AgingCT

Directors’ Welcome

Happy 50th Anniversary to our Five Area Agencies on Aging (AAA)!

Connecticut’s five AAAs are the Agency on Aging of South Central CT, North Central CT Agency on Aging, Senior Resources Eastern CT Agency on Aging, South Western CT Agency on Aging, and Western CT Agency on Aging. We are five agencies with one vision, collectively known as AgingCT.

At 50, we have seen plenty of challenges faced by those we serve. We know their stories. We are their voices. We advocate fiercely on their behalf to address aging and disability issues. We have successfully leveraged partnerships and funding that allow us to provide a full range of services including service navigation, in-home care, case management, transportation, meals, health and wellness programs, elder abuse prevention, health insurance and Medicare counseling, caregiver and family supports, and many other programs that sustain independent living. 

Here’s to 50 beautiful years and counting. Especially, counting on us. AgingCT will continue to lead the way to support the residents of Connecticut as we age…together!

Legislative & Advocacy

AgingCT Proudly Supports AARP’s Get Out the Vote Campaign

It’s been 235 years since electors cast their votes for George Washington in the first U.S. presidential election held in 1789. There was important work to do in America’s infancy and today, we take up the privilege and responsibility that our forefathers and ancestors worked so hard to enshrine…the right to vote. Your vote is your voice…the opportunity afforded to you every two and four years to influence life in your local communities and policies that impact life for everyone in our greying country. Standing in a small space in your voting district or checking off your choices on an absentee ballot upholds over two centuries of American citizens using their voices to say what matters to them. 

AgingCT is proud to partner with AARP Connecticut to promote the Get Out the Vote 2024 campaign that provides citizens with important election guide information about how to vote in Connecticut’s 2024 elections. AARP has also produced a short Why We Vote video.

Important highlights include information about:

• Absentee voting: Only certain voters can request an absentee ballot, including those who cannot appear at their assigned polling place on Election Day due to absence, sickness, physical disability or another approved reason.
• Early in-person voting: Connecticut now offers early in-person voting. Voters get four days of early voting for the presidential primary, seven days for the state primary and 14 days for the general election. Any registered voter may cast their ballot early during the early voting period, Monday, Oct. 21, through Sunday, Nov. 3.
• Voting at the polls: Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. You won’t need to show an ID unless you are a first-time voter.

In March of this year, AARP President and CEO Jo Ann Jenkins wrote in an AARP advocacy article, 

The Best Reason to Keep Voting A chance to shape the future for older Americans, “At the top of the list of issues that will be shaped by the November vote are two that AARP believes are of critical importance: (1) protecting Social Security and (2) making sure that family caregivers who sacrifice so much get much-deserved assistance.”

Do these issues resonate with you? We all support causes that matter to us. It’s vitally important to know where candidates stand on your issues. So, in these next few months, let’s ask the important questions of those who seek to represent our best interests. What do they support? What are their priorities? Who are they listening to? Will they take a moment to listen to you? Especially for voters aged 50 and over, it adds up to this: your voice + your vote = your health. 

As the voice for Connecticut’s seniors, individuals with disabilities, and caregivers, AgingCT is tasked with ensuring that these vulnerable populations know where to find programs and how to access them.  Through our various grants and direct service programs, AgingCT advocates for funding for necessary services to keep people in their homes for as long as they would like to be there.

Funding decisions made at every level of government require lawmakers to fully understand the implications of aging in Connecticut, yet this is not always the case. Decisions made at the federal level include spending on Older Americans Act programs such as elderly nutrition, in-home, and access programs through the Administration for Community Living; anti-poverty, and anti-hunger programs such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) through the United States Department of Agriculture; and health care coverage and policy setting by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. 

Decisions at the state level include setting state budget priorities for the next biennium, and at the municipal level, decisions include local zoning regulations, budgeting for town services, and education. Our collective input at each level of government is critical to our experience as constituents in a democracy and to our health and well-being as citizens and neighbors. 

Turns out that exercising your right to vote is an exercise with additional health benefits. Civic engagement, which is frequently measured by voter turnout, has been proven to be good for your health, citing a number of evidence-based health indicators such as self-rated health and mental health, adults receiving disability benefits, and chronic disease prevalence among others.

According to the Health & Democracy Index, states with the most inclusive voting policies also enjoy higher measures of these health indicators. Whereas, states with exclusive voting policies report lower rates of voter turnout and lower scores on those same measures. In addition to restrictive voting policies, barriers such as poverty, transportation, family caregiving, language, and literacy affect communities of color at much higher rates. This increases the prevalence of health disparities within these communities relative to their neighbors living in different zip codes. Yes, the ballot box is directly linked to your bread box, and issues ranging from health inequities to hunger can be addressed by voting.

