Prevention of Compassion Fatigue & Burnout Professionals in aging and disability services regularly navigate trauma, emotional stress, and the complex demands of supporting vulnerable individuals. In the midst of these realities lies an opportunity to strengthen resilience and sustain meaningful, compassionate care. This keynote explores how to recognize early signs of compassion fatigue, build personal resilience practices, and foster workplace cultures that support long-term well-being.

Donna Fedus
Borrow My Glasses
Gerontologist & Founder

Donna Fedus is a gerontologist educator, professor, program strategist, instructional designer, researcher, and entrepreneur. Her life’s work – pursued enthusiastically for more than 30 years so far – is to offer alternatives to the tragedy narrative that often surrounds aging, caregiving, and dementia. Donna is gerontologist and founder of Borrow My Glasses, which provides scalable learning solutions, training, and evaluation services for organizations and individuals looking to embrace the many opportunities brought by longevity.

AgingCT and the CT Association of Centers for Independent Living welcome you to the 4th Annual Summit! This session includes a Department of Social Services update from Director of Community Options, Christine Weston. Judith Stein will present the Judith A. Stein Advocate’s Award to honor an individual whose work reflects Judy Stein’s unwavering commitment to advocacy, amplifying the voices of underrepresented communities, and protecting the fundamental human rights of older adults and individuals with disabilities.

Christine Weston
CT Department of Social Services
Director of Community Options

Christine Weston is the Director of Community Options at the Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS), where she has worked for 15 years and has over 20 years of experience serving individuals in Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS). Her background spans direct care, case management, program oversight, and the design and management of systems and policies. Christine leads a large unit overseeing a wide range of HCBS, including Medicaid Waivers (PCA, ABI, Autism, CHCPE), state-funded home care, Community First Choice, Money Follows the Person, CHESS, and HCBS ARPA initiatives.

Judith Stein
The Center for Medicare Advocacy
Founder, Senior Advisor, Attorney

Judith A. Stein, J.D. is the Founder and Executive Director of the Center for Medicare Advocacy (CMA), a national nonprofit organization based in Connecticut dedicated to advancing access to comprehensive Medicare coverage, quality health care, and health equity for older adults and people with disabilities.

A nationally recognized expert in Medicare law and policy, Judith founded CMA in 1986 and has spent more than four decades advocating for the rights of Medicare beneficiaries. Prior to establishing the Center, she served as Co-Director of Legal Assistance to Medicare Patients (LAMP), the nation’s first Medicare advocacy program, where she helped pioneer legal representation for individuals navigating Medicare coverage issues.

Throughout her career, Judith has led and co-counseled landmark federal litigation challenging unlawful Medicare policies, including the groundbreaking Jimmo v. Sebelius settlement, which affirmed that Medicare coverage for skilled nursing and therapy services cannot be denied solely because a beneficiary is not improving. This precedent continues to protect access to medically necessary care for individuals with chronic conditions and disabilities.

Judith is a frequent speaker, author, and educator on Medicare, health care policy, and the rights of older adults and people with disabilities. Her leadership has made the Center for Medicare Advocacy a trusted national resource for legal advocacy, education, and systemic reform.

Presented by: Moderator Alison Dvorak, Senior Resources Eastern CT AAA; Rachael Laudano, Masonicare; Lisa Cretella, New Britain Housing Authority; Leigh Shields-Church, CT Department of Housing; Steve Gregory, Oakley Home Access

This session explores how individuals can live well and thrive across a variety of housing and care environments by centering on self-determination, dignity, and equitable access to resources. Participants will examine a range of housing options—from independent living to supported and long-term care settings—and learn how thoughtful home modifications and supportive services can transform any residence into the “right place” for successful aging in place.

We will also discuss the impact of cognitive and functional changes on daily life and housing needs, emphasizing how proactive planning can help individuals maintain safety, autonomy, and quality of life. Special attention will be given to the critical roles of advocacy and care coordination in navigating complex systems and ensuring that individuals and families receive appropriate, person-centered support.

Attendees will leave with practical tools and strategies to foster environments that promote independence, adapt to changing needs, and support well-being across the lifespan.

