Partners in the Aging Network
At the Intersection of Age and Disability
Meet Melinda. She is 68 years old and a woman with Down syndrome. She was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Her caregiver would like her to attend an adult day center, but is unsure whether the program can effectively support someone with both intellectual disability and dementia.
Joe is 64 years old. After three knee surgeries, he relies on a cane to walk. He recently lost his factory job and now needs a reliable source of income. He wonders whether a senior center can help him return to work.
Many people who are aging do not think of themselves as having a disability. However, under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a person with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity is considered to have a disability. By this definition, both Melinda and Joe qualify—and both may benefit from services traditionally associated with either the aging or disability systems.
In Connecticut, aging and disability services have historically been organized into separate networks. AgingCT, the statewide association of Area Agencies on Aging, has focused on older adults, while Centers for Independent Living (CILs) have focused on individuals with disabilities across the lifespan. While each system brings deep expertise, this separation has sometimes made it difficult for people like Joe and Melinda to know where to turn for help.
With support from the Administration for Community Living, Connecticut’s Department of Aging and Disability Services, and a grant from the Council on Developmental Disabilities through the Bridging Aging and Disability Networks initiative, AgingCT and the CILs are working together to change this experience. By aligning programs and services and viewing service delivery through the eyes of the consumer rather than the funding source, this collaboration aims to reduce barriers, improve access, and create a more seamless system of support.The goal is simple: whether Joe or Melinda reaches out to an aging organization or a disability organization, they will be met with coordinated, person‑centered support that helps them live, work, and age with dignity.