Remember that your voice and vote MATTERS…whether you vote for President of the United States or your local Board of Education. When you stand in that voting booth, vote early, or mail in your absentee ballot, you are taking your profoundly personal place in American history for the public good. Good for you. Good for all of us.

Learn more at AARP.org/CTVotes.

Stories from the Field

Step Out with September Falls Prevention Strategies

Falls among older adults continue to be a major public health concern, but we have the power to make a difference. This year, AgingCT is excited to partner with the National Council on Aging (NCOA) and the Administration for Community Living (ACL) for Falls Prevention Awareness Week (FPAW), September 23-27, 2024.

Why It Matters

Falls are a leading cause of injury among older adults, but many falls can be prevented with the right strategies. FPAW is more than just a series of events—it’s a nationwide movement aimed at raising awareness, reducing fall risks, and supporting older adults to live confidently and safely.

What’s Happening

• Resources & Tools: NCOA’s comprehensive Falls Prevention Awareness Week Toolkit will help you spread the word and implement effective falls prevention strategies in your community. This toolkit includes ready-to-use materials and guidelines for hosting your own events, workshops, and community activities designed to inform and empower. In addition, NCOA has a wealth of online resources available for older adults, caregivers, professionals, and advocates.
• Collaborations: Work with state coalitions and local partners dedicated to fall prevention. Your involvement can help amplify the message and impact of this critical initiative. The CT Department of Public Health Falls Prevention Program offers additional resources.

How You Can Get Involved

1. Download the Toolkits: Get all the resources you need to promote and support Falls Prevention Awareness Week by downloading NCOA’s FPAW Toolkit, FPAW Social Media Best Practices and Toolkit, and the FPAW Public Relations Toolkit. 
2. Spread the Word: Use social media, newsletters, and local outreach to inform your community about the events and importance of fall prevention.
3. Host an Event: Plan and execute your own activities using the toolkits. Whether it’s a workshop, seminar, or community gathering, your efforts will contribute to this nationwide cause.

Evidence-Based Strategies for Fall Prevention

Implementing evidence-based strategies can significantly reduce the risk of falls. Here are some key approaches:

• Evidence-Based Falls Prevention Programs: Engage in Tai Chi, strength, and balance training to improve stability. Programs like A Matter of Balance, CAPABLE, Otago, Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance and many other programs offer structured interventions to enhance strength and reduce fall risk.
• Home Modifications: Make your home safer by removing tripping hazards, improving lighting, and installing grab bars. The Home Hazards Removal Program (HARP) can help identify and address fall hazards in your home.
• Medication Management: Regularly review medications with a healthcare provider or pharmacist to manage those that may increase your fall risk.
• Vision and Hearing Care: Regular eye exams and addressing hearing loss can improve response to environmental cues and reduce falls.
• Footwear and Orthotics: Wear well-fitting, non-slip shoes and consider custom orthotics for better stability.
• Education and Training: Participate in and promote community-based falls prevention programs and education to increase awareness and safety.

Join Us in Making a Difference

Falls Prevention Awareness Week is a call to action. By raising awareness, adopting evidence-based strategies, and supporting our older adults, we can collectively work towards a safer and fall-free future.

For more information about falls prevention and many other important topics, visit the NCOA website.

Legislative & Advocacy

Presumptive Eligibility Passes

Imagine returning home from a hospitalization unable to bathe and dress yourself, or no longer able to manage household tasks. Some of us may have family who can help with daily chores and caregiving; others might have money to pay for assistance. Do you have the resources for much-needed in-home care to remain safe in your own home? New legislation called presumptive eligibility may help.

Presumptive eligibility, a concept voted into law this session will make immediate in-home care available for residents likely to qualify for the Connecticut Home Care Program. This program offers an alternative to nursing home placement and reassuring peace of mind for older adults and their families who are often thrust into the lengthy, complicated Medicaid system following hospital discharge.

Medicaid is the primary payer of long-term care services but eligibility can take 90+ days, leaving patients and families to scramble for financial resources to private pay for in-home care. Despite a strong desire to return to their own home to recuperate, many patients are ultimately placed in nursing homes because these facilities are better prepared to absorb the cost of care while a patient awaits Medicaid eligibility. For many, a short-term stay turns into long-term placement. 

