by Medicare – for more in-depth information, refer to our Guide to Home Healthcare.

• Physical Therapists: Physical therapy is used to help patients recover from injuries (broken bones, knee injuries, etc.), treat ongoing conditions such as arthritis, and assist in recovery from surgeries and procedures such as a knee or hip replacement.
• Visiting Nurses: Licensed nurses can provide a number of medical services for those who don’t need to stay in the hospital, but do need regular medical services such as wound care, changing feeding tubes, etc.
• Occupational Therapists: Occupational therapists help seniors regain or maintain the ability to accomplish normal, daily tasks, such as bathing, dressing, eating, and other daily activities.
• Speech Therapists: Speech therapists help seniors who are struggling to adequately communicate due to a stroke, dementia, or any other cause regain the ability to functionally communicate using a variety of means. Additionally, speech therapists help to keep seniors independent by modifying diets, teaching special techniques to swallow safely, and retraining associated muscles.

As mentioned above, in-home care is distinctly different from home healthcare. But, there can be some overlap in services between the two types of care. So, while Medicare doesn’t cover non-medical in-home care, there are in-home care services that may be covered in special circumstances when they’re provided in conjunction with home healthcare (such as an occupational therapist helping with eating or dressing)

To find quality home care providers near you, simply input the zip code or city where you would like to start your search. We have an extensive directory of home care agencies all across the nation that includes in-depth information about each provider and hundreds of thousands of reviews from seniors and their loved ones.