Alison Dvorak
Senior Resources, Agency on Aging of Eastern CT
Executive Director

Alison Dvorak is the Executive Director of Senior Resources, Agency on Aging of Eastern Connecticut, serving 56 towns and two tribal nations. A Registered Dietitian and Certified Nutritionist, she holds a Master of Science in Nutrition Science from Syracuse University and has more than 30 years of experience working with older adults and caregivers. Alison collaborates statewide through AgingCT and Aging Answers initiatives and serves in leadership roles on several boards and commissions focused on nutrition, housing, emergency services, and elder justice. She is also a part-time professor at the University of Connecticut, a consultant dietitian, and an EMT.

Rachel Laudano
Masonicare
Vice President of Assisted Living Services

Rachael Laudano is Vice President of Assisted Living Services at Masonicare, where she oversees select assisted living communities and all external Assisted Living Services Agencies (ALSAs) across Connecticut. Since joining Masonicare in 2015, she has held several leadership positions of increasing responsibility and is recognized for her commitment to enhancing the lives of older adults through innovative senior living programs and partnerships. She played a key role in the growth of Masonicare’s nationally recognized Students in Residence intergenerational living program and was named a Future Leader by Senior Housing News in 2023. Rachael holds degrees from Middlesex Community College and Southern Connecticut State University and is a fellow of the LeadingAge Connecticut Leadership Academy. Her passion for senior care continues to guide her work in creating meaningful experiences and high-quality services for older adults throughout Connecticut.

Lisa Cretella
New Britain Housing Authority
Director of Community Affairs & Programs

Lisa joined the New Britain Housing Authority in 2022, where she oversees resident services, community affairs, and the organization’s Center of Excellence. She works closely with residents and community partners to promote housing stability, self-sufficiency, workforce development, education, and wellness opportunities. Before joining the Housing Authority, Lisa spent 33 years with The Salvation Army Southern New England Division in leadership roles focused on social services, housing, and community development. She holds degrees from Central Connecticut State University and the University of Connecticut and currently serves on several community advisory boards.

Patty Watts
Town of Colchester
Director of Senior Services

Patty Watts has served as Director of Senior Services for the Town of Colchester since 2013. With experience across all sectors of senior housing and services, she is a passionate advocate for senior centers and the vital role they play in helping older adults stay active, engaged, informed, and connected to their communities. Patty also serves as President of the Connecticut Association of Senior Center Personnel, the state’s professional organization for senior center professionals.

Leigh Shields Church, LCSW
CT Department of Housing
Coordinated Access Network Manager

Leigh Shields-Church, LCSW, has more than 20 years of experience in homeless and housing services. Before joining the Connecticut Department of Housing, she directed the New Haven Shelter Plus Care program and provided clinical services through the Connecticut Mental Health Center. Leigh holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Connecticut and degrees in Public Administration and Political Science from Stonehill College. In her current role, she oversees Connecticut’s Coordinated Access Networks, supporting homelessness response efforts, system coordination, and community partnerships statewide.

Steve Gregory
Oakley Home Access
Owner

Steve Gregory is the owner of Oakley Home Access, where he helps individuals and families create safer, more accessible homes that support independence and quality of life. Combining experience as a licensed Connecticut home improvement contractor, infrastructure solutions architect, and health and fitness professional, Steve brings a practical, person-centered approach to accessibility. He is passionate about educating clients on their options and helping them make informed decisions that enhance safety, mobility, and long-term independence at home.

Presented by: Moderator Melissa Lang, Agency on Aging of South Central CT; Jennifer Herbst, Quinnipiac University School of Law; Gabrielle Labonte, Northeast Probate Court; Stephen Keogh, Keogh.Law; Gretchen Knauff, City of New Haven, Disability Services.

Across all settings, patients often need help assessing and understanding the various levels of decision-making authority and ensuring documents are accessible to those who need them. This presentation will provide a foundational understanding to help community professionals enhance their knowledge.

Decision-making in healthcare is influenced by setting, cognitive status, and legal preparation. In the community, individuals are generally assumed to have decision-making capacity, with choices supported by family and primary care providers. Early conversations and advance care planning are critical, especially as dementia may subtly impair understanding and judgment over time. Supported Decision-Making is a viable alternative to guardianship. The concept allows individuals with disabilities to make choices about their own lives with support from a team of people they choose to assist in their journey.

Advance directives, while primarily associated with end-of-life situations, include core documents such as Health Care Proxy and Medical Powers of Attorney. They are also frequently used in non-end-of-life circumstances, since they become effective whenever a patient becomes incapacitated or is temporarily unable to communicate their own medical decisions.

