CT Eldercare Experts Compare Care Options For Senior Loved Ones

According to the 2020 annual census data, there are approximately 638,253 Connecticut residents aged 65 or older, representing over 17.7% of the state’s population. During Healthy Aging Month in September, Assisted Living Services, Inc. encourages older adults to plan now for their future living situation.

“Independence is the top priority for the thousands of seniors we have worked with for over two decades,” said Mario D’Aquila, MBA and COO of award-winning homecare agency Assisted Living Services, Inc (ALS) in Cheshire and Westport. “Staying in their own homes is not only the most comfortable situation, but also typically the most cost effective one as well.”

To help seniors and their families determine the best option, D’Aquila offers a side-by-side comparison of the various types of care:

Types of Care	Advantages	Disadvantages
Non-Medical Home Care/Private Duty Home Care	Allows a person to “age in place” with family Privacy and comfort Independence and control in scheduling and routine Available to provide care for as little as 2 hours per day up to 24 hours per day Services include laundry, meal preparation, household/light cleaning, personal care, one-on-one supervision and socialization/companionship	Could be costly (if paying out of pocket) Support and supervision limited to hours designated No medical support can be provided as this is a non-medical service
Skilled Home Care	Provided rehabilitative and medical support in the home RN, Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and other clinicians can provide their expertise in the home as opposed to a facility or office Generally covered by Medicare or Medicaid	Generally, only provided on a short term basis of 30, 60, or 90 days or less Only provided in short durations of 1 or 2 hours. Not a viable option if care is needed throughout the day for long periods of time Covered by Medicare and Medicaid but only for a set period of time, if you need additional support it may be out of pocket
Assisted Living	One monthly cost Facilities designed for safety and mobility Nutritional and fitness support Housekeeping, laundry, meal preparation and transportation Limited on-site healthcare Socialization and recreation	Separation from home and family can cause emotional distress Low independence and control over schedule and routine Additional services are an added cost
Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC)	One-stop facility Added healthcare support on-site Planned activities and additional services available	Buy-in for care + monthly cost Additional services are an added cost
Long-Term & Short-Term Care	Addresses chronic illness Designed for long-term care or medical rehab	Sterile, hospital-like environment

D’Aquila defines non-medical homecare as that which does not provide certified medical practitioners, such as an M.D. or R.N., employs caregivers for support with Activities of Daily Living and personal care services such as bathing, dressing, transferring, eating, toileting, or shaving. Caregivers can provide care for a few hours per day all the way up to 24-hour care. Homemaker services include laundry, meal preparation, household/light cleaning, personal care, one-on-one supervision and socialization/companionship.

Skilled medical homecare is defined as someone that is trained as a medical professional and can administer medical services, such as registered nurses or physical therapists.

“Our caregivers undergo rigorous training and continued education throughout their employment to ensure that they feel confident and empowered to go above and beyond for the people they care for each day,” said D’Aquila.

ALS improves a senior’s environmental setting safety by supplementing personal care with technological devices through its sister company- Assisted Living Technologies. In fact, the company offers one free electronic device through its exclusive CarePlus program to all clients.

Additionally, ALS is a credentialed provider of the Adult Family Living/Foster Caregiver (AFL) program that pays caregivers a tax-free stipend of over $500 per week who serve as primary in-home caregivers to an elderly individual. Connecticut Homecare Program for Elders (CHCPE) provides home- and community-based services for eligible individuals aged 65 or older who are at risk of institutionalization. Services include care management, adult day care, homemaker services, transportation, meals-on-wheels, minor home modifications, and certain personal care assistant and assisted living services.

Another option to cover the cost of care is CT’s Long-Term Care Partnership Insurance Program, a public/private initiative under which the state approves special long-term care insurance policies sold by private companies. The policies must meet state standards. For more information on this program, visit: http://www.ct.gov/opm/cwp/view.asp?a=2995&q=383452 . 

D’Aquila directs Connecticut families to the “State Programs for Older Adults” report for a comprehensive explanation of current programs and eligibility requirements.

“Navigating the many and ever-changing options of senior care can certainly become an overwhelming experience,” adds D’Aquila. “As a credentialed homecare provider for over 25 years, our team is here to help Connecticut families make the best decision for their elderly loved one at that particular time of their life to ensure their future happiness, safety and security.” 

About Assisted Living Services, Inc.

Since 1996, award-winning home care agency Assisted Living Services, Inc. (ALS) in Cheshire and Westport has provided quality care to residents across Connecticut. Its unique CarePlus program blends personal care by over 600 employees and caregivers with technological safety and monitoring devices from sister company Assisted Living Technologies, Inc. ALS was ranked on the 2020 Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing companies and recognized by Home Care Pulse® as a “Best of Home Care Leader In Excellence”, a designation given to the best home care providers in the nation. Learn more by visiting www.assistedlivingct.com or calling 203.634.8668.

PHOTO: The caregivers at Assisted Living Services, Inc. undergo rigorous training and continued education to ensure that they feel confident and empowered to go above and beyond for the elderly clients that they care for each day.

Credit: Assisted Living Services, Inc.