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Local lawmaker fights for more Alzheimer's services in Connecticut

A bill to allow more state residents to participate in Alzheimer's respite care program services is moving through the legislative process. 

 

Newtown State Representative Mitch Bolinsky voted in the Aging committee to approve the bill.  It would increase the annual income limit for participants in the Respite Care Program, which provides respite for caregivers who care for people with Alzheimer's disease or related disorders.  The annual income limit for participants in the Respite Care Program would increase from $43,846 to $50,000.

 

The Legislature's Appropriations Committee, another committee on which  Bolinsky serves, will be the next to consider the measure.

 

The asset limit is $116,567. Current income and asset limits are set by Department of Aging policy. The law requires the department to annually increase these limits to reflect social security cost of living adjustments.

 

Last year, the Connecticut Statewide Alzheimer's Respite Program provided direct services for 713 Alzheimer's patients. Services included nursing, home health aides, companions, Adult Day Centers and Meals on Wheels. Sometimes, a family caregiver was not available.  Almost 1,000 families received information, referrals and counseling to help them with the difficult job of family caregiving.

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