This session explores the decision-making and documents required at various milestones and placements both outside of and within the community.

Jen Herbst
Quinnipiac University School of Law
Professor of Law and Medical Sciences

Jennifer L. Herbst is a professor at Quinnipiac University School of Law, where she teaches health law, bioethics, public health law, and related subjects. She also serves as a volunteer community member on the adult and pediatric ethics committees at Yale New Haven Hospital. Her research focuses on the intersection of health, ethics, equity, and law, with numerous publications in leading academic journals. Before joining Quinnipiac in 2011, she practiced health care law in Philadelphia, representing hospitals, health care providers, and pharmaceutical companies. She holds degrees from Dartmouth College, University of Pennsylvania, Temple University Beasley School of Law, and Duke Divinity School.

Gabriele Labonte
CT Probate Courts
Northeast District Judge

Gabrielle Labonte is the sitting Probate Judge for the Northeast District, covering the towns of Ashford, Brooklyn, Eastford, Pomfret, Putnam, Thompson, and Woodstock. For over 30 years, before being elected, she was in private practice in Brooklyn, Connecticut, focusing on the areas of elder law, estate planning, Medicaid, and probate. Active in the community, Judge Labonte is currently a member of the Board of Directors for Senior Resources in Norwich, CT, a member of the Pomfret 250 Commission, and a member of the Deborah Avery Putnam Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Judge Labonte has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Connecticut in Storrs and a Juris Doctor from Suffolk University School of Law in Boston.

Stephen Keogh
Keogh Law
Principal

Stephen B. Keogh is the principal of Keogh Law in Norwalk, where he has practiced since 1985, focusing on elder law, trusts and estates, long-term care and special needs planning, conservatorships, probate litigation, and healthcare decision-making. A graduate of Yale College and Columbia Law School, he brings more than 40 years of experience in elder law and is a frequent presenter on Medicaid, elder law, and healthcare decision-making. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Connecticut Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and teaches in the Elder Law Clinic at UConn School of Law as adjunct faculty.

Gabriele Labonte
CT Probate Courts
Northeast District Judge

Gretchen is the Director of the Department of Services for Persons with Disabilities for the City of New Haven Department of Services for Persons with Disabilities. A longtime disability rights advocate, she previously held leadership roles with the Connecticut Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities and helped establish Disability Rights Connecticut, serving as its first Executive Director. Gretchen frequently presents on disability rights topics, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and Supported Decision-Making, and serves on several Connecticut boards. She is dedicated to advancing the civil and human rights of people with disabilities and fostering inclusive communities where everyone belongs.

Presented by: Moderator Tracy Wodatch, CT Association for Healthcare at Home; Mario D’Aquila, Assisted Living Services; Laura Lusebrink, VITAS Healthcare; Brooke Erickson-Mignogna, Careforth; Chrissie Schettini, Complete Care Health Services.

This session emphasizes the importance of navigating systems, accessing care, and delivering services. An esteemed panel of experts will define key in-home & community-based service roles, including personal care assistants (PCAs), companions, home health aides, licensed practical nurses (LPNs), registered nurses (RNs), and hospice providers.

Panelists will explore the rules, limitations, and benefits associated with each service type, including eligibility requirements, scope of practice, and funding options. Special attention will be given to the barriers individuals and families face in accessing appropriate care, particularly within public programs. We’ll take a glimpse into adult day centers and also talk about Connecticut’s Adult Family Living guidelines.

This discussion highlights the professional role in advocacy, care coordination, and translation of complex systems. Attendees will gain practical knowledge to better guide clients and caregivers, helping them make informed decisions, access appropriate support, and maintain safety, dignity, and quality of life in the home setting.

Tracy Wodatch
CT Association of Healthcare at Home
President and CEO

Tracy is President and CEO of the CT Association for Healthcare at Home, advocating for quality, cost-effective home health, hospice, and community-based care. An RN with more than 40 years of experience in acute, long-term, and home-based care, she leads efforts in state and federal advocacy, clinical practice, and regulatory compliance. Tracy serves on several state committees, including MAPOC, the MOLST Advisory Committee, and the Long Term Care Advisory Committee. She earned her BSN from the UCONN School of Nursing.