Presumptive eligibility is a game-changer, allowing people faster access to Medicaid so they can receive in-home care. Plans call for the creation of a presumptive eligibility program, with new screening tools and financial information available to quickly determine Medicaid eligibility. Case managers and social workers will help to facilitate the process and services. 

There is substantial evidence of the savings associated with presumptive eligibility, with a 2021 AARP report citing that “on average, states can provide care for approximately three individuals at home for the cost of one in a nursing home.” Still, the state is allowed to discontinue the bill after two years if it does not prove cost effective.

AgingCT has been a driving force behind in-home care to support a client’s independence and quality of life in their own home and is well-positioned to lead the presumptive eligibility effort. 

Allowing a person the dignity and comfort to age in the place they call home seems like a good idea to just about everyone. In a sweeping show of bi-partisan support, Substitute for Raised House Bill No. 5001 An Act Supporting Connecticut Seniors and the Improvement of Nursing and Home-Based Care passed 143 to 3 in the House and unanimously in the Senate. It was signed into law by Governor Ned Lamont on May 21, 2024.

In more good news, HB5523 An Act Concerning Federal American Rescue Plan Act included funds to assist AgingCT with information and outreach as well as additional funds for a variety of transportation initiatives – perennial high-priority items for older adults. Special thanks for the bi-partisan support and leadership of Representative Matthew Ritter, D-Hartford; Senator Kevin Kelly, R-Stratford; and Representative Jane Garibay, D-Windsor.

Stories from the Field

SNAP the Stigma of Senior Nutrition

Summer signals fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables bursting with color and flavor, and the hometown hustle and bustle of lively local farmers markets. Many older adults eagerly sign up for the CT Department of Agriculture (DoAG) Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) that provides low-income seniors with seasonal access to locally grown fruits, vegetables, honey, and herbs. Why then, do those same seniors stop short of participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) which provides funding for a variety of healthy foods purchased at many locations year-round…especially when both programs have the same income guidelines? Here’s some food for thought.

According to 2022 data on food insecurity in Connecticut by Feeding America, the largest charity working to end hunger in the United States, 468,150 CT residents don’t know where their next meal will come from, making them food insecure. That’s 12.9% of the population, or 1 out of every 8 people in our state. Chances are that your neighbor is hungry. Chances are you don’t realize it.

This article found Senior Resources Executive Director Alison Dvorak literally out in the field coordinating the SFMNP with DoAG. The program runs from June 1 to November 30^th and is open to seniors over 60 and disabled individuals meeting income and housing guidelines. Benefits can be redeemed at Connecticut farmers’ markets and select farmstands throughout the state.

Dvorak said that participation is always high for the farmers market program, which provides a seasonal stipend, but people are hesitant to sign up for SNAP benefits, which provide monthly food stipends. She shared a story of a client who called her agency about the farmers market program, learned that she also qualified for SNAP, and began receiving almost $100 a month more for nutrition.

“It was a huge help for her,” said Dvorak. “We want more people to learn about SNAP and enjoy the nutritional and financial benefits.”

According to the Administration for Community Living, for older adults, nutrition services to promote the general health and well-being of people age 60 and older are authorized under Title III-C of the Older Americans Act, which funds local senior nutrition programs. These nutrition services include heathy home-delivered meals and meals served in group settings, such as senior centers and faith-based locations. 

Senior nutrition programs are managed by Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs). The programs provide a range of services including nutrition screening, assessment, education, and counseling. SNAP is a state-funded program that gives people in Connecticut help to buy food. So metaphorically speaking, when it comes to these programs, AgingCT is involved from soup to nuts.

Connecticut legislators recently unanimously passed Senate Bill 396, now Public Act 24-99, An Act Implementing Task Force Recommendations for the Elderly Nutrition Program. Many of the provisions in this bill came from the task force formed in response to a drop in federal funding as well as rising food costs. The bill calls for the development of a plan to maximize SNAP benefits to support the elderly nutrition program.

“Food security is one of the biggest challenges of aging due to rising food costs, reduced ability to use transportation, and even the physical challenges of carrying groceries,” explained Dvorak, who is also a registered dietitian and was involved with the task force recommendations. “Senior nutrition programs are woven into service navigation provided by AgingCT. Another benefit of our association is that we have streamlined some activities of managing the program by working together and sharing best practices. We encourage older adults, their caregivers, and anyone who works directly with older adults to connect with us to learn more. The need to eat is everywhere…and AgingCT has solutions to keep our aging population from experiencing hunger.”