Human Services Committee
Public Health Committee
AN ACT CONCERNING THE ALZHEIMER'S RESPITE CARE PROGRAM
SUMMARY: The State-Wide Respite Care Program provides respite care for people with Alzheimer's disease or related disorders, regardless of age, who are not enrolled in the Connecticut Homecare Program for Elders (CHCPE). This act increases, from $30,000 to $41,000, the program's annual income limit and increases its asset limit from $80,000 to $109,000. Beginning July 1, 2009, the act requires the Department of Social Services (DSS) commissioner annually to increase the income and asset limits to reflect Social Security cost of living adjustments.
The act requires the commissioner to adopt regulations allowing program participants who demonstrate a need for additional services to receive up to $7,500 for respite care services. Prior law limited respite care services to $3,500 annually.
The act also adds personal care assistant (PCA) services to the list of respite care services the program provides. Respite care services provide short-term relief for family members caring for an individual with Alzheimer's or related diseases. They include homemaker services, adult day care, short-term medical facility care, home-health care, and companion services.
Finally, the act makes a technical change.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2009
OLR Tracking: ND: KM: SS: TS