Chrissie Schettini
MA Complete Care Health Services
Senior Vice President

Chrissie Schettini is the Senior Vice President of Complete Care Health Services in Massachusetts and Connecticut, with more than 20 years of healthcare administration experience. She has opened and operated 12 Adult Day Health Centers throughout New England and previously served as a Home Health Care Agency Administrator. Chrissie serves on the Executive Committee of the National Adult Day Services Association (NADSA) and is President of the Connecticut Association of Adult Day Services. She is a dedicated advocate for adult day services and expanding access to home and community-based care for older adults. She holds bachelor’s degrees in Business Management and Mathematics from Bridgewater State University.

Mario D’Aquila
Assisted Living Services, Inc.
Chief Operating Officer/Co-Owner

Mario is the Chief Operating Officer/Co-owner of Assisted Living Services, Inc. , Senior Vice President of Assisted Living Technologies, Inc., and Managing Member of My Guardian Angel PRS, LLC. He has a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Construction Management from Central Connecticut State University and has earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Southern Connecticut State University.Mario is responsible for helping both Assisted Living Services, Inc. and all affiliated companies look for new ways to grow and to have a positive impact on each company’s long-term future. He has experience with business strategy, mergers & acquisitions, as well as company formation.

Brooke Mignogna
Careforth
Director of Sales & Community Partnerships

Brooke Mignogna is the Director of Sales & Community Partnerships at Careforth, leading strategic growth initiatives across the Northeast to expand access to community-based care. With more than 25 years of experience in home- and community-based health services, she is passionate about helping individuals remain safely in their homes by connecting them with quality care and resources. Brooke is committed to advancing health equity and innovative care solutions that support evolving community needs.

Laura Lusebrink
VITAS Healthcare
General Manager

Laura Lusebrink is the General Manager at VITAS Healthcare with more than 20 years of experience in hospice and long-term care, including 15 years in leadership roles at VITAS. She is a dedicated advocate for compassionate, patient-centered end-of-life care and works to improve hospice awareness and access across Connecticut. Laura has also contributed to statewide initiatives through her involvement with the Connecticut End of Life Care Coalition and has received multiple honors for her leadership and commitment to excellence in care.

Presented by: Moderator Walter Glomb, CT Council on Developmental Disabilities; Nora Duncan, AARP CT; Robert Rodriguez, Social Security; Robert Adriani, Bureau of Rehabilitation Services; Claire Volain, CT Aging & Disability Services

Social Security remains a primary source of income for many older adults and individuals with disabilities. For some, it represents their only consistent financial support. Despite its essential role in sustaining vulnerable populations, Social Security continues to be the subject of national debate, with ongoing concerns about long-term solvency, sustainability, and its broader role in ensuring economic security.

The Promise of Social Security will explore key issues related to advocacy, application processes, and access to critical resources. Panelists will examine the future of Social Security, including the policy and advocacy efforts necessary to preserve and strengthen the program for future generations. The discussion will also highlight the system’s vital role in reducing poverty and promoting financial stability among aging and disabled populations.

This session underscores the importance of equitable access to benefits, financial literacy, and system navigation, while reinforcing the role of professionals as advocates in protecting and strengthening the Social Security system for current and future beneficiaries.

Walter Glomb
CT Council on Developmental Disabilities
Executive Director

Walter Glomb is the Executive Director of the Connecticut Council on Developmental Disabilities and dad to Nick, an adult who lives with Down syndrome. Walt facilitates the Community of Practice for Bridging Disabilities and Aging Networks in Connecticut. For more than three decades he has advocated for the full inclusion of individuals who live with developmental disabilities in school and community. He has served as president and as a director of the Connecticut Down Syndrome Congress and on numerous state boards, councils and committees. Walt earned his Bachelor of Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and his Master of Science from Colorado State University.

Nora Duncan
AARP
CT State Director

Nora Duncan has extensive experience in Connecticut’s nonprofit sector and Executive Branch, specializing in advocacy, government relations, and strategic communications. As AARP Connecticut’s State Director, she has led efforts to expand health care access, protect consumers, and improve financial security. She previously represented over 1,000 nonprofits, securing $270 million in funding and advancing key policy reforms, and also served in the Office of Governor M. Jodi Rell on major legislative initiatives.

