Sen. Kelly Applauds Signing Into Law of Aging-In-Place Legislation

New law “makes sure the voices of seniors is heard.”

Sen. Kevin Kelly, the former co-chair of the legislature’s Aging Committee and an elder law attorney, today applauded the governor’s signing into law of legislation he co-sponsored which increases support for at-home care for elderly people in Connecticut.

“Whenever I ask seniors the question, ‘Does anyone want to go to a nursing home?’, the answer I almost always get is a resounding ‘no’,” Sen. Kelly said. “So, if people don’t want to enter nursing homes, and it’s less expensive to stay home, and there are better health outcomes from staying home, we must pass policies which help seniors age in place. This new law is a major step forward. This is what our seniors would expect us to do. I thank the governor, members of the Aging Committee and my legislative colleagues for getting this bill to the finish line and making sure the voices of seniors are heard. ”

“These issues mean so much to our seniors who have given so much of themselves,” Sen. Kelly said. “Whenever our nation has asked them to sacrifice, they’ve done it. Now, it’s our job as state lawmakers to make aging in place work for them.”

The law, which has the support of the AARP, requires agencies employing home health aides and home care professionals to provide better training on recognizing and responding to harassment, abuse and discrimination.

The law includes a regulatory presumption of Medicaid eligibility for people who remain in their homes but need outside help; a concept championed by Senator Kelly.

It creates an online state nursing home consumer dashboard which would provide detailed information on quality of care in the state’s nursing home industry. It also expands the state’s Homecare Program by providing stipends for Medicaid-eligible people to stay in their homes and avoid much-more expensive nursing homes.

Photo above:
In the State Senate Chamber, left to right: Sen. Kevin Kelly, Aging Committee Co-Chair Rep. Jane Garibay, D-Windsor), and Sen. Tony Hwang (R-Fairfield) after the final passage of aging-in-place legislation.