Robert Andrini
CT Department of Aging & Disability Services
Bureau of Rehabilitation Services Project Director

Robert Adriani has more than 30 years of experience in vocational rehabilitation. He previously served as a Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor and Certified Work Incentive Counselor (CWIC) with Connecticut’s Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS). He currently serves as Project Director for the Department of Aging and Disability Services (ADS) – Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, overseeing the Connect-To-Work Benefits Counseling Project. Robert provides supervision, training, technical assistance, and guidance to benefits counselors and partner agencies, and remains actively involved in benefits counseling initiatives throughout the region.

Clair Volain
CT Aging & Disability Services
SHIP (CHOICES) Director

Claire Volain is the SHIP (CHOICES) Director for the State of CT, Aging & Disability Services. She has eight years of experience counseling and advocating for Medicare beneficiaries directly. She became passionate about this work while caregiving for a family member with dementia and seeing firsthand many of the barriers that older adults experience.

Medicare Savings Programs (MSP) help to pay some of the out-of-pocket costs of Medicare that can result in substantial savings for eligible Medicare participants. In Connecticut, the Department of Social Services (DSS) administers three MSPs:

• Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB), which pays both Medicare Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles, and co-insurances.
• Special Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) pays Medicare Part B premiums (currently $202.90 per month)
• Additional Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (ALMB) – This program pays for Part B premiums only. This program is subject to available program funding and is not available to Medicaid recipients.

Unlike many other states, Connecticut does not count assets in the Medicare Savings Program application and instead bases program eligibility on gross income. Cost savings derived from participation in any of the MSPs result in less money being deducted from the beneficiary’s monthly Social Security payment. Those savings can then help offset the costs of other necessities such as housing, transportation, food, heating, or medication.

Despite the considerable savings available through these programs, many eligible people are not enrolled. According to the National Council on Aging’s Benefits Participation Map, only 46% of eligible residents participate in Connecticut’s Medicare Savings Program.

The CT DSS receives many calls about MSP applications and renewals from residents seeking to understand their benefits and how they coordinate with Medicare. These questions and situations are well-suited for the CHOICES and Aging Answers specialists at each of Connecticut’s five Area Agencies on Aging (AAA).

Last year the CHOICES program assisted in over 2,000 Medicare Savings Program applications and over 500 recertifications across the state,” said Claire Volain, Director of CT’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) under the Bureau of Aging, Connecticut Aging and Disability Services. “Not only can our counselors help you apply and recertify your benefit, we can also help you understand your benefits and how to use Connecticut’s great program.”

Connect with an Aging Answers or CHOICES specialist at a local Area Agency on Aging by calling 1-800-994-9422. This number is also located on the back of the annual “Medicare and You” book. Callers will be directed to the correct AAA location by entering their zip code. AAAs receive an average of 110 calls per day through this number and are ready to help all callers make the right CHOICES about Medicare and CT’s Medicare Savings Program.

Every day, AgingCT’s Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) meet people at moments of uncertainty—times when the rules feel confusing, the system feels overwhelming, and the stakes are deeply personal. Behind every question about Medicare or coverage is a real story, often shaped by years of hard work, unexpected life events, or sudden changes in health.

These stories remind us of something important: even when the path forward isn’t obvious, there is often a way through—with the right guidance.

Through the support of AAA CHOICES teams and Service Navigation teams, individuals and families find clarity, stability, and solutions when they need them most.

For some, the journey begins at a major life transition—like retirement—when everything should fall into place but doesn’t always go as planned. One individual, after decades of continuous work, was ready to retire but encountered an unexpected obstacle: a small gap in employment records that threatened to delay Medicare coverage and trigger lifelong penalties. What could have ended in frustration turned into a success story. By piecing together alternative records—tax documents, payroll deductions, and insurance history—the CHOICES team helped build a clear picture of continuous coverage. With that, the individual was able to confidently move forward, turning what felt like a dead end into a fresh start.

For others, the challenge is about timing. After losing Medicaid coverage, one person found themselves locked out of Medicare enrollment and facing months without insurance. It seemed that there were no immediate options. But when the CHOICES team took a closer look, a different path emerged. By connecting the individual to the Medicare Savings Program, they were able to reduce costs and also unlock a Special Enrollment Period—restoring coverage far sooner than expected and replacing uncertainty with relief.

Sometimes, the situations AAAs encounter are layered and deeply personal, extending far beyond healthcare alone. One couple was facing the sudden loss of their health coverage due to unexpected penalties they didn’t know they owed. At the same time, they were coping with the aftermath of financial fraud and the strain of housing instability. In moments like these, solutions require more than one step. Through coordinated advocacy from the CHOICES team and support from the Service Navigation team, they were connected to legal and housing resources while their coverage issue was escalated and stabilized. The result? Preserved healthcare and a renewed sense of stability during an incredibly difficult time.

In other cases, urgency is driven by health itself. AAAs work with individuals recovering from serious medical events who are suddenly faced with gaps in coverage and mounting costs at the worst possible moment. Another person managing a chronic condition lost prescription coverage without ever receiving notice, leading to difficult decisions about how to afford essential medications. In both situations, quick action made all the difference. The CHOICES team helped secure temporary prescription support, identify cost-saving options, and advocate for longer-term solutions—ensuring that care could continue without interruption.

Not every challenge arrives as a crisis. Sometimes, it builds quietly over time. We often meet older adults who have remained in the same coverage for years, unaware of how much costs have increased. The CHOICES team can identify options that can save thousands of dollars annually without sacrificing the care enrollees depend on, which in turn provides greater financial stability and confidence moving forward.

And then there are the moments where small barriers create unexpected roadblocks. Something as simple as not having access to a cellphone for security codes or feeling unsure how to navigate online systems can stand in the way of critical decisions. In one time-sensitive situation, a beneficiary needed to select coverage immediately but was unable to access the required tools. By working through these barriers together, step by step, the CHOICES team ensured everything was in place just in time—turning what could have been a missed opportunity into a successful transition.

Each of these stories is different, but they all point to the same truth: no one should have to navigate these challenges alone.

Medicare and related programs can be complex, and the “right” answer isn’t always obvious at first glance. But with patience, persistence, and a willingness to look a little deeper, solutions can be found—solutions that protect health, reduce financial strain, and restore peace of mind.

If there’s one takeaway from these stories, it’s this: when something doesn’t seem right, or when the system feels overwhelming, it’s worth asking questions and exploring every option. The path forward is often closer than it seems—sometimes just one conversation away, and thanks to AgingCT’s CHOICES and Service Navigation teams…often leads to higher ground.

AgingCT is excited to announce the launch of Grantee Gateway – a new system that creates a statewide technology infrastructure designed to improve data management, service coordination, reporting, and funding flow across the aging services network. This new system aims to eliminate redundancies, accelerate provider payments, and enhance access to services for vulnerable older adults — particularly those in underserved and low-income communities.

Grantee Gateway, supported by the State of Connecticut Office of Policy and Management Nonprofit Grant Program, and a grant from the Point32Health Foundation, is used by Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) and the aging provider network that are awarded funding from AAAs to deliver services including nutrition, in-home care, and respite.

The lack of unified technology systems was creating prolonged data entry and increased administrative overhead, delaying provider reimbursement and hindering eligibility determinations and enrollment. This made it difficult to produce reliable, town-specific, and state-specific aggregated reports. This new Salesforce-based database will enable real-time, secure, and HIPAA-compliant data solutions aimed at reducing redundancies, improving data accuracy, and offering reporting capabilities to identify gaps and enhance service delivery. This shift is expected to yield measurable efficiencies across all participating agencies, including improved timeliness of services and reduced operational costs.

Thank you to our AAA staff and partners for their patience throughout the process as we launched Grantee Gateway. We are eager to see the results of this streamlined and innovative approach as we seek to increase our capacity to support Connecticut’s aging population more effectively.

On May 15, 2026, the Secretary of the State transmitted Public Act 26-68 to the Governor for signature, adjusting the State budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027. The budget includes several provisions impacting older adults and individuals with disabilities.

Key measures include a requirement for home care and companion agency staff to complete at least 10 hours of training covering communication, environmental safety, abuse identification and reporting, Alzheimer’s disease, and related topics. Another provision expands protections for the use of technology in residential care homes, including virtual monitoring and visitation, and establishes penalties for violations.

The budget also provides a caregiver tax credit for individuals who pay out-of-pocket costs to support the activities of daily living of adult family members. This change will support families and allow individuals to continue to live independently if they desire.

The Aging Committee, led by Representative Jane Garibay and Senator Jan Hochadel, proposes a task force to study the needs of older adults and to help ensure appropriate resource allocation.

The budget also reinforces support for aging services, funding five regional service navigators, and restoring a senior center/municipal agent coordinator position within the Department of Aging and Disability Services.

AgingCT thanks state legislators for their continued commitment to making Connecticut a strong place